Senaka Weeraratna

Sri Lanka Embassy in Germany commemorates the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi with an all – night recitation of Pirith

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany in association with the Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Buddhist Vihara) in Berlin ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Frohnau, held an all – night recitation of Pirith Ceremony at the premises of the Embassy beginning at 8.00 p.m. on Friday June 10th 2011.

14 Buddhist Monks being members of the Sangha based in various cities of continental European including some visiting Sri Lankan monks attended the function at the Embassy. This event was held pursuant to a decision taken by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Sambuddattva Jayanthi on an all year basis commencing from the Vesak full moon Poya day of 2011.

In this context the understanding of the President and the Government is that appropriate religious activities, including programmes of religious work would be carried out by the Vihares, Institutions and overseas Missions to the best of their ability. This would include Buddhist sermons, Dhamma discussions, and meditation programmes (dhamma, seela bhavana etc.) among others.

Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhltha Thero of Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Vihara) co-ordinated all activities regarding the all night Pirith ceremony pursuant to an invitation sent to all the monks by Major ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” General Jagath Dias, Deputy Chief of Mission, acting on behalf of the Ambassador. Eight of the Venerable monks resided at the Berlin Vihara during their temporary stay in Berlin.

Mr. Tissa Weeraratna, Vice – President, GDS and Manager in charge of the Berlin Vihara ensured that the visiting monks were well looked after. A couple of monks remained at the Temple until the 20th of June.

The following members of the Maha Sangha participated in the Pirith Ceremony:

Ven. Pandit Ratmale Sri Somarathana Nayake Thero B.A.

Chief Sanganayake of Gampaha Naiwela Poorvaramaya

Chief lncumbent Bernmulle Buddhist Cultural Centre & Sanganayake Aluthkuru Korale

Ven. Dr. Wijayarajapura Seelawansa Nayake Thero Nyanaponika Dhammazentrum Lecturer, Vienna University, Austria

Ven. Dr. Walpola Kalyanatissa Nayake Thero Sanghanayake of Zurich & Geneva Buddhist Temple & Germany

Ven. Karuwalagaswewe Anuruddha Thero M.A.

Chief Incumbent of the Zurich Buddhist Vihara

Ven. Halyale Wimalarathana Thero M.A.

Chief Incumbent, International Buddhist Foundation, Geneva

Ven. Rathmale Punnarathana Thero M.A.

Lecturer, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany Head of Sri Lanka Buddhist & Pali University (Gerrnan Branch) Director of Karuna Samadhi Organisation

Ven. Rambukkwelle Devananda Thero, M.A.

Sambodhi Buddhistisches Zerntrum, Berlin

Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhltha Thero M.A.

Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Vihara)

Berlin-Frohnau, Germany

Ven. Talpawila Kusalagnana Thero M.A.

Hamburg Buddhist Centre

Ven. Kannimahara Piyasiri Thero M.A

Munich Buddhist Centre

Ven. Sigiriye Rathanapala Thero M.A.

Vice Principal, Delgoda Kalyanapradeepa Pirivena

Ven. Lendiyangala Sudassi Thero

Chief Incumbent Sri Lanka Vihara, St. Gallen

Ven. Rajakiya Pandita Dhammavijaya Thero