Dharmavijaya Foundation gears itself to commemorate the Sambuddhatva Jayanti - the 2600th anniversary of the Enlightenment of the Buddha



“Let us commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment by reorganising and revitalising our moral life”

This is the guiding principle for all actions relating to the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment that falls on May 17, 2011 the Vesak full moon day. A 20 point action plan signed by the four Mahanayaka Theras of the three chapters has been forwarded for the guidance of the Maha Sangha, the Government and the public.

According to the document the objectives of the programme are threefold, namely,

  • Strengthen the practical action base of the Buddha Sasana and thereby ensure its future preservation;

  • Bring about a moral regeneration of the Sri Lanka Buddhist society; and

  • Protect the Sinhala Buddhist cultural identity.

Ushering a moral regeneration of the Sri Lankan society, which is the objective of the Sambuddhatva Jayanti aligns fully with the objective of the DVF of establishing a righteous society based on the observation of the five precepts. Hence, the DVF supports the programme of work fully. In all the meetings organised by the DVF both at the headquarters and at the district level the main topic of discussion is the manner the DVSs could contribute towards the fulfilment of the objectives of the Sambuddhatva Jayanti. The Honorary President of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, Deshabandhu Olcott Gunasekera has been appointed by His Excellency the President to be a member of the Presidential Steering Committee of the 2600 Sambuddhatva Jayanti and is fully involved in implementing the 20 point Action Plan. 

One day Seminar for Presidents of Dharmavijaya Societies on the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanti

A special one-day Seminar was held for Presidents of DVSs at Siri Vajiranana Dharmayatanaya, Maharagama on 19th December 2009 to discuss suitable programmes to commemorate the 2600th Sambuddhatva Jayanti in keeping with the motto of revitalising and reorganising the moral life. 107 DVS President Bhikkhus of Dharmavijaya Societies spread over 19 districts  and three lay representatives were present. The keynote address was given by Ven. Dr. Welamitiyawe Kusaladamma Nayaka Thera, Chancellor of the Kelaniya University and Parivenadhipati of Peliyagoda Vidyalankara Pirivena. He laid emphasis on the role of the temple in providing leadership in a village.

Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera of the Asgirya Chapter made a presentation on the challenges the Buddha Sasana is facing today and the effective measures a temple could take to overcome them.

Ways and means of maintaining effective and productive relations with the immediate village was the theme of the presentation made by Ven. Kobbewala Sumanaratana Thera of the Mihindu DVS, Gampola.

The Secretary of the Presidential Steering Committee of the 2600 Sambuddhatva Jayanti, Mr. K.Kalupahana informed the participants of the measures taken so far to commemorate this historic event.

President of DVF, Deshabandhu Olcott Gunasekera in his address, underscored the challenges faced currently in promoting adherence to the five precepts and the steps that need to be taken at the DVS level under their leadership.

A form prepared by DVF for self evaluation of their activities and understanding the immediate environment was handed to the participants. Data about murders, suicides, wine shops and other licensed and unlicensed outlets for various alcoholic brews, tobacco products and narcotics could be gathered by a DVS for proper planning of its activities for moral development. The form is also intended to find the minimum facilities available in temples, the condition of the Dhamma schools and the initiatives taken by the DVS for the enhancement of the village economy and moral uplift.

Felicitation awards and certificates were given to those Dharmavijaya societies that had functioned for twenty five years. The Dhammapada edited by Ven. Rajakiya Pandita Hakmana Sumanasiri Thera and copies of Seela bhavana (Discipline and mental culture), Sansun Manasa (Tranquil Mind) and Bauddha Gedara (Buddhist Household) of the late Mahanayaka Thera were presented to all participants.

Range of Activities of a DVS identified at the Seminar        

The Seminar was able to identify a range of activities of a DVS to commemorate the Sambuddhatva Jayanti in keeping with the motto of moral regeneration.  They were

  • Creating a serene and appealing atmosphere and environment within the temple precincts.
  • Improving skills in performance of lay Buddhist practices.
  • Ordination as samanera monks of suitable children and young persons
  • Developing closer links with the people by going on Pindapata as was the practice during the time of the Buddha and even currently practised by monks in other Buddhist countries like Thailand.
  • Daily chanting of Pirit after evening vandana
  • Caring for the sick and the ailing in the villages that are served by the temple (gocaragāma).
  • Organising Bana Sermons, Pirit chantings, Bodhi Pooja and meditation sessions.
  • Organising sil programmes for the laity on Poya days.
  • Implementing the Sat Sati Pooja programme from Wesak to Esala full moon days
  • Organising special days for shramadana programmes for community work and to assist elderly persons at their homes and inmates of orphanages, hospitals and homes for the disabled.
  • Discourage animal slaughter and promoting vegetarianism with a view to cultivating loving kindness (Metta) and compassion (Karuna) towards all living beings.
  • Eradicate within the gocaragāma of a temple all violence against women and children including molestation, harassment and battering as well as child labour as domestics.
  • Establishing nurseries (ladaru sevana) for children below 5 years and conducting programmes for parents to make them accomplished as first teachers (pubbācariya)
  • Conducting programmes for the improvement of health of children.
      • Making the community aware of issues related to unethical conversions, measures to be taken when such occurrences are detected, and developing close contact with marginalized families.
      • Encouraging families to contribute at least a meal a month for the general good and establishing a ātma-sukha parityāga fund with such contributions.  
      • Improve and expand Dhamma school education.
      • Upgrade discipline, attitudes and values in accordance with Buddhist principles
      • Promote better attitudes of children towards parents, teachers and elders.
      • Getting parents of Dhamma school children to actively participate in temple activities
      • Getting Dhamma school children and teachers to conduct village surveys
      • Formulate a data base with the information so gathered and develop and implement a plan of action for enhancement of the village economy, eradication of poverty, and improving education, health and moral well being.
      • Identify innate talents of Dhamma school children and provide opportunities to enhance them
  • Organize pilgrimages and cultural tours to places of Buddhist and historical interest.
  • Improving library facilities of the Dhamma School.
  • Encourage home gardening and organic farming for better health
  • Leadership training.
  • Organising activities to mark special occasions, e.g. Poya day devotional songs, New Year festivities, felicitation of parents and teachers, blood donation programmes, health clinics, promoting animal welfare programmes
  • Conduct practical training programmes to inculcate Buddhist practices
  • Organising programmes for protecting the environment and cultivating medicinal herbs in temple and school precincts.
  • Drawing attention of authorities to environmental degradations in the area due to use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, affluence etc and conducting awareness programmes to minimize same.
  • Tree planting, a forestation, and prevention of erosion by planting sävändara grass.
  • Create awareness of having a balanced diet and its value.
  • Organising kola kända (herbal gruel) on days of Dhamma School to reduce malnutrition  
  • Create awareness of the health, economic and social harm of the use of alcohol, tobacco and narcotics
  • Rehabilitating families with alcohol and drug related problems.
  • Eradicate production and sale of unlicensed liquor.
  • Holding free Eye and Medical Care camps at the temple for the local community.
  • Initiating projects for improving income of families through wholesome means
  • Making the village self sufficient in food
  • Poverty alleviation
  • Create awareness of communicable diseases such as dengue, rat fever, tuberculosis, and of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart and respiratory infections and launching of preventive action programmes including lifestyle.
  • Deploy monthly groups to monitor the conditions in households, home gardens and other lands.

Persons/Organisations identified for Networking and for obtaining supportive services

School Principals, Education Officers, Divisional Co-ordinating officers of Department of Buddhist Affairs, Medical Officers of Health, General Practitioners, Ayurvedic doctors, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Sevaka officers, Police officers, Social Service officers, Family Health officers, 'Samurdhi' (economic promotion) officers, Three Wheeler driver associations, Funeral support service associations, Sports associations, Sil mathas,  Voluntary associations, Senior citizens, Home Science teachers, Industrial Development Board, Department of Cottage Industries, Textiles Department, Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies, Laksala & Lakpahana (Sales outlets for local handmade products), Government and Private sector banks

Indicators to determine the progress made by a DVS

  • Increase in children attending Dhamma schools - the target being 100% of children eligible to attend a Dhamma School should be attending the Dhamma School.
  • Increased number of those observing the eight precepts, especially among youth & males
  • Increase in the income of families and bettering of living standards
  • A marked reduction of crime in the area
  • Reduction of violence, family disputes, suicides, cattle thefts, child abuse and rape.
  • Reduction of anaemia in children and pregnant mothers
  • Reduction of malnutrition
  • Reduction of alcohol and tobacco use and the production and sale of unlicensed liquor
  • Decrease in the incidence of communicable diseases

The Ministry of Religious Affairs collaborated in this effort of the DVF, giving financial support. The trust funds of Sir Ernest Fernando, Bhatiya Dheerasekera, W.Sunineetha Eslet Silva as well as the Bhikkhu Education Fund and Community Development Fund, all of which have been created with the DVF, were utilized for the purpose.

Follow up on the Seminar
DVF is presently evaluating the progress made based on a questionnaire sent to the President Bhikkhus of the Dharmavijaya societies to get a feed back after the aforesaid seminar. Progress made by the societies will be assessed on the indicators agreed upon. Networking with other relevant government institutions, non-governmental and community based organisations was considered essential to bring good results.

The Dharmavijaya societies have been requested to send reports and photographs about their activities to be used in the Dharmavijaya Newsletter and the Website.

A Training for new Dharmavijaya Societies

The officials of the new Dharmavijaya Samajayas (DVSs) that were recognized by the DVF during 2009 were given week long training from November 27 to December 4 2009. Beginning with reflections on the aims of a DVS and positive steps towards achieving those, the training laid emphasis on moral development as well as the practical aspects of effective functioning. The venue of the training was the DVF Headquarters at Sarana Road, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 providing the participants with food and lodging.

The President of Dharmavijaya Foundation Deshabandhu Olcott Gunasekera delivering the welcome address reminded the participants of the vision and mission of a DVS. Mihindu DVS of Kobbewala, Gampola identified as a model DVS functioning for over twenty five years was offered the floor to describe and relate the nature of its work and its accomplishments. This was done commendably by Ven.Kobbewala Sumanaratane Thera on behalf of the President of the DVS, Ven. Kobbewala Sirinivasa Nayaka Thera. The Dhamma School has more than 600 students. A foster parent scheme has been initiated and with a Special Fund 140 scholarships ranging from Rs.250/- to 2500/- per month are being granted to needy children. The DVS conducts a Ladaru Sevana for children below 5, a sewing class and also offers a short term course in patch working. They have raised funds holding flag days and benefit shows.

The participants were taken on a study visit to the Siri Vajiragnana Dhamma School of the Dharmayatanaya at Maharagama to learn about the organizational aspects. Importance of discipline, character formation, reducing malnutrition under the Kola kända (herbal gruel) programme, Turunu Saviya work for improving talents of youth, training on providing community services, promotion of Buddhist ethics and attitudes, teacher development were some of the aspects that drew their attention. In the afternoon they listened to a talk by Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera of Asgiriya on present day challenges the Buddhists face.

Next day the participants had the benefit of discussing with Trustee Mettananda Karunagoda on productive methods of purchasing, storage and store management. Mrs. Nanda Wanasundara shared with them her knowledge in improving library services.

Later during the week, Trustee Cyril Gunapala made them knowledgeable on the preparation and management of a project, followed by a lecture by Trustee N.B.G.Nanayakkara on accounting. The Bank of Ceylon was invited to make the participants know more about facilities available for self employment for entrepreneurs. 

Another topic that was discussed was the importance of protecting the environment; and also home gardening as a means of promoting self sufficiency among villagers and also promoting health. This was done by a representative of the Harita (Green) Movement.

Buddhika Ratnayaka, Executive Officer of the “Red Lotus Organization for Humanitarian Services”, an organisation started after the Tsunami of 2004 and working on Buddhist principles, addressed the participants on disaster management, especially on coping with disaster. This was followed by more thoughts on food and health. Trustee Dr. Nalin Gunasinghe provided them with practical training in vision testing.

On the final day, Mr. Prasanna Perera gave them a lecture on sources of perplexity and possible solutions to problems at village level, and development of skills aimed at achieving settlements. President of Dharmavijaya Foundation, Deshabandhu Olcott Gunasekera who has a pre-eminent place both nationally and internationally on tobacco and alcohol control measures outlined the global picture and the developments in Sri Lanka after the passing of the National Alcohol and Tobacco Act, and identified some areas of work in reducing consumption of alcohol and tobacco in their respective areas.

All participants observed the eight precepts at the Maharagama Dharmayatanya on the intervening Poya day as a part of the training.

Bauddhayā hā Bauddha Cāritra

Ten Thousand copies of the booklet Bauddhayā hā Bauddha Cāritra (A Buddhist and Buddhist Practices)  written by the Late Most Venerable Madihe Paññāsīiha Mahānāyaka  Thera was printed by the DVF with assistance from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Nine thousand copies of the publication were given to the Ministry for free distribution among the Dhamma Schools. It gives in very simple form, as to who a Buddhist is and the practices in a Buddhist home inspired by Buddhism. It helps in achieving one of the objectives of the Sambuddhatva Jayanti, namely, the protection of the Sinhala Buddhist cultural identity that is being battered from every direction

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