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Dist of dry rations boxes 9000 for needy peoples via Asgiriya/Malwaththa vihara and Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and Nelligala on 11th 12th Jan 2023 by Chinese, Embassy, and SLCBFA.

On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and China, the Sri Lanka-China Buddhist Friendship Association in collaboration with the Buddhist Association of China conducted a Pirith Ceremony at the Abhayagiriya Temple in Anuradhapura and Sri Lanka Vidyalaya Maradana on 26th February 2022.

Ven. Fa’Xian thero spent two years at Abhayagiri Temple early in the fifth century AD collecting and translating Sinhalese language Buddhist texts.

The Buddhist Association of China-made arrangements for Venerable theros from the Lingguang Temple in Beijing and Putuao Temple in Guangdong to join online the ceremony. The pirith ceremony by the Chinese Buddhist monks was led by Most Ven. Chang Zhang thero and Most Ven. Ming Sheng thero.

Despite the COVID-19 related restrictions in China, the Ambassador, Dr. Palitha Kohona, and some officials from the Embassy also attended the event online from the Lingguang Temple, a historic temple, where the Buddha’s Tooth Relic is kept in China.

After the formal ceremony, the Ambassador and the Embassy Officials were given the opportunity to worship the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

The Lingguang temple was originally built in Tang Dynasty (618–907). The temple has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
27 February 2022

 

 

Two Buddhist communities of Sri Lanka and China joined online on 26^th February 2022 to chant Seth Pirith to invoke blessings to commemorate the 65^th Anniversary of diplomatic relations was a first of a kind unique event under the patronage of Most Ven Wenduruwe Sri Upali Anunayake thero of the Asgiri chapter at the invitation Ven.Dr. Kallanchiye Rathnasiri thero, the Chief Incumbent of the historical Abhayagiri Viharaya.

The program commenced at the Abhayagiriya Temple at Anuradhapura with a Sathbudu pujawa and linked online with Sri Lanka Vidyalaya Maradana and at the same linked up with two historical Buddhist temples in China, Ling Guan Temple in Beijing and Putuao Temple in Zhuhai, Guangdong. 65 Buddhist priests from Sri Lanka and 65 Buddhist priests from China joined this program. This program commenced from Abhyagiriya Temple reminisced historical Buddhist ties between ancient Sri Lanka and China.

Most Ven.Wenduruwa Upali thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweliseya , Most Ven Pallegama Hemrathana thero, The Chief incumbent of historical Lannkaramaya temple Most Ven.Dhammajothi thero ,Prof.Medagama Nandawansa thero and host of Buddhist prelates joined Sri Lanka whilst Most Ven.Ming sheng thero from Putuo Temple in Zhuhai and Most Ven.Zhang Chan thero from Linguan Temple in Beijing joined with other Buddhist priests from China.

Days proceedings commenced by Most Ven Wenduruwe Upali thero reading the message from the Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter and said “ Our close association with China in the present and past, and present progress achieved by China is a matter of much awe to all of us. Discipline and dedication to service have been the basis for such progress, which if we also take as an example, can develop our country as well.” Messages from Chief Prelate of Malwatte Chapter and Mahanyake thero of the Rammanna Nikaya were read by Ven Pallegama Hemrathana thero and Prof.Ven.Medagam Nandawansa thero.

The Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka H.E. Qi Zhenhong , Hon. Maheepala Herath the Governor of North Central Province, the Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Gen.Shavendra Silva, Mr.Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. Hon. President of SLCBFA, Mr.Sunanda Kariyapperuma, Buddhist Affairs Commissioner joined at Abhayagiriya temple, District Secretary of Anuradhapura, Mr.Susantha Balapatabendi P.C., Vice President of SLCBFA , Mr Aruna Silva  General Secretary of SLCBFA , Mr.K.G.Chandrasiri Deputy Treasurer of SLCBFA and   Dr. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka Ambassador in China joined with the staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy at the same time from Ling Guan Temple in Beijing. Mr.Ajith Dharmawardena Vice President of SLCBFA and Ms.Prabhodini Marasinghe Treasurer of SLCBFA joined with other members of SLCBFA joined from Maradan, Ode Temple.

 

The Governor of the North Central Province read the message of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and President stated that The doctrine of Buddhism has been a key factor in strengthening Sri Lanka- China diplomatic relations. It started during the Anuradhapura era. In subsequent years it led to the development of Political, Cultural and Trade relations between the two countries.

The friendship between the two countries starting from the 1^st century were initiated by the Kings. Bhathikabaya, Gajabaahu and Mahanaama are noteworthy Kings deserving special mention.

Visits of Chinese Buddhist monks for advanced Buddhist education for significant periods are recorded in the notes of esteemed Chinese Buddhist Monk, Venerable Faxian.  Intellectuals and experts of Buddhist doctrine led to the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries.

 

The Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka in his speech emphasized that the history of the Buddhist exchanges between two countries spans over a thousand years and it’s noteworthy to mention that Ven.Fa-shien thero studied at the Abhayagiri monastery and took back important Dhamma books to China on the maritime silk route and Bhikkuni Dewasara of Sri Lanka established the Bhikkuni sasanaya in China. In addition , Ven.Amogrwajra thero translated sutra in to Chinese language . The Ambassador said China is a trustworthy good friend to Sri Lanka.

 

Seth pirith chanting was done under the patronage of the Anu Nayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Wenduruwe Upali Nayake Thero and  Ruwanweli Maha Seya Incumbent, Dr Pallegama Hemaratana Nayake Thero,  and priests joined from Sri Lanka Maha Vidyalaya Pirivena led by Ven. Prof. Medagama Nandawansa thero .

Thereafter, a religious program commenced from Linguan Temple in Beijing and Putuo Temple in Zhuhai where Ven Ming sheng thero, Vice President of Buddhist Association of China addressed the gathering and recalled the Buddhist friendship between to countries from time immemorial and said Buddhists are one family of the world. Ven. Ing sheng thero with Ve.Zhang Chan thero and 65 Buddhist priests started with a pujawa and chanting as per Chinese Buddhist tradition to invoke blessings to People of China and Sri Lanka and to mark the 65^th Anniversary of Sri Lanka -China Diplomatic relations. It was an exclusive ceremony that brought two Buddhist traditions on a single online platform using modern technology.

 

Sri Lanka-China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA ) with a financial contribution from The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, on a request made by the  H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, The  President of Sri Lanka, constructed the drinking water purification plant at Kolaeliya Pallama Anamaduwa Ananda Bodhi Viharaya under the program “Suwa Diviyata Pen Dhothak”. The construction of this plant was completed by the Engineering Section of the Sri Lanka Navy in the Puttalam District for the benefit of the people in the area; who are suffering from the chronic kidney disease prevalent in the area. This water purification plant was a great assistance to the people of the area due to the lack of purified drinking water.

Members of Parliament Mr.Ashoka Priyantha, Mr.Chinthaka Mayadunne, Mr.Sumathi Dharmawardena, President’s Counsel, the President of SLCBFA, Mr.Sugeeshwara Bandara, Private Secretary to HE the President, Vice Presidents of SLCBFA   Mr. Ajith Dharmawardena, Mr. Susantha Balapatabendi President’s Counsel, Mr.Aruna de Silva Gen. Secretary, Major (rtd) Chandrasiri Wijerathne Deputy Treasurer of SLCBFA took part in a modest ceremony to vest the plant with the public on an invitation extended by Ven Darapanahela Ariyarathne thero on 26^th February 2021.

 

 

 

SLCBFA delegation met the new Chief Prelate of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulawe Wimala Mahanayake Thero at his temple at Mirigama and conveyed best wishes and greetings of the Buddhist Association of China, the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) .

Most Ven. Makulawe Wimala Mahanayake Thero reminded the SLCBFA delegation led by Mr. Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. Hon President, Mr. Aruna de Silva General Secretary, Mr. Susantha Balapatabendi P.C. Vice President, Mr. KG Chandrasiri Asst. Treasurer about the close relationships he has with the Buddhist leaders of China and homage paid to Buddhas tooth relic Ling Guan Temple in Beijing .

Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association donated 20 dry rations to Most Ven. Mahanayake Thero for distribution to needy temples.

Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) with the financial assistance from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka donated Public Address Systems, Chairs and Desk Top Computers with Printers to 20 needy Dhamma Schools in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Most Ven.Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero – Chief Priest of Kotte Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaya and Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura on 19th January 2019 at the Lakshman Kadiragamar Center for International Relations.

Mr.Sumathi Dharmawardena, Attorney at Law, President Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association made the welcome speech and stated that SLCBFA with assistance of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka and Buddhist Association of China had installed three water purifications in Gomaranakadawala, Trincomalee District, Rambewa, Anuradhapura District and Suriyawewa in Hambantota District to assist villagers to over chronic kidney disease. The fourth Project will be implemented in Galgamuwa in Kurunegala District.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Liu Dong Head of Cultural Affairs representing the Ambassador of China in Sri Lanka. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Liu Dong mentioned that Sri Lanka and China has maintained an excellent relationship and Buddhist friendship has developed from the time famous Buddhist Monk Fa-Shien lived in Abhaygiriya Monastery 1600 years back. Further, he paid compliments to Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association for taking steps to assist needy Dhamma Schools in Sri Lanka. Mr. Liu Dong mentioned that H.E. Maithripala Sirisena has taken steps to declare the Buddhist sacred Canon Thripitakaya as national heritage is a very important step to Buddhists.
Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundera the Patron of SLCBFA addressing the gathering stated that recent excavations in Mannar have found Chinese coins which is vital evidence to the historical relationship that existed between China and Sri Lanka in Buddhist, political, economic and cultural relations over 1600 years.
Most Ven.Dr. Ittapane Dhammalankara Thero – Chief Priest of Kotte Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaya delivering the Anushashanawa said China has been a great friend in the past, in the present and confident that China will be in the future. Mahanayake thero praised the project to uplift Dhamma education in Sri Lanka by started by SLCBFA as a very meritorious deed to develop the future generation of Sri Lanka. Further requested Embassy of China in Sri Lanka to render assistance in the future for these projects.
Members of Dhamma Schools from Ampara, Welioya, Morawaka, Galle, Hambantota, Mathale, Balangoda, Ratnapura were donated needy items. Financial donations were made to construct a Dhamma School in Kalukanodayawe.
Mr.Indrananda Abeysekera President Sri Lanka-China Socio Cultural Cooperation Organization and Mr Sumana Liyanage vice President Sri Lanka

 

Amidst , chanting of Seth Pirith by Mahasangha, led by Most Ven Dr Pallegama Sirinivasa Thero the Chief Incumbent Of Atamasthanaya and chanting of Buddhist recitals by Chinese Buddhist Priests led by Most Ven Ming Sheng Thero the Vice President of Buddhist Association of China, a bronze statue of Most Ven Fa – Shien Thero, who lived in Abhayagiri Temple in AD 412, was unveiled at the Abhayagiri Temple Anuradhapura on the 28th July 2018.

Most Ven Ahungalle Sri Seelavishudhi Mahanayake Thero of Amarapura Sri Sadhamawansa Mahanikaya, Most Ven Dr. Pallegama Hemarathne Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweliseya, Most Ven Dr.Kallanchiye Rathnasiri Thero the Chief Incumbent of Abhayagiri Temple along with all the Chief Incumbents of all Atamasthane Temples of Anuradhapura took part in this ceremony.

Hon M.P.Jayasinghe , The Governor North Central Province, Hon Gamini Jayawickrema Perera the Minister of Buddhist Affairs , Mr Liu Dong the First Secretary , Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, Madam Yuan Gujie, Director General of Religious Affairs Authority of Guangdong Province China , Mr Chandraprema Gamage Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs , Mr Sumathi Dharmawardena President , Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association (SLCBFA) , Col Sudath Madugalle General Secretary SLCBFA, Dr Praneeth Abhayasundera , the District Secretary Anuradhapura were among the distinguish invitees who graced this important occasion .

Most Ven Fa Shien Statue was donated by Most Ven Ming Sheng Thero on a request made by Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association and Abhayagiri Temple.
The ceremony was jointly organized by the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs, SLCBFA and the District Secretary, Anuradhapura. A large number of Buddhist Priests and devotees were present.

The following Ex-co members and the youth circle members of SLCBFA were present at the ceremony.
Mrs. Probodini Marasinghe- Treasurer, Mr. Susantha Balapatabedi- Vice President, Mr.Aruna De Silva-Dy. Secretary, Major. K.G. Chandrasiri- Dy. Treasurer. Mr. Nalaka Senanayake-Ex-co member, Mr. Champika Nandasena-Ex-co member,Mrs.D.S.Dharmawardana-Ex-co member, Mr. Dayananda Kukulevithana-Ex-co member, Dr.Purindu Rajapaksha, Mr. Dewruk Rajapaksha,Mr. Rashmika Jyasekara Mr. Rochana Marasingha, Mr. Anushka Jayasekara and Mr. Janith Jayasekara.

 

 

A bronze statue of Fa-Hsien Thera on the premises of Abhayagiri Stupa in Anuradhapura will be unveiled on July 28 in a religious ceremony.

The statue was executed on the anusasana of Atamasthanadipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera and is being sponsored by Abhayagiri Viharadhipathi Ven. Kallanchiye Rayanasiri Nayake Thera on the instructions of Buddha Sasana Minister Gamini Jayawickrama Perera, under the patronage of Sri Lanka – China Buddhist Friendship Association.

The statue, weighing two tons, is donated by China’s Guangdong provincial Buddhist association deputy chairman Ming Seng Thera.

This donation is a result of a request made by Ven. Kallanchiye Rathanasiri Nayake Thera and Sumathi Dharmawardane , Attorney at Law ( President , Sri Lanka China Buddhist Friendship Association) during their recent China tour, to Ming Seng Thera.

Ven. Rathanasiri Thera told the Daily News that Fa-Hsien Thera arrived in Sri Lanka via India along the Silk Road in 411-412 AD and resided for nearly three years at Abhayagiri monastery studying pure Theravada Buddhism.

The writings of Fa-Hsien Thera during his stay at Abayagiri are accepted as historic descriptions of an eye witness, similar to the chronicles.

The Thera has written that on an order by King Kithsirimevan, on every Esala Poya, the Dalada Perahara was held at Abhayagiriya Stupa premises on a grand scale and during this period, the Sacred Tooth Relic was placed in Anuradhapura.

The Thera revealed further that there were 5,000 Buddhist bhikkhus at Abhayagiri monastery, 3,000 at Mahavihara, 2,000 at Mihintale and 4,000 at Mihintale, during his two-year stay.

The statue unveiling ceremony will be graced by the Maha Sangha headed by Atamasthanadipathi Ven. Dr. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera, Ven. Ming Seng Nayake Thera, the Buddha Sasana Minister, Cabinet Ministers, the Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka and Buddhist devotees. Anuradhapura government agent R.M. Wanninayake and his staff will coordinate the programme.

 

හම්බන්තොට දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ සූරියවැව වල්සපුගල ග්‍රාමයේ කෙම්හත පුරාණ
විහාරස්ථානයේ විහාරාධිපති විහාරගල ධම්මකිත්ති ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේගේ ඉල්ලීම
පරිදි ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමයේ “සුව දිවියට පැන් දොතක් ”
වැඩසටහන යටතේ ලංකාවේ චීන තානාපති කාර්යාලයේ ආධාර මත පානීය ජල
ව්‍යාපෘතියක් 2018 ජූලි මස 07 වන දින බුද්ධශාසන ගරු අමාත්‍ය ගාමිණී ජයවික්‍රම
පෙරේරා මැතිතුමා, සහ ශ්‍රි ලංකාවේ චීන තානාපති Cheng Xueyuan මැතිතුමා සහ ශ්‍රී
ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමයේ ගරු සභාපති සුමති ධර්මවර්ධන
මැතුතුමාගේත් ප්‍රධානත්වයෙන් අද දින ජනතා අයිතියට පවරා දෙන ලදී.
හම්බන්තොට දිස්ත්‍රික්කයේ ඉතා දුෂ්කර ගම්මානයක් වන වල්සපුගල පිරිසිදු පානීය
ජලය නොමැතිකම නිසා පීඩාවට පත්ව ඇති ජනතාවට සහනයක් වශයෙන් චීන
තානාපති කාර්යාලයේ මූල්‍යමය ආධාර මත ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමයේ
මෙහෙයවීමෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා නාවික හමුදා ඉංජිනේරු අංශය විසින් මෙම ජල පිරිපහදු
ව්‍යාපෘතිය නිම කරන ලදී.
අද දින මෙම උත්සවය අමතමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ චීන තානාපති Cheng Xueyuan ශ්‍රී
ලංකාවත් චීනයත් අතර මිත්‍රත්වය වසර 2000 ක් පමණ පැරණි බවත් චීනයේ
දේශාටන භික්‍ෂුන් වහන්සේ වන පාහියන් භික්‍ෂුව ශ්‍රි ලංකාවෙන් බුද්ධ ධර්මය හදාරා
චීනයට ගොස් බුද්ධ ධර්මය ප්‍රචලිත කිරීමට කටයුතු කර ඇති බවත්, අද දින චිනයත්
ලංකාවත් අතර බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්වය ස්ථාපිත වී ඇති බවත් සඳහන් කල අතර මෙම
ජලපිරිපහදුව ජනතාව වෙත තෑගි කරන බවත්ය. චීන තානාපති තුමා වැඩි දුරටත්
අදහස් දක්වමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමය 2015 අගෝස්තු මස සිට
මෙරටේ බෞද්ධ සම්බන්ධතා වැඩි දියුණු කිරීමට විශාල මෙහෙවරක් කර ඇති බවත්
ඒ සඳහා ඇප කැපවූ සියළුම නිළධාරීන්ට සිය හෘදයාංගම ස්තුතිය පුද කරන ලදී.
බුද්ධශාසන අමාත්‍ය ගරු ගාමිණී ජයවික්‍රම පෙරේරා මැතිතුමා අදහස් දක්වමින් ඉතා
දුෂ්කර ගම්ප්‍රදේශයක් වූ හම්බන්තොට ප්‍රදේශයේ වල්සපුගල ග්‍රාමයට පානීය ජල
ව්‍යපෘතියක් ලබාදීම පිළිබඳව චීන රජයටත් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ චීන තානාපති තුමාටත් සිය
කෘතඥතාවය පලකරන ලදී.
කෙම්හත විහරස්ථානයේ විහාරාධිපති පූජ්‍ය විහාරගල ධම්මකිත්ති ස්වාමීන් වහන්සේ
අදහස් දක්වමින් ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමය සිදු කරන ලද අනගි
සේවාවට ප්‍රදේශයේ ජනතාව වෙනුවෙන් සහ විහාරස්ථානය වෙනුවෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ
චීන තානාපති තුමා ඇතුළු කාර්ය මණ්ඩලයටත්, ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව
සංගමයටත් පින් අනුමෝදන් කර ස්තුති කරන ලදී.
මෙම උත්සවයට සූරියවැව ප්‍රදේශයේ ප්‍රදේශීය ලේකම් තුමා, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ චීන
තානාපති කාර්යාලයේ සංස්කෘතික අංශයේ ප්‍රධානි ලියු ටොම් මැතිතුමා, ශ්‍රී ලංකා චීන
බෞද්ධ මිත්‍රත්ව සංගමයේ උප සභාපති අජිත් ධර්මවර්ධන මැතිතුමා, උප ලේකම්
අරුණ ද සිල්වා මැතිතුමා, උප භාණ්ඩාගාරික කේ. ජී. චන්ද්‍රසිරි මැතිතුමා, නාලක
සේනානායක මැතිතුමා, වෛද්‍ය හිරාන් විමලරත්න මැතිතුමා සහ දයානන්ද කුකුලේ
විතාන මැතිතුමා සහභාගිවන ලදී.