The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria celebrated Vesak on 14th May 2014 at the premises of the High Commission with the participation of the Sri Lankan community living in Pretoria and the suburbs. The Buddhist monks of the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (Thai Temple) were present on the occasion to conduct religious observances.
The premises were colourfully decorated and illuminated with Buddhist flags, Vesak lanterns and lamps by the staff of the High Commission and their family members.
There was a Bhuddhapooja and chanting of pirith by the devotees which was followed by a brief sermon and meditation by the Chief Thero Ven. PhraKitsaKol. During the sermon VenThero commended the preserving and practising of the teaching of the Lord Buddha by Buddhists in Sri Lanka. He also expressed gratitude to Maha Sangha of Sri Lanka mentioning that the Thero himself was inspired to become a Bhuddhist monk by reading a book written by an erudite Sri Lankan Buddhist monk named Ven. Gunananda.
