Annual Kathina Celebrations at Heathrow Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple [GALLERY]

Kathina, today is celebrated as the largest alms giving festival of the Buddhist world .The Vas Aradhana at Heathrow Temple (Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple) was performed the month of July 2014, on the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day sponsored by Mr. Seevali Liyadipita - Sugandi Ekanayaka, Dr. Nishanie Bajramovic, Mrs. Piyumika Jayasena - Mr.Thanura Sandakelum, Mrs.Irangani Samarakoon and Mr. Chandra Guptha, they altogether with the other lay devotees of the temple.

Annual Kathina celebrations of Heathrow International Buddhist Temple were held on Sunday 2nd November 2014 in temple premises.

On 1st Saturday at 6 pm there was a colourful Atavisi Buddha Pooja. It highlighted the 28 past Buddhas and also ancient practice of paying homage to the 28 past Buddhas. The head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero and the devotees of the temple made beautiful small pavilions and decorated nicely for that event. A dhamma speech was conducted by Most Ven. Borelle Athula Thero.

The day was a great success. Devotees and other members of the community organised the event under the guidance of the head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero. More than 200 devotees participated in the event with great devotion.

The Kathina day commenced with the materials for the Kathina robe being brought to the temple from the sponsors' home. Other devotees joined in a peaceful procession to the temple before sunrise. The Kathina Robe was carried on their heads in a large Kathina procession and offered to the monks by the devotees with deep devotion. The ceremony started at 6.00 a.m. After the offering of kathina robe, Dhamma talk was given by Most Ven. Borelle Athula Thero and Ven. Wanduraba Kassapa Thero who explained the significance of offering a Kathina Robe.

It was a remarkable day for devotees and friends of the temple as there were eight monks participated for the ceremony. Ven. Dediyawala Vimala Thero, Ven. Gonulle Assaji, Ven. Borella Athula Nayaka Thero, Ven.Kappatiyagoda Gunawansa Nayaka Thero, Ven. Homagama Kondanna Thero, Ven. Mathugama Palitha Thero, Ven. Theldeniyaye Amitha Thero, Ven. Wakamulle Uditha Thero, Ven.Beragam Piyarathana Thero, Ven.Panamure Thapassi Thero, Ven. Shanthideva Thero, also participated for success that event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6R6hsrF9lg&feature=youtu.be

( Camera and Edited by Jayasanka Wijesinghe )

After the entire cutting and sewing of Katina Chivara, it had to be offered to the Maha Sangha by Mr. Seevali Liyadipita - Sugandi Ekanayaka, Dr. Nishanie Bajramovic, Mrs. Piyumika Jayasena Mr.Thanura Sandakelum, Mrs.Irangani Samarakoon and Mr. Chandra Guptha who were the main sponsors of this ceremony. When the robe was completed, it was brought and offered to the Maha Sangha by the children of the Dhamma School in a beautiful procession.

The Katina Chivara Pujava (Katina Robe offering Ceremony) took place at 3.00 pm. The monks who observed Vas at the Temple unanimously decided to nominate Venerable Ven. Wanduraba Kassapa Thero as the most suitable to receive the Katina Chivara.

During the event, there was a great dhamma talk which was conducted by Ven. Theldeniyaye Amitha Thero. Ven. Beragama Piyarathana Thero explained the importance of the Katina. The Most Ven. Borelle Athula Thero, addressed the gathering and was pleased that within this short period of time devotees of the temple and Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa was able to organise a successful event.

More than 500 devotees participated in the event with great devotion.

The Katina ceremony was great success. Devotees of the temple and other members of the community organised the event under the guidance of the head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero.

- P.S Ekanayake