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Chennai Buddha Poornima Vesak programme

From Shiromi Abayasinghe in Chennai

The Buddha Poornima Vesak Festival of Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, sponsored by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's Office was conducted on a grand scale at Mahabodhi Centre, Chennai, South India, yesterday.

Kenneth Road, the location of the Mahabodhi Centre was elaborately decorated with Buddhist flags and colourful illuminations from the evening of the day before Vesak Full Moon Day heralded by "Poya Hevisi" drum beating.

Out of large crowds converging at the venue from the early hours of the morning, nearly 300 devotees observed "Dasa Sil" administered by Ven. Mudalakkuliye Rathanajothi Thera while nine Tamil devotees entered Buddhist order as novice monks under the patronage of Ven. Thiniyawala Palith Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Nugegoda Nalandaramaya who is also the incumbent of Chennai Mahabodhi Centre.

After conducting the morning Buddha puja, Ven. Welimada Dhammagaveshi Thera delivered an Anusasana in the Tamil language followed by a lecture on Buddhism in Thamil Nadu delivered by A. Padmanabhan, an extensive religious researcher and a former Governor of Misaran State,India.

The conspicuous features of the entire celebrations were the untiring enthusiasm and immense devotion displayed by the Tamil Community composed of delegates from 25 Tamil Buddhist Organizations in India and the conducting of the programme in Tamil language by Ven. Bodhipala Thera of Madurai.

A Buddhist poem written by Sansaralinganath, a Tamil poet was also launched on the occasion. Indian Intellectual Property Ownership Board Chairman Justice S.Jegatheesan participated as the Chief Guest associated with Chennai Deputy High Commissioner Sumith Nakandala, Nalli Organization Chairman Padmasri,Dr.Nalli Kapuswamy Chetti, V.G.G.Group Chairman Dr.V.G.G.Sankoda and Ideal Group Chairman T.M.Dharmalingam.

Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society President Ven.Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera, Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, Ven.Mudalakkuliye Rathanajothi Thera, Ven.Kalawane Mahanama Thera and Ven. Thunhitiyawe Dhammaloka Thera comprised the Organizing Committee of Chennai Buddha Poornima Vesak Programme.

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