Pictures by Nimal Navarathne

A benedictory Sath Sathi Puja was conducted by Ven. Malangama Pangnasara of the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathanaya, Maharagama at the Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple (Heathrow Viharaya) on the 18th September 2011 to celebrate the sacred spiritual activities of Buddha during the seven weeks immediately after his Enlightenment.

The Sath Sathi Puja was a way of paying homage to Buddha in ancient Sri Lanka. The Buddha spent the first week experiencing the Bliss of Deliverance under the Bodhi Tree.

During the second week, He stood motionless facing the Bodhi Tree and contemplated it without blinking.

The third week was spent in walking meditation, and the fourth week was spent meditating in the ‘abode of jewels’ erected by the gods.

In the fifth week, The Buddha was able to repulse the advances of the three daughters of Mara, while meditating under the (Ajapal) Goatherd’s Banyan Tree.

The Buddha spent the sixth week meditating under the Mucalinda Tree and was protected by the Mucalinda naga during the heavy rain.

In the seventh week, when Buddha was meditating under the Rajayatana Tree, two brothers Tapassu and Balluka who were merchants from a passing caravan offered Him food on the last day of the week and they took refuge in Buddha and Dhamma.

The Puja was sponsored by Mr.Janaka Kumarasinghe and a large number of devotees participated in the puja. Mr.Saman Ekanayake was also present on behalf of the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, on the invitation by Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa, the Head of the Temple.

SESATHA - The Sri Lankan Event Portal in UK