The Friends Who Shape Our Path
The Friends Who Shape Our Path
Reflections from the Georgia Buddhist Vihara Youth Sil Retreat 2026
By Sumindee Jayasinghe
Just as a lotus flower blossoms beautifully in pure water, our lives flourish when we are surrounded by noble and wholesome friends. This profound lesson became the most meaningful insight I gained during this year's Youth Sil Retreat at Georgia Buddhist Vihara. Throughout the retreat, I learned that the people we choose to walk beside have a powerful influence on the direction of our lives. Good friends inspire us to cultivate kindness, strengthen our wisdom, and discover lasting happiness.
During the Dhamma discussions, the Bhantes and guest speakers taught us about the qualities that distinguish true friends from harmful companions. A good friend is like a guiding light that continues to shine even on cloudy days. They encourage us when we feel discouraged, support us during difficult moments, and gently remind us to choose what is right when we are uncertain. Through honesty, compassion, and selfless encouragement, they help us grow in virtue and inspire us to practice the Buddha's teachings with loving-kindness, patience, and respect.
One of the most memorable experiences of the retreat was participating in walking meditation and sitting meditation. As I walked slowly and mindfully, I realized that choosing friends is much like choosing where to place each step. A careless step can lead us away from our intended path, while a mindful step brings us closer to peace and understanding. During sitting meditation, although remaining still was sometimes challenging, I learned that a calm and focused mind enables us to make wise decisions, including choosing friendships that support our spiritual growth.
Another meaningful aspect of the retreat was sharing meals in silence. This practice helped me appreciate each bite with mindfulness and gratitude. The simple experience of eating together reminded me that good friends nourish our character just as wholesome food nourishes the body. Wise and compassionate companions strengthen our hearts, encourage positive qualities, and help us become better individuals. After each meal, we gathered for chanting and shared merits with all beings, reinforcing the values of generosity, gratitude, and interconnectedness.
Perhaps the most important lesson I learned was that if I wish to have good friends, I must first strive to become a good friend myself—someone who can be trusted, respected, and relied upon. True friendship begins with our own actions, words, and intentions.
Guided by the Buddha's teachings, I hope to continue my journey through life with mindfulness and wisdom. I aspire to walk beside friends who inspire goodness, and equally important, to become that kind of friend for others. I am deeply grateful to the Bhantes, teachers, volunteers, aunties, and uncles who dedicated their time and effort to making this retreat such a meaningful experience. Their guidance and kindness have left a lasting impression on my heart.
May I continue to practice these teachings each day, and may all beings be well, happy, healthy, and peaceful.
Theruwan Saranai.
— Sumindee Jayasinghe
Georgia Buddhist Vihara Youth Sil Retreat 2026
Finding Peace in the Rain:
Finding Peace in the Rain: My Experience at the GBV Youth Retreat
By Oneth S. G. Gamage
Our journey began with a commitment to the Eight Precepts. While
many of us are familiar with the five basic promises—abstaining from killing,
stealing, lying, sexual misconduct, and intoxicants—the retreat invited us to
go deeper. We added three more:
- Refraining from eating at
improper times.
- Abstaining from beautifying
ourselves with cosmetics or jewelry.
- Refraining from singing, dancing,
or watching entertainment.
Observing these precepts allowed us to simplify our focus and truly immerse ourselves in the spiritual experience.
We also attended several sessions hosted by volunteers who generously shared their wisdom and knowledge to help us become better, more mindful individuals. Afterward, we chanted our blessings and shared a meal. Practicing gratitude, I took both foods I liked and some I didn't prefer, ensuring I finished everything on my plate.
Planting Seeds of Intention
One of the most impactful teachings came from Bhante Deepankara,
who spoke about the "seeds" we plant in our minds. He explained that
while the effort to grow a seed is the same whether it is good or bad, it is
our intention that determines the harvest.
To bring this lesson to life, our group performed a skit. I played a farmer planting "bad seeds," illustrating the consequences of unwholesome thoughts. The experience reinforced the idea that we must be the diligent gardeners of our own minds, cultivating only what is wholesome.
Another day, Dr. Ayesha generously
provided dana by preparing food for all of us. Afterward, she led a session
discussing the qualities of good and bad influences. She emphasized the
importance of choosing our friends wisely, as the people we are frequently exposed
to heavily shape our behavior. We also had an insightful session with Mr.
Steven, who spoke about avoiding bad company. He shared a personal story from
his college days when he chose not to room with a friend he
knew frequently stole items. His choice proved wise, as that
individual was later arrested for stealing a school stereo. Mr. Steven
reflected on how thankful he was to have avoided that situation, showing us the
real-world impact of the company we keep.
At the conclusion of the summer youth
retreat, we participated in a meaningful closing ceremony where
everyone delivered a speech. Some speeches were long and detailed, while others
were short, but everyone did a wonderful job sharing their unique experiences.
My own speech was compact yet comprehensive; I made sure to thank everyone who
made the 2026 Summer Youth Retreat possible, including the Bhantes, the uncles,
the aunties, and all the fellow participants who supported me along the way.
To capture the memories, we all gathered
on stage for a group photo. Afterward, we moved to the main building where my
dad chatted with the other parents and my sister caught up with her
friends. Although my mom wasn’t able to be there, I still had a fantastic
time and gained a tremendous amount of knowledge. Before heading home,
I returned my retreat clothing and sash, went downstairs to the
kitchen to see my friends, and enjoyed a final snack. I then said goodbye to
everyone at the temple and caught my ride home.
Reflecting on the specific practices, my favorite activity was walking meditation led by Bhante Deepankara. We practiced in the concrete parking lot in front of the shrine room. We had to be incredibly mindful of where our feet landed to ensure we didn't harm any small living beings, like ants or spiders. We also focused deeply on the physical sensations of walking. I noticed how the ground felt rougher on one side of the lot and smoother on the other, and how the pavement was wet in some areas from the rain and dry in others. It truly taught me to slow down and pay close attention to my surroundings.
Morning candlelight meditation:
I also loved the candlelight meditation
we practiced every morning. It helped me start the day feeling relaxed and
peaceful. At the end of the session, we stood up one by one from each side of
the shrine room to respectfully place our candles before the Buddha
statues.
Thank you for reading about my
experience at the 2026 Summer Youth Retreat at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara!
Theruwan saranai.
Annual Katina Sponsors
| Year | Sponsors | Media |
| 2026 | Dr.Neranga, Nadeepa, Mrs. Dullma, and Sukitha Families | |
| 2025 | Edisa Jayarathne | |
| 2024 | Daminda & Sumudu Manamendra family; Piyathilake Adris & Visaka Adris family | |
| 2023 | Dr. Deeptha & Mrs. Thaniya Jayarathne family | [Photos] |
| 2022 | Drs. Luminda & Kisa Kulasiri family; Drs. Ajith & Harsha De Silva family | [Video] |
| 2021 | Dr. Manjula & Mrs. Dasheema Dharmawardhana; Mr. Jinath Gamage & Hasini Yatawatte | [Photos] |
| 2020 | Mr. Kumara Madagma; Mrs. Devika Weerasinghe; Mr. & Mrs. Suresha & Dilhan Fernando; Mr. & Mrs. Thalanka & Varuna Buwaneka; Mr. & Mrs. Vathsala & Lasantha Rathnayaka; Mrs. Dung Nugen Families | [Photos] |
| 2019 | Drs. Ranga & Ayesha Jayasinghe Family | [Photos] |
| 2018 | Mr. & Dr. Niroshena & Erosha Jayawardana family | [Photos] |
| 2017 | Dr. & Mrs. Amarasinghe family; Mr. & Mrs. Dhaminda & Sumudu Manamendra families | |
| 2016 | Mr. & Mrs. Saratha & Sujeewa Weeraseka | [Photo] |
| 2015 | Dr. & Mrs. Deeptha & Taniya Jayarathne | [Photo] |
| 2014 | Mr. & Mrs. Uditha & Ruwani Walivita | [Photo] |
| 2013 | Mr. & Mrs. Gayan & Dhammi Hapugoda | |
| 2012 | Mr. & Mrs. Ranjith & Roshini Siyasena | [Photos] |
| 2011 | Mr. & Mrs. Janaka & Nishani Silva | [Photo] |
| 2010 | Mr. & Mrs. Prasanna & Kumudu Wickramasuriya | |
| 2009 | Mr. & Mrs. Daminda & Sumudu Manamendra | [Photo] |
| 2008 | Dr. & Mrs. Deeptha & Taniya Jayarathne | [Video] [Photo] |
| 2007 | Mr. & Mrs. Ushan & Chami Subasinghe | [Video] [Photo] |
| 2006 | Mr. & Mrs. Laxman & Anoja Wickramaracci | [Photo] |
| 2005 | Drs. Ananda & Chandra; Drs. Unil & Shrima Perera | [Photos] |
| 2004 | Mr. & Mrs. Viduranga & Haridra Jayarathne | |
| 2003 | Mr. & Mrs. Vishaka & Adris Piyatilake | |
| 2002 | Drs. Lalith & Manori Silva | [Photos] |
| 2001 | [Information Missing] |
Sri Lankan New Year 2026
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GBV Food Fair 2025 Saturday, November 15 • 3–9 PM at GBV Premises
Don’t Miss It: Sri Lankan Food Fair at GBV Premises
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|
Connecting Our Community
Connecting Our Community: New VOIP Phone System at the Temple
Volunteer Project Led by Thevin Jayawardena, A Senior at
Milton High School
Introduction
We are excited to announce a major upgrade to the telecommunications system at the Temple, thanks to the dedicated volunteer work of
Thevin Jayawardena, a senior at Milton High School, under the guidance of his father
Niroshena Jayawardena, a senior Software Engineer, BSc (Hons), M.Sc. in
computer science. Thevin’s technical knowledge, relentless commitment, and his father’s
expertise have resulted in the implementation of a modern VOIP-based phone system. The
new VOIP phone system not only brings our growing Buddhist community in
Georgia, USA, closer but also enables members from across the country to stay
connected, collaborate, and share religious activities at the temple as well as
Buddhist teachings.
Technical Implementation: Building the Foundation
Thevin began his project by setting up the backbone of the
system—an Ubuntu server. This server acts as the central hub for all telecommunication
at the temple. Several key services were installed:
·
TFTP Server: Handles transfer of phone
configuration files.
·
MySQL Server: Stores phone directories and
system data securely.
·
Apache2 Server: Powers the web interface for
managing the phone system.
On top of these, Thevin installed and configured Asterisk
and FreePBX, two open-source platforms that work together to manage calls,
voicemails, and other phone features. Ubuntu provides a stable and flexible
environment for these tools, ensuring reliability and ease of maintenance.
Phone Configuration: Bringing CISCO 7975g Phones to Life
A highlight of the project was modifying the existing CISCO
7975g phones to work seamlessly with the new open-source platform. These phones
were originally designed for proprietary networks, but Thevin reconfigured them
to operate using SCCP (Skinny Client Control Protocol) with Asterisk. This
involved:
·
Installing the SCCP module on Asterisk.
·
Adapting the module to support all necessary
phone features.
·
Customizing configuration files and firmware
settings to ensure compatibility.
With these changes, the phones now connect reliably to the
temple’s network, providing high-quality voice communication for all users.
System Features: Enhancing Communication
The new phone system introduces several features designed to
serve the needs of both resident monks and devotees:
·
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System: A newly
designed IVR guides callers to the right resident monk, making it easier to
reach the appropriate Monk dedicated to the Specific task.
·
New Phone Extensions: Extensions have been set
up to connect directly to individual monks, departments, or temple facilities.
·
General Voicemail: All users now be able to
leave voice messages, ensuring that no important communication is missed.
·
Intercom System: Internal communication is
streamlined, allowing quick announcements and coordination throughout the
temple.
·
Devotees Phone Directory: A comprehensive
directory makes it simple to contact fellow devotees, enhancing community
interaction.
Community Impact: Strengthening Connections
The new VOIP system has significantly improved connectivity
within our temple. Resident monks can now communicate more efficiently with
devotees and themselves, whether inside the temple or remotely. The system
makes it easier for devotees to reach out, ask questions, and participate in
temple activities. With this high-tech communication system, we are fostering a
more connected, responsive, and inclusive community.
Cost Savings: Integration with Google Voice
A standout achievement of the project is the integration of
Google Voice with our phone system. This allows the temple to make and receive
calls without traditional phone lines, eliminating costly monthly bills.
Thevin’s solution leverages free and open-source tools while providing reliable
service and substantial savings for this nonprofit Organization, which provides enormous
service to our community.
Conclusion: Appreciation and Looking Ahead
We sincerely thank Thevin Jayawardena for his hard work,
technical skills, and generosity in volunteering for this project. His
contribution has brought lasting benefits to our Buddhist community in Atlanta, Georgia.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to his parents for their guidance
and financial support throughout the project. With our new VOIP phone system,
we are ready to embrace the future, maintain strong connections, and serve our
community even better.