Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mandiraya:

Buddhist landmark in the city

by Rupa Bandurwardena

Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi was a significant event for Sri Lankan Buddhists as well as the Buddhists, the world over. The inauguration of the 39 billion rupee Buddhist cultural centre is a great landmark in the history of the island which has made a deep impression as a unique monument of inestimable value.

Though mention has already been made earlier in a book of this great institution I feel that there is much that needs to be said and known towards a deeper understanding of this magnificient solid edifice.Buddhism since its inception had flourished as a great faith for over 2,600 years. Sri Lanka with the passage of time emerged as a place of spiritual learning of the Theravada doctrine and this was well reflected in the majestic Buddhist structure set up to commemorate the great event.

Tribute

This is a glowing tribute to the devotion to the doctrine and their efforts. It is a great monument built in its quest to spread the teaching of the Buddha still further and create an upsurge in Buddhist education. Ven. Kirama Wimalajothi Thera, well-known for his great service to Dhamma, is the true founder of this esteemed institution. The aim was to highlight the importance of this universal message and create greater awareness about the significance of the doctrine.

In short the essence of Buddhism should be inculcated into the heart of every Buddhist. According to the erudite Thera Sri Lanka is one of the largest Buddhist centres in the world.

The centre would open doors of Sri Lanka to the teachings of Buddha. He had already identified the issues and shortcomings that need to be addressed in the Buddhist way of life.

Discipline, moral values and the Buddhist doctrine, if properly instilled into the young Buddhist mind and make the learning process much easier, there will definitely be true Buddhists. The young Buddhists will be prepared for a disciplined society the correct way. Upgraded facilities for improving learning environment is well reflected in the entire complex.

Library

Equipped with a world class library and comfortable reading facilities where reading and learning becomes a life-long pleasure and a guarantee for a blissful religious journey - a definite development in their spiritual lives. The fact that it serves as a meditation centre is beyond measure. Meditation is practised by Buddhists to control their thoughts and feelings. The interest shown on meditation techniques and practices are said to be very high under this roof. Giving meditation the due recognition and priority while maximising the opportunities available is of great religious significance.

The esteemed centre also remains dedicated towards the conduct and popularising Dhamma classes an urgent need towards the development of a new era in moral values. The Buddhists could also be proud that the cultural centre serves as the largest Buddhist publishing house in the globe.

Any single discourse of the Buddha is full of advice. We have much to learn from his sermons, precepts, Jataka stories found in the rich literary heritage of Buddhism. The publishing opportunities provided by the centre are by all means the greatest blessing for all those who hunt for knowledge and give meaning to their talents in the religious sphere. The writers are benefited in every way.

Another great feature found in the complex is the auditorium designed at hosting events of religious importance. It is indeed a fascinating piece of architecture utilised for conferences of spiritual values. The location of the Buddhist Cultural Centre initiated by the thera is of equal momentum to the devout Buddhists. It was created with changes to meet the fundamental needs of the Buddhists.

Colonialism

It is no secret that the relics of colonialism of a bygone era is still visible in public buildings and name boards of roads in Colombo.

The cultural centre the brainchild of the far-sighted Thera was located at re-named Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mawatha, previously known as Havelock road named after an imperial Governor.

Reaching a historical milestone, this multi-storeyed complex was the most prolific contribution made by the Thera with avenues of opportunities opened to empower Buddhists.

Spiritual guidance and modern facilities are tastefully blended in this ideal location. The centre also arouses the interests of foreign Buddhists in the study and practice of the Dhamma, and it is successfully passed over to the rest of the globe.

In short the Cultural Centre is a remarkable achievement and a historic victory for the Dhamma.

This was opened on May 15, 2012 to mark the 2600th Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi and it is now confirmed in the Buddhist world as a model Buddhist centre with a reputation that spread far and wide in the globe. Buddha's teachings are very much alive today.