World's first Buddhist museum to be opened

The 2600th anniversary of Buddha's Enlightenment - the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi which will be observed on May 17, will be marked by a series of events to be held throughout the island.

The Sambuddhathva Jayanthi organising committee under the Ministry of Religious and Moral Uplift says a number of programmes have been finalised to mark this anniversary.

The main religious ceremony will be held on Vesak Poya Day at the Anuradhapura sacred city.

A large number of devotees will observe sil on that day. A religious programme will be held in temples and Buddhist centres throughout the island. The world's first Buddhist Museum, set up at Kandy's Sri Dalada Maligawa complex will be opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 20 to coincide with the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi celebration.

The museum comprises artefacts and other objects depicting the civilisation and culture of 17 countries which have embraced Buddhism.

The museum has been created on a concept of Diyawadana Nilame, Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara at the Colonial Courts complex in Kandy.

Among the countries represented at the museum are China, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. -RJ

Largest Buddha statue in Anuradhapura

The largest Samadhi Buddha statue in the world, to commemorate the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi is to be constructed in Anuradhapura on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Laying of the foundation stone for this was held at the auspicious hour of 10.00 a.m. on May 13, at the precincts of Siri Sangarama, Kuda Kaletthewa, Anuradhapura.

Faculty of Aesthetic Studies Dean Prof. Sarath Maldeniya is the architect of the project. The estimated cost of the statue, the height of which will be 522 feet when completed, is Rs. 1,000 million. The work is to be completed in 30 months.

News in brief

- Compiled by Rohana Jayalal

Renovation of temples

The Government has decided to renovate several temples out of the 11,500 registered temples in the country. The programme will be launched on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

The Department of Buddhist Affairs has identified temples with limited facilities and has prepared a priority list of temples that should be developed early in each districts.

Ordaining of 2,600 Samaneras

The Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Committee has decided to ordain 2,600 Samaneras between year 2011 and 2012.

According to the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Committee, the Government will fund their education for five years. About 500 monks have already been ordained under the programme.

Bodhi Pooja

A Bodhi Pooja will be held at Theeverya Vihara in the Ratnapura District on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day to invoke blessings on the country.

The religious ceremony will be organised by the Ratnapura District's Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Committee and the Ratnapura Praja Development Foundation

Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya

The world's largest Buddhist Publications and Information Centre is to be housed in the capital of Sri Lanka.

The Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya located at No. 32, Havelock Road, Colombo 5, will beopned to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi. Director of the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thera said that the Mandiraya which will have 16 storeys would be largest in the world and a place of great significance to the Buddhists.

Renaming Havelock Road

The Government has decided to rename the Havelock Road to mark the Sambuddhathva Jayanthi. According to the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Havelock Road is to be renamed as Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mawatha.

Havelock Road will be renamed after the opening Ceremony of the world's largest Buddhist Publications and Information Centre in Sri Lanka, said Buddhist Cultural Centre sources.

Commentaries in Sinhala and Pali

The Buddhist Cultural Centre has arranged to release 10 Commentaries in Sinhala and Pali to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhathva Jayanthi for the first time in Sri Lanka's history. Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thera revealed of plans to launch a Pali-Sinhala Dictionary containing 25,000 words.

Islandwide exhibitions

A series of countrywide exhibitions is being organised while the main exhibition, organised by the Archaeology Department of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, and the Buddhist Affairs Ministry, will commence in Colombo. The main exhibition will be held at the BMICH. A series of exhibitions will be held at several main temples in every District, the Buddhist Affairs Ministry sources said.

Sil campaigns

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs together with The Ministry of Education has decided to conduct sil campaign in schools islandwide. They wille commence on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day and continue until end of May.