The Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Association in Bendigo which is an established Sri Lankan Buddhist Association together with the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion organized a religious ceremony to plant a sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Mahabodhi, Anuradhapura. The Bodhi Dhamma Vihara has a large Buddha Statue, Ceremonial Gates, a traditional Moonstone and a fence carved from stone from Sri Lanka. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a centre for interfaith harmony with symbols from major faiths which are represented in the peace park.
The delegation headed by Ven. Atamasthanadhipathi Pallegama Hemarathana Thero with Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka as well as from Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Thailand and Laos participated in the ceremony.
At the invitation extended by President of the Bodhi Dhamma Vihara, Bendigo Deeptha Wickramarathna and Chairman of the Great Stupa & Universal Compassion Ian Green, Minister of Buddhasasana and Cultural Affairs Vidhura Wickramanayake together with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Australia Chitranganee Wagiswara and Consul General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne Sandith Samarasinghe participated in the event.
The Government of Australia was represented by Member of Bendigo and Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan, State Member for Bendigo and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Maree Edwards and MP, Victoria Lisa Chesters. A large number of Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees as well as others from different faiths numbering over 1500 participated in the ceremony.
The Bo-tree and the Vihara will stand as a testament to the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and Australia and as a symbol of peace and harmony.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
Canberra
05 July 2024
