Kusalassa Upasampada - 04

The 4th phase was held recently under the National Program for the Training of New Upasampada Lords. 80 Lords participated in the program held from 18th to 24th June 2022 at Pannipitiya Devram Maha Viharasthan. The training program on the subject of the monks who settled in Upasampada Seelaya under Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya consisted of lectures as well as practical activities.

The special temple tour program was held at the Siri Vajiragnana Dharmayathana premises in Maharagama. Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha were also present at the occasion.

The closing ceremony was held on 24th June 2022 at Devram Maha Viharasthan, Pannipitiya. The Supreme Grand Master of Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya Dhurandhara Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake, the Mahanayake of Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Nikaya Dhurandhara Most Venerable Ahungalle Siri Seelavisuddhi Mahanayake, Mahanayake Dhurandhara of Amarapura Siri Sumana Parshwa and the Mahanayake of Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala Mahanayake,

Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Sahan Kuruppu, Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs (Vihara Devalagam) and other dignitaries were present at the closing ceremony.

Ceremony to pay homage to the sacred relics

The National Heritage Preservation Organization has organized an exhibition of sacred relics at the Sri Naga Viharaya in Jaffna on the occasion of the Poson festival of the year 2330 (2022). A sacred tribute was paid to the sacred relics on 10.06.2022 at the premises of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Colombo 07.

Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Secretary to the Ministry and Sunanda Kariyapperuma, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs were also present at the occasion.

The sacred relics were taken in a procession to the Beira Lake Boundary at Gangarama Viharaya, Colombo 02 at 8.00 am and a special pooja was performed. Prof. Induragare Dhammaratana Thero, Hunupitiya Gangaramadhikari Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha conducted the special pooja.

New Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana assumes duties

Somaratne Vidanapathirana assumed duties as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs at Sir Anagari Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07 on today ( 25.05.2022. ) Mr. Vidanapathirana has served as the Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service as the District Secretary of Mannar, Vavuniya and Galle and as the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Wildlife Insurance. An alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo, Mr. Vidanapathirana holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and a Postgraduate Degree in Economics from the University of Kelaniya.

The Most Venerable Diviyagaha Yasassi Nayaka Thero, Leader of the Chief Judicial Council of the New Korale, Colombo and other members of the Maha Sangha were also present on the occasion. The Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and all the Heads of Departments, Institutions and other dignitaries under the Ministry were present at this occasion.

Vesak religious ceremony in 2566 - Vesak Week - May 12 to May 18, 2022

The Government has declared May 12 to May 18, 2022 as the “Vesak Week” in view of the Vesak Festival which commemorates the Sambuddha Day.

Under the guidance of the All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Board, the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs, with the assistance of Government and Non-Governmental Organizations including District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats, have made arrangements to hold the Vesak Festival proudly throughout the island.

The 256th State Vesak Festival of the Year of the Buddha will be held on 14.05.2022 and 15 at the Balangoda Kuragala Rajamaha Viharaya in the Ratnapura District. Meaningful and effective programs will be implemented in temples, Dhamma schools, schools, governmental and non-governmental organizations under the full guidance of the Regional and District Sasanarakshaka Boards, giving priority to spiritual development.

2022.05.12 Buddhism for a Sustainable Environment

Conducting lectures and workshops on Buddhism and the environment to create a group of eco-friendly citizens based on the teachings of the Buddha, implementing awareness programs on environmental protection, cleaning temples, schools, public places, offices, houses etc., conducting labor donations, tree planting programs, Establishment of herbal gardens / forest gardens.

2022.05.13 Buddhism for a Healthy Life

Conducting lectures, workshops and seminars on how to lead a healthy life, promoting the cultivation and consumption of non-toxic local food crops, organizing free medical clinic programs, organizing blood donation programs, eye clinics, anti-drug, anti-smoking. Organizing programs.

2022.05.14 Sinhala Literature nurtured by Buddhism

To impart a better understanding of Sinhala literature to the present generation and to implement Dhamma Schools and school children's awareness programs on Sinhala literature nurtured on the basis of Buddhist philosophy and to conduct programs to motivate students for literary creation. Arrangements have been made to hold the state Vesak festival at the Kuragala Rajamaha Viharaya today.

2022.05.15 - Seela Bhawana Pinkama

As this day is the full moon day of Vesak, the practice of Seela Meditation Pinkams in all temples and the involvement of Dhamma Schools, school children and youth in these Pinkams should not be made a day of musical performances and festivities and should be taken as a full fledged religious day for the Sambuddha festival. We request the Maha Sangha and the Sasanalaya to make the contributing community aware.

2022.05.16 Hela art nurtured by Buddhism

Conducting lectures, seminars, workshops and conducting cultural and religious programs at night to give a better understanding of ancient Buddhist arts and crafts. Morning Sadaham tour programs Pindapatha Pinkam and in the afternoon programs on art and Buddhism, dansals, night pandals, devotional performances, lanterns, educational and archeological exhibitions, Buddhist dramas based on Jataka stories. (NB, for whatever reason, shows, games, etc. that are disrespectful to the Lord Buddha and Buddhism should be avoided.)

2022.05.17 Career based on Buddhism

Conducting programs based on temples or institutions including seminars and lectures on the support of Buddhism for a good career. (Contacting religious businessmen or professionals to impart knowledge and experience to those engaged in various professions.)

2022.05.18 Economic and social development nurtured by Buddhism

Conducting lectures, seminars, workshops on the contribution of Buddhisam for economic and social development, and conducting programs to strengthen the economic level of the Buddhist community.

We kindly request that a banner be displayed in front of all temples and in other suitable places to make the public aware. The specifications of that banner are as follows.

The banner should be 08 feet long and 4 feet wide.

The background of the banner should be light yellow and the letters should be maroon.

Vesak religious ceremony in 2566

"Bhajetha Mitte Kalyane"

(Let's associate with Kalan friends)

Let's celebrate Sambudhu Temagula with all our hearts

Vesak Week 2022 May 12 - May 18

................................................. Local Sasanarakshaka Board

................................................. Temple

The "Dhamma Schools Grade 6 - 10 Examination" organized by the Department of Buddhist Affairs could not be held on that day due to the curfew in the country.

This situation was discussed with the All Ceylon Sasanarakshaka Board and accordingly it was decided to grant leave to Dhamma schools in parallel to the government school system and to resume on 24.04.2022.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to hold the Dhamma Schools Grade 6 - 10 Examination island wide on 24.04.2022 with the resumption of Dhamma Schools. About 10,50,000 students from 10,320 Dhamma Schools have qualified for this examination and all the Dhamma Schools are functioning as examination centers and are supervised by the Hon. Registrar, Chairman Thero of the Regional Sasanarakshaka Boards. The schedule and instructions regarding the Dhamma School Grade Examination have been forwarded to all Dhamma School Principals.

Publication of 07 simple Sinhala Tripitaka books

Seven Tripitaka books translated by the Compilation Tripitaka Compilation Board under the auspices of the Department of Buddhist Affairs were released at Temple Trees yesterday (24).

Appointed as an extension of the Buddha Jayanthi Tripitaka Board, the Tripitaka Compilation Compilation Board has been carrying out the task of translating this Tripitaka bibliography for several years without repetition, without damaging or distorting the basic language of the Buddha.

“Kusalassa Upasampada” National Program for Training of New Upasampada Monks

The first phase of the “Kusalassa Upasampada” National Training Program for New Upasampada Monks organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs will be held on 06.02.2022.

Around 50 newly ordained monks are scheduled to attend the training program centered on the Pannipitiya Devram Maha Viharaya from 06.02.2022 to 13.02.2022. The 7-day training will cover the subject of Upasampada and Satara Parajika, lay clergy affiliation, purification from pratimoksha disciplines and sanghadisesa disasters, vows and Katina Chivara Pooja, Uposatha karma, study of Sutta Dhamma. Awareness on Temples and Shrines Act, Temple Tours and Temple Management, Media Use and Communication Methods, Poetry and Stanza Training, Dhamma Sermon Training, Vinayanukelawa Chivara and Patra Preparation, Weekly Meditation etc. will be discussed. This training program is a residential program with lectures and discussions conducted by the Lord on behalf of the denomination.

2022.02.06 p.m. 8.30 Inauguration Ceremony at Devram Maha Viharaya, Pannipitiya

2022.02.10 p.m. 5.00 Special Blessing Buddha Worship Program at Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Maha Pirivena Vihara premises

2022.02.13 p.m. 8.30 am Closing Ceremony at Devram Maha Viharaya, Pannipitiya

The inaugural sermon of the year 2022 in the series of pre-Poya Dhamma sermons jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs was delivered by Ven. Borella Kovida Thero today (2022.01.13) at the Ministry Auditorium.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Buduput Mapiya Harasara Pooja Social Security Benefit Scheme was held on 04.01.2022 at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs with the participation of the Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The agreement was signed by the Commissioner General of the Department of Buddhist Affairs Sunanda Kariyapperuma and the Chairman of the Ceylon Social Security Board Saman Hadaragama. These special pension scheme schemes are in operation for the parents of monks and nuns between the ages of 25 and 59 who have sacrificed their children for the Sambuddha Sasana for the security of their old age. The special feature of this pension scheme, which provides benefits to the Social Security Board, is that it is possible to adjust a monthly pension of any size even after the age of 60, depending on the needs of the contributors and various philanthropists.

Honorable Maha Sangha, Priests of other religions, State Minister Vidurawickramanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Deshabandu Kapila Gunawardena and other government officials were present on the occasion.

All Officers of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs were sworn in today (03.01.2022) with the objective of building a prosperous country through efficient public service.

Prof. Deshabandu Kapila Gunawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Sunanda Kariyapperuma, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs conveyed their congratulatory messages at the inauguration ceremony. Dr. Anwar Hamdani, Director, Technical Services, Ministry of Health, delivered a keynote address on the public service in adopting the most effective and hygienic practices in the face of the prevailing Covid 19 epidemic.