POSON POYA CELEBRATIONS OF SHANTHI VIHARA NOTTINGHAM

This year the Poson celebrations of the Shanthi Buddhist Vihara of Nottingham was held on Sunday the 7th of June 2015 to commemorate the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahath Maha Mahinda Thera in the 3rd Century BC. The celebrations took place at the Bestwood Village community hall in Nottingham.

A special Sill program for children was arranged with the guidance of the Ven. Teldeniyaye Amitha Thero, the head of the Shanthi Buddhist Vihara.  Many of Shanthi Vihara Dhamma school children and their parents observed Ata sill on the day. Observance of eight precepts was followed by a meditation session and a Dhamma sermon in English.  After a short break Ven. Amitha Thero conducted Buddha pooja and invoked blessings to all. Dāna for the Maha Sangha and Upasaka, Upasika was organised by parents of the Dhamma school with the help of all the devotees of the vihara.

In the afternoon Dr. Primrose Wijewardane delivered a Dhamma talk targeting the young devotees as well as the parents about the story of the arrival of the great missionaries, their meeting with king Devanampiya Tissa and also the significant of Poson Poya.

At the end of the programme, Ven Teldeniyaye Amitha Thero introduced the proposed new project of the Shanthi Buddhist Vihara, raising funds for a new vihara premises. All the devotees were very excited and kindly promised to help for future plans.  Day’s proceedings was brought to an end after the blessings and punyanumodana for all the devotees who attended and supported generously and kindly in various ways to make the day’s programme a success.