Buddhist programmes from Sussex College network to mark Sambuddhathva Jayanthi

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Colombo, Sri Lanka -- The Sussex college network conducted a range of Buddhist programmes to commemorate the Wesak festival, the Poson Festival and the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi in their branches island wide.

The objectives of conducting these Buddhist programmes are inculcating Buddhist values in the students of the Sussex network of colleges and pointing them towards a lifestyle of religious ideals. Under the guidance of the Sussex college network Chairman K.A.S. Jayathissa, these programmes were conducted in 20 colleges of the Sussex network including Nugegoda, Kiribathgoda, Ambalangoda, Anuradhapura, Galle, Kandy, Horana and Bandarawela branches. The Sussex college network has planned to conduct these programmes throughout the year.

Among these Buddhist programmes held with the participation of students, parents and the staff, alms givings, observing Sil, meditation, conducting Bodhi Poojas and Buddha Poojas, Bhakthi Geetha programmes, listening to sermons, lighting Wesak lanterns, Pahan Pooja, designing Wesak Greeting Cards and art exhibitions took pride of place. The specialty of these programmes is that even though students belonging to various religions and nationalities study at the Sussex network of colleges, all of them participated and gave their fullest co-operation to make these programmes a success.

The Nugegoda branch of the Sussex college network is working towards establishing an inter-religious fellowship association and conducting public welfare programmes such as helping the elderly, hospital service and assisting students with economic difficulties.

The Sussex English medium college network teaching the Sri Lankan syllabus in the English medium is the largest English medium network of colleges in Sri Lanka and the first to achieve the ISO 9001:2000 global standard. The branches of the Sussex network of colleges are located in Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kandy, Bandarawela, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, Matara, Ambalangoda, Gampaha, Malabe, Horana, Kuliyapitiya, Nugegoda, Kiribathgoda, Negombo, Wennappuwa and Ampara. The Sri Lankan syllabus is taught in the English medium from pre-school level to Advanced Level at the Sussex network of colleges, and the necessary text books have been already prepared.

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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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