Historical religious ceremony held in Bendigo, in the State of Victoria, Australia with the planting of the Bo-sapling from the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi, Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.
July 6, 2024
Historical religious ceremony held in Bendigo, in the State of Victoria, Australia with the planting of the Bo-sapling from the Jaya Sri Mahabodhi, Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.
The Bodhi Dhamma Buddhist Association in Bendigo which is an established Sri Lankan Buddhist Association together with the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion held a religious ceremony to plant the Bo-sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Mahabodhi, Anuradhapura. The Bodhi Dhamma Vihara has a large Buddha Statue, Ceremonial Gates, a traditional Moonstone and a fence carved from stone from Sri Lanka. The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion is a centre for interfaith harmony with symbols from major faiths which are represented in the peace park.
The delegation headed by Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero of Anuradhapura Atamasthanadhipathi with Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka as well as from Myanmar and Vietnam, China, Thailand and Laos participated in the ceremony.
On the invitation extended by Mr. Deeptha Wickramarathna, President of the Bodhi Dhamma Vihara, Bendigo and Mr. Ian Green, Chairman of the Great Stupa & Universal Compassion, the Minister of Buddhasasana and Cultural Affairs Vidhura Wickramanayake together with the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in Australia, Chitranganee Wagiswara and the Consul General, Sandith Samarasinghe participated in the event. The Government of Australia was represented by Hon. Jacinta Allan, Member of Bendigo and Premier of Victoria, Maree Edwards, State Member for Bendigo and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Lisa Chesters MP, Victoria. A large number of Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees as well as others from different faiths numbering over 1500 participated in the ceremony.
The Bo-tree and the Vihara will stand in testimony of the close cooperation and as a symbol of peace and harmony and the enduring bond between Sri Lanka and Australia.
Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra
