Vap full moon poya was marked in France with the unveiling of a statue of the meditating Buddha on Friday, 18 th October 2013 at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris.
Donated by the Ven. Dr Bodagama Chandima Thero, International Affairs Advisor to H. E. the President on Religious and Cultural Affairs, the statue was brought to France by the Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the international commemoration of Vesak at UNESCO in May this year.
The white marble statue was unveiled by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, Professor Karunaratne Hangawatte amid the chanting of pirith . The religious ceremonies were followed by the offering of a heel dhana to the venerable members of the clergy.
Special religious observances were conducted by the Chief Sangha Nayake of France, Ven. Parawahera Chandraratana Thero, Adikarana Sangha Nayake of France, Ven. Murungasyaye Gnanissara Thero, Chief Priest of the Dharmachakra Temple, Ven. Kongasdeniya Ananda Thero, the Chief Sangha Nayake of the Southern and Western Provinces of Sri Lanka and the Pirivenadhipathi of the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda, the Ven. Balangoda Sobitha Thero, Ven. Puwakgahahene Vajiragnana Thero, Ven. Vitharandeniye Medhananda Thero, Ven. Manampitiya Amitha Thero and Ven. Mapalagama Jinananda Thero.
Vap marks the conclusion of the Buddha’s preaching of the Abidhamma for three months and also denotes King Devanampiyatissa sending envoys requesting the establishment of the Bhikkuni Sasana (Order of nuns).
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Paris
22nd October 2013
Embassy of Sri Lanka
in France
16, rue Spontini
75016 Paris
France
Tel : 00-33-1-55733131
Fax: 00-33-1-55731849
Email: sl.france@wanadoo.fr
Visit our Web : www.srilankaembassy.fr
