The 2556th Veask Day was commemorated by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on the 5th and 6th May 2012.
On the 5th May 2012, Sri Lankans living in New Delhi together with the staff of the High Commission participated at the Vesak commemoration at the Maha Bodhi Society’s Buddha Vihar in New Delhi. The programme comprised of Dharma talks, Meditation programme, offering of Alms and Bodhi Puja. Children of the High Commission staff recited Bhakti Gee (Buddhist devotional songs). The High Commission premises was fully illuminated in the evening.
High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was the Chief Guest at the Vesak Commemoration at the National Museum of India in New Delhi on 6th May 2012, organized by the Young Men Buddhist Association of India. In his speech, he said that Gautama Buddha, who’s Life and Message is celebrated on the Vesak Day, undertook the task of committing his days on this Earth to teach people the path of peace, compassion, understanding, tolerance, and nonviolence for all humanity without exception. This Message resonates transcending time and is growing in relevance in today’s world where people are searching for balance between rapid scientific advancement and spiritual content of life.
High Commissioner Kariyawasam was the Chief Speaker at the Buddha Jayanthi Dhamma Sabha organized by the Mahabodhi Society of India at its New Delhi Centre-Buddha Vihar on 6th May 2012 at which Dr Karan Singh, Rajya Sabha MP and President of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion High Commissioner Kariyawasam said that the places of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away as well as the site where he attained enlightenment are of immense significance for Buddhists all over the world. Sri Lankans are proud of the untiring efforts of the renowned Sri Lankan, Sri Anagarika Dharmapala, for his leading efforts in reviving Buddhist places of reverence and worship in India. The struggle he led is an indication that his principles transcended barriers of race and nationality. The Mahabodhi Society of India was founded by Anagarika Dharmapala in May 1891 with the support of many prominent Indians as a part of the movement he led for the resuscitation of Buddhism in India for restoring the ancient Buddhist shrines, especially at Buddha Gaya and Sarnath. He created many charitable institutions during his lifetime, maintaining shrines as well as hospitals, schools for helping those in need in line with Buddha's message of compassion. His life of service is of significance to both India and Sri Lanka and a glowing example of what the people of the two countries can do together, High Commissioner Kariyawasam added.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
New Delhi
7 May 2012
