Visakha OGA Dhamma Day Program at Thames Buddhist Vihara in London

Visakha OGA Dhamma Day Program at Thames Buddhist Vihara in London

Pictures by Nimal Navaratne

The Past Pupils Association of Visakha held a very successful Visakha Dhamma day dhamma programme for the second year running thanks to Dr. Damayanthi Perera’s determination and effort to continue this dhamma event on an annual basis. Saturday afternoon friends and family of all the Visakha past pupils in UK began to stream in to the meditation hall at the Thames Buddhist vihara Selsdon Croydon where the event took place with the blessings of Maha Nayaka Ven Pahalagama Somaratana thero.

The session began with a mal pahan pooja conducted by resident monk Ven Kirivehere Rahula thero which ignited the sense of dhamma saddha for the evening. Matheesha Gunathilaka who teaches and fascilitates dhamma classes at the Thames Buddhist vihara followed on from there with a dhamma quizz deviding the audience of around 60 to small groups of 3 to 4 for self analysis and motivation of practice of the dhamma.He went on to the topic of ‘ Noble Eight Fold Path in daily practice ‘, in his chirpy cheerful manner with humour , which drew in much audience participation, whilst delivering insightful teachings of the Buddha.
The meditation session was conducted by Shiroma Bandara who also teaches and fascilitates dhamma classes at the Thames Buddhist Vihara. With poise she guided the group in to calming stillness of the mind , through contemplations of seela and metta leading to a beautiful ‘four devine abodes ‘ meditation. This serene meditation guidance ended with the all important ‘Anapana sathi bhavana’ helpful to develop the mind to Samadhi and wisdom.Practical methods to take home for daily practice.

Professor Sunil Kariyakarawana who is the Buddhist Chaplain to the UK Forces, International Buddhist cordinator and a dhamma teacher at the East Ham Buddhist Vihara , kept the audience awe inspired with his Dhamma talk throwing new angles to seeing Buddha Dhamma Sangha . The openings to the Sathara sathipattana introduced to see the ‘Mind at its depth’ his topic for the evening was very insightful carrying much advice for daily practice.
The evening ended with light refreshments and tea . A revised and updated version of the booklet ‘The Path of Practice’ written by Matheesha reprinted by Shiroma was distributed free to be taken home.