The High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi marked the 2557th Vaishakha Purnima (Vesak 2013) by organizing and participating in several activities in New Delhi.
Staff and family members of the High Commission prepared and offered mid day dana to the Buddhist monks and devotees who were observing sil at the Budddha Vihar, Mahabodi Society of India New Delhi Centre.
High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was the Chief Guest at the “Prayer Meeting and Blessing of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha” organized by the Young Men Buddhist Association of India with the cooperation of the National Museum of India in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Kariyawasam stated that Lord Buddha was the greatest son of India and that his teaching that all human beings are born equal, made people to think anew in the era of the Buddha. In fact, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN mostly reflects Buddha’s philosophy, manifesting that the modern concepts of human rights are nothing new to India, Sri Lanka and the Asian region. After the meeting, a special pooja was conducted by Buddhist monks at the Buddha gallery of the Museum where the sacred Kapilavastu relics are enshrined.
In the evening of the day, a special Vesak celebration was held at the Budddha Vihar, Mahabodi Society of India New Delhi Centre where the High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was the lead speaker and the staff of the Mission attended. Former Foreign Secretary of India and Vice President, Mahabodhi Society of India Dr. Lalith Mansingh presided the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Kariyawasam recalled as to how relations between India and Sri Lanka have been enriched by the ties of Buddhism and paid a tribute to Emperor Ashoka for sending his son and daughter to Sri Lanka with the message of Lord Buddha – the Dhamma, as well as a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree of Buddha Gaya. Until today the bodhi tree is preserved and venerated in Sri Lanka and it is in fact a symbol of the deep rooted relations between India and Sri Lanka. Dr. Lalith Mansingh, addressing the gathering, stated that Anagarika Dharmapala’s Mahabodhi Society resurrected Buddhism in India and he was happy that his father and the family were associated closely with the establishment of the Society in the State of Orissa. Children of the Mission staff sang devotional songs (bhakthi gee) at the end of the celebrations.
High Commission premises was illuminated and decorated with Vesak lanterns to mark the Vesak Week.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
28 May 2013
