Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation led by Most Venerable Ahungalle Sri Sheelawisuddhi Mahanayaka Thero of Sri Saddhammawansa Chapter of Amarapura Sangha Sabhawa visited China on an invitation extended by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and the same was coordinated by Sri Lanka – China Buddhist Friendship Association.

Following members joined the delegation:

Ven. Watagedara Wimalabuddhi  Thero – Anunayaka  Thero of Amarapura Sangha Sabhawa, Ven. Attangane Sasanarathana Thero – General Secretary of Ramanna Nikaya, Ven. Wathurakumbure Dhammarathana Thero – Chief Incumbent, Nelligala International Buddhist Center, Kandy., Ven. Edandukitha Gnanasiri Thero – Chief Incumbent, Vijaya Pirivena, Morawaka., Ven. Wiharagala Dhammakiththi Thero – Chief Incumbent, Kemhatha Purana Viharaya, Walsapugala, Suriyawewa., Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. – Hon. President, Sri Lanka – China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA), Mr. Rasika Balasuriya – Attorney at Law, Member of Executive Committee of SLCBFA, Madam Wang Yamei – First Secretary Cultural Affairs, Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, Prof. How Weming – President, Long Hua Institute.

On 21st November 2019, Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation met with the Secretary General of Buddhist Association of China, Mr. Liu Wei, Ven. Yuan Ci Thero (who had studied in Sri Lanka in the 1980’s), and Mr. Wang Li, Director International Affairs of BAC. After conducting religious activities in the Guangji Temple in Beijing, discussions were held with regards to future cooperation between Sri Lanka and China Buddhist Communities, especially regarding educating both communities on historical Buddhist links between the two countries.

HE Dr. Karunasena Kodituwakku, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to China along with Embassy staff offered Alms to the Sri Lankan Buddhist priests at the official residence in Beijing, with the participation of Mr. Yoganandan, Deputy Chief of Mission. The priests chanted Seth Pirith at the Embassy to invoke blessings.

Thereafter, Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation paid homage to Buddha’s Tooth Relic in Ling Guan Temple in Beijing.

On 22nd November, the delegation left mid-day to Lanzhou in Gansu Province by air to visit Dunhuang Grottoes. The Mogao Caves, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes or Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, form a system of 492 temples, 25 km (16 mi) southeast of the Center of Dunhuang, an oasis located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the Silk Road in Gansu Province, China.

Dunhuang Grottoes were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation visited The Mogao Cave Temples in Dunhuang on 23rd November. Dunhuang was a major trading city along the ancient silk route which connected India, Northern Afghanistan, Persia (Iran), Greece and Rome to ancient capital of China – Xian. Dunhuang had many visitors: Tradesmen, envoys, missionaries and artisans from faraway places in India, Persia and Sogdiana. Monks from India and western regions came to propagate Buddhism, and monks from China came to Dunhuang while heading towards India in search of Buddhism.

In this backdrop, The Mogao Cave Temples were constructed over a period of a millennium, and each cave is different. Some of the expensive pigments from faraway lands such as present day Northern Afghanistan had been used, especially blue.

Sri Lanka delegation travelled to the ancient capital of China – Xian on 23rd November and visited Daci’en Temple – Temple of Great Mercy constructed during Tang dynasty. Famous Buddhist traveler monk Xuenzhang who visited India and studied at Nalanda for 12 years brought Tripitaka from India. Ven. Xuenzhang translated Tripitaka into Chinese under the patronage of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty, and these canons were deposited in a seven-storey pagoda constructed in this temple.

The delegation visited terracotta warriors built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259 – 210 BC), the first emperor of China, to guard him in his afterlife.

Emperor Qin Shi Huang of Qin dynasty, in 221 BC, became the first emperor of a unified China. Mausoleum spread over an extent of 56 sq. km had mobilized over 720,000 labourers to complete this magnificent army made out of terracotta; they had worked tirelessly to make the mausoleum in 210 BC before the Emperor died. Named as the eighth wonder of the world, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Watpaje Temple In Jinghong Xishunbanna, Yunnan Province

25^th November 2019

Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation was warmly welcomed by the Chief Incumbent of Watpaje Temple in Jinghong and Mr. Dai Shuren, President of Yunnan Buddhist Association, and discussions were held about enhancing cooperation between Theravada Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka and China.

Commenting on the visit to China, Most Ven. Ahungalle Sri Sheelawisuddhi Mahanayaka Thero of Sri Saddhammawansa Chapter of Amarapura Sangha Sabhawa said, “It is heartening to see that the Chinese Buddhists of Mahayana and Theravada traditions are eager to learn from Sri Lankan Buddhists who have managed to preserve teachings of Lord Buddha for 2500 years. Further, there is a great enthusiasm among Chinese Buddhist leaders to strengthen the ancient Buddhist friendship that exists between our two countries.”

Delegation paid a visit to Manchunan Temple in Xishuangbanna on the same day and participated in Buddhist religious activities.

They also visited the Yunnan Buddhist College, Xishuangbanna Campus in Jinghong City. This Buddhist campus teaches novice Buddhist monks, and there are over 250 resident young monks undergoing training on Buddhist teachings.

Yunnan Buddhist Association Temple in Kunming