"In order to realize the noble concept of the President, the Tripitaka should not only be a National Heritage and World Heritage but in the future it should also be taken as a personal heritage" says Ven. Hegoda Vipassi Thero.
March 22, 2019Special religious observances held at the Defence Ministry in view of 'Tripitakabhivandana' Week.
A series of special religious programmes were held at the Ministry of Defence in view of the "Tiripitakabhivandana" week, today (22nd March). Gracing the religious observance with his presence the Director of the Buddhist Research Centre in Ratmalana, Ven. Hegoda Vipassi Thero said "In order to realize the noble concept of the President, the Tripitaka should not only be a National Heritage and World Heritage but in the future it should also be taken as a personal heritage".
The programmes conducted at the Ministry auditorium this morning with the participation of a large number of Ministry employees began with a pledging ceremony. It was followed by a meditation programme and a Dhamma Sermon.
Both programmes were conducted by Ven. Hegoda Vipassi Thero. The venerable Thero spoke on the history and importance of the Tripitaka. At the end of the programme the Most Ven. Hegoda Vipassi Thero was presented with 'Atapirikara' (Eightfold Requisites) by the senior Ministry officials.
Senior Ministry officials, Chief of National Intelligence, Military Liaison Officer, Director Media, senior tri forces officers and a large number of staff members were also present at the occasion.
The 'Tripitakabhivandana' Week was declared to mark the occasion of initiating the process in order to declare the Theravada Tripitaka, the sacred scripture of Buddhists, as a World Heritage under a concept of President Maithripala Sirisena.
The Theravada Tripitaka was declared as a National Heritage of Sri Lanka by the President at the Aluvihara Temple in Matale in January (05) this year.
The 'Tripitakabhivandana' Week will culminate with the National ceremony, to announce the proposal made by Sri Lanka to the UNESCO to declare the Theravada Tripitaka as a World Heritage, to be held under the patronage of the Maha Sangha and with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena at the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) tomorrow (23 March).
