The staff of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tokyo together with local community members celebrated Vesak on Friday, 24th May at the Embassy premises in Tokyo.
Beautifully lit Vesak Lanterns were displayed at the Embassy with a special ‘Dansala’ arranged by the staff of the Embassy for Japanese and Sri Lankan visitors serving Ceylon Tea and Sri Lankan food.
The Japanese visitors to the ‘Dansala’ were impressed with the historical significance of Vesak and also the traditions that were maintained in Sri Lanka over the years, especially the concept of giving free food or drink to passers by which has been practiced in Sri Lanka down the ages, wherein history pilgrims who travel to and from places of worship were fed without charge, so they could concentrate solely on their spiritual renewal, and not be concerned about their physical well-being. This tradition was warmly welcomed by all Japanese visitors to the ‘Dansala’.
Vesakwas also commemorated at the Lanka-ji Temple in Sawara where a large number of Sri Lankan and Japanese devotees gathered for religious observances and participated in ‘Bakthi Gee’.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tokyo
27th May 2013
