The 41st Vesak festival of the Lanka Ji Temple in Sawara, the first Theravada Buddhist temple built in Japan, was held throughout the day on last day (25) with the participation of a large number of Sinhala Buddhist devotees residing in Japan and young men and women who have come to Japan for educational purposes.
The 41st Vesak Punya Mahotsavaya, held in Japan according to the Theravada tradition, took place under the patronage of the Chief Sanghanayake of Japan, the President of the Sri Lanka Maha Bodhi Society, the founder of Lanka Ji Temple, Most Venerable Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, the newly appointed Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan, Professor Pevithuru Janak Kumarasinghe and Member of Parliament Shanikyan Rasamanickam, with the participation of Sri Lankan and Japanese Buddhist devotees.
“Japan’s Lanka Ji Temple celebrates its 41st Vesak Festival”
According to the guidance of Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero and under the organization of Koswatte Palitha Thero of the Sawara Lanka Ji Temple, the Vesak Punya Mahotsavaya included a milk rice alms offering (Sambuddha Pooja) in the morning, a midday Sambuddha Pooja, and an evening offering of the twenty-eight medicinal drinks (Atavisi Gilanpasa) with Chathumadhura, conducted by Galabada Assaji Thero of Lanka Ji Temple. Venerable Henegedarashila Bhadra Thero and Mottune Angirasa Thero also participated in the event. The religious ceremonies were conducted by Yatavara Pannarama Thero of Lanka Ji Temple. The temple’s Dayaka Sabha organized Sangha Dakshina with all necessary items for the resident and visiting Maha Sangha in the morning and at noon. Additionally, food, tea, and refreshment stalls organized by Sri Lankan families and institutions residing in Japan were held throughout the day within the temple premises.
Speaking at the event, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan, Professor Pevithuru Janak Kumarasinghe stated that the Banagala Nayaka Thero (Chief Monk), from the very beginning, had guided a large number of young men and women who came to Japan from Sri Lanka for nearly forty years to lead successful lives without getting lost. He recalled that when he himself came to Japan twenty-one years ago, the Nayaka Thero had generously guided him as well. The Ambassador further stated that if the strong bridge of relations built between Japan and Sri Lanka by the Banagala Nayaka Thero had been properly utilized, our country could have been elevated to a much greater position economically and culturally today. Therefore, he expressed hope that under the current government, this relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka would be elevated to a higher level, and he looked forward to the Nayaka Thero’s advice and guidance.
Upul Janaka Jayasingha -reports from Japan
