EN – Page 2 – Mosteiro Budista Sumedharama

Donation from a Buddha Statue from Sri Lanka to Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery, in Portugal

In a historic and symbolic gesture, Rasika & Gayathrie Withanage, distinguished Sri Lankan residents living in Portugal, had requested a Buddha statue from the venerable Weduruwe Sri Upali Thero, Anunayake of the Asgiriya Temple attached to the Sri Dalada Maligawa. Ven. Upali Thero accepted the request and handed over the Buddha statue on 1st August 2023 in Sri Lanka. This statue, with deep historical significance, was then donated Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery, a Theravada Thai Buddhist Monastery in Portugal, 500+ years after the arrival of the Portuguese in Sri Lanka.

The Asgiriya Temple, nestled in the cultural heart of Kandy, Sri Lanka, was renowned for its spiritual significance and historical connections to the Temple of the Tooth, where the sacred relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth is enshrined. Upali Thero, the esteemed deputy chief of Asgiriya Temple, had graciously endorsed the request made by Rasika and Gayathrie, recognizing the profound cultural and historical significance of this exchange.

This exceptional Buddha statue, chosen with care, had traveled from the sacred grounds of Sri Dalada Maligawa to find its new home in Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery, in Portugal. The donation ceremony, symbolized a bridge between two cultures, uniting historical narratives and spiritual traditions.

Rasika and Gayathrie expressed their deep gratitude to Upali Thero and the Asgiriya Temple for their support and cooperation in making this cultural exchange possible. In a joint statement, they shared, “This initiative was not only a tribute to the rich history and enduring spirituality of Sri Lanka but also a celebration of unity and understanding between our two nations. It was an honor to contribute to the cultural legacy of Portugal with this significant donation. In addition, we would like to express our special thanks to the members of the Bandaranayake, Dasanayake, Withanage, Dhammika families, and the members of the Sri Lankan organising Committee, residing in Portugal, who have supported in making this event a success.”

The Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery, eagerly anticipated the arrival of this special Buddha statue. On the 5th of November, 2023, during their Kathina ceremony, the Abbot of the Monastery, Ajahn Vajiro, welcomed the Buddha statue as a symbol of harmony and cultural connection between Sri Lanka and Portugal. The event was a testament to the power of cultural exchange in fostering understanding and collaboration. It underlined the shared humanity that transcended geographical boundaries and historical differences.

By admin|2024-10-30T20:32:45+00:00November 7, 2023|EN|Comments Off

Kathina Celebration – Sunday, the 5th of November

Everyone is invited to attend this event, celebrating the presence of the monastic community in Sumedhārāma. This year we will have Ajahn Vinīta as our special guest. Ajahn Vinīta is originally from Sri Lanka, and lives now in Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, in England.

Programme:

9h30 – arrival to the monastery (bring a dish to share for the meal)

10h00 – Requesting the Five Precepts, followed by chanting

10h30 – Offering of rice (Pindapat)

11h00 – Meal offering to the monks; A meal for the lay community

12h30 – Procession and Offering of the new Buddha Rupa (Buddha image)

12h45 – The community offers the traditional monastic cloth

13h15 – A Dhamma talk by Ajahn Vajiro

14h15 – Informal Period with the Sangha

In the rains season (Vassa) in Asia (a period which correlates to summer in Europe), the monks undertake the determination to remain in one place for three months.

According to the scriptures, at the end of this period, The Buddha allowed the monks to ask for cloth with which they could amend their cloths or even make new clothes.

The cloth the monks collected consisted of rags that had been discarded. As time went by, people, realizing this need, began hanging fabric from trees, so that the monks could ‘find’ them.
The custom then developed in such a way that not only pieces of fabric were left on the trees, but also ready made clothes.
People spotted the opportunity to make offers of other requisites to the monks, as a gesture of support and appreciation for their practice.
Hence a ceremony called ‘Kathina’ was created, ‘Katina’ being the name of the loom that the monks use to sew their clothes using the cloth offered. During this ceremony, the monks offer Dhamma talks and there is also a time for people to meet and talk with the monks in a more informal way. In this event, the connection between the lay community and the monastic community becomes evident, as well as their benefit from this dynamic.

By Ajahn Appamado|2023-10-10T11:21:08+00:00October 10, 2023|EN|Comments Off

Ajahn Candasiri in Sumedharama

Ajahn Candasiri, one of the first four nuns to ordain in our tradition,

will lead a Dhamma Session in Sumedharama, this Sunday, the 20th of August, from 4pm to 7pm.

There will be space for Questions and Answers a Guided Meditation.

There is no need to book in advance.

By Ajahn Appamado|2024-12-24T20:15:13+00:00August 16, 2023|EN|Comments Off