Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Commemorating the life of Buddha

Staff Reporter

Blood donation camp, book exhibition and procession held

RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL: Sri Lankan traditional dancers take part in a procession organised on the occasion of `Buddha Purnima' by the Chennai centre of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka on Tuesday. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Chennai: A blood donation camp, an exhibition of Buddhist books, and a procession were some programmes conducted by the Chennai centre of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka on Tuesday to commemorate the 2551st Vishakha day of the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Lord Buddha.

The books on display included `Gems of Buddhist Wisdom,' `A Still Forest Pool,' `What the Buddha Taught,' by Walpola Rahula, `The Way to Nibbana,' by Narada Thera, `A Tree in a Forest,' compiled by Dhamma Garden and a pictorial biography of Sakya Muni Buddha.

The day's programme began at 6.30 a.m. with the observation of Astangi Sila followed by Buddha Pooja, distributing alms to the bikkhus, lectures on the Dhamma in Singhala and Tamil and a lecture on the Buddhist way of meditation.

The special Vaishakha procession started from the Dr. Ambedkar Statue near Nehru Stadium and concluded at the Maha Bodhi Centre, Egmore.

Centre of activity

Kalawane Mahanama, Monk in-charge of the Chennai Centre of the Society, said the Chennai centre had around 1,000 members. "Sri Lankans and others who wish to visit places of the Buddhist pilgrimage in India and Nepal come through this Centre," he added. There are over one lakh people who travel to places connected with Buddha's life — Kushinagar, Saranath, Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Sravasthi, Sankassa and Sanchi. A four-storeyed building to accommodate around 150 people is to be constructed at the Centre in Egmore, he said.

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