Venerable Upatissa Visits the Vihara
Venerable D.Upatissa the only Theravada Buddhist monk in Montneal,Canada came to visit the Vihara.He is the head monk of Quebec Meditation Centre,Montneal,Canada.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Thursday, May 03, 2007
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!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
The Oil Anointing ceremony at the Vihara to celebrate Sri Lankan New Year
The most important date in Sri Lanka 's cultural calendar happened to be the same for Sri Lankans living in Scotland on Saturday the 14th April, 1007.
All Sri Lankans; Sinhalese, Tamils and Musilms got together at the Scotland¢s Buddhist Vihara on the New Year to perform religious rites to receive the blessings of the priest during nonagathaya.
It was so fascinating to witness the sight of a group of white pilgrims walking up from Glasgow Buddhist Centre,Sauchiehall Street, stopping to chant Dhamma at intervals on their way to the Vihara to join this ceremony with their Sri Lankan brothers and sisters.
The Sri Lankan New Year began to Scotland too with the lighting of hearth. Kiribath(Milk rice) was prepared at the Vihara itself and Sri Lankan family members enjoyed the first meal of this New Year at the Vihara. Scottish visitors were welcomed by the aroma of traditional Sri Lankan savoury dishes and plied with traditional sweetmeats.
Children then offered betel to their parents and elders as a token of love and gratitude and in return blessed. Elders too exchanged betel with each other transacting ganudenu and wishing good health and wealth in the New Year.
The festivities came to an end with the anointing of the oil ceremony. Venerable Rewatha and Dr Prem Sirisena anointed the gathering with herbal oil giving blessings for the New Year. A veteran Sinahala Media journalist Ms. Sumana Nellampitiya came all the way from Sri Lanka to capture this great event and was on air on 15th of April on SLRC in main News bulletin and on SLBC as well.
Sri Lankan community in Scotland had a memorable time being together, celebrating Avurudu, truly a celebration of life!
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