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Rich legend of Lumbini – By Dr.Gamini Kariyawasam. Lumbini Vansaya Book PDF DOWNLOAD – Click Here This year’s Vesak festival brings cherished memories of the enchanting Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha. As we celebrate, it’s the perfect moment to delve into the rich legend of Lumbini, illuminated by recent archaeological discoveries. This article aims to bring the ancient allure of this sacred site to life, revealing its hidden stories and newfound treasures.                                         – “Ananda, Lumbini is the birthplace of the Tathagatas ( Lord Buddha ) . It is a place where the devotees have to see and understand the impermanent nature. One who worships this place will be born in heaven after death in a good soul.”                                  According to the Maha Parnirvana Sutra, Lumbini where Gautama Buddha was born, Buddha Gaya where he attained Buddhahood, Isipatanarama where he preached the Dhamma Chakra Sutra, and ...

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Celebrating Vesak – By Niranjan Selvadurai Vesak holds a profound significance for over 500 million Buddhists scattered around the globe, as a time to celebrate the life, teachings, and spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha. Falling on the day of the full moon during the month of May, Vesak commemorates the birth, the awakening (Bodhi), and the passing away (Parinirvana) of Siddhartha Gautama who is referred to as the Buddha – “the awakened one.” Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, current Nepal, around 563 BCE. At the age of 35 he realised his awakening under a Bo tree in Gaya, India. At the age of 80 he passed away in Kusinara, India. This symbolised his final liberation from the cycle of birth and death known as samsara. All three events took place on the Vesak full moon day. After his awakening, the Buddha spent the next 45 years teaching the Dharma ...

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A popular pilgrimage destination in Sri Lanka ‘ Katharagama ‘ – By Nishantha Weragoda Source : Nishantha Weragoda Linkedin Katharagama a popular pilgrimage destination frequented by adherents of all religions in Sri Lanka. The main shrine devoted to Skanda popularly described in eulogies as God having six faces and twelve arms whose assistance is sought for worldly gain. The history of the shrine dates back to 2 century BC. The annual procession held in July or August is the main event of the shrine with fire walkers and Kawadi dancers. Offering to the god are made at 04.30am , 10.30 am and 06.30pm daily. Menik Ganga (River of Gems) Can be reached this popular river Menik Ganga from Kataragama and Yala National park as well. A walk across the bridge takes you to the shallow places in the river from Kataragama pilgrim area or one of the resting site at yala ...

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A important full moon poya day of Buddhists – ‘ Poson ‘ – By Malsha – eLanka Poson Poya Day is an important religious holiday celebrated in Sri Lanka. It commemorates the arrival of Buddhism to the country in the 3rd century BC. Poson Poya is observed on the full moon day in the month of Poson (June), according to the lunar calendar followed in Sri Lanka. On this day, Buddhists in Sri Lanka engage in various religious activities to honor the introduction of Buddhism to the country. One of the significant events associated with Poson Poya is the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, to Sri Lanka. Arahat Mahinda is believed to have introduced Buddhism to the island by converting King Devanampiya Tissa and his subjects. During Poson Poya, Buddhists visit temples and engage in religious rituals. Many people also participate in pilgrimages to important Buddhist ...

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Significance of Wesak – thrice-blessed day – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Wesak (also spelt Vesak) marks the Birth, the *Enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. All these three significant events took place on a Full Moon *Poya Day in May. According to *Theravada tradition, the three most significant events in the life of the Buddha occurred on Wesak full moon Poya Day; birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha as a layman) in Lumbini in Nepal where Queen Mahamaya gave birth to him under the shelter of a Sal Tree (Shorea robusta) around 566 BCE. The second significant event was Siddhartha Gautama’s Enlightenment (supreme attainment as the Buddha). The third significant event was the Buddha’s Parinibbana (or *parinirvana) approximately 2500 years ago at *Kusinara. Buddha means the enlightened or awakened one. Buddhists do not believe in a single god who created the world. Wesak Day is celebrated by Buddhists, globally. ...

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Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Rajakeeya Weligama Gnanarathana Maha Nayaka Thera: Equipped with bliss of serenity.  By Sunil Thenabadu The Mahanayake of the Amarapura Nikaya, Dharmarakshita Sector, Chief Incumbent of Ratmalana Mallikaramaya temple Agga Maha Panditha Rajakeeya Welgama Gnanarathana Thera passed away in the year 2014 at the age of 101 years. The appointment of the Most Venerable Agga Panditha Rajakeeya Weligama Gnanaratana Thera as the Mahanayake Thera of the Dharmarakshita chapter of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya was unanimously announced by the Executive Sangha Committee of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya on September 12, 2003, a position vacated with the demise of the Most Venerable Agga Maha Panditha Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera. The Mahanayake Thera was until then the Anu Nayaka Mahanayake Thera for 47 long years. The Thera received the Aktha Patra disclosing the origins which elaborate in detail on the Thera’s colossal contribution to the Sasana from Prime Minister ...

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