New Delhi Buddhists celebrate Buddha Jayanthi

Upali Rupasinghe

NEW DELHI: The Buddhist community in New Delhi and adjoining states of the territory will participate with the Maha Sangha to celebrate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi ceremony tomorrow and Sunday at the Buddha Jayanthi Park in New Delhi.

The ceremony organised by the Maha Bodhi Society of India is the third of the year-long programme which began last January from Kolkata. The second function was held in Buddha Gaya in February.

In the New Delhi ceremony, Minister for Urban Development Janapal Redly and Minister for Culture and Tourism Ambika Soni will be the chief guests on the first day of the ceremony. Dr. Karan Singh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament will be the key-note speaker at the public meeting. Dr. B.K. Modi, President of the Maha Bodhi Society of India will preside.

The Most Ven Karmapa Lama, Kalyanamitra Satyanarayan Goenka, Shri Chidananda Saraswati Munijee and Ven. Vincent, Archbhishop of New Delhi will also participate at the first day ceremony.

There will be a day-long discussion on Buddha and Buddhism on Sunday. Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit will be the chief guest. Governor of Delhi K.C. Joshi will deliver the main speech.

The two-day ceremony will end with the vote of thanks by Maha Bodhi Society of India General Secretary Ven Dodamgoda Rewatha Thera.