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Colours of Vesak light up the city
Rain was not a spoiler as Vesak celebrations unfolded in Colombo city and the suburbs with Buddhist flags, colourful lanterns and kudus fluttering in the breeze and pandals lighting up the night sky. Apart from the usual food and beverage dansals there were a couple of unusual ones, a spectacle dansala and dry rations dansala that added diversity.
Maharagama
On Friday people were seen flocking at the dry rations dansala in Maharagama where two kgs of rice and two coconuts were given to those who stopped by. The Vesak zones in Gangaramaya, Braybrooke Place, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Battaramulla and Lake House with their lanterns of different sizes and shapes drew large crowds.
Lakshman Wjemanne, coordinator of the ‘Amadahara’ Vesak Zone at Lake House said this was the 23rd time that the zone was organized. “This time there are around 115 lanterns so the competition is quite tough. We have participants even from Moneragala and northern areas. The winners will be awarded Rs. one million worth of gifts while all participants will receive cash prizes. Bakthi gee performances and dansalas are also on the cards,” he said.
While asking the public to come and view the exhibits he warned them about parking difficulties and general security. With a four-day relic exposition starting tomorrow (27), the Bauddhaloka Vesak zone organisers assure the public of a different kind of celebration with a procession from the BMICH to the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) premises taking place on all four days.
“The Bauddhaloka Vesak zone has been organised by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress for the 12th year. An exhibition of Buddhist paintings, Bakthi Gee concerts, dansals, a pandal in the ACBC premises and a lantern competitions are some of the key attractions,” Jagath Sumathipala, one of the main organisers said.
For the first time in Sri Lanka, a school has come forward to organise a Vesak Zone. “Migadaye Vesak” got underway under the auspices of Isipatana Colleg, Colombo, along Park Road and Isipatana Mawatha. “The activities include a muppet show sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Ministry Bakthi gee performances, lantern exhibitions and dansalas,” Chandana Wijesinghe, one of the organisers of Migadaye Vesak said.
The Gangaramaya Vesak zone organised in collaboration with the Ganggaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and Temple Trees was themed “Buddharashmi Vesak zone”. The three massive pandals and various lanterns made by the Tri-Forces, Police, private and State institutions drew a large number of people.
The Sirasa Namami Vesak zone organised by Capital Maharaja Limited and MTV and MBC networks at Braybrooke Place, Colombo exhibited the one and only digital pandal depicting three Jathaka stories. “An exposition of the relics of Lord Buddha, Arahaths Sariyuth and Mugalan that started on the 24th ends today” said an organiser of the zone.
Special events at Ananda College
The Buddhist Association of Ananda College too held a special series of projects in connection with the 2557th Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi celebrations. This year’s activities included a blood donation programme, a series of Intra -School Dhamma lectures, a sil programme, a dansala and an inter school Vesak lantern competition.
Dehiwala
The blood donation campaign was held on the 16th of this month in the Centenary Hall at the college premises with the participation of over 1,000 students and teachers in addition. Dhamma lectures were held on 20th and 21st while a sil programme was held on last Thursday under the patronage of Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena. The programme was conducted by leading monks including Ven. Habarakada Janananda Thera, Ven. Maswanne Vijitha Thera, Ven. Gambaddala Damitha Thera and Ven.Yatigala Panyaloka Thera.
The intra-school and inter-school Vesak lantern competitions, were held on Friday under the supervision of the college Principal Kithsiri Liyanagamage.
UN Secretary General’s Vesak message highlights universality of Buddhism
The United Nations Secretary General Ban ki Moon in his Vesak message emphasised that Vesak Day in addition to being a day of celebrations for Buddhists worldwide also gave an opportunity for all members of the international community to benefit from their rich traditions.
“While painful realities cannot be avoided, Buddhism offers insights into how to cope with them. Its history is replete with inspiring examples of the transformative power of Buddhist philosophy,” the message read.
A Bakthi Gee float by the Lakviru Sevana in Battaramulla
The message further said confronting the problems facing our world is consonant with Buddhism. The Buddha himself, as a young prince, left the safety of his palace to discover the four sufferings of birth, sickness, old age and death.
“The values that King Ashoka a conqueror who ultimately converted to Buddhism, renounced violence and embraced peace espoused, including human rights, democratic governance and respect for the dignity of life, are common to all great religions. The fact that he was able to embrace them after years of brutal war offers proof that the goodwill of individuals can end widespread suffering.
“Now more than ever, we need the spirit of non-violence to help inspire peace and quell conflict,” the message read.
Tissa Hewawasam a popular businessman at Kuruvithenna in Mahiyangana held a kerosene dansala for the 13th year. It was held at the Pinnagolla Purana Rajamaha Viharaya. Mr. Hewawasam is well known for footing the electricity bill of more than 80 viharayas in the country. Pic by Palitha Ariyawansa
The youth organisation of Kasappa Road held its annual 'buth dansala’ for the 29th successive year opposite the Lak Salausala showrooms on Jawatte Road, Colombo 5. The dansala ends today. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
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