Speaking at a felicitation ceremony on Sunday (August 25), Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, stated that those who serve as Ambassadors are only temporary representatives. Prelates such as the Ven. Maharagama Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero, who has functioned as the Chief Incumbent of the Washington Buddhist Vihara for the past 37 years, have held the Sri Lankan flag aloft promoting Sri Lankan culture and way of life for an extensive period.
The Ambassador was addressing a ceremony to celebrate the 75th birth anniversary of the Venerable Thero as well as his 65th year of monkhood, held at the Lion of Wisdon Meditation Centre in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The simple event was attended by over 60 monks from several states in the U.S., Canada and Japan in addition to nearly 400 Buddhist devotees from the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. Greetings via video message from Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland were played during the event. A commemorative souvenir including congratulatory messages from the 4 prelates of the principal Buddhist Chapters in Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, and Minister of Buddhasasana, Vidura Wickramanayaka, was presented to the Venerable Monk.
Recalling that the Maha Sangha has preserved and nurtured Buddhist philosophy and way of life during 2,500 years of Sri Lankan civilization, despite severe challenges to the culture during 450 years of colonial rule, Ambassador Samarasinghe paid tribute to the Venerable Monks who had lost their lives defending Buddhism from colonial depredation. Buddhist traditional holidays on Poya full moon days were prohibited even resulting in the most sacred Buddhist Festival of Vesak not being observed. He said that no one voiced concerns about human rights violations during that period of economic exploitation and forced religious conversion. However, Sri Lanka, continues to co-exist and cooperate with those countries to this day, he added, stating that this was a result of the inculcation of Buddhist teaching.
He expressed his appreciation of the religious tolerance and accommodation of the United States which has become a home to over 80 Theravada Buddhist Temples at present starting from the first Temple established in Washington D.C. in the 1950s. This was due to the principle of religious liberty that is a cornerstone of the U.S. constitutional order. Sri Lanka is, likewise, a country that practices religious pluralism. Our Maha Sangha has protected those rights, Ambassador Samarasinghe stated, saying that reverence for the Maha Sangha stems from their sacrifice and service.
Ven. Dhammasiri Nayaka Thero in his remarks thanked Ambassador Samarasinghe for his continued support which he said was a source of strength in carrying out his service. Ven. Walpola Piyananda, Ven. Katugasthota Uparathana and Ven. Karaputugala Indarathana were among the senior Monks who also delivered sermons on the occasion. Attorney Sena Basnayake, Vice President of the Washington Buddhist Vihara, gave the vote of thanks.
Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States
Washington D.C.
29 August, 2024
