Buddha Jayanthi events on grand scale

by Chamikara Weerasinghe, Daily News, April 6, 2006

COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) If Sri Lanka were to give leadership to the world by any means, it would be through Buddhism.

In a world where stronger nations are bullying small defenceless nations and where there is always a chance that some lunatic might let loose an atomic bomb to destroy humankind, there is much that The Buddha's teachings can do to promote world peace.

The Buddhist Monks of Sri Lanka are still a field of merit to the world. The Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk has done a great deal already, to propagate Buddha Dhamma in the West.

It is due to their silent contributions we see a marked Buddhist resurgence today in the Western world. That is why many Buddhist monasteries have come up in countries like Australia, America and Germany while our local critics are yet to learn how they should establish themselves in Samma Vaacha to abstain from verbally abusing the entire community of Maha Sangha for a minute offence committed by one of its misguided members.

Didn't the people experience the loving kindness of Buddhist Monks during the time of the tsunami and its aftermath. Didn't the Monks feed them in temples and give them shelter during that difficult period ? In fact the power of the saffron robe and the protection it provides the people with, is still so real in Sri Lanka.

It is in this background that Sri Lanka is preparing to celebrate the forthcoming Vesak Festival in May to uphold the country's Buddhist resurgence and its marked identity as a Theravada Buddhist country, which has served as a centre for Buddhist studies and practice for the peace and happiness of world communities.

The Vesak festival this year is to be marked with the all-important 2550th Buddha Jayanthi anniversary. The Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka is organising the 2550 the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations in Sri Lanka while the Maha Bodhi Society of India is organising a Buddha Jayanthi Festivals in Buddhist cities of India. There will be Sangayanas of Buddha's teachings in Burma and Thailand to mark the celebrations.

Arrangements will be made in Sri Lanka to exhibit the relics of Buddha's chief disciples, Most Ven. Sariputta and Moggallana to celebrate the Buddha's birth and passing away into Nibbhana. The exposition of these relics will be held at the Agrasravaka Maha Vihara in Colombo, at The Mahabodhi Society Headquarters.

Chairman of Mahabodhi Society, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera said they also plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of "Sinhala Bauddhaya", Sri Lanka's first Buddhist monthly journal, published by the Society since 1906 on the direction of Buddhist stalwart Anagarika Dharmapala.

Upatissa Thera said: "The Mahabodhi Society decided to hold the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi at the Society's headquarters after considering the historic value of the place. "If there had been any Buddhist resurgence in the country , it all started here at the Agrashravaka Maha Vihara, where Anagarika Dharmapala thera launched his campaigns to propagate the Buddha's message," he said.

Ven. Banagala Thera said it was due to Mahabodhi Society that Sri Lanka was able to acquire the relics of Agrasravakas Most Ven. Sariputta and Moggallana Theras from the then English Government.

The relics had been lying at museums Victoria and Albert for 200 years after being taken away by the British rulers in India when the Society together with India and Burmese Governments claimed them after negotiations with the British Government, he said.

On the occasion where the sacred relics were enshrined at Agrasravaka Maha Vihara in 1969, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi graced the occasion. She wrote, " It was a great moment for our part of the world when the venerated relics of Sariputta and Moggallana were brought back from London. I recall the scenes of fervour at Sanchi when a new Vihara was built and a portion of the relics were enshrined there.

The people of India are glad to learn the Vihara is being consecrated in Ceylon to house another portion of the relics.

At this deeply significant moment, the people of India send their greetings and good wishes to the people of Ceylon."

Speaking on The Mahabohi Society's plans to celebrate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi, the Thera said that 2550 new Monks will be ordained.

Arrangements will be made to hold a Buddhist conference with the participation of leading personalities connected with Buddhism or interested in Buddhism from all over the world to mark the event this year. He requested the Buddhist clergy's and the people's participation and support the cause of Mahabodhi Society's efforts to have a successful and a grand Buddha Jayanthi celebration.

source: http://www.dailynews.lk/2006/04/06/news15.asp