The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles together with Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara under the patronage of Most Ven. Agga Maha Panditha Dr. Walpola Piyananda Thero organized the “Thripitakabhiwandana” Dhamma Program on the occasion of the Thripitaka Week declared by the Government of Sri Lanka on Saturday, March 16 2019 at the Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara, Los Angeles.
The program commenced in a procession carrying the printed books of the “Thripitaka” by the students of the Dhamma School of Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara and other temples of California, followed by Maha Sangha to the Budda Mandiraya. The Thripitakabhiwandana Program was attended by Maha Sangha representing the Buddhist Temples located in California, as well as the other temples covering 11 Western States of USA.
Among the dignitaries, Prof. Ven. Manakanda Khemananda of the University of East, California, Consuls General of Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Professor Dr. Miroj Sakya - Head of the Department of Sanskrit, University of the West, California, Dr. Stan Levinson, Dr. Mrs. Thipaporn Chandradibya, representative from the Thai Community in Los Angeles and the Sri Lankan Buddhist community living in Los Angeles were present at the ceremony.
Consul General Swarna Gunaratne welcoming the gathering explained that on January 05, 2019 His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena declared “Thripitaka” as a National Heritage at the Temple of Aluvihara, Matale, place where the Thripitaka was written on “Ola Leave” for the first time. She also added that the national process has now been initiated to submit an application to the UNESCO to inscribe the Thripitaka in the memory of the “World Register” and thereby, a National Thripitaka Week has been declared by the Government of Sri Lanka from 16 – 23 March 2019. Consul General also outlined that over 2500 years ago as Buddha clearly stated that Dhamma or Doctrine and Vinaya or Discipline were to succeed him, followers of Buddha’s vision around the world could still and forever have an audience with the teacher and learn his teaching in order to make their lives meaningful and productive. The Thripitaka is known as the Buddhist Canon, as it contains essential and fundamental principle of Buddhism, she added.
Following the Consul General’s address Ven. Aparakke Punnasiri Thero of Maithree Vihara, Sun Valley addressed the audience with a special request to the Consuls General and their representatives present at the event to extend their country’s support to the initiative taken by H.E. the President and the Government of Sri Lanka to include the “Thripitaka” in the memory of the World Register at UNESCO. Proclaiming the “Tripitakaya” as a national heritage is a proud moment for the nation he further added.
Several other speakers including Hon. Tin Yu, Consul General of Myanmar, Dr. Miroj Sakya, Dr. Stan Levinson, Dr. Thipan Chandradibya, exchanged their views on the history of the Thripitaka, its values and how it is important to the modern society. Representing the Maha Sangha, a speech was delivered by Prof. Ven. Manakanda Khemananda of the University of East, California.
The Dhamma Program concluded with a Pirith chanting session conducted by Maha Sangha.
The ceremony concluded by offering Gilanpasa to the Maha Sangha and serving light refreshments to all the invitees presented at the program.
