- On 14 October, 2021
Embassy donates replica of Samadhi Buddha statue to new temple in Kathmandu
A five feet tall replica of the Samadhi Buddha statue was donated to the Venerable Maha Sangha of the newly established Shri Ashta Saddharmayatan Vihar in Lalitpur by the Embassy of Sri Lanka at a special ceremony held on 12th October 2021. After the chanting of Pirith the statue was handed over to the Maha Sangha by Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka and staff at the Embassy. The statue was ceremoniously escorted to the temple amidst the singing of 'Gyanmala', or Buddhist hymns by devotees, in a colourful 'pãda yãtra' or procession, that included Buddhist monks and nuns, Embassy officials, local elected representatives and officials and a large number of lay devotees. Shri Ashta Saddharmayatan Vihar is situated in Lalitpur, which is the third largest city in Nepal, and one of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley, well known for its rich cultural heritage.
The Venerable theros addressing the gathering at a simple ceremony at the temple explained the merits of donating a Buddha statue and the significance of the original Samadhi statue which is known to inspire quiet contemplation and peaceful thoughts in the observer. The Ven theros further requested the Nepali devotees to go see the original Samadhi statue in Mahamevnāwa Park in Anuradhapura. Ambassador Arunatilaka stated that Sri Lanka would always work towards strengthening the deep rooted religious and cultural ties with Nepal that form the bedrock of the friendship between the two countries.
The request for a Buddha statue was made by the Chief Incumbent of Shri Ashta Saddharmayatan Vihar, Venerable Nepalaye Pannasara Thero in late 2020. Thereafter the Embassy made arrangements in coordination with the Parama Dhamma Chethiya Pirivena in Ratmalana, Sri Lanka to craft the five feet tall statue in the Samadhi posture. Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry facilitated the logistical arrangements of transporting the statue to Kathmandu in February 2021. The handing over was delayed due to the pandemic situation preventing the timely completion of the shrine room where the statue is to be installed.
Present at this meritorious occasion were, the Ven. Prof. Nepalaye Sankichcha Thero of the Lumbini Buddhist University, Venerable Nepalaye Pannasara Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Shri Ashta Saddharmayatan Vihar, Ven Nepalaye Pannarathana Thero of Shri Sumangal Vihar, Patan and a large number of Buddhist monks and nuns. Elected representatives and officials of the local authorities, members of Buddhist Associations including the YMBA and over 300 Buddhist devotees from the areas participated at the ceremony.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Kathmandu
14 October 2021