Madin Poya Program

Madin Poya Program will be observed on the Sunday, March 15th, 2015 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	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation Discussion
11:00	–	11:30	a.m.	Buddha Pooja
11:30	–	12:00	noon	Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	3:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:30	–	3:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
3.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Nawam Poya Program

Nawam Poya Program will be observed on the Saturday, February 21st, 2015 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	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation Discussion
11:00	–	11:30	a.m.	Buddha Pooja
11:30	–	12:00	noon	Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	3:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:30	–	3:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
3.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion: Maratajjaniya Sutta (link)
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Duruthu Poya Program

Duruthu Poya Program will be observed on the Sunday, January 25th, 2015 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	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation Discussion
11:00	–	11:30	a.m.	Buddha Pooja
11:30	–	12:00	noon	Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	3:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:30	–	3:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
3.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion: Maratajjaniya Sutta (link)
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

The Significance of Duruthu Poya Day

• The Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. (nine months after his Enlightenment, the Blessed One visited Mahiyangana, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. His mission was to restore peace, to create a state of freedom from war or violence.)


• The Gautama Buddha,  offered Deity Sumana, some locks of hair. He placed it in an urn as a valuable Relic in the Mahiyangana Stupa.


• the Buddha’s second visit was to Nagadipa, in the Jaffna District. The Awakened One, Buddha, visited Nagadipa, to settle a dispute between Mahodara and Chulodara, uncle and nephew respectively, who were about to wase war, to gain the ownership of a gem studded thrine. Buddha, saw this and arrived in Nagadipa, emphasizing the value of harmony and ill-effects of hatred and settled the dispute without blood-shed.

New Year Blessings 2015

Georgia Buddhist Vihara warmly invites you, your families, and friends to spend the New Year with us with thoughts of loving kindness, and to confer blessings, For good health and happiness.

The New Year is the time to open the door to new beginnings and new resolves, new hopes with positive thoughts of kindness, forgiveness and compassion.

May all beings be happy, and content - May all be free from suffering, fear, and anxiety!

May all your wishes come true - May you remain healthy and peaceful!

Our Program for the day:
January 1st 2015

10.30 a.m.  – Gathering
11.00 a.m.  – Buddha Pooja
11.30 a.m.  – Dana for the monks  
12.00 n.n.   – Lunch to all participants

  1.00 p.m.  – Dharma Deshana delivered by Ven Aluthgama Chandananda Thero

                       and simultaneously 

                      Dhamma Class for children conduct by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne

  2.00 pm  – Pirit Chanting            

  

Unduvap Poya Program

Unduvap Poya Program will be observed on the Sunday, December 7th, 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	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation Discussion
11:00	–	11:30	a.m.	Buddha Pooja
11:30	–	12:00	noon	Dana offering to the monks and those who observe eight precepts
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	3:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
3:30	–	3:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
3.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion: Brahma-nimantanika Sutta - The Brahma Invitation
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

The Significance of Unduvap Poya Day

The arrival of the great Arahat Bhikkuni Sangamitta to Sri Lanka and the found chon of establishment of the order of the nuns (Bhikkuni Sasanaya) took place on Unduvap Poya Day. Further on this Unduvap Poya Day, she brought with her a sapling of the Sacred Jayasrimaha Bodhi tree from Buddhagaya. Where Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment. The Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka from India through the Expressway or Highway constructed from Dambakola Patuna, a sea port in the North of Sri Lanka, to Anuradhapura, with all pomp and glamour with respect of honour befitting to this event. The Bo-sapling was presented to the ruler of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa.

The advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka took place on Poson Poya Day with the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka and the foundation for the establishment of the order of nuns began with the coming of Arahat Mahinda’s sister Arahat Sangamitta Thera to Sri Lanka.

Pretty, pleasant and charming Princess Sanghamitta at the age of 16, married a Prince namely Aggribrahama. They were blessed with a son. They named him Sumana. Emperor Asoka’s brother Prince Tissa entered the Buddhist order. He was followed by Prince Aggribrahama. After he entered the Buddhist order, the little Prince Sumana too entered the Buddhist order at the age of seven (7) years.

The turning point of Sanghamitta’s life was, that she too decided to enter the sasana as a Bhikkuni. She entered the order of nuns, under the guidance of two elderly nuns, namely Ayupali and Dhammapali. At the age of 61 years, during the reign of King Uttiya, Arahat Therani Sanghamitta passed away. Sri Lankans are ever grateful to these two Arahat Mahinda and Theri Sanghamitta, who were responsible in making Sri Lanka the “Dhammadeepa”.

These two events changed the entire course of Sri Lanka’s history. With these two significant events, there sprang up a new society, economy, culture, arts, crafts and a proud Buddhist civilization and Buddhist Literature. Mahamegha Park at Anuradhapura-Mahavihara became the citadel Buddhism, which was to be official religion of Sri Lanka. The present day the city of Anuradhapura and its ruins, the massive stupas, edifies, the tanks are a silent tribute to Arahat Mahinda and Sanghmitta Theri. No visit by an foreign delegation, envoys, diplomats has created such an impact on the lives of Sri Lankans as the visits of Arahat Mahinda and Arahat Sanghamitta. It was the dawn of a new social, cultural and spiritual revolution in the island. After Sanghamitt’s arrival, Buddhism was deeply rooted. This took place on Unduvap Poya Day, and the Buddhists pay homage to Sanghamitta specialisation this day. Anuradhapura is the centre of attraction on this Unduvap Poya Day. Many devotees observe sil at the Jayasri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanveliseya premises. (for full story)
By Premasara Epasinghe