Wednesday, November 17, 2004
2550th Buddha Jayanthi in India
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
State leaders and Buddhist dignitaries from India, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Tibet and Sri Lanka are to gather in Buddhagaya to celebrate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi in May 2006, Secretary of Maha Bodhi Society of India announced at a media conference held at Asapuwa yesterday.
Sri Lankan President, Premier, Speaker, Opposition Leader, Indian President and Prime Minister, Singaporean state leader and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will participate at the year long celebrations.
Construction of a temple at Kusinara by the Japanese Buddhist Association, publication of a book on 'Buddhism in India' and the production of a Rs. 1.6 billion movie based on the life of Lord Buddha are among the year-long celebrations, educational programmes and seminars organised by the Indian Maha Bodhi Society. The programme seeks to revive Buddhist Education worldwide and especially in India through initiating Bikkhu education in India.
"We hope to establish a Pirivena for young Indian Bhikkus with the assistance of the Singaporean Buddhist Federation to coincide with the celebrations," Ven. Rewatha Thera said pointing out the lack of Indian Bikkhus to spread Buddhism in Indian dialects. There are 27 Sri Lankan Bhikkus in India, which has a Buddhist population of nearly 80 million.
State leaders and Buddhist dignitaries from India, Bhutan, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Tibet and Sri Lanka are to gather in Buddhagaya to celebrate the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi in May 2006, Secretary of Maha Bodhi Society of India announced at a media conference held at Asapuwa yesterday.
Sri Lankan President, Premier, Speaker, Opposition Leader, Indian President and Prime Minister, Singaporean state leader and Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will participate at the year long celebrations.
Construction of a temple at Kusinara by the Japanese Buddhist Association, publication of a book on 'Buddhism in India' and the production of a Rs. 1.6 billion movie based on the life of Lord Buddha are among the year-long celebrations, educational programmes and seminars organised by the Indian Maha Bodhi Society. The programme seeks to revive Buddhist Education worldwide and especially in India through initiating Bikkhu education in India.
"We hope to establish a Pirivena for young Indian Bhikkus with the assistance of the Singaporean Buddhist Federation to coincide with the celebrations," Ven. Rewatha Thera said pointing out the lack of Indian Bikkhus to spread Buddhism in Indian dialects. There are 27 Sri Lankan Bhikkus in India, which has a Buddhist population of nearly 80 million.
