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| Tuesday, 13 January 2004 |
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The Most Ven. Seiyu Kiriyama Thera, founder and Chief Priest of the Agonshu Temple of Japan visited Sri Lanka in April 1986 to receive blessings of the Sri Lankan government and its people for his efforts in establishing peace in the world. During the visit, then President J. R. Jayewardene presented a casket containing sacred relics of Lord Buddha. Most Ven. Kiriyama Thera, considered the sacred relics of Lord Buddha as the most valuable present he ever received in life. The receipt of the sacred relics accelerated the development of Agonshu Temple. The sacred relics became the object of veneration of thousands of disciples. With most Ven. Kiriyama Thera's assistance the Sri Lanka Agonshu Friendship Foundation (SLAFF) was formed in 1994. It commenced a scholarship program on January 12, 1994 by awarding 50 scholarships. Most Ven. Kiriyama Thera's aim was to give at least a few needy students a chance to do studies without any shortcomings. The SLAFF provides the scholarship recipients everything necessary for an educational year such as note books, pens, pencils, uniforms, socks and shoes, a school bag, mathematical instruments, an umbrella at the beginning of the year. Recipients are also given a monthly parcel of dry rations. Over 4,000 annual scholarships have been so far awarded and in 2004 seven hundred scholarships are to be awarded. Other projects include temple development project, school development project, assistance for vocational training. The last is for school leavers and already the Most Ven. Seiyu Kiriyama Special Vocational Centre at Morawaka is in operation. |
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