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Vesak celebrated in Japan on a grand scale

This year Vesak Poya was celebrated in Japan in a heightened level in keeping with the objectives set out by the Government of Sri Lanka.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka, in consultation with the leading Buddhist temples in and around Tokyo, made arrangements to organise a series of Pinkamas at several Buddhist temples, where a large number of Sri Lankan and Japanese devotees took part, a press release said.

Sawara Temple Vesak Celebrations: The main Vesak celebrations were held on May 11 at Lankaji Viharaya at Sawara, the most prominent Theravada Buddhist temple in Japan, under the patronage of Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thera Sanghanayaka of Japan and the President of Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society.

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Nayaka Thera Chief Incumbent of Sri Naga Viharaya, Kotte, along with Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha Thera of Nalanda Viharaya and Ven. Ittapana Seelawimala Thera from Seoul, attended the Pinkama as the guest of honour together with several other leading Bhikkus from Sri Lanka.

The Embassy staff rendered their support for this event by distributing leaflets, literature and other materials on Vesak and its significance for the Buddhist community among the participants.

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera conducted the main religious ceremony at the temple while the devotees observed Sil throughout the day and programme ended in the evening with the illumination of Vesak lanterns.

The staff of the Embassy attended the programme and supported the event by offering alms and pirikara. During the ceremony a discussion was held regarding the construction of a Dagaba for the temple for which a foundation stone will be laid during the visit of the Prime Minister to Japan for the Tokyo Donor Conference in June.

The devotees pledged a substantial amount of financial assistance for the construction of Dagaba for the temple for which is expected to be opened on the next Vesak Day in 2004.

The Vesak celebration organised by the Gothami Viharaya will be held on May 25 under the patronage of Ven. Alubomulle Sumanasara at his temple in Central Tokyo. A large number of Japanese Buddhist devotees are expected to observe five and eight precepts.

The staff of the Sri Lankan Embassy also celebrated the Vesak Poya on May 15 by decorating the Embassy premises and their houses with Buddhist flags, In addition, the Embassy was illuminated with Vesak lanterns which were constructed by the staff using the material brought from Sri Lanka. This is the first occasion in the recent history that the Embassy has been decorated with Buddhist flags and Vesak lanterns in the recent years.

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