Understanding the Path of Non-Violence: A Verse from the Dhammapada

 Verse from the Dhammapada

"Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is an eternal law." 

— Dhammapada, Verse 5

This profound verse from the Dhammapada encapsulates the essence of non-violence (Ahimsa), a core teaching of Buddhism. It emphasizes that conflict, aggression, and animosity cannot be resolved by perpetuating similar feelings. Instead, it is through love, compassion, and forgiveness that true peace can be achieved.

The "eternal law" mentioned in this verse is a universal truth that transcends time and culture. It underscores the futility of revenge and advocates for breaking the cycle of hatred through positive action. The Buddha's teachings remind us that holding on to anger is like grasping a burning coal—it harms the one who holds it more than the intended target.

Lessons for Modern Life

In today’s fast-paced and often divisive world, the relevance of this teaching is more apparent than ever. It offers guidance on navigating personal relationships, workplace challenges, and even global conflicts. Here’s how we can embody this wisdom:

1. Personal Growth: Practicing forgiveness allows us to let go of burdens and embrace inner peace.
2. Building Relationships: Compassionate communication fosters understanding and stronger bonds.
3. Social Harmony: Acts of kindness and empathy inspire positive change in communities.
4. Conflict Resolution: Approaching disputes with calm and understanding diffuses tension and prevents escalation.

By embodying this principle, we not only transform our inner world but also contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious society.

An Invitation to Reflect

This verse calls upon us to reflect on our reactions to anger and hatred. Are we perpetuating negativity, or are we choosing to rise above it? It reminds us that every small act of kindness is a step toward breaking cycles of enmity and building a foundation of peace.

The teachings of the Dhammapada continue to guide us toward living a life of mindfulness, self-control, and compassion, inspiring us to walk the noble path of non-violence.

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Duruthu Poya: The First Poya Day of the Year

GBV will observe Duruthu Poya Day on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST.

The agenda and signup sheet can be obtained from this link.

Duruthu Poya, celebrated on the full moon day of January, is the first Poya day in the Buddhist calendar. This day holds profound significance for Sri Lankan Buddhists, as it commemorates the Buddha's first visit to the island over 2,500 years ago. His visit, aimed at quelling discord and fostering peace, symbolizes harmony and reconciliation, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka's deep Buddhist heritage.

The Historical and Spiritual Significance

The Buddha's Visit
The Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka is considered a pivotal moment in the island's history. It not only restored peace and harmony among warring factions but also paved the way for Buddhist relations between Sri Lanka and India. The Buddha’s mission was to bring freedom from violence and inspire the island’s inhabitants with his teachings of compassion and non-violence.

Establishment of Buddhism
The Buddha’s visit marked the beginning of Buddhism’s formal presence in Sri Lanka. During this time, the Mahiyangana Stupa, the first stupa in the country, was constructed. It is believed to enshrine the sacred relics of the Buddha and stands as a symbol of the island's enduring devotion to Buddhism. This monumental event laid the foundation for the spread of the Buddha’s teachings in Sri Lanka.

The Buddha’s Footprint
During this visit, the local deity Sumana Saman invited the Buddha to leave his sacred footprint on the peak of Samanala Mountain, now famously known as Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). Buddhists and followers of other faiths revere this footprint, which symbolizes the unity and inclusivity of Sri Lanka’s spiritual traditions.

The Sakkapañha Sutta
In the Kelaniya region, the Buddha delivered the profound discourse of the Sakkapañha Sutta. This teaching offers insights into the nature of existence and the path to liberation, emphasizing the importance of ethical living, mindfulness, and compassion.

Rituals and Celebrations

On this sacred day, devotees engage in various religious practices to honor the Buddha’s visit and teachings:

• Sil Observance: Observing Atasil (Eight Precepts) and dedicating time to meditation and spiritual growth.

• Dāna (Offerings): Offering food, robes, and other necessities to monks as acts of merit.

• Temple Visits: Lighting oil lamps, offering flowers, and chanting Pali stanzas like the Seth Pirith.

• Peraheras (Processions): Colorful processions in some regions add a vibrant cultural aspect to the celebrations.

A Day of Reflection and Renewal

Duruthu Poya reminds Buddhists of the Buddha’s teachings on peace, coexistence, and compassion. It invites Buddhists to begin the new year with mindfulness and moral integrity. It is a day for spiritual renewal and for fostering virtues that contribute to personal growth and the well-being of society.

This sacred occasion encourages everyone to reflect on the Buddha's timeless wisdom and strive for harmony within themselves and the wider community.

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Kathina 2024

 

Dear Friends and Family, We are excited to announce that the long-awaited Kathina Celebration is almost here! This special event will take place on November 2nd and 3rd, and we warmly invite you to join us for a time of reflection, devotion, and community. Program for November 2nd: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Refreshments and candle lighting around the Stupa 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Pirith chanting and the Most Noble Pattana Deshana If you'd like to contribute, please sign up for flowers and candles via the SignUpGenius link below. Program for November 3rd: 6:00 AM: Kathina Ceremony begins with the offering of the Chivara 6:30 AM: Buddha Pooja 7:00 AM: Heel Dhana (Offering food) 7:30 AM: Breakfast for devotees 8:00 AM: Program for Devotees 9:00 AM: Padu Pevima (Dyeing the robe with medicinal herbs) 10:00 AM: Pindapatha-Bessaja Pooja (Offering medications to monks) 10:30 AM: Buddha Pooja 11:00 AM: Almsgiving for monks 12:00 PM: Lunch for devotees 1:00 PM: Program for Devotees 3:00 PM: Kathina Perahera (Procession) 4:00 PM: Chivara Pujava 5:00 PM: Refreshments 5:30 PM: Attavissi Pooja 6:00 PM: Program concludes Your presence would be a great honor on this auspicious day, regarded as one of the eight most meritorious deeds in Buddhism. If you would like to participate or assist in any way, please visit the SignUpGenius link below. For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 404-388-1977 or dshanali2@aol.com. We look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion together! SignUpGenius Pindapatha & Katina Celebration 2024 With Metta, Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara

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Georgia Buddhist Vihara Sthupa completed on May 18 2024

It’s truly heartwarming to see the dedication and support of all the contributors, volunteers, and skilled friends who have come together to create this sacred monument (Sthupa) in the Georgia Buddhist Vihara premises. Your collective efforts have brought about something truly special and meaningful for the community. Thank you for your hard work, generosity, and friendship in making this project a reality. Your contributions have made a lasting impact that will be cherished for years to come.

 

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GBV Vesak Celebrations & Ceremony to Offer the New Pagoda to the Buddha Sasana (May 18th-19th, 2024)

 

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Expressing Gratitude for Your Generous Donation to Chemotherapy Medication Procurement for Apeksha Hospital

On behalf of the organizing team and the entire staff at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution towards purchasing Paclitaxel, a vital chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.

We are delighted to inform you that, thanks to your collective efforts, we were able to raise a total of $4,220. Attached to this note, you will find the billing proof, documenting the purchase of Paclitaxel, along with a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred below:

Description	Amount (LKR)
Total collected	1,265,700
Supplier’s contribution	66,300
Cost per vial	12,000
Total vials donated - 111

*Exchange rate: 1 USD = 299.93 LKR

Furthermore, we are pleased to share that the drugs were handed over to the hospital director personally on the 26th of February 2024 by Ven. Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thero.

Once again, we express our deepest appreciation for your generosity and compassion. Your donation has made a significant difference in the lives of those battling cancer, bringing hope and relief to patients and their families during challenging times. Thank you for being a part of this meaningful cause and for your unwavering support in providing quality and timely care to cancer patients at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama.

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GBV Madin Poya Program on March 16th @ 7:30 am

Madin Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program. Morning Program 7:30 – 8:50 a.m. Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana (Self Serving) 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Guided Meditation 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. break 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Dhamma Desanawa 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Buddha Pooja (@ 11.00) 11:30 – 12:00 nn Dana offering to the Bhantes and those who observe eight precepts 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Afternoon Program. 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Dhamma Deshana 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Tea & coffee break 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Suthra Discussion  3:45 – 5:45 p.m. Dhamma Discussion 5:45 p.m. Observation of Five Precepts, Punnyanumodana, and Conclusion

Sign up for the program

 

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School Supply Donation - Completion Details (Community Project)

 

School Supply Donation - Completion Details 

(Community Project) 

Dear Friends,

We wish you all a healthy, peaceful, and productive 2024. Please find the final report on our School Supplies Project that started last fall. Those items were distributed to two schools in Puttalam district on the  22nd of December, 2023. Please accept our deepest appreciation for your support.  Although I am sure you do not expect a detailed report, we provide these details as our duty. Details are in different paragraphs below and have pages (Schools and donation details, images, receipts, etc) in order for you to select what you want to read.  Again, a Big Thank You for your support. 

School selection and support:  I wanted to pick rural schools in SL. Dr. Manjula Dharmawardena said he knew a few schools in the Puttalam district while he was working there that were in dire need of school supplies even then. He also mentioned that his friend Dr. Ajith De Alwis is still working in the area. We found two schools,  and the Deputy Principal of Mahakumbukkaduwela Kanishta Vidyalaya( Mr. Krishantha  Dhammika,  impressed me in our first meeting. He asked me to help him do a science project on the night sky. When I inquired him about his science background. He said He did one course in Astronomy at Univ of Peradeniya for his degree. To make a long story short, we (with Dr. Shameer Abdeen and Dr. Nalin Samarasinha) helped him organize a star night at the school (at very short notice), which was a success. We also picked the Punnavitiya Knahishta Vidyalaya again for the prompt responses from the principal and Mrs. Hasini Upamalika who was assigned as the teacher in charge for the project.. 

Supplies & Selection:  We specifically asked for simple essential items that can be used by students for their day-to-day use in school and to start the school year with enough basic supplies. ( No school bags, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.) These were selected in order to manage the packing volume and make sure we can distribute enough material to all the students equally.  The support we received was commendable!.  

We had 4 boxes full of material (totaling 24 Cubic Feet), which were shipped and distributed to two schools, two boxes each, distributed to the students on Dec 22nd, 2023, to start the new year with new books to write, pencils, and erasers, thanks to your generosity. 

Best Regards,

Unil  & Shrima Perera
Kumarasiri Rathnayaka
Manjula & Dasheema Dharmawardena
Bhante Panamwela Wajirabuddhi

School Supply donations for Two schools In the Puttalam District in Sri Lanka (Dec 22nd, 2023 )

MahKumbukkadawala Kanista Vidyalaya: (~200 students) Deputy Principal: Mr. Krishanatha: Dhammika, Two boxes  ( six cubic feet each, labeled M1, and M2)

 

PU/Mahakubukkaadawala  K.V., Maradankadawala, Madurankuliya, Puttalam	Box M1	Box M2
Composition Books	200	150
Spiral Notebooks	50	250
Pencils	2450	1000
Erasers  Grades 1- 2	150	200
Erasers  (White, Pink, Pencil)	350	250
Blue pens	400	200
Black pens	500	250

  

Punavitiya Kanishta Vidyalaya ( ~150 students): Mrs. Hasini Upmalika   2 boxes, six cubic feet each, labeled as P1, P2

Pu/ Punavitiya K.V., Punavitiya, Andigama	Box P1	Box P 2
Composition Books	60		100
Spiral Notebooks	150		70
Pencils	1750		1200
Erasers  Grades 1- 2	25
Erasers(white,Pink, Pencil)	250		185
Blue pens	200		232
Black pens	275		300

 In addition, each school received a few items to be used by teachers ( not enough to distribute, such as Pencil Sharpeners, rulers, multicolor pens, etc); this large quantity of school supplies received is a testament to the generosity of our GBV devotees.  We really appreciate your support.

Several devotees of the GBV helped sort and pack the boxes. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka was helpful in shipping the packages to SL, which were cleared by Ven Kirinde Pangathisssa Nayaka Thero of the Padangaha Buddhist Temple. The tireless efforts of Ven Welivitiya Sujeewa Thero should be commended, as he tried his best to get a tax exemption/reduction through the Buddhist Cultural Affairs ministry.

Puttalam District  Hospital Physician Dr. Indika De Alwis graciously transported the material from the Padangaha Vihara to Puttalam. The parents picked up the boxes from the office and delivered them to schools. Dr. Indika participated in the distribution ceremony at both schools. Images of the packages and the distribution ceremony are also attached separately,  Courtesy of  Mr. Krishanatha  Dhammika, Mrs. Hasini Upamalika, and Dr. Ajith De Alwis. 

Two boxes each were ( six cu ft) shipped to the two schools:

M1 and M2 : Mahakumbukkkaduwela,P1 and P2 : Punnavitiya   

( Only MI and M2 are shown)

Unpacking at the schools

Mahakumbukkaduwela  Distribution Ceremony

Punnavitiya   Distribution Ceremony:

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Placing of the Sacred Pinnacle (Koth Wahanse) Ceremony (Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 - 7:00 AM)

 Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

We would like to invite you for the Placing of the Sacred Pinnacle (Koth Wahanse) on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, at 7:00 AM at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara Stupa/Pagoda.

May you all rejoice in this powerful meritorious deed and realize the Four Noble Truths in this Gautama Buddha's Dispensation!

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Katina Ceremony (October 8th, 2023)

 

Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

Georgia Buddhist Vihara Katina Ceremony 2023 will be held on October 8th. We warmly invite all of you to participate in this wholesome event. The merits you can generate from this special event are enormous. Therefore, we hope you will make the best out of this opportunity. Katina Ceremony Day Schedule: (October 8th, 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM) 5:00 AM - Bringing of the Katina Cheevara to the Vihara and Offering to Maha Sangha 6:00 AM - Morning Buddha Puja and Heel Dana for Maha Sangha and Devotees 8:30 AM - Enshrining of The Lord Buddha's Sacred Relics The sacred relics of the Lord Buddha will be enshrined in the new Pagoda. For those who missed the enshrining ceremony of the stupa, there is the opportunity to donate any small items you wish to be enshrined until the Katina Day. 9:00 AM - Cheevara Pandu Peweema Katina robe coloring using tree barks and medicinal herbs. 10:00 AM - Besajja Pindapatha Please sign up for the Besajja Pindapatha and participate in this great meritorious deed using the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44675175-bhesajja 10:30 AM - Afternoon Buddha Puja Followed by Dana for Maha Sangha We kindly request that you bring the food items that you have signed up for no later then 10:00 AM so that we can prepare Buddha Puja and Dana. 12:00 PM - Lunch for Devotees In appreciation and gratitude for everyone's support during the Katina Season, the Katina hosting family and friends will be providing lunch for all devotees. However, we have some items that we need you to generously provide. Please use the following link to confirm your participation and contribution: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44675177-gbvkatina 1:30 PM - Katina Perahera 2:30 PM - Katina Cheevara Puja Ceremony 5:00 PM - End of Program Kapruka If you would like to bring items to place under the Kapruka, below are the much-needed items for the temple: Paper towels, paper cups, water bottles, Ziplock bags in assorted sizes, Tide/All detergent, dishwashing liquid, hand washing liquid, aluminum foil, kitchen towel, dishcloths, broom, dustpan & brush, tea candles, oatmeal, almond milk (nonperishable), cleaning liquid, air fresheners, Clorox wipes, paper plates, disposable spoons, trash bags (large and 13 gal). Pirikara If you would like to offer Pirikara for the participating Bhantes, you are most welcome to. We will have approximately 16 Bhantes attending the Katina.

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