Dhamma symposium held to mark Dalai Lama’s 87th birthday

The bi-lingual Scholarly Dhamma Symposium that the Colombo-based Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood conducted recently at the auditorium of the Buddhist and Pali University, Homagama, to coincide with the 87th birth day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was an overwhelming success with the discourses touching virtually on all aspects of Buddhist teachings and their relevance to today’s world.

The discourses were also on the life-long and immense contributions of Nobel Peace Laureate His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the noble Buddhist concepts with the main focus on world peace, compassion, non-violence, political and social harmony and his achievements towards that objective.

A short documentary video on His Holiness the Dalai Lama was shown to the august audience of Buddhist monks and prominent personages with ‘ Anushasana’ given by Kalyaniwamsa Keerthi Sri Wangisanwamsalankara Vipassana Kammatthanachariya Aggamaha Panditha Maha Mahopadyaya Most Venerable Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayake Thera, the Head of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Sri Lanka and the message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama read over to the audience by Prof Aluthgama Wimalarathana Thera, the Head of the Department of Buddhist Culture. Discourses by Ven. Prof. Lenagala Siriniwasa Thera on ‘the Four Commitments of the Dalai Lama for World Peace, by Ven. Prof. Miriswatte Wimalagnana Thera on ‘Nobel Peace Laureate the Dalai Lama’ by Ven. Prof. Moagollagama Uparathana Thera on ‘ the Vision of the Dalai Lama to Shape the Future Leaders towards Compassionate Leadership and World Peace’ and by Prof. Chandima Wijebandara on ‘Bridging Modern Science and Buddhist Philosophy ‘ were thought-provoking and virtually touched upon all salient aspects of Buddhist teachings. Compassion, loving kindness and universal brotherhood, harmony and world recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the role model of a Buddhist monk and his leadership qualities in that capacity were points that were expressed in the discourses. The veneration offered to the chief prelates of the Nikayas on the stage was another significant event on the occasion.

Birthday greetings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Most Ven. Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of Malwatta Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaye, Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter of Siyam Maha Nikaye, Most Ven Aggamahapanditha Dodampahala Chandasiri Mahanayake Thera, The Head of Sri Amarapura Maha Nikaye, Most Ven Aggamahapanditha Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thera of Ramanna Maha Nikaye, and the Anunayake Maha Theras representing the three main Nikayas were also read out to the audience before being conveyed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. After the distribution of certificates and mementos to the dignitaries vote of thanks was delivered by the Senior lecturer Dr Waruni Tennakoon.