London Buddhist Vihara celebrates Vesak in the year of 2600^th Sambuddha Jayanthi - 15th May 2011

Pictures by Tissa Madawala - Report by Pandula Ranatunga

      As the morning dew still glistening on the summer leaves against the rising sun, a sudden gush of cold breeze made the rainbow coloured flags flap against the red bricked walls of the Vihara, as if it to welcome those clad in snowy white attire who were hurrying towards the temple door in preparation of receiving the eight precepts. Inside the London Buddhist Vihara was decorated in Buddhist flags and colourful lanterns as a part of celebration for the Buddha Day which is known to all of us as Vesak, the day that commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and the Parinibbana of the Buddha.

This year Vesak has been more of a special event as it is the Year of Buddha’s 2600^th Anniversary of Enlightenment.  The special programme on SUNDAY, 15th MAY 2011 was a part of a series of events that culminated in a full day programme that included a series of meditations, discussions, talks and sermons in Sinhala and in English that were both intellectually stimulating as well as spiritually uplifting. The programme began with the Hoisting of the Buddhist Flag by Mr. P. M. Amza, H. E. the Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner to the Court of St.James’s followed by the lighting of the Traditional Oil Lamp. The administering of Eight Precepts and Admonition (anusasana) was done by Ven. B. Seelawimala Nayaka Thera Head of the Vihara, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain. The Buddha Vandana (Paying Homage to the Buddha) was conducted by Ven. Tawalama. Bandula. The Meditation which was mainly based on Compassion was conducted by Ven.Susara. After short preach by Path to Happiness” by Ven. Pandith W. Wimalajothi.  

The Dana was organised by the coordinators of the Vihara. This was followed by Buddhapuja that was offered to Venerable monks and close to four hundred Upasakas and Upasikas who were observing Eight precepts on the day. The highlight of the day was the lecture by Professor Richard Gombrich Boden Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Balliol College on the subject of "The Buddha's Middle Way." After Tea was the Abhidhamma sermon given by Ven. K. Ariyarathana under the heading "Saddha - A vital support along the Path". Sinhala Sermon on the day was done by Ven. T. Bandula with an added presentation on the significant sights in the Buddha’s life. After the Paritta Chanting and Punyanumodana all those attended were treated to a repertoire of Bakthi Gee by Dhamma school Parents. Overall it was a day of reflection and contemplation. The Children Vesak programme was conducted on the Saturday the day prior to the main Vesak Day which was attended by just over three hundred students and parents organised by the teachers and the parents of Dhamma school.

SESATHA - The Sri Lankan Event Portal in UK