Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN, Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage, attended the Indonesian Tipitaka Chanting and Asela Mahapuja-2024, held at the famous World Heritage site of Borobudur Temple in Central Java from 12 to 14 July 2024, as a special guest. The recitation was conducted by Buddhist monks from Indonesia, India, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, with the purpose of invoking blessings for people around the world. Three Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who are visiting Indonesia as part of the Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy programme also participated in this Tripitaka Chanting at Borobudur.
The event, attended by 5,000 participants including Buddhist monks, novice monks, female atthasilanis and devotees, was organized by Sangha Theravada Indonesia together with Wanitha Theravada Indonesia (WANDANI), Majelis Agama Buddha Indonesia (MAGABUDHI), Pemuda Theravada Indonesia (PATRIA), and Atthasilani Theravada Indonesia (ASTINDA).
During the visit, Ambassador Colombage participated in Dhamma discussions at Karunaphala Temple in Semarang Regency, Syailendra Buddhist University in Salatiga, and Dhamma Sundara Vihara in Surakarta. The discussions focused on Buddhist links between Sri Lanka and Indonesia, highlighting Sri Lanka's value as the cradle of Theravada Buddhism with the ultimate objective of promoting Sri Lanka as a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists in Indonesia. Sri Lankan Embassy has already arranged four visits by Indonesian Buddhists and web influencers to Sri Lanka and the fifth visit is being planned for October 2024.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Jakarta
19 July 2024
