The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines in collaboration with the Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc. (UWFI) organised the “Exposition of the Sacred Relics from Sri Lanka and Vesak Day Commemoration” on 25 May 2024 at the Wisdom Park in New Manila, Quezon City. This was the first time in history that sacred relics from Sri Lanka was brought to the Philippines.
The sacred relics, considered to be of Gauthama Buddha’s, were hand carried from Sri Lanka, with the necessary approval of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Archaeology, by Maj. Gen. Lanka Amarapala and DIG of Police Dammika Weerasekara.
The commemoration commenced with the bringing of the sacred relics to Wisdom Park which was received by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa and President of Wisdom Park Management Committee Harish Dilshan Ananda Athauda. It was followed by a bodhi pooja, Buddha bathing and circumambulation with the participation of the Founder of UWFI Dr. Mariano Yupitun and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Palestine and former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Philippines Nawalage Bennet Cooray.
The placing of the Sacred Relics was solemnized by Ven. Sukkadhammo and Ven. Ratthapalo, representing the Theravada tradition while Lama Damdul represented the Vajrayana tradition. Mahayana Tradition was represented by Chief Abbot of Seng Guan Temple Ven. Fatu and Vice Secretary of Philippine Buddhism Fellowship Association Ven. Pu Xue.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, in his keynote message, emphasised that the commemoration of Vesak in Wisdom Park is an auspicious and historic occasion as this is the first time that sacred relics are brought from Sri Lanka to the Philippines. Highlighting that it coincides with the 25th Anniversary of International Recognition of Vesak Day, he recalled the untiring efforts of the then Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Lakshman Kadirgamar for spearheading and guiding this initiative. He also underscored the relevance of Buddhist teaching to address the issues of the current era.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Palestine Nawalage Bennet Cooray provided a brief background of the Sacred Relics.
The programme was also adorned by a Bhakti Gee performance by the officers and staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka and the members of the Sri Lankan community in the Philippines and a Philippine cultural show by the students of Adamson University. Vegetarian dinner and commemorative gifts (bronze Buddha statute and a laminated bo-leaf from the sapling of the Sri Maha Bodiya planted at the UWFI) were given to those who participated. The staff of the Embassy decorated the UWFI premises with the Vesak Lanterns (Ata Pattam) made by them and with the Buddhist Flags.
The programme concluded with the closing remarks by UWFI Founder Dr. Mariano Yupitun.
More than 400 guests including officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, consular corps and international organizations in the Philippines, officials and members of the UWFI, Venerable Monks of the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple and other Buddhist Temples in Philippines, officials and members of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Philippines and other Buddhist Associations in Philippines, Buddhist devotees, Sri Lankan community members in the Philippines, members of the media and other well-wishers of the Embassy attended the event.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Manila
07 June 2024
