"Kavi Bana" At London Buddhist Vihara

tmadawela | 28 Mar, 2017 09:57PM | Leave a comment
Under the monthly Sinhala Dharmassawana programme a unique " Kavi Bana " sermon by Ven. Pannala Gnanaloka Thera was held at the London Buddhist Vihara on Saturday the 18th March.

Head of the Vihara Chief Sanghanayaka of Great Britain Most Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera in an Anusasanaa said that although delivering Dhamma sermons using the media of poetry has become a common practice in Sri Lanka, this was the first time such a unique sermon was held in the UK and thanked the Dayakas for inviting Ven. Gnanaloka Thera, who is well known in Sri Lanka for delivering " Kavi Bana" in a captivating and powerful, yet a pleasing voice.

Ven. Gnanaloka Thera is the Chief Incumbent of the Navaloka Viharaya in Sedawaththa. Colombo. He is a Honorary Consultant to The Ministry of Social Services, Island Vide Justice of Peace, Chief Consultant to Janasarana Foundation and Punarjeewa Dr. Soma Edirisinghe Fund, Vice Principal of Sunethra Mahadevi Pirivena, Papiliyana and Principal of Sri Navaloka Dhamma School.

In Sri Lanka many radio and television stations broadcast Ven. Gnanaloka Thera's "Kavi Bana" sermons regularly. Some of the stations open their daily programmes with Chanting of Budu Guna and Thruwan Guna by Ven. Gnanaloka Thera. These sermons have become extremely popular among Buddhist devotees as well as followers of other faiths due to the soothing and alleviating way that Ven. Gnanaloka Thera manage to presents the sermons.

This month's Dhammassavana programme at London Buddhist Vihara was sponsored by Sheila Wijewardhana,Nayanaa Alahakoone,Charana Fernando,Nalika Kahawatta, Kunthala Amarasinghe, Sarojaa Abesekara,Thilaka Wijesingha,Wijerathna Bandara,Rosy Kudaligama,Susantha de Alwis, Sujathaa Palihakkaara and their families.

Ven. Gnanaloka Thera is visiting the UK at the invitation of Anton and Rohini Weerasinghe and family.

Mrs. Savithri Rajakaruna made a special contribution in arranging the Pinkama in memory of Late Wijayamuni Edward Rajakaruna and all the other departed relatives.

Ven. Gnanaloka Thera paid Punyaanumodana to Most. Ven. Seelawimala Nayaka Thera and all the resident and visiting monks at the London Buddhist Vihara, Anagarika Dharmapala Trust in Colombo, all the sponsors of the Dhammassawana programme, Mrs. Rohini and Mr. Anton Weerasinghe and all the devotees who attended the Kavi Bana programme.

Photographs by Tissa Madawela