Enshrinement of sacred Kapilawastupura relics in the hemispherical dome of the 'Sanda Hiru Seya' Stupa (Dagoba) at Anuradhapura under construction as a monumental tribute to the victories of War Heroes, got underway Sunday (23) morning during a fitting ceremony, dignified by the presence of more than a four-digit number of Buddhist monks, President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest, Governors, Ministers, Secretary Defence and Urban Development, Tri service Chiefs and a mammoth crowd of devotees.
This was the first Stupa of this magnitude, only second to Ruwanweli Seya in size, ever to be built in Sri Lanka in the last 500 years or more, reminiscent of the times of royalties who had paid such homage upon successful elimination of inimical forces against the country.
Enshrinement of Buddha's relics, placed in gold and gem-studded caskets and a massive collection of other sacred objects, including 16,293 gold folios, in which all stanzas of 'Thripitaka' tomes, have been inscribed, came about following sustained initiatives, taken by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, together with unwavering support of the Commanders of the Army, Commanders of the Navy, Commanders of the Air Force, Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Civil Defence Force who tirelessly saw the fruition of this phase of the new Dagoba.
As directed by members of the Maha Sangha, including the Most Ven Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Maha Nayake of Asgiriya Chapter, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, accompanied by First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mrs Ioma Rajapaksa at the auspicious minute, enshrined all relics in the inner sanctum which had been built in line with specifications, documented in age-old buddhist chronicles and scriptures, amidst reverberating 'Pirith' chanting of more than 6500 monks who have been invited.
Ven Dr Medagoda Abhayatissa Nayake Thero who was one of the chief patrons of the project delivered an 'anusasasana' (oration) soon after placement of the relics and underlined the importance of erection of a huge monumental pagoda of this magnitude after the President unified the country eliminating terrorism.
The ceremony was further coloured when Thailand's Surindra Rajabhart University at the same occasion, proclaimed a citation and conferred a special 'Doctorate' on the President Rajapaksa in recognition of his service to the promotion of the Buddhist cause and Buddha Sasana. Thailand's Senate members of the University Council and members of Thai royalties, present at the location, awarded the honorary title to the President.
The first leg of taking sacred Kapilawasthupura relics of the Buddha from the President’s House for enshrinement in the Sanda Hiru Seya at Anuradhapura began Wednesday (12) morning after they were formally entrusted to the custodianship of the President by the Ministry of Defence.
The coordination for bringing down those sacred relics to Sri Lanka was effected by Ven Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Thero in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, pioneers in the construction of the first-ever Dagoba of this magnitude to revere the memories of fallen War Heroes.
The relics were first brought to the Army Headquarters before they were moved to the Army Commander’s official residence for veneration and offerings. Later, they were respectfully taken to the President’s House at Colombo Fort.
Ven Ellawala Medananda Thero, Ven Medagoda Abhayatissa Thero, Ven Bengamuwe Dhammadinna Thero, Ven Kollonnawe Sumangala Thero, Ven Dodampahala Rahula Thero, Ven Kirinde Assaji Thero, many leading monks and a large group of state officials were associated with the event at the President’s House earlier this week as well as on Sunday's (23) ceremony at Anuradhapura.
Friday (14) evening saw a mammoth ‘Kapruk’ pooja, organized by the Airmen of the Sri Lanka Air Force, taking place at the historic ‘Ruwanweli Maha Seya’ premises where the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, joined together with Navy, Air Force and other chiefs for invocation of blessings in the company of hundreds of devotees.
As the next leg of the programme, the relics were taken then in procession to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises and delivered to the Maha Sangha where a week-long Pirith chanting began on Thursday (15).
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