First Kathina Ceremony At Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple

First Kathina Ceremony At Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple - 22^nd October 2011

Report by Wimal Silva & Pictures by Upendra Alwis, Keerthi Senanayake, Dishan Nanayakkara

At the end of the symbolic Vassana retreat the Kathina ceremony of the Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple at Heathrow was held on 21^st and 22^nd October 2011, amidst a large number of devotees and venerable Buddhist monks from various parts of the UK. On Friday 21^st a religious sermon was delivered by Ven. Konwewe Ariyarathana Thera which delighted everyone present.

By around six o’clock in the morning the unstitched cloth for the Kathina robe was brought to the temple in a colourful procession led by the co-sponsors, Mr. Jayaratna Bandara, Mrs. Teela Ranjani and Mr. Wimal Perera and Mrs. Shanthi Perera , together with their family members, friends and devotees. After partaking breakfast devotees observed Sil. The meditation programme was conducted by the head of Letchworth Buddhist Temple Ven. Nallure Sangaratna Thero. Ven. Tissapura Sugatharathana Thero of the East Ham Lumbini Vihara conducted the Buddha Pooja . The Chief Sangha Nayake of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya to Great Britain & the head of Birmingham Jéthavana Buddhist Vihara, Ven. Keppetiyagoda Gunawansa Thero recited the hymns’ to offer lunch to the Maha Sangha. and to those who observed precepts. Afterwards a Dhamma talk on a timely topic was given by the head of Leicester Temple Ven. Theldeniye Amitha Thero . Stitched Kathina robe was then offered to the Maha Sangha by the co-sponsors and a sermon was delivered on the merits of Kathina offerings.

With the conclusion of the Sil programme, Atavisi Buddha Pooja to make offerings to 28 past Buddhas by the devotees individually was elaborately conducted by ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero the Chief incumbent. The poojas consisted of robes, Atapirikara , trays of flowers , lamps, etc to each Buddhas. Ven. Mapalagama Soratha Thero, Ven. Dediyawala Wimala Thero and Ven. Sumangala Thero of Thailand also attended the ceremony representing other temples in the UK. A large gathering of devotees were also present for this ceremony.