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Vesak on a grand scale in Singapore

Vesak day is a public holiday in Singapore. This year a number of events were organised by various Buddhist temples and Buddhist organisations. Multi-religious ceremonies too had been organised to commemorate this sacred day.

Vesak was celebrated on a grand scale from May 14 to 18 at Sri Lanka Ramaya Buddhist temple in Singapore. This temple is managed by the Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association. Despite the SARS outbreak in the country, about 6,000 people attended the ceremonies on May 15, Vesak day. A large number of Chinese devotees were seen at the temple offering flowers.

Relics of the Buddha brought from Daliwala Kotavehara temple in the Kegalle District was exhibited during Vesak. This was the main item of the programme. The chief incumbent of the temple, Ven. Ariyawansa Thera arrived in Singapore on May 11 with the Relics. According to the Department of Archaeology in Sri Lanka, this temple was built in the 1st Century BC and during an excavation the Relics were found in 1957.

The exhibition of the Relics was opened on May 14 by Singapore Parliamentary representatives, the High Commissioner, Ajit Jayaratne, President of the Sinhala Buddhist Association, Alex Nanayakkara and senior members of the Sri Lankan community in Singapore. The programme commenced with a procession when the Relics were brought from the residence of the High Commissioner. The Relics were taken around the temple chanting pirith and beating drums. Thereafter, the Relics were placed in the chamber specially made for the purpose by Ven. Polgampola Thera, the chief incumbent of the Sri Lanka Ramaya.

On May 15 there was a sil campaign and about 500 devotees including Chinese observed sil. The temple was decorated with Vesak lanterns, colourful lights and Buddhist flags.

Another attractive item of the programme was the singing of 'Bhakthi Gee'. Singer Jagath Wickremasinghe, performed at the temple. He was brought to Singapore for this occasion with the sponsorship of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. Staff members of the High Commission and their family members joined Jagath Wickramasinghe for the singing of 'Bhakthi Gee'.

This was followed by a Vesak lantern competition with the assistance of SriLankan Airlines, who awarded prizes. Sri Lankan and Chinese food were offered to the devotees and there was also a dansala close to the temple.

Ven. Polgampola, Ven. Rathanasara, Ven. Dr. Karadetiyane Thera and the Vesak committee headed by Ranjith Samaraweera organised the events at the temple.

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