Official Press Release:

Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya

Annual Kathina Ceremony 2023

20^th Consecutive Community Day Celebration

The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Mindfulness Centre for Education, Meditation, Psychotherapy and Counselling was held on Saturday 11^th November 2023 at Free Church Hall in Letchworth Garden City. This was the 20^th consecutive Kathina Ceremony or Community Day (Sangha Day) Celebration held by Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Community with the guidance of Venerable Akurala Samitha, head of the centre.

This year Kathina Ceremony was mainly sponsored by Mr Dharshana, Mrs Harshani Weerasinghe, Daughter Stesha & Son Shennon Family, Mr Sithanga Vithanage and Mrs Prashadi Family, Mr Thushan Sampath and Mrs Inoka Sandamali Family 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 ceremony started with The ?eautiful Kathina Procession led by the children and Sri Lankan 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. Special thanks to Hertfordshire Constabulary North Herts Safer Neighbourhood Team for escorting the procession through the town centre to ceremony hall. Every one of the town came out and start taking videos by deeply appreciating the colourful pageant to uplift the spirit of the town centre.

Letchworth Buddhist Community paid respect by standing silent for one minute to War Veterans on Remembrance Day. Over 300 Buddhist Community together with 16 Most Venerable Buddhist Monks at Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Mindfulness Meditation Centre stood silently in solidarity to remember those who fought and died in war at this Special Annual Community Day (Kathina) Celebration which held at Free Church Hall on Saturday 11th November with patronage of head of the centre, Most Venerable Akurala Samitha.

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 and the resident monk Most Venerable Dammala Piyananda Thero observed this year’s Three-Month Rainy Retreat on Esala Full Moon Day that fell on Saturday 29^th July (Esala) 2023 and successfully completed the three months on Vap Full Moon Day Which fell on Saturday 28^th October 2023. 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 Sunday 26^th November 2023. 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 ceremony was held in the graceful presence of over 16 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 Tawalama Bandula Thero (Deputy Head Monk of London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Makure Mangala Nayaka Maha Thero (Head Monk of East London Lumbini Buddhist Vihara and Chief Prelate of Judiciary in UK), Most Venerable Kamburawala Sri Rewatha Nayaka Maha Thero (Head Monk of Scotland Buddhist Vihara and Chief Prelate of UK), 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), Most Venerable Sooriyawewa Kusala Maha Thero (Deputy Head Monk of Letchworth Buddhist Vihara), Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero (Head Monk of Thames Buddhist Vihara Croydon), Most Venerable Galtamwatta Punnananda Maha Thero (Head Monk of Dematamal Vihara, Buttala Sri Lanka), Most Venerable Bowala Rakkhitha Maha Thero (From USA), Most Venerable Nagala Upananda Maha Thero (London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Delgoda Gnanasumana Maha Thero (Head Monk of Gnanagaveshi Meditation Centre, Gonahena, Kadawatha, Sri Lanka.), Most Venerable Galayaye Dhammadassi Maha Thero (Deputy Head Monk of Kingsbury Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Munwatte Mangala Maha Thero (Thames Buddhist Vihara Croydon) & Most Venerable Dammala Piyananda Maha Thero (Principal of Sri Rathanasara Pirivena College and resident monk of Dutugemunu Vihara Baddegama Galle).

Most Venerable Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Maha Thero administered the five precepts to mark the beginning of the ceremony. Venerable Kohukumbure Siridhamma Thero conducted the Sath Budu Vandanava and Buddha Pooja. Most Venerable Makure Mangala Nayaka Maha Thero conducted the Kathina Dana and Kapruka (wish fulfilling tree). Most Venerable Tawalama Bandula Maha Thero conducted Kathina Robe offering. Most Venerable Kamburawala Sri Rewatha Nayaka Maha Thero 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 with his skills in Psychotherapy and Counselling. The Sinhala Dhamma Sermon was given by Most Venerable Gunnepana Sumanarama 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 Dammala Piyananda Maha Thero conducted the punnanumodana (sharing of merits) and special appreciations were given to Miss Padma Wijeratne and shared merits with her parents and blessing with her family for her dedication for the Dhamma School and upkeep of the centre.

Master Nisaja Dissanayaka and the children of Dhamma School sang beautifully songs that brought extra delight to the ceremony with their skills and talents.

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 Padma Wijeratne, Glenn, Emma, Aloka, Chaminda, Suresha, Dishna, Sithanga, Sadun, Rasika, Wipuli, Indika, Chamari, Nadee, Sunethra, Godfry, Dharshana, Harsha and Asoka. Venerable Akurala Samitha especially thanked Miss Padma Wijeratna for her selfless dedication and giving access to anyone come to meet their needs around the clock and also shared heartfelt gratitude and blessings with all those who supported in many ways.

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 for wellbeing and for the success of the ceremony.

Special thanks were invoked upon By the Head Monks Most Venerable Akurala Samitha to Hertfordshire Police Safer Neighbourhood Team Letchworth and Boldock Sgt Lisa Perks and Inspector James Lant and all the officers who gave enormous courage and support to make the Kathina Procession proceed through town making blessings to the community.

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More Pictures visit our Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/100000205989849/posts/7639951792688278/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

Watch the full programme on YouTube:

Part I: https://youtu.be/S8lm_eHMh9A

Part II: https://youtu.be/S8lm_eHMh9A  

Full Programme: https://youtu.be/AnLqVjY6cbQ

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!