A Dharma discussion on Theravada Tripitaka was conducted at the Dharmashoka Buddhist Temple in Rome on 24th March 2019. The event was jointly organized by the Theravada Buddhist Society of the Dharmashoka Buddhist Temple in Rome and the Embassy of Sri Lanka. Seven Venerable Monks participated in including Ven. Panditha Eluwapola Pagngnarathna Thero, Senior Chief Monk of Europe and the Chief Monk of Athens Buddhist Temple in Greece.
The event had a multi religious, multi ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-national flavour with the Italian community being present. It is noteworthy that Msgr. Indunil J. Kodithuwakku, Under-Secretary to Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue from the Vatican participated in. The Embassy staff and their families including H.E. Daya Pelpola, Ambassador together with 150 devotees took part in the proceedings.
Eight hundred years after the passing away of Lord Buddha the teaching of the Holy One was reduced in to three written chapters/Thripitakaya at the Aluwiharaya in Matale in 100 BC by Monks residing therein. Ven. Nepalaye Shakya Nanda Thero, the Chief Monk of Dharmashoka Buddhist Temple in Rome explained the methodology and underlines the reasons for doing so. Ven. Panditha Wathogala Dhammika Thero, the Chief Monk of Brescia Buddhist Temple spoke on the first chapter of the Thripitakaya namely the Vinaya Pitakaya. A brief ceremony of Suthra Pitakaya was conducted by Ven. Panditha Eluwapola Pagngnarathna, Chief Monk of the Athens Buddhist Temple in Greece. The last section of the Tripitaka known as the Abhidharma Pitikaya was briefly explained by Ven. Badalkumbure Dhammasiri Thero of Milano Dharma Nikethana, Milan.
The other three Venerable priests, Ven. Mulatiyana Bharatha Thero of Dharmashoka Viharaya, Rome, Ven. Mamadale Anomasara Thero of Mirissa Rajamahaviharaya and Ven. Olaganwatte Gnanasara Thero from Sri Lanka also intervened with brief explanations on these topics. They also spoke on the importance of declaring the Tripitaka as a National Heritage in Sri Lanka as well as gaining recognition of the same as a World Heritage. They pointed out the necessity of the temples being involved in the propagation of Thripitakya in order that it gains the recognition of a national/cultural heritage. Mr. Somasena Mahadiulwewa, Minister (Commercial) acted as the Moderator, at the event.
The event was followed by the offering of Buddhapujawa, Danaya and Pirikara Pujawa for Venerable Monks. Other participants at this event were provided with lunch.
A Pinkama on Tripitakaya was also organized and held at the Shakyamuni temple in Rome on 17th of March where the Embassy was represented.
