Jethavana buddhist vihara in Birmingham commemorates Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya and its annual pirith chanting ceremony

Jethavana Buddhist Vihara in Birmingham commemorates Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya and its annual pirith chanting ceremony

Photographs by Jethavana buddhist vihara - Report by Sugath Senevirathna

2600^th Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya (completion of 2600 years upon attainment of Buddhahood by prince Siddhartha) and annual pirith chanting ceremony of the temple was held at grand level, under the patronage of most venerable Keppetiyagoda Gunawansa Nayaka Thero, chief Sangha Nayaka in the United Kingdom for Srilanka Ramanna Nikaya and Most venerable Mapalagama Soratha thero, the Deputy monk of Jethavana Buddhist Vihara in Birmingham.

This Sambuddhatva Jayanthiya and Pirith Chanting was attended by around 300 Buddhist devotees and many Distinguished Buddhist monks. Amongst the Buddhist monks who attended function were Most Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Nayaka Thero, The head monk of Srisaddatissa International Buddhist centre in Kingsbury and Sangha nayaka for Great Britain, Most Venerable Dr. Nagoda Amarawansa Nayaka Thero, the chief incumbent of Srilanka Vidyalaya Maradana, Srilanka and the working committee member for Srilanka Ramanna Nikaya. Most Venerable Akuratiye Nanda Nayaka Thero, Chief sangha nayaka for Western Province in Srilanka and co-Author for Sinhala encyclopaedia. Deputy incumbent of Leicester Buddhist Vihara Pandith Teldeniye Amitha Thero. Most venerable Bambarakotuwe Ananda Mangala Thro. Chief incumbent of Kachchuwaththa purana Viharaya in Galle Srilanka, Most venerable Uluvitige Bodhiseeha Thero. Most venerable Wanduramba Kassapa Thero, Most Venerable Nepale Sumana Thero, Most Venerable Galpoththayaye Pemananda Thero, and Kirimetiyawe Dhammika Thero from Manchester Kethumathi Buddhist Centre. Most venerable Konwewe Ariyarathana Thero, the residence monk of London Buddhist Vihara.

Dr. Sumanaseela and Dr Thamara sponsored this event in order to bestow merits for those who sacrificed their lives at war in Srilanka and to invoke blessing of triple gems for peace among all communities in Srilanka. Mr Prathipha Silva whose son of sponsoring duo, falls on this particular day, therefore, they expect to seek the blessings triple gems on their son’s Birth Day. Dayaka Sabha of the temple is grateful to Mr. Santha Perera, Mr. Palitha Bandara, Mrs.Priyanka Hikkaduwa and Mrs. Anuruddika Hikaduwa for their time, energy and money in bringing this Sambuddhatva Jayanthi event and all night Pirith Chanting ceremony to it’s climax