Overnight Pirith Chanting and Almsgiving for 80 Buddhist Monks

University Buddhist Association commemorated the 80^th Anniversary of University of Peradeniya with the collaboration of the entire multicultural university community on 13^th and 14^th of January 2023. The statutory founding of the University of Ceylon occurred in 1942 and was later moved to Kandy in 1952. It commenced at the Senate Building of the university on the eve of 13^th January, and continued until noon of the 14^th, and involved, sermons befitting the occasion, the all-night recital of Pirith was performed by the most venerable Sangha from University temple and Sri Subodharamaya Peradeniya, followed by offering of almsgiving and pirikara for 80 venerable monks.  The ceremony was graced by the chancellor, vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor, deans of all faculties, directors of the postgraduate institutes, registrar, bursar, librarian and other members of the administrative staff, academic and non-academic staff led by their respective heads of departments, members of the Dayaka Sabāwa (assembly of Buddhist devotees) students, alumni, and other well-wishers.

The university premises were decorated with flags, and conventional folk decorations, and illuminated with oil lamps. A pirith mandapaya with splendorous embellishment had been erected as a venue for the sermons and the all-night incantation of pirith for invoking blessings for overall protection of the university community. The ‘Buddhist Brotherhood’, comprising  University students, lit the area with oil lamps in the night and participated in an elegant procession ushering the Sangha from Arts Theatre to the Senate Building in the evening and for the mid-day alms, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor MD. Lamawansa, carrying the emblematic temple casket.  The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Terence Madujith, President of the University Buddhist Association and President of General Buddhist Brotherhood were among the other participants in the procession. Those who had pioneered the establishment of the ‘National University’, the staff, students and well-wishers who worked for the betterment of the university, were remembered at the end of the noon almsgiving, and merits were offered to them keeping with the tradition.