Naganada International Buddhist University, Sri Lanka

(Webiste for Nagananda International Buddhist University)

The foundation laying ceremony of Naganda International Buddhist University took place at Manelwatta Temple, Kelaniya on 25 June 2013.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from many countries, including the renowned Chinese monk, Ven. Chin K'ung Mahathera.

The University is located in a 6.04 hectares of land and will be consisted of four academic faculties: 1. Early Buddhist Sources; 2. Practical and Applied Buddhism, 3. Systems of Medicine; 4. Social Sciences , and  a unit for Language, Computer and IT training.

See news-reports: Ministry of Higher Education, CaFFE, and photos from Ministry of Higher Education.

As the University is currently under construction, donation will be appreciated. If you're interested to help out, you may send the donation to:

Account Name ： Nagananda International Institute For Buddhist Studies
Account No  ：0011 1000 9042
Bank ： Sampath Bank PLC
              No.01-01, ‘ Majestic City ‘Station Road,   Colombo 04 Sri Lanka
Swift Code ：BSAMLKLX

Interculture and Interfaith for Peace Dialogue

                    Intercultural and Interfaith Peace Dialogue was a huge function held by advice and lead of Ven. Dr. Master Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero from 02nd of Nov to 10th of Nov, in 2012 in Sri lanka. Manelwatta Temple organized this function by help of Taiwan, Mr. Bell and Mrs. Fei Fei and other various committee members. 

                    On 02^nd Nov, 2012 Ven. Master Chin Kung, the President of the Pure Land Learning College Association Inc.,  H.E. Katalin Bogyay, President of the UNESCO General Conference and other invited guests were arrived in Sri Lanka. 

                    On 03^rd Nov, 2012 visitors and all committee members participate at Temple Tree (Araliyagaha mandiraya) for meeting with Sri Lankan President. There, made a speech by H.E. Katalin Bogyay, President of the UNESCO General Conference and gave a special lecture by Ven. Master Chin Kung. Then, Ven. Master Chin Kung and H.E. the President, Mahinda Rajapaksha meet each other privately. Thereafter, other visitors held meeting with Hon. Ministers (Hon. Ministers of External Affairs, Education, Arts and the Culture, Environment, National Heritage, Scientific Affairs) and Secretaries to their Ministries.

                     On 04^th Nov, 2012 visitors visited Kelaniya one of the ancient Maha Temple in Sri Lanka and Manelwatta Temple. First and second session of Inter-culture and interfaith dialogue Conference was held at Manelwatta Temple with the participation of multi-religious leaders. There following members presented their presentations upon their idea.

• Two ambassadors of UNESCO presented on peace dialogue
• Venerable Wu Shin, Executive Vice-President of the Pure Land Learning College Association Inc. promoted Peace through Religious Education and Cooperation.
• Prof. Sumanapala Galmangoda presented about Religious and Cultural approach from a faith perspective Buddhist religious and cultural approach for peace.
• Dr. K. Somasundaram presented about Hindu Religious and Cultural Approach for Peace.
• Ms. Ally Martell, Social Writer presented about Mobilising Community, Strengthening Trust – A Media Perspective.
• Mr Scott McGrath, Deputy Chair Police Citizen Youth Club, Member of Goodwill Committee presented about Building a Culture of Peace through Community Efforts’.

At last Ven. Master Chin Kung spoke Special Sermon on this day.

                    On 05^th Nov, 2012 held third session of Inter-culture and interfaith dialogue Conference with the participation of multi-religious leaders in morning at Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

• Ven. Groge Sigamani presented about ‘Christian Religious and Cultural Approach for Peace’.
• Two ambassadors of UNESCO presented on peace dialogue.
• Dr. M. A.N.Shukry presented about ‘Islamic Religious and Cultural Approach for Peace’.
• Mr. Barry Sheehan presented about ‘Resolving Conflicts through Dialogues’.

At the same time Ven. Master Chin Kung was giving lecture at Ananda College to students. 

Fourth session of Inter-culture and interfaith dialogue Conference was held with the participation of multi-religious leaders afternoon at Cinnamon Grand Hotel. There, Promoted Peace through Religious Education and Cooperation.

• Two ambassadors of UNESCO presented on peace dialogue.
• Rev. Dr. Jonathan Inkpin, Rector of the Anglican Parish of St. Luke, Toowoomba, Member of Goodwill Committee presented his presentation on peace dialogue.
• A presentation on Youth View by Miss Sophie Ryan, Student of Ursula Collage.

                    On 06^th Nov, 2012 all guests went to Kandy. There paid homage to the sacred tooth relic at Sri Dalada Maligawa and held a special lecture by Ven. Master Chin Kung at Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy, Pallekale, Kundasale, Kandy.

                    On 07 Nov, 2012 guests visited Dambulla Raja Maha Vihara (Temple) and Polonnaruwa, the second kingdom of Sri Lanka in history and Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the kingdom of King Kasyapa in history.

                    On 08^th Nov, 2012, Ven. Master Chin Kung preached a sermon at Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bodhi Tree) tour of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, the first kingdom of Sri Lanka in history.

                    On 09^th Nov, 2012 guests came back to Colombo and went for shopping. Next day, Ven. Master Chin Kung and other guests went back to their houses.

                 Thus, Intercultural and Interfaith Peace Dialogue was finished successfully. And Special Thanks to Ven. Master Chin Kung, H.E. Katalin Bogyay and other foreign and local visitors those who participated to this function by invitation of Ven. Master. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Nayaka Thero. And thankful to all organizer committee, specially members of Manelwatta Temple, Mr. Bill, Mrs. Fei Fei and other Taiwan committees, walkers tours, the students of University of Kelaniya, University of Jayawardhanapura and University of Colombo, and any other committees who helped for this function. 

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Kapilawastu Sacred Buddha Relic Exhibition at Manelwatta Temple

The Sacred Kapilawastu Relics were brought to Sri Lanka on 19th of August in 2012 on special request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksha to India Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanti and as a special symbol to mark the friendly bilateral ties between the two countries. President Mahinda Rajapaksha recieved the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics at the Katunayake International Airport from India's Cultural Affairs Minister Kumari Selja amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith by the Maha Sangha led by the Chief prelates of the three Nikayas. The scared Kapilawastu Relics were last brought to Sri Lanka in 1978 at the period of President J. R. Jayawardhana. 

An Exposition of the Sacred Buddha Relics will be held at 8 places from 19 of August to 12 of September to enable the people to pay homage to the Sacred Relics. They were first placed at the Manelwatta Temple, Bollegala, Kelaniya under the guidance of Chief Incumbent Ven. Dr. Bodagama Chandima Thero, for veneration from 19 to 22 morning of August.

On first day Anu Nayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter Ven. Nyangoda Vijithasiri Thero and Ven Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero conducted the Buddha pooja religious activity. A large number of members of the Maha Sangha (Bhikkhu, Bhikkhunis), Parliament Speaker Chamal Rajapaksha, Ecomomic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksha, External Affairs Minister Prof G. L. Peries, Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Defense Secretary Gothabhaya Rajapaksha, Indian Cultural Affairs Minister Kumari Selja who arrived in Sri Lanka with the Sacred Relics and Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok kantha and thoushand of devotees also participated for this Buddha pooja religious activity. On same day President Mahinda Rajapaksha also came to pay homage to Sacred Buddha Relic at Manelwatta Temple. 

Thousand and thousand devotees were came to pay homage to Sacred Buddha Relic at Manelwatta Temple from 19 to 22 morning at 07:00 am. There was Buddha pooja everyday at 04:00 am, 07:00 am, 11:00 am and 05:00 pm. Pirith chanting was also held there 24 hours from starting day to ending day. President Mahinda Rajapaksha participated twice to Sacred Relic Buddha pooja on 19th and 20th at evening.

Kapilawastu Sacred Buddha Relic were taken to the Palmadulla Raja Maha Vihayara at Palmadulla by helicopter after conducted last Buddha pooja by Ven Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero at 07:00 am on 22th of August.

Sacred Buddha Relic

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Alms-Giving Ceremony for bhikkhuni

It has been another auspicious day at Manelwatta Temple.

Beginning at 10 am, there was a ceremony for the inauguration of an  Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva shrine. Although Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was once popular in Sri Lanka, it was usually presented in a male image. The new Avalokiteshvara Boddhisattva shrine at Manelwatta Temple is presented in a Chinese, female image.

Around noon, an Alms-Giving Ceremony for Bhikkhunis, sponsored by Jiuhuashan Daxinshan Nunnery, took place. It is estimated that nearly 1,000 bhikkhunis attended the ceremony.

Following the Alms-Giving Ceremony for Bhikkhunis, a graduation ceremony for the second group of nun-students who had completed the training programme at Manelwatta Temple. Their dipomas were presented by the head bhikkhuni of Jiuhuashan Daxinshan Nunnery of Taiwan, who sponsored the training programme.

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Alms-Giving Ceremony for Ten-Precept nuns

Jiuhuashan Daxinshan Nunnery of Taiwan, in coorperation with Theravada Samadhi Education Association, commenced an Alms-Giving Ceremony for Dasa Sila nuns (ten-precept nuns) at Manelwatta Temple on 24 July 2012.

It is estimated that 1,400~ 1,600 ten-precept nuns attended the Ceremony. Ven. B. Chandima Mahathero and the tree head nuns of Daxinshan Nunnery presided over the event. For more picture, click here.

World Peace Blessing Ceremony

To celebrate the 2556th Buddha Jayanti, a special ceremony (World Peace Blessing Ceremony) was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 7-11 May 2012.

 More than six hundred delegates from 24 countries attended the ceremony. It was the first time in the modern Sri lankan history that sangha members from all three major Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Mahayana and Vajayana) jointly hosted a blessing ceremony together. H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa also attended the ceremony and gave alms to the sangha.

Under the guidance of Ven. B. Chandima Mahathero, Theravada Samadhi Education Association assisted the organizing of the Ceremony.

For more photos, click here.

Ten-days Meditation Retreat

To promote Dhamma through spiritual practice, Theravada Samadhi Education Association invited the revered Ven. Polpitiye Kasapa Nayaka Thera to lead a ten-days meditation retreat in Taipei.

The retreated was well-received and appreciated by many who urgently need retreat in the busy modern life. It is expected more meditation retreats will be organized in the future.

Bhikkhuni Academy-Visiting Elders' Home

As part of the training program for social service, nun-students visited an elders' home.

Unduvap Poya Day Ceremony

The Full Moon Poya Day of Unduvap in the Buddhist year 2555, falls on December 10, 2011.

This particular day signifies the introduction of the Buddhist Order of nuns or Bhikkuni Sangha to Sri Lanka by the Arahath Therini Sangamitta, the daughter of Emperor Asoka of India 2318 years ago.

At Manelwatta Temple near Kelaniya, a special Poya Day ceremony took place on this special day. Although the Bhikkhuni Order disappeared in Sri Lanka around the 10^th century, in the past two decades, efforts have been made to revive the sacred tradition. 

International Academy of Buddhist Studies has also made its efforts. On 13^th November 2011, a training program for bhikkhunis was launched. 50 bhikkhunis joined the program which was to last for three months.

To commemorate Unduvap Poya Day, a special day for Buddhist women, the ceremony was held at Manelwatta Temple on 10^th December 2011, with bhikkhunis leading the ceremony. The ceremony began at 6.00 am, eight hundred laywomen and laymen participated in the auspicious ceremony. 

All 50 bhikkhuni students participated in the Poya Day ceremony.

aids donated to hospital

H. E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa practicipated in the enthronement of Buddha shrine at International Academy of Buddhist studies, Manelwatta-Kelaniya on 17th Nov. 2011.

MahaDanaya Ceremony

On 7th May 2011, a grand MahaDanaya Ceremony was held at Manelwatta Temple, Bollagela.

It was to celebrate the 2600th anniversary Lord Buddha's enlightenment.

2600 monks were invited for the alms-offering ceremony.

The ceremony was attended H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself.

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Bhikkhuni Maha Danaya

Sponsored by Jiuhua Shan of Taiwan, all bhikkhunis in Sri Lanka were invited to a danaya at Manelwatta Temple,Bollagela, Kelaniya on 5 Jan. 2011. It is estimated that appoximately 3000 bhikkhunis attended the event.

                                                                                                                                             

At the same day, a building for future nunnery school was also unveiled.

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Click here for a Sri Lanka newspaper report

first all Sri Lankan Buddhist Nuns' Maha Danaya

Twenty years ago, the very word 'bhikkhuni' was a taboo in Sri Lanka. But on 5 Oct 2010, the first all Sri Lankan Bhikkhuni Dana (alms-giving ceremony) took place in Manelwatta Temple, Bollegala.

The event was initiated by a Taiwan bhikkhuni sangha, Jiuhuashan. After cooperating on numerous charity  projects in Myanmar with T.S.E.A., the head nuns of Jiuhuashan expressed the wish to offer alms to all nuns, including bhikkhuni, in Sri Lanka. Ven. B. Chandima Thero gladly agreed to help and hence the first all Sri Lankan bhikkhuni dana at Manelwatta Temple.

The event took about three months and over 1000 volunteers to organize. All bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka, numbered about 1000, were invited to attended. Buddhist nuns of other status (e.g. dasi sila mata) were also invited. 3000 invitations were sent out and it is estimated that approximately 2,900 nuns turned out for the historical event. It was very successful.

Ven. B. Chandima Thero would like to express his gratitude to all the volunteers and donors who made the first all Sri Lankan bhikkhuni dana possible.
 

Please click here for photos  

Aid for Tanzania

Once in Thailand, Ven. Chandima met a Sri Lankan monk, Ven. Ilukpitiye Pannasekara by sheer chance. He learnt that Ven. Ilukpitiye Pannasekara had lived in Tanzania of Eastern Africa for many years and devoted himself to help the needy in Tanzania. Tanzania is a relatively poor country where GNI per capita was only $440 USD (World Bank, 2008). In light of the widespread poverty, Ven. I. Pannasekara founded Metta Foundation of Africa in April and plans to establish a children’s home in order to help the street children.

      Ven. Chandima was moved and realized the people of Tanzania are in greater need of aid. Hence, after returning to Taiwan, Ven. Chandima re-allocated aids that had been intended for the refugee camp in North Sri Lanka to be sent to Tanzania. Brother Xu Jinde of Wanhua and other volunteers spent a year collecting aid materials from numerous donors. And Mr. Guo Senxiang of Xinzhuang offered his factory warehouse for Theravada Samadhi Education Association to store and sort out the donated goods. In September, a 40 foot of container with aid materials was shipped to Tanzania. A Mr. Chen of Australia used his own money and bought the container for the future use of Metta Foundation of Africa.  TSEA would like to express  its gratitude to those who donated their time and money in this project. Without their kindness, this aid distribution would not be successful. For photos, please click here.

 

Buddhism and Environmental Protection-by Ven. B. Chandima Thero

2554th Buddha Jayanti Celebration

By invitation of Maha Bodhi Society of India, Ven. B. Chandima Thero of Theravada Samadhi Education Association, joined the 2554th Buddha Jayanti Celebration in India. Ven. B. Chandima Thero also brought a whole shipping container of Buddhist books to be distributed for free among those who might be interested.


The honorable guests who took part in the Celebration included, Ven. Dr. D. Rewatha Thera (General Secretary, Maha Bodhi Society of India), Dr. Brahmanda Pratap Barua, Hon'ble Justice Mr. Arunava Barua, Shri Hrishikesh Sharan, Sri Hemendu Bikash Chowdhury (Vice-President, Maha Bodhi Society of India) and Dr. Brahmanda Pratap Barua.

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2010 Lunar New Year Prayer

Pictures from 2010 Lunar New Year Prayer and a sermon by Ven. B. Chandima.