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Annual Kathina
Ceremony of Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist
Centre was held on Sunday 31st October
2010 at St. Michael's Church Hall,
Letchworth. Over 200 devotees witnessed
an inspirational Buddhist tradition
under the guidance of Ven Akurala
Samitha, the head monk of the Dhamma
Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre. Everyone
highly appreciated the well organised
ceremony bringing many aspects of the
early Buddhist culture and tradition to
light in an easy to understand manner.
Venerable monks
representing many temples in the United
Kingdom, headed by Venerable Tawalama
Bandula Thera (deputy head monk of
London Buddhist Vihara), Ven W
Wimalajothie Thera and Ven Sumanarama
Thera (head of Edmonton Samadhi
Meditation Centre) graced the occasion.
This year ceremony
was the seventh consecutive Annual
Kathina Ceremony of the Centre. Due to
the selfless dedication and skills of
the founder and the head of the centre,
Ven Akurala Samitha Thero, Dhamma
Nikethanaya International Buddhist
Centre for Education Meditation
Psychotherapy and Counselling has
increasingly become an valuable resource
for the residents in the United Kingdom
especially among the diverse community
resident in the Letchworth area, which
includes members of the Sri Lankan,
Indian, English, Burmese, Chinese
communities, as well as many others.
Friends of Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist
Centre appreciate Ven Akurala Samitha as
a gifted spiritual mentor with excellent
skills in communication and an ability
to illuminate hearts and minds with the
noble teachings of the Buddha and also
an embodiment of true compassion to work
for the wellbeing of the community.
The day’s programme
was started by carrying the Kathina Robe
and Relics Casket in a respectful
procession to the ceremonial hall from
the Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre
at Pix Road. The Ceremony was officially
started by welcoming the Venerable monks
and lighting the traditional oil lamp.
Devotees shared the rare opportunity of
stitching the Kathina Robe. The
Traditional Kappa Rukkha (beautiful
wishful filling tree) symbolically
fulfilled the aspirations of devotees
and brought necessities for the centre.
Ven Akurala Samitha Thero explained the
significances in English. Ven Tawalama
Bandula Thero, deputy head of the London
Buddhist Vihara delivered a Dhamma Talk
in Hindi. Ven Sumanarama Thero of
Edmonton Samadhi Meditation Centre
delivered the Dhamma Talk in Sinhala. Dr
Sunil Kariyakarawana, The Buddhist
Chaplain to Her Majesty’s Forces,
compassionately delivered a keynote
speech in English on Spiritual Urgency
in Buddhism for happiness in day to day
life.
Conducting a
beautiful Atavisi Buddha Pooja (Blissful
Pooja for Twenty Eight Buddhas) in
tribute to parents, Ven Akurala Samitha
thanked everyone’s support in making the
Seventh Annual Kathina Ceremony an
enormous success stating that without
the generosity, compassion and good will
of the members and the friends of the
Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre
nothing would have been possible. This
year the Atavisi Buddha Pooja was
sponsored by Mrs Ramya Jayasinghe and
family.
Mr Kishan Summan and
family were the principal sponsors of
this year’s Kathina ceremony with full
participation and generous support of
the members of the centre. May the
Blessings of this greatest meritorious
deed completely fulfil, without
exception the aspirations of all and
lead to the ever lasting happiness
Nibbana! May all be secure, well and
happy with noble blessings of the Triple
Gem!
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