The Hamilton Viharaya came alive on Saturday, 10 May, as many people gathered to celebrate Vesak – the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. The day marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Lord Buddha. It was a full day of peaceful activities and spiritual practice, organised by the temple to help everyone remember and follow the teachings of the Buddha.
The Vesak programme was led by the resident monks of the Hamilton Viharaya – Venerable Dunuwila Meththeiya Thero and Venerable Rajawelle Dhammasiri Thero – along with visiting monks. The day included Amisa Pooja and Prathipaththi Pooja, running from morning to evening.
The day began with the Eight Precepts Programme (Sil), where people followed a peaceful and mindful lifestyle for the whole day. There were meditation sessions, dhamma talks, chanting (vandana), and dhamma discussions. These sessions were held in both Sinhala and English, giving everyone a chance to understand the teachings in their own language.
In the evening, the atmosphere became even more special with the Bodhi Pooja, where devotees lit oil lamps offerings flowers, lights and chanted blessings. It was a quiet and spiritual time to show respect and reflect on the Buddha’s teachings.
A beautiful part of the evening was the Bhakthi Gee (devotional songs) performed by students from the Maha Karuna Dhamma School. The children, dressed in white, sang meaningful songs that shared stories from the Buddha’s life. Their voices filled the temple with calm and joy, touching the hearts of everyone who listened.
This year also saw the first-ever Vesak Kooduwa at Hamilton Viharaya. Nishantha Narasinghe and a group of young volunteers spent several weeks designing and building the large, colourful lantern. It lit up the temple area and attracted the attention of many visitors. The Kooduwa remained on display for two days and was one of the highlights of the celebration.
The evening ended with the Dansals where everyone was welcome to enjoy delicious food, snacks, and sweet treats. The Dansals were organised by temple volunteers and supported by generous donors. It was a lovely way to end the day, sharing food and kindness with others.
Overall, the Vesak celebration at Hamilton Viharaya was peaceful, meaningful, and full of community spirit. It reminded everyone about the values of kindness, wisdom, and generosity – the heart of the Buddha’s teachings.
By Dr. Nandana Kumara – Hamilton
