Kathina Ceremony at Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre

Kathina ceremony at sri saddhatissa international buddhist centre.

Photographs by Tissa Madawela

The Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre celebrated the end of Vassana Retreat on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2013. The Atavisi Buddha Puja, an ancient tradition of paying homage to the 28 Buddhas of the past, was held on Saturday 26th October 2013. This was conducted by Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka Nayaka Thero, Head of the Sri Alan Mathiniyaramaya, Kirulapone, Sri Lanka. As it always happens at the SSIBC, zealous devotees had decorated the preaching hall colourfully, and delicately placed the 28 statues of past Buddhas on the platform. A large crowd of devotees participated in offering Atapirikara, Robes, Flowers and other offerings at this ceremony, which was witnessed by a huge gathering. Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Nayaka Thero, in his sermon, explained eloquently the position of women as enunciated clearly by the Enlightened One.

The Kathina Puja or the Robe Offering Ceremony took place on Sunday 27th October 2013. It started with the material for the Kathina Robe being brought to the Vihara from Hay Lane along Roe Green at 6:30am, after which several devotees started the process of sewing the special Kathina Robe. A large number of devotees observed sil on this special occasion. Aggamahapandita Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero of the UK and Head of the Vihara, administered the Eight Precepts and conducted the Buddha Puja at 8:00am. The full day’s programme included a meditation session conducted by Dr Senevi Aturupana, Buddhist Chaplain to HM Prisons and Dhamma talks by Ven. Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thero; Ven. Matale Wijewansha Thero of the Weluwanaramaya, Wadumulla, Dewalapola, Sri Lanka; Ven. Dr Deegalle Mahinda Thero, Senior Lecturer at Bath Spa University; Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Nayaka Thero; and a Buddha Puja conducted by Venerable Uluwitike Bodhiseeha Nayaka Thero, Head of the Kachchiwatte Purana Maha Vihare, Galle. The Ceremony ended with the Pirith Chanting by the Maha Sangha at 7:00 pm. The Maha Sangha unanimously decided and ceremonially bestowed the Katina Robe to Aggamahapandita Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero.

The Vas Aradhana took place on Sunday 21st July 2013. The main sponsors were Mr Ranjith & Mrs Takshila Karunaratne, Mr Pujitha & Mrs Bhagya De Silva, Mr Wimal & Mrs Sumitra Wimaladasa, Mr Colvin & Mrs Promodini Liyanwela and Members of the Dayaka Sabha. The Venerable Sangha residing at the SSIBC, besides Aggaamahapandita Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Sangha Nayaka Thero, Head of Vihara were Ven. Handupelpola Mahinda Nayaka Thero, Ven. Matale Wijewansha Thero, Ven Waskaduwe Subodhi Thero, Ven. Shravasti Dhammika Thero, Ven. Nepal Sumana Thero, Ven Nepal Tissa Thero.

Following the success of last years publication of the Kingsbury Dharmadeshana 2012 in Sinhala, this year too, the Kingsbury Dharmadeshana 2013 will be published in English, containing all the sermons delivered during the Nava Arahadi Bodhi Pujas delivered on Sundays, during the Vassana Retreat.

The main sponsors of the Katina also published a Vandana Book “ Buddha Vandana and Dharmadesana” for distribution on this occasion.

This was the 24th Kathina Festival held at the Sri Saddhatissa international Buddhist Centre and it was very well attended.