Katina Ceremony 2014

Vas Season (Rains Retreat) was started during the time of the Buddha, the Awakened One. Full ordained monastics all over the world continue, up till the present time to observe this Rains Retreat or Monsoon Season Retreat for three months – from the full moon day in July to the Katina Ceremony. During this time, they dedicate their time to spiritual activities such as practicing meditation and studying dhamma thoroughly. This gives an opportunity for Buddhist community to take care of the monastics by offering them food, drinks, medicine, etc. and also to participate in spiritual activities more often.

This year Vas Season will be host by  Ruwani & Uditha Walivita Family. Please find the dana and atavisi buddha puja arrangements from following link. http://1drv.ms/1n6eCpq. 

Article about Vas Season Rain retreat, unrivaled Buddhist event

Esala Full Moon Poya Day

Esala Full Moon Poya Program will be held on the Sunday, July 13th, 2014 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program.

Vas Aradhana
The Georgia Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you to participate this year Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat or Monsoon Season Retreat Invitation) for resident monks on  Saturday, July 12th, 2014 from 7:00pm to 8:00 p.m. at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. This year Vas Aradhana will be done by  Ruwani & Uditha Walivita Family. 
http://www.gavihara.org/2014/07/vas-aradhana-rains-retreat-invitation.html

Please sign up for the program
Check out who is coming!!!! 

Morning Program

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30 am – 8.45 am: Tea & coffee break
8.45 am – 10:00 am: Vipassana Meditation
10:00 am – 11:00 am:  Sathipattana Meditation Discussion
11.00 am – 11.30 am Buddha Pooja
11:30 am – 12:00 nn: Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts.
Afternoon Program
12:00 nn – 1:00pm Luncheon
1:00 – 3:00 pm Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:00 – 3:15 pm: Break.
3:15 pm – 5:30 pm:  Sutra Discussion: Chula Wedalla Sutta (English, Sinhala, Pali)
5:30 pm:  Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja.

Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat Invitation)

The Georgia Buddhist Vihara cordially invites you to participate this year Vas Aradhana (Rains Retreat or Monsoon Season Retreat Invitation) for resident monks on  Saturday, July 12th, 2014 from 7:00pm to 8:00 p.m. at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. This year Vas Aradhana will be done by  Ruwani & Uditha Walivita Family. 

Agenda:

6:30pm – Gathering Time and preparation

7.00pm – Observing precepts and worship

7:30pm – Rains Retreat Invitation ceremony

7:45pm – Anusasana (Dhamma advice on the Rains Retreat Invitation)

8:00pm – Conclusion and refreshments

Vas Aradhana was started during the time of the Blessed One. Full ordained monastics all over the world continue, up till the present time to observe this Rains Retreat or Monsoon Season Retreat for three months – from the full moon day in July to the full moon day in October. During this time, they dedicate their time to spiritual activities such as practicing meditation and studying dhamma thoroughly. This gives an opportunity for lay community to take care of the monastics by offering them food, drinks, medicine etc. and also to participate in spiritual activities more often.

Article about Vas Season Rain retreat, unrivaled Buddhist event

Poson Full Moon Poya Day

Poson Full Moon Poya Program will be held on the Sunday, June 15th, 2014 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program. 

Please sign up for the program
Check out who is coming!!!! 

Morning Program

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30 am – 9:00 am: Tea & coffee break
9:00 am – 11:00 am: Vipassana Meditation
11:00 am – 11:30 am:  Meditation
11:30 am – 12:00 nn: Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts.
Afternoon Program
12:00 nn – 1:00pm Luncheon
1:00 – 3:00 pm Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Break.
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm:  Sutra Discussion: Chula Wedalla Sutta (English, Sinhala, Pali)
5:30 pm:  Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja.

Vesak Celebration 2014

Georgia Buddhist Vihara 

Vesak; the Triple Anniversary Program 

On May 18th  2014

Georgia Buddhist Vihara wishes you a happy and a peaceful Vesak!

Our annual Wesak program celebrates three events of the utmost significance in the life of prince Siddhartha who became a Buddha – His Birth, his attainment of Enlightenment, and his passing away. Georgia Buddhist Vihara warmly invites you to be a part of the triple commemoration. Wesak full moon day has been for centuries regarded as the Buddha Day. For it was on a Wesak full moon day, that the Sakyan prince Siddhartha Gautama was born, in Lumbini Park, on the frontier of Nepal, attained Enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree in Gaya, and passed away in Kusinara.   The Buddhists all over the world celebrate with devotion the Triple Anniversary of Wesak. To a true follower of the Buddha, there is no greater day than Wesak Poya which also symbolizes peace, love, compassion and piety.  

Program for Sunday, May 18 ,2014

7.30 am   Observance of the Eight Precepts,for both adult and young; Buddha Pooja and Heel Dana   

08.30 Break for Tea/Coffee   

09.00 Bhavana   

10.00 Sil program for children.

11.00 Buddha Pooja     

11.20 Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts. (Parents and other devotees will contribute dishes for the Dana.) If you like to contribute for the Dana, please contact us at 770 987 8442.   

12.00 Lunch   

01.00 Pm Abhidhamma lessons by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne   

01.00 pm Dhamma presentation  for children (PowerPoint presentation)

02.30 Break   

02.45 Sil termination  for children  

03.45 Group Discussion     

05.00 Termination of Sil for adults, Gilanpasa Pooja.

05.30 Vesak Devotional presentation by Sunday School children.

Please sign-up for food items.

• To view sign up spread sheet

Sri Lankan New Year Celebration 2014

Every year Sri Lanka celebrates the Sinhala and Tamil New Year which falls on the 13th or 14th of April. The Sri Lankan New Year is a time where family and friends come together to celebrate and participate in traditional events associated with the beginning of a new year. There are many different events that are carried out at auspicious times during this festive season. Boiling milk over a clay pot signifies the welcoming of the New Year. The New Year festivities commence with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp. Gifts such as new clothes and money are exchanged and the entire family gathers around the dining table where traditional food such as kiribath (milk rice) and other delicacies are shared. Activities such as pin the tail on the elephant, sack race and tug of war are some of the games that are enjoyed by both the young and the old during the New Year celebrations.

On behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Sri Lankan Community in Georgia, We wish all our friends and well-wishers a very happy Sinhala & Tamil New Year and cordially invite you all to the Sinhala & Tamil New Year Celebrations at 10.00 A.M. on Saturday 12th April 2014 at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, Lithonia GA.

Agenda:

10.00 am Arrival

11.00 am Buddha Puja
11.30 am Dana for the Maha Sangha

12.00 nn  Lunch for laity

01.00 pm Celebration Assembly Lighting the traditional oil lamp and Pirth Desana.
01.30 pm Sigiti avurudu: singing by Sunday school children

• Traditional New-year Games
• Bursting balloons (Children)
• Bun eating competition (Children)
• Placing the eye on the elephant (Adults)
• Ow, Na, Ba (open)
• Musical chairs (Children)
• Musical chairs (Female)
• Musical chairs (Male)
• Running in sacks (Children)
• Running in sacks (Adults)
• Pacing with a lime on a spoon (Adults)
• Insert the thread through the eye of the needle (couple)
• and many more traditional events....
• Presenting awards to children

Anumodana

Join us for a day filled with traditional  food and  games.   
If you know of anyone who has not received this email please forward it to them.

All are welcome .....

• For Sigiti avurudu program contact: Ms Sudanti (susantha2@hotmail.com)
• We kindly seek volunteers to organize games. contact: Mr. Sarath weerasekara: (sweerasekara@comcast.net)

• Please signup for food items.
• Please signup for games & activities.

Following food menu has been suggested and any variations are welcome. Those who are interested may also bring curries to go with rice for Dana & lunch for guests. Expected turn out is 100. Three families can share bringing each food item.

Bak Full Moon Poya Program

Bak Full Moon Poya Program will be held on the Sunday, April 06th, 2014, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program. 

Bak Poya Day commemorates the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka in the fifth year of his Enlightenment in order to reconcile two local chiefs Mahodara and Choolodara (Uncle and Nephew), who were about to wage a war due to a jewel-embedded throne. The history states that the Naagadeepa chaithya was built by placing this throne inside it.

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana

8:30 am – 9:00 am: Tea & coffee break

9:00 am – 11:00 am: Vipassana Meditation

11:00 am – 11:30 am:  Buddha Puja

11:30 am – 12:00 nn: Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts.

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:00 nn – 1:00pm Luncheon

1:00 – 3:00 pm Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne

3:00 – 3:30 pm: Break.

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm:  Sutra Discussion: Chuula Veadalla Sutta

5:30 pm:  Termination of the Sil Gilanpasa Pujava