The Buddhist Community Centre Letchworth (BCCL) held the 2015 Katina Ceremony on 31st October, 2015 at the Free Church Hall, Norton Way, Letchworth Garden City. This year the Katina Cheevara Poojava was sponsored by Mr. & Mrs (Dr.) Dharmadasa Dedigama, Mr. & Mrs. Prasaj de Silva, Mr. & Mrs. Thanuja Gunaratne, Dr. Gihan Herath and Mrs. Sharmali Kodituwakku and their family and friends
The ceremonial activity commenced at 7.00a.m. by bringing the Katina Material to the temple, conducting the morning Pooja and offering the morning alms to venerable monks. Thereafter, several devotees participated in stitching the Katina robe at The Free Church Hall. All the devotees and Rev. Monks joined the Katina Perehera lead by the traditional Sri Lankan Kandyen drummers.
The welcome speech and the Five Precepts were administered by Most Ven. Dediyawala Wimala Maha Thera, Chief Incumbent of Letchworth Vihara followed by the mid day Buddha Poojawa led by Ven. Tissapura Sugatarathana Thera Thereafter, the mid-day alms was offered to Maha Sangha. The punniya anumodhanawa (invoking merits) was delivered by Most Ven. Pitigala Gunarathana Thera. From Redbridge Buddhist Vihara. Ven Konweve Ariyarthana Thera, from London Buddhist Vihara delivered a Dhamma talk in English explaining how the inception of Katina ceremony occurred during Buddha's time and how it continued up to present day. The Maha Sangha participated in chanting the offering of the Katina Cheewara stanzas and offered the Cheewaea to chosen Ven. Sooriyawewa Kusala Thero.
On behalf of the students of Daham Pasala Two Students were delivered a speech to thank the teachers and parents for encouraging them to attend daham Pasala. On behalf of parents, Mrs. Anusha de Silva thanked the teachers and the management committee of BCCL for having a Buddhist temple locally for their children to have the opportunity to learn Buddhism and Sri Lankan culture, living away from Sri Lanka. The President of BCCL Mr. Haris Kodagoda delivered a speech to thank all those who supported the event.
Ven. Monks attended the ceremony were Ven Tawalama Bandula Thera, Ven Konwewa Ariyarathana Thera, Ven Mapalagama Soratha Thera, Ven Tissapura Sugatarathana Thera, Ven Kaburawala Rewatha Thera, Ven Petigamuwe Hemarathana Thera, Ven Pitigala Gunarathana Thera, Ven Teldeniyaye Uditha Thera. Ven Dodanggoda Sumedha Thera.
During the Vass period, The Letchworth Temple carried out several meritorious events. For the second year running the colouring of the Katina Cheewara was carried out with the leadership of Ven. Sooriyawewa Kusala Thera on Saturday, 17th October. Every Saturday, an evening Special Buddha Pooja was carried out followed by a Dhamma Sermon and they were sponsored by various devotees. Specially, the devotees of the Letchworth Temple were blessed to have three Rev. Monks observing the Vass Season.
The event was well attended by the devotees and friends of the temple. The Maha Snagha of the temple, the committee members of BCCL and the organisers of the Katina wish to extend their appreciation to all those who attended and extending their support for making this event a great success.
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