Special ‘Dharma Deshanawa’ by Ven. Olande Ananda thero in Paris

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Paris was the location for more commemoration ceremonies held in the French capital to mark the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing Away of Lord Buddha.

Following the ‘Heel Dhana’ that was held for members of the Maha Sangha on Friday,28 May 2010 under the patronage of the Ven. Kongasdeniya Ananda thero, which was attended by several other Venerable theros, the Embassy organised a Special ‘Dharma Deshanawa’ by the Ven Olande Ananda Thero at its premises on Sunday, 30 May 2010.

The Ven. Ananda Thero who arrived in the French Capital, immediately after leading religious observances attended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees in Colombo to mark Vesak, participated in several commemorative ceremonies that were held in France.

The Ven. Thero in his ‘Dharma Deshanawa’ articulated the five aspects of beings, their existence and the reasons thereof and noted the concepts of Beejaniyaama, Rithuniyaama, Kammaniyaama, Chittaniyaama and Dhammaniyaama, as being the basic features behind such an understanding.

Preparations were also made for a ‘Bakthi Gee’ recital which was held after the ‘Dharma Deshanawa’. Members of the Sri Lankan community under the direction of Madam Somalatha Subasinghe, spouse of Ambassador Lionel Fernando, presented several well known songs written on Vesak and its significance.

A large gathering of expatriate Sri Lankans representing all the communities in Sri Lanka and the Staff of the Embassy led by Ambassador Lionel Fernando were present at the ‘Dharma Deshanawa’ and the ‘Bakthi Gee’ recital.

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- Asian Tribune -