EVENTS

• Celebrating Vesak in Pakistan
• Subud anniversary
• Promoting Buddhism - Diary

Celebrating Vesak in Pakistan

The International Buddhist Cultural Centre in Islamabad celebrated Vesak with various activities including a food distribution programme at All Pakistan Women Association High School, an 'Asian Light Festival' at the Centre and a "Symposium on Buddhism" at Islamabad Club.These events were organized by the All Pakistan Buddhist Society under the patronage of the High Commision of Sri Lanka.

The diplomatic missions of Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated in the festival.

Subud anniversary

Subud members in 70 countries including Sri Lanka celebrated the 99th birth anniversary of Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, the founder of Subud on June 22. Subud derived from the words Susila Budhi Dharma means, Susila-right living, Budhi-the higher powers and capacities latent in man and Dharma-the submission of man to the Great Life Force.

Events - Diary

Promoting Buddhism

The German Dharmaduta Society will hold a public seminar on 'The necessity for promoting Buddhism in Europe' at the Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, on Sunday July 2 at 3 p.m., to commemorate the first anniversary of the Founder of the Society, Asoka Weeraratne (Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanisanthi Thero ).

Bhikku Bodhi who was the principle speaker at the United Nations in New York this year on the occasion of the declaration of Vesak as a day of international religious observance, will deliver the keynote address. Ven (Dr.) Bellanvila Wimalaratne Mahanayake Thero, Ven. Nauyane Ariyadhamma Mahanayake Thero (Deputy Sanghanayake, Yogashrama Institute, Amarapura Nikaya), Ven. Rathmale Punnaratana Thero (Berlin Buddhist Viharaya), Ven. (Dr.) Vijayarajapura Seelavansa Thero (Nyanaponika Centre, Vienna, Austria), Ven. Nyanadassana Thero (a Greek monk) from the Mitirigala forest hermitage, Dr. Granville Dharmawardana (President, German Dharmaduta Society) and Dr. K. D. G. Wimalarathne, Director, National Archives will be on the panel of speakers. The German Dharmaduta Society administers the Berlin Buddhist Vihara (Das Buddhistische Haus), which is the oldest Buddhist temple in Europe.

Different images

By Ruhanie Perera

There was a special bond between Alifya and Durya. They stuck together, and where one left off a sentence the other concluded it. When they spoke of their work their voices were filled with excitement. They were certainly passionate about their work.

Alifya Taher Jafferjee and Durya Ali Asger Damoodbhoy from Bombay, started off pretty much conventionally. They were individual painters using canvas or glass only. Having met in Sri Lanka they decided to be different. Together they worked on one painting, experimenting with various materials including jute, kundan, zinc powder etc., on canvas or glass, giving a collage like finish to their work. And what a difference it was. At first they themselves were astounded. "Now we look at something and wonder how we can make it different," says Alifya.

Their paintings are scenes of Indian women in different situations. Says Durya, "It gives us a chance to dress them up and be creative with the material we use." True enough the intricately patterned clothes and the equally decorative accessories fashioned with various materials achieve a vividness that would be hard to find in a normal painting.

"We need to pool our talents to achieve perfection," says Durya. "It's not hard at all," she adds. For Alifya knows exactly what Durya has in mind and vice versa. Their diverse artistic strengths gel together resulting in a perfect picture. For example, Alifya completes the intricate work, while Durya works on the three dimensional aspect of the human forms.

An exhibition of their work titled "Indian Images", opens on June 29 from 5.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m. at the Mount Castle Gallery (No. 2, Arunachalam Place, Colombo 7) and will continue till July 1 from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

This is their first exhibition together. Animatedly they emphasise their hope to carry forward their passion, trying out new ways of 'being different'. For the moment, what they have done so far is an achievement, a source of satisfaction and the base of a beautiful friendship. They share one painting and one soul.

Assisted by Uthpala Gunathilalake

Spreading Dhamma in UK

Buddhists and well-wishers assembled in Brent Hall, London yesterday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre and the World Buddhist Foundation.

Buddhism has been flourishing in Britain for more than a hundred years. Initially it was introduced as a subject of academic interest and gradually British scholars became interested in learning Buddhism - the teaching of Gotama the Buddha - as found in the Pali canon.

Anagarika Dharmapala from Sri Lanka was the first Buddhist missionary to visit England. He came to Britain in 1893, 1896 and in 1904 to engage in Buddhist missionary work.

The Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre at Kingsbury conducts a number of programmes which are religiously and culturally important.

The religious programmes include the Sunday Dhamma School, classes for teaching Pali, Buddhist doctrine and meditation and special religious activities on Poya days; the cultural programmes, such as Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations, are conducted by the Sri Lanka Educational, Cultural and Welfare Foundation which has been affi1iated to this Centre.

The religious service of Venerable Dr. Saddhatissa is being continued by his pupil Venerable Pandit Galayaye Piyadassi.

He is the present Head of the Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre.

Buddhist representatives from 10 countries participated in the function held yesterday and honorary awards were presented to 10 distinguished persons in recognition of their contribution to the Buddha Sasana and humanitarian work. Another significant event associated with these celebrations was the publication of a volume of research articles on Buddhism entitled "Buddhism for the New Millennium".

The Venerable Dr. Medagama Vajiranana, the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and other distinguished guests addressed the gathering.

Celebrations will be concluded with a three-day Pirith chanting and alms-giving ceremony for the Maha Sangha.

-Prof. Ratna Wijetunge

More Plus

Return to Plus Contents