The centenary celebrations of the Servants of the Buddha, a society enriched with several unique features, was held on April 23, 2021, one hundred years to the day its founder Dr. Cassius Pereira, a medical doctor who later ordained as Venerable Kassapa held its first public meeting.
The venue of that historic meeting on April 23, 1921, was the very same as that of the celebrations in 2021, the church-like building next to Mettarama, known throughout the century as Maitriya Hall.
Proceedings
The day of celebrations dawned with monsoonal rains pounding down, but when the time for the proceedings approached, the heavens belied all weather forecasts and smiled down on members, speakers, invitees, well-wishers and supporters who were ready to mark this important milestone in a fitting and appropriate manner.
Centenary celebrations are rare, but rarer still are the exceptional organisational skills and high level of sophistication that were evident as ‘the event’ unfolded.
A marble plaque inscribed with key historical data was unveiled followed by an awesome procession of senior bikkhus of great erudition and esteem leading the way.
Bikkhunis, the Board of Directors and finally the office-bearers were next to enter the Maitriya Hall where an anticipatory audience was assembled in accordance with the prevailing Covid-19 health regulations.
The Maha Sangha that congregated from a wide array of Theravada temples, meditation centres and forest monasteries ranged from Mettaramaya and Vajiraramaya to Pāgoda and Sri Kavidaja Vipassana meditation centers to Meethirigala and Kanduboda aranyas and included the presence of a Zen bikkhu.
Testified
This testified wide range of interest and support testified to the contribution to the Sasana, made over the past 100 years.
Special invitees included dignitaries from other religions, representatives from Buddhist organisations and long standing speakers.
Rev. Trevor Martin of St Mary’s Church, Bambalapitiya in a gesture of joining in the felicitations was warmly appreciated, as were the congratulations and encouragement offered by prominent members of the ACBC, YMBA and Kalutara Bodhi Trust.
With the venerable bikkhus and bikkunis seated within a breathtakingly beautifully lit Inner Sanctum, Ven. Olande Ananda Maha Thera initiated proceedings by administering Pansil.
The customary lighting of the oil lamp provided an opportunity to remember past patrons, presidents, treasures, secretaries and speakers.
In this galaxy a star that shone particularly bright was the late Mr. Alec Robertson whose association with the Servants of the Buddha spanned over five decades, three of which were at its helm as President.
An excellent speech by the President, Mrs. Anoja Wijeyesekera, retraced the past 100 years and was followed by the launch of Dhamma Gems an annual publication sponsored this year as the Centenary Issue by Mrs. Sri Piyasena.
Description
A comprehensive description of the historical and doctrinal aspects of this publication was expounded by the Patron Ven. Siri Vajiraramaye Nanasiha.
Undoubtedly the Centenary Volume of Dhamma Gems compiled by Ven. Siri Vajiraramaye Nanasiha and Prof Manouri Senanayake is a well researched chronicle worthy of being read, re-read and preserved.
A short musical interlude by Visharada Kanika Edirimanna preceded the keynote address on Mindfulness by the Chief Guest, the Most Ven. Uda-Eriyagama Dhammajiva Mahathero, Chief meditation master of the Nissarana Vanaya monastery Meethirigala.
Prof Kapila Gunawardene, Secretary to the Buddha Sasana Ministry, unable to attend personally as scheduled, sent his script on Challenges facing the Buddha Sasana and Role of the Ministry which was read by Dr. Kosala de Silva, a Past President.
Having reflected on the past and deliberated on the present, next came a talk on Venturing into the Future delivered by Prof. Manouri Senanayake.
The society’s intentions of meeting the demands of the Buddhist world culminated with launching of a book authored by herself for the explicit purpose of enhancing the English competency of bikkhus.
Titled English through Buddhism, it was in keeping with the society’s ethos of disseminating the Dhamma in English to an ever widening audience.
Therefore, the celebrations could be perceived as having heralded in the second century before drawing to a close.
Prof. Kolitha Sellahewa’s timekeeping ensured the program ran to clockwork precision, ending after a Vote of Thanks by the Secretary Mrs. Samudra de Zoysa and Chanting and blessings bestowed by the Maha Sangha.
For further inquries regarding Dhamma Gems please write to:
Servants of the Buddha, Maitriya Hall, Mettaramaya, Lauries Road, Colombo 4
Regarding the English programme, please email: [email protected]