Host of events to commemorate 2550th Buddha Jayanthi Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The inauguration ceremony of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi commemoration and the centenary celebrations of the publication "Sinhala Bauddhaya" (founded by the late Anagarika Dharmapala in 1906) will be held on May 7, at the Mahabodhi Aggrasawaka Maha Viharaya in Colombo under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The ceremony would begin at 10 a.m.

Speaking to the Daily News Mahabodhi Society President and Chief Sangha Nayaka of Japan Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera said representatives from India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Russia and many other countries would participate along with local Buddhist organisations, political leaders, Buddhist scholars and followers both lay and monastic.

Inauguration of the ceremony is at 10 a.m. followed by the presentation of the "Sinhala Bauddhaya" centenary volume to the President. A commemorative stamp would also be issued to mark the centenary of "Sinhala Bauddhaya", presenting of commemorative plaques to the Buddhist scholars, benefactors, invited by the Mahabodhi Society would follow. The first session would be concluded at 11.45 a.m.

Session two would begin with the inauguration of the symposium of Buddhist scholars at 2 p.m. The theme would be "Sinhala Bauddhaya", a century of service and its future mission and the message of the Buddha to a society in conflict.

On the same day an exposition of the relics of Most Ven. Sariputta and Maha Moggallana will be held at the same venue on May 7 and 13-15th. The Mahabodhi Society will hold an international symposium on Buddhism in Sri Lanka and a Bhamian Buddha statue would be built in Peraliya in memory of the tsunami victims.

A scholarship programme for 4 needy students is also on the cards, said the Thera. One of the main events would be the restoration of the tomb of the late Anagarika Dharmapala and opening a museum in honour of him. Many other events too have been planned throughout the year added the Thera.

The Ven. Thera appealed to all well wishers, philanthropists and the public to come forward and contribute to make these worthy programmes a success.