Myanmar to hold grand religious function to mark 2600th anniversary Shwedagon Pagoda

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YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar is making preparation to hold grand religious function to mark the 2600th anniversary of the world's famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the official daily New Light of Myanmar reported Monday.

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Renovation work on the Shwedagon pagoda is underway for the event falling on a full-moon day of Myanmar calendar in March 2012 under the supervision of the Yangon region government.

Newly tiling of prayer halls and shrines for convenience of pilgrims, installing of elevators at museum, repository of Buddhist scriptures and archives of the pagoda, building separate staircase to Buddha's Life Museum with landscape gardening, modernized display of life of Buddha at the museum are being done, the report said.

Colorful illumination during the anniversary Buddhist function, offering Lord Buddha with 84,000 pieces of blooming flower and construction of two gateways of grandeur to the pagoda are also underway, the report added.

The Shwedagon Pagoda, enshrining four Buddha hair relics, was built by King Okkalapa and two-brother merchants in B.C. 588, the year when Lord Buddha gained enlightenment.

Over the past 2600 years, the height of pagoda increased from 20 meters to 99 meter through repeated renovations in different dynasties and eras.

Shwedagon Pagoda, a symbol of Myanmar, traditionally remained famous to the world.

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Sri Lanka Embassy in Germany commemorates the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi with an all-night recitation of Pirith

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Berlin, Germany -- The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany in association with Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Buddhist Vihara) in Berlin – Frohnau, held an all – night recitation of Pirith Ceremony at the premises of the Embassy beginning at 8.00 p.m. on Friday June 10th 2011.

<< Photo (Left to right): Ven. Halyale Wimalaratana (Switzerland),Ven . Kruwalagaswewa Anuruddha (Switzerland) Ven.Lendiyagala Sudassi (Switzerland) Ven.Kannimahara Piyasiri (München) Ven.Kongaspitiye Santharakkhitha (Berlin) Ven (Dr.)Wijayarajapura Seelawansa Nayake Thera (Vienna, Austria) Ven Thalpawila Kusalagnana (Hamburg), Mr. Piyasena (Seated) Kapakaru.

14 Buddhist Monks based in various cities across continental Europe and some visiting monks from Sri Lanka attended the function at the Embassy.

This event was held pursuant to a decision taken by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi on an all year basis commencing from the Vesak full moon Poya day of 2011.

In this context the understanding of the President and the Government is that appropriate religious activities, including programmes of religious work would be carried out by the Vihares, Institutions and overseas Missions to the best of their ability. This would include Buddhist sermons, Dhamma discussions, and meditation programmes (dhamma, seela bhavana etc.) among others.

Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhltha Thero of Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Vihara) co-ordinated all activities regarding the all night Pirith ceremony pursuant to an invitation sent to him and all other monks by Major – General Jagath Dias, Deputy Chief of Mission, acting on behalf of the Ambassador. Eight of the venerable monks resided at the Berlin Vihara during their temporary stay in Berlin.

Mr. Tissa Weeraratna, Vice – President, GDS and Manager in charge of the Berlin Vihara ensured that the visiting monks were well looked after. A couple of monks remained at the Temple until the 20th of June.

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