Vesak Poya Day Sila Programme at the Vihara

Vesak Poya Day 2551 which marked the birth, enlightenment and the parinibbana (passing away) of the Buddha, the Enlightened One was a day of sanctity for Buddhists through out the world.

This day on May 1st, the full moon Poya Day was observed at the Scotland's Buddhist Vihara, in keeping with the tradition of the temple as being the focal point of the local buddhist community, to reflect on Buddhist history and review Buddha's teachings.

The programme which included the observation of eight precepts (Ata sil), meditation,preaching of Dhamma,reading of Buddhist scriptures and Buddha pooja (offerings to the Buddha) was conducted by Ven. K. Rewatha, the chief incumbent of the SBV. It was an opportune time to rekindle the hearts of the devotees to Buddha's immortal words that espoused peace and compassion to all.

The day turned out to be a sunny refreshing day that enabled the devotees to participate in meditation activities conducted by Ven. Rewatha on the lawn behind the temple. He guided the participants to inner peace by such techniques as walking and silent meditation.

The devotees who could not participate in the day programme offered 'dana' with compassion and loving kindness. Later in the evening, a pooja and a sermon was held for the rest of the devotees.

In the Dhammapada, the Buddha profoundly explains thus;

"Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; They are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox."

May All Beings Be Happy!