An occasion of Dhamma deshana and sanghika dana by Venerable members of Buddhist clergy was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels, Belgium at the Official Residence on 19 July 2020. The event that fell in the month of Esala Full Moon Poya Day, was held in memory of Covid-19 victims as well as to invoke protection and blessings upon all humankind at the critical time of pandemic.
Delivering the Dhamma deshana Most Venerable Murungasyaye Gnanissara thero, chief incumbent of Jethavana Vihara, France stated that Covid-19 pandemic was a cruel reminder to the human beings of the uncertainty of life and advised the devotees to seek spiritual solace through observing sil, bhawana and other religious activities during the health crisis while taking preventive measures as guided by the authorities.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium Grace Asirwatham while addressing the gathering said that although the Embassy had planned to celebrate Vesak day with religious observances and bhakthigee with the participation of Sri Lankan community as well as to commemorate Vesak at the EU Parliament premises in Brussels together with the Ambassadors of Buddhist countries in Belgium, those activities could not be held due to Covid-19 related lockdown measures.
The Programme for religious observances conducted by Most Venerable Murungasyaye Gnanissara thero and Most Venerable Panditha Mulane Gunananda thero from Sri Lanka and members of Buddhist clergy attached to the Thai Dhammarama temple in Waterloo included Budda vandana, Dhamma deshana, sangika dana, meditation, offering of pirikara and sethpirith chanting.
Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Antwerp Monique De Decker, Rev. Father Arul Raj, a Sri Lankan Catholic priest from the University of Leuven and members of the Sri Lankan community in Belgium and Luxembourg attended the event.
