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Week-long programmes to mark start of process to declare Theravada Tripitaka as a World Heritage
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‘Pindapatha’ alms givings were held in many parts of the island yesterday (above and right). Pix by Sarath Siriwardana, Sumanasiri Gunatilake, Mahesh Ruwan Keerthiratne, Karu Gamage and Shelton Hettiarachchi
‘Tripitakabhivandana’ Week, to mark the occasion of initiating the process to declare the Theravada Tripitaka as a World Heritage, began yesterday. The programme that was launched yesterday will be on till March 23.
The national ceremony to announce the proposal made by Sri Lanka to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to declare the Theravada Tripitaka as a World Heritage, will be held under the patronage of the Maha Sangha including with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Maha Maluwa of the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy on March 23.
The Theravada Tripitaka was declared as a National Heritage of Sri Lanka by the President on January 5, this year, at the Aluviharaya Temple in Matale.
The Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Ministry of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with other Ministries have organised many religious programmes to mark the ‘Tripitakabhivandana’ Week and the public have been requested to hoist the Buddhist flag.
In addition, ‘Shabdha Poojas’ will be held daily, in temples islandwide, during the week from 6 p.m. to 6.15 pm. Several expositions of sacred relics have also been organised throughout the island.
Yesterday, to mark the start of the Tripitakabhivandana’ Week, ‘Pindapatha’ alms givings were conducted at police divisional levels.
Today, a project to construct Dhamma school buildings in 226 temples, where students have no permanent buildings to attend classes, will also be initiated.
Other programmes that have been planned include religious programmes centred at schools and Pirivenas as well as religious programmes carried out by Non-Governmental Organisations. On Poya Day (Wednesday), Dhamma sermons at temples islandwide will mainly focus on educating the public on the Tripitaka.
Alms givings and other religious programmes have also been organised at all state institutions.
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