Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Annual Kathina Ceremony 2018 Highlights & Report
The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Meditation Centre was held on Sunday 04th November 2018 at St Michael’s Church Hall in Letchworth. This was the 15th consecutive Ceremony held by Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community. A large gathering of Venerable monks and Over 300 hundred devotees, representing cosmopolitan member families participated.
Official Press Release:
Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya
Annual Kathina Ceremony 2018
15th Consecutive Community Day Celebration
The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Meditation Centre was held on Sunday 04th November 2018 at St Michael’s Church Hall in Letchworth Garden City. This was the 15th consecutive Kathina Ceremony or Community Day (Sangha Day) Celebration held by Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community with the guidance of Venerable Akurala Samitha, head of the centre.
This year Kathina Ceremony was mainly sponsored by Mr Santokh Lal & Mrs Usha Devi Saroye & Children Gaurav & Vishal, together with Mr Des & Mrs Pushpa Raj and all the members of the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community Centre. A large gathering of Venerable monks representing Buddhist Temples in UK graced the ceremony. Over 300 hundred devotees, representing cosmopolitan member families of The Dhamma Nikethanaya Community, participated.
The Kathina Ceremony is the highly meritorious and significantly blissful festival in the Buddhist tradition. This Community Day Ceremony is held with the full participation of the community to mark the successful completion of the annual three months spiritual retreat observed by venerable monks residing at the monastery. During this period of three months, the members of the community take special attention to devote more time and effort to practice Lord Buddha’s teaching as in Meditation, Dhamma studies, Dana Offering, Sila (Morality) Observations and blessings with Pooja chantings. Hence this three-month period is regarded as the highly blessed and most sacred spiritual season of the community.
In accordance with the 26 centuries old unrestricted Buddhist traditional lineage, Venerable Monks headed by Most Venerable Akurala Samitha, Head of the Centre observed this year’s Three-Month Rainy Retreat on Esala Full Moon Day that fell on Sunday 29th July (Esala) 2018 and successfully completed the three months on Vap Full Moon Day Which fell on Wednesday 24th October 2018. Kathina Ceremony has to be held within the month from the completed full moon day to the subsequent full moon, that means before the next Full Moon Day that falls on Thursday 22nd November 2018. After this day this Ceremony cannot be held according to the Buddhist tradition.
This year Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya brought many multi cultural people together as one family. Everyone inspired the happy, peaceful and uplifting atmosphere of the ceremony. The local community admired the rare experience of attractively pious cultural activities related to the ceremony such as Kathina Procession. Children of the Dhamma School put lots of effort with overwhelming enthusiasm in participation. It was a very educational and joyful opportunity for them to experience the typical Buddhist Culture.
The Kathina Procession was beautiful as it was led by the children with traditional drumming heralding a Special Statue of Lord Buddha and the Kathina Robe. Children, parents and members of the Buddhist Centre community joined carrying Buddhist flags and decorative items.
The ceremony was held in the graceful presence of over 17 Venerable Buddhist Monks representing leading Buddhist Temples in the United Kingdom. Among them were Most Venerable Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Thero (London Kingsbury Temple), Most Venerable Dr Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thero OBE (Head Monk of Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara, Leicester Dharmasoka Buddhist Vihara & Stoke-On-Trent Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Tawalama Bandula Thero (Deputy Head Monk of London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Eheliyagoda Dhammapala Maha Thero (Deputy Head Monk of Thames Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Makure Mangala Maha Thero (Head Monk of East London Lumbini Vihara), Most Venerable Witiyala Indrasiri Maha Thero (Head Monk of Kahathuduwa Sri Sambuddhaloka Temple in Sri Lanka & Retired Principal), Most Venerable Gunnapane Sumanarama Maha Thero (Head Monk of Edmonton Samadhi Meditation Centre), Most Venerable Mathugama Palitha Maha Thero (Head Monk of Cambridge Buddhist Centre), Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero (Head Monk of Thames Buddhist Vihara Croydon), Venerable Wiharagama Kusala Thero (Acting Head Monk of Leicester Dharmasoka Buddhist Centre), Venerable Nepole Thissa Thero (London Kingsbury Temple), Venerable Nikagoda Mahiddhi Thero (East London Lumbini Buddhist Cultural Centre), Venerable Hasalaka Siriwimala Thero (Leicester Buddhist Centre), Venerable Rathnapure Nandaloka Thero (Stroke-on-Trent Buddhist Maha Vihara), Venerable Dombawela Amitha Thero (Thames Buddhist Vihara Croydon) & Venerable Dehiattakandiye Upali Thero (Acting Head Monk of Stroke-On-Trent Buddhist Maha Vihara).
Most Venerable Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Maha Thero administered the five precepts to mark the beginning of the ceremony. Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero conducted the Buddha Pooja. Most Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thero OBE delivered a Dhamma Talk in English explaining the significances of the traditional spiritual ceremony to the modern world and highlighted the credentials of Venerable Akurala Samitha as a rare skilful monk from whom the community can be benefited immensely and he dedicated the Kathina Dana. The Sinhala Dhamma Sermon was given by Most Venerable Eheliyagoda Dhammapala Maha Thero explaining the significances of the day and commended the importance of mental health services rendered by Venerable Akurala Samitha and Dhamma Nikethanaya Centre. Most Venerable Tawalama Bandula Maha Thero delivered a talk in Hindi. Most Venerable Makure Mangala Thero conducted Kathina Robe offering and Most Venerable Gunnapana Sumanarama Thero conducted the punnanumodana (sharing of merits).
Hamper Gift Parcels to venerable Monks were sponsored by Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge & Children, Mr Samantha & Mrs Madushani Gamage & Miss Nikki Butler. Flower offerings and the elegant floral pooja were sponsored by Mrs Sunerthra De Silva & Mrs Pulani Wijesiriwardana.
Children of Thames Buddhist Vihara with the parents Mr Nihal and Mr Ananda brought extra delight to the ceremony with their skills and talents in traditional drumming.
Venerable Akurala Samitha thanked everyone who supported to make this year ceremony a great success. The Ceremony arrangements and temple decorations were not possible without the earnest support of Mr Glenn Everard, Miss Chamari Jayasinghe, Mr Manohar Summan, Mr Rajinda Welalage, Mr Chanaka Herath, Mr Madhushanka and Mr Godfry De Silva. Venerable Samitha shared heartfelt gratitude and blessings with them all.
Special thanks were invoked upon By the Head Monks Most Venerable Akurala Samitha to Hertfordshire Police Safer Neighbourhood Team Letchworth PC Natasha Angwin & Sara and all the officers who gave enormous courage and support to make the Kathina Procession proceed through town making blessings to the community.
Venerable Akurala Samitha shared the blessings with those who offered Atapirikara, Robes, Monks’ gift items and other donations. Their support greatly counted for the blessings in wellbeing and of course for the success of the ceremony.
For more details please visit our website: www.buddhistacademy.com
May the Blessings of this greatest meritorious deed fulfil, without exception the aspirations of all, and lead to the everlasting happiness Nibbana! May all be secure, well and happy with Noble Blessings of the Triple Gem!
Photographs by Mrs Neetha Gurusinghe
Videography by Mr Godfry De Silva
Report by Miss Padma Wijeratne
Watch the Full Programme Video Click Below...
More Pictures Click Here:
Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Meditation Centre for Psychotherapy & Counselling was held at St Michael’s Church Hall on Sunday 04th November 2018
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15th Consecutive Kathina Ceremony at Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Hall Arrangements
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A Big Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly to make the hall a very beautiful venue for the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Kathina Procession is setting off from the Dhamma Nikethanaya Temple premises. A Big Thank you to North Hertfordshire Police PC Natasha & PC Sara and all the team for giving a big support to escort the process.
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Main Sponsors of the Kathina Ceremony 2018 Mr Santokh Lal & Mrs Usha Devi Saroye are receiving the Kathina Robe from Venerabla Akurala Samitha to join the Kathina Procession
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Devotees taking the Lord Buddha Golden Statue in the process to radiate Blessings to the community
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Children with traditional drumming lead the Kathina Procession
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Devotees bringing the Kathina Robe to the Ceremony Hall
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Main Sponsors offering the Kathina Robe to Monks before completing the sewing.
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Venerable Monks Representing all the temples in UK joining the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony
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Venerable Akurala Samitha (Head of the Centre) welcomes all the Most Venerable Monks to the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Over 300 Devotees of the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre Attending the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees of the centre attending the Kathina Robe offering Ceremony 2018
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Venerable Monks Representing all the Sri Lankan temples in UK participated the Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees sewing the Kathina Robe at Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre
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Devotees receiving the blessings of sewing the Kathina Robe
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Devotees attending the Kathina Robe Sewing Blessings
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Main Sponsors & the Centre Members are lighting the traditional Oil lamp to mark the beginning of the Kathina Ceremony Community Day 2018
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Main Sponsors & the Centre Members are lighting the traditional Oil lamp to mark the beginning of the Kathina Ceremony Community Day 2018
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Centre Members are lighting the traditional Oil lamp to mark the beginning of the Kathina Ceremony Community Day 2018
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Venerable Monks attending the Buddha Pooja Offerings
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Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero of Thames Buddhist Vihara conducting the Buddha Pooja
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Devotees taking part in Buddha Pooja Offering
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Devotees paying homage to Lord Buddha in offering lunch dana
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Devotees paying homage to Lord Buddha in offering lunch dana
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Devotees inviting Venerable Monks to Dedicate the Kathina Dana
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Most Venerable Dr Witharandeniye Kassapa Thero OBE delivering the admonition in English on Significance of Kathina and dedicate the Kapparukka (Wish fulfilling tree) & Kathina Dana to Maha Sangha
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Devotees Serving the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees Offering the Lunch Dana food to the Most Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Main Sponsors and the Centre Devotees carrying the Kathina Robe in procession to offer to Venerable Monks
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Venerable Maha Sangha attending the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Venerable Maha Sangha attending the Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Most Venerable Aheliyagoda Dhammapala Thero (Thames Buddhist Vihara) Delivering the Dhamma Talk in Sinhala explaining the significances of Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony
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Devotees Making the Kathina Robe Offering conducted By Most Venerable Makure Mangala Thero, Head Monk of East London Lumbini Buddhist Vihara
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Devotees offering Kathina Robe
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Venerable Maha Sangha Making the Monastic Practices to dedicate the Kathina Robe. Chanting of Vinaya Rules was conducted by Most Venerable Mathugama Palitha Thero, Head Monk of Cambridge Buddhist Vihara
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With the unanimous decision of all the venerable Monks to give this year Kathina Robe to Most Venerable Akurala Samitha (Head of the Centre), Most Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero Offering the Kathina Robe to Venerable Akurala Samitha
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Venerable Akurala Samitha Sharing the Merits with all of receiving the blessings of Kathina Robe
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Traditional Offering of Kathina Ceremony Kappa Rukka Poojawa or Offering wishes into the Wish Fulfilling tree
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Devotees Offering Atapirikara and Robes to Venerable Monks
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Devout Children Of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre offering pirikara Gifts to Most Venerable Monks
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Devout Children Of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre offering pirikara Gifts to Most Venerable Monks
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Devout Children Of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre offering pirikara Gifts to Most Venerable Monks
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Devout Children Of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre offering pirikara Gifts to Most Venerable Monks
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Devout Children Of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre offering pirikara Gifts to Most Venerable Monks
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Offering Pirikara to Monks on Kathina Day at Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya
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Devotees offering Atapirika, Robes and Donations to Venerable Monks
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Devotees offering Atapirika, Robes and Donations to Venerable Monks
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Devotees offering Personal Gift Donations to Venerable Monks
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Venerable Monks Chanted Special discourses of Blessing to bless the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony 2018 and receiving the blessings
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony and receiving the blessings
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony and receiving the blessings
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony and receiving the blessings
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony and receiving the blessings
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Devotees of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony and receiving the blessings
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Venerable Monks are leaving after the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Venerable Monks are leaving after the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Venerable Monks are leaving after the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2018
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Devotees receiving Blessings Threads from Venerable Monks
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Devotees receiving Blessings Threads from Venerable Monks
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Centre Devotees Sharing the gratitude with thanks for all those who help
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This year Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya was a great success. Thank you for all those who participated, supported and worked very hard voluntarily.
Click Here to Watch your Pictures.....
More Pictures Click the Link Below....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JZq4ec7svrRnyW847
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This year Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya was a great success. Thank you for all those who participated, supported and worked very hard voluntarily.
Click Here to Watch your Pictures.....
More Pictures Click the Link Below....
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JZq4ec7svrRnyW847
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