Book Launch & Symposium – “Developing Mindfulness in Young Children” Written by Mrs. Shanti Senadeera Reported by – Kithsiri Senadeera Photography  by – RoyGrafix On Sunday the 28th November 2021 at 2:30pm, a large crowd assembled at the Thornleigh Community Centre, Sydney to witness the launch of a book written by Mrs. Shanti Senadeera. While there are many books written about mindfulness and even more on children, a book specially written about developing mindfulness in young children is rare and valuable. With almost 35 years of extensive knowledge and experience in early childhood education and good understanding of mindfulness meditation, Shanti is well-positioned to write this book. The book launch and symposium was open to well-wishers who registered to participate in the event. This enabled the organisers to put in place best practices to adhere to all COVID 19 rules and regulations.  The proceedings started with opening remarks by Miss ...

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The History and Significance of Poson Poya – by Mrs. Shanti Senadeera The month of June is known as Poson in Sinhala. The Poya day is known as the Poson Poya and is celebrated by Buddhists across the world to mark two very significant events in the history of Buddhism. The Third Buddhist Council was held on this day in Pataliputra (now Patna) in India and the arrival of Arahath Mahinda to Sri Lanka. Since Emperor Ashoka lavishly provided requisites to Buddhist monks after he became a Buddhist, many unworthy men, holding heretical or wrong views infiltrated as Buddhist monks. Consequently, there were conflicting views about Dhamma and disputes among Sangha. Under the patronage of Emperor Dharmashoka and the leadership of Arahant Moggaliputtatissa Thero, those who held wrong views were expelled from the Sangha and the Third Buddhist Council was held in order to purify the Buddhist canon to ensure ...

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Song Remembering Arhat Sangamitta Therani “Sanghamittā Day” is observed in Sri Lanka on “Uduvapa Poya” or “Uposatha Poya” on the Full Moon day of December to commemorate two significant events. Namely, the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a sapling of the right branch of the sacred ‘Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi’ (where The Buddha got His Enlightenment) from Bodh Gaya in India and the establishment the Order of Nuns – the Bikhhunī Sangha or Meheni Sasna. This song remembering Arhat Sangamitta Therani, was written by Mr. Reginald Alwis  was a Teacher at the Buddhist Ladies College, Colombo 7 Sri Lanka. Mrs. Shanti Hyacinth Senadeera a past pupil of the same School and an Early Childhood Graduate Teacher has kept this song in memory and  used it in her teaching profession in Pre-schools and the Dhamma School in Sydney, Australia. Intending to conserve (සංරක්ෂණය) this masterpiece of lyrics and ...

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