28th September 2022 18:52:27 Hours
The sacred Anuradhapura Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi precincts, sanctified by the planting of the sacred offshoot from India-based Sri Maha Ananda Bodhi which gave shelter to the Buddha during his Enlightenment was swarmed with hundreds of representative Army personnel of all island-wide establishments and formations on Saturday (24) with the objective of invoking symbolic blessings on the forthcoming 73rd Army Anniversary and the Army Day (10 October).
The veneration of the 'Pariboghika' utilitarian relics at Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi as the second segment of the series of Buddhist religious ceremonies that got underway on account of the anniversary got to a start soon after the arrival of Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.
In accordance with traditions, the Army Chief at first paid his respect to the Most Ven. Dr Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thero, Sangha Nayake for North Central Province and the Chief Incumbent for all eight places of worship (Atamasthandhipathi) at the 'Sanghawasaya' (residential monastery) and formally invited him to lead the religious performances at the Udamaluwa (upper layer) by offering the symbolic tray of betel (Deheth Wattiya) and ‘Atapirikara’ to the monk.
Rhythmic beats of traditional and auspicious drums, ‘Hevisi’ and ‘Magul Bera’ then reveberated as troops were standing on attention holding colour-rich flags of all establishments aloft. A pageant after a while accompanied saffron-clad monks to the 'Udamaluwa' for religious performances as hundreds of Army soldiers-turned flag-bearers, attired in formal impressive dresses, remained lined up in the Welimaluwa (lower-layer) area before all Army flags were taken to the upper layer for the symbolic invocation of blessings.
The customary spectacle as has been the practice, began after all the Army Flags, representing the Army Headquarters, the Volunteer Force Headquarters, all Security Force Headquarters, all Forward Maintenance Areas, Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Units and Army Training Schools were taken for blessings around the Weli Maluwa (lower layer) thrice before those flags were accepted by Senior Officers, awaiting at the Meda Maluwa (middle layer). The Commander afterward respectfully laid the flags at the foot of the sacred tree later on with a few more Officers.
Later on, members of the Maha Sangha chanted ‘Seth Pirith’, sprinkled jasmine water around the foot of the sacred tree and invoked symbolic blessings on all Army Flags that had been earlier handed to the Commander of the Army by those flag-bearers before the observances commenced. Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage simultaneously laid jasmine and lotus flowers around the sacred Bodhiya and prayed for the well-being of the country’s indispensable protectors of the Nation and all those serving it.
Members of the Maha Sangha extolled the Army’s contribution and dedication towards the motherland in special ‘Anushasana’ (orations) delivered by Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama Rajamaha Viharaya, Most Venerable Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera on the occasion.
Ven Dr Pallegama Hemaratana Nayake Thera, Viharadhikari at Ruwanweliseya, Ven Nugathenne Pangnananda Nayaka Thero, Chief Incumbent at Sri Jayanthi Viharaya, Ven Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilake Thero, Incumbent, Miriswetiya, Ven Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thero, Incumbent, Lankaramaya, Ven. Ihala Halmilawe Rathana Thero Incumbent, Jethawanaramaya, Ven Dr. Kallanchiye Rathana Thero, Incumbent, Abhayagiriya, Ven Kahalle Gnanarathana, incumbent, Thuparamaya and monks representing various temples participated in the religious programme.
In another gesture, a special cash donation for the development of the sacred place was then offered by the Commander to the Atamasthanadhipathi, Most Ven. Dr. Pallegama Sirinivasa Nayaka Thero as a symbolic gesture of respect and appreciation the Army attaches toward the well-being of the Sangha fraternity and the development of the sacred place.
A representative gathering of Officers and Other Rankers were at this sacred living monument of the Enlightened One to attend the colourful and dignified second flag-blessing ceremony of the Army that heralds the forthcoming 73rd Army anniversary and the Army Day (Oct 10).
Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Principal Staff Officers, Security Force Commanders, Directors, Senior Officers and several Officers joined during the ceremony.
