2020/21 LBYG Presidential Address

Welcome to the 2020/2021 Footprints magazine. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to our first ever online edition of Footprints which will be widely accessible on any multimedia device. To start off, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respects to their Elders past and present; I extend these respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Let me start off by asking you: “What is the LBYG? What is the purpose behind it? How does joining it benefit you?” There are a multitude of questions revolving around who we are and what we do, but let me concisely address all your questions that revolve around why the LBYG exists. If you aren’t aware, the LBYG was formed 15 years ago through the sheer dedication of Venerable Dhammagavesi Nayaka Thero and the SLBVA (Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara Association). The LBYG was formed to engage developing youths with Buddhist teachings and to relate these teachings to their day-to-day lifestyles. This group is not only formed purely to engage the youth with the Buddhist teachings, but to also influence our rich culture and traditional values unto our youth to preserve an ancient and exquisite history we hold dearly to our hearts. The LBYG isn’t merely subdued to the Sri Lankan community, reaching towards our multiculturally diverse communities, and affiliating with their cultural celebrations, while striving to support our communities by building up strong and well-mannered young adults. Hence we stand by our motto: Youth Behaving Nobly. The LBYG is a jovial group that invites young Buddhists and non-Buddhists from a vast range of demographics to connect, build and maintain relationships, whilst allowing generations from the past, present, and future to pursue and maintain the prevalence of the practice of Buddhism in their lifestyles.

The publication of the Footprints Magazine wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for a proactive team.  I would like to thank the Chief Editors of the Footprints magazine, Nadeesha Abayaratna and Nipuna Weerasinghe, for their dedication and adroitness to publish the footprints magazine. Furthermore, I would humbly like to thank every individual who dedicated their time by contributing to the writing and painting within this magazine, and I encourage you strongly to go through the Footprints Magazine as it consists of relatable and controversial topics surrounding the dharma, and how it can relate to us. 

To end off my note, though we faced a massive obstacle with the COVID-19 situation, we were capable of accomplishing events such as Picnic Day and Vesak. Please understand all these events were only possible through the intervention of the SLBVA and a strong LBYG committee that backed me up in every situation. Most importantly, I thank all those individuals who attended these events and workshops to make 2020/21 a year that gave people a sense of hope and normality. I strongly encourage new members to join and hope to see new faces in 2022.  Before I end my note, please remember this axiom, and relate it to your life: ” ධම්මො හවෙ රකඛති ධම්මචාරි”.

With Loving Kindness,
Sugandha Habakkala Hewage
LBYG President 2020/2021