LETCHWORTH VIHARA KATINA CEREMONY - 2014

2014 Katina Ceremony was held by The Buddhist Community Centre Letchworth (BCCL) on 11th October at the Free Church Hall, Norton Way, Letchworth Garden City. This year the Katina Poojava (Katina offering) was sponsored by Mr. & Mrs Nethaji and Nelum Welikala, Mr Gayan Kodagodage and Mrs Thanuja Hettiarachchi, Mr Hemanta Ambepitiya & Mrs. Gayanthi Atulugamage and Mr. & Mrs. Prabath and Kumudu Perera, with the great support of the management committee and all the other devotees of the Temple.

The ceremonial activity commenced at 7.00 a.m. by bringing the Katina Material to the temple, conducting the morning Pooja and offering the morning alms (heeldhane) 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 Kandian drummers.

The Five Precepts were administered by Most Ven. Dediyawala Wimala Maha Thero, Chief Incumbent of Letchworth Viharaya. Ven. Sooriyawewa Kusala Thero. led the Buddha pooja, Katina Chiwara pooja Led by Ven Aheliyagoda Dhammapala Thero, from Thames Buddhist Vihara. Thereafter, The punniya anumodhanawa (invoking merits) was delivered by Most Ven. Kattakaduwe Sumanarathana Thero. from Scotland Buddhist Viharaya. The mid day alms (dhane) were offered to Maha Sangha By all the devotees, Katinaanisamsa Dhamma sermon in English was delivered by Ven. Thawalama Bandula Thero from London Buddhist Viharaya. Ven. Mathugama Palitha Thero. led the offering of the Katina Cheewara (Katina robe) with the participation of the Maha Sangha to the chosen Ven. Monk Wakamulle Uditha Thero. The Vice President Mr. Haris Kodagoda delivered a speech to thank all those who supported the event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJO5wIeFKJU

Ven. Monks attended the ceremony were Ven Dediyawala Wimala, Ven Tawalama Bandula, Ven Aheliyagoda Dhammapala, Ven Wakamulle Udita, Ven Matugama Palitha, Ven Austriawe Susara, Ven Sooriyawewa Kusala, Ven Kattakaduwe Sumanarathana, Ven Ududumbara Kassapa, Ven Rambodagama Narada, Ven Kohukubure Siridhamma.

This year during the Vass period, The Letchworth Temple carried out several meritorious events. For the first time the colouring of the Katina Cheewara (Katina Robe) was carried out with the leadership of Ven. Sooriyawewa Kusala Thero on Saturday, 4th October. Every Saturday, an evening Special Buddha Pooja was carried out followed by a Dhamma Sermon and they were sponsored by various devotees. Ven Wakamulle Uditha Thero published a book named 'LECTWORTH DHAMMA DESANA' containing all the Dhamma sermons delivered by him during this period in England and was well received. Specially, the devotees of the Letchworth Temple were blessed to have four Ven. 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 organizers of the Katina wish to extend their appreciation to all those who attended and extending their support for making this event a great success.