A week-long Dhamsak Pewathum pirith pinkama was held for the 17th consecutive occasion at the Sri Sambodhi Jayanthi temple, Anuradhapura. It culminated with the bathing of the Maithri Bodhisathwa stone statue from the seven-day pirith chanted water, pure milk and medicated water mixed with medicinal ingredients brought from India. Army Commander Lieut. General Vikum Liyanage and his wife were the Chief Guests.
Sri Sambodhi Jayanthi temple Chief incumbent Ven. Nugethenne Pangananda Nayaka Thera said that this was the first time an Army Commander had graced this pinkama since it was inaugurated 17years ago. The Maithri Bodhisathwa stone statue is 12 ft. in height.
“I took steps to create this sacred statue 17 years ago to seek the divine blessings of the Maithri Bodhisathwa who is predicted to be the next Buddha to save the country from the destructive grip of terrorism and attributing courage and strength to the security forces,” Ven. Pangnananda Nayaka Thera said.
Parallel to the pirith chanting pinkama and the bathing of the Maithri Bodhisathwa statue, a newly constructed shrine room where the statue of Amithabha Bodhisathwa, donated to the temple by the devotees in Thailand, was unveiled by the Maha Sangha headed by Atamasthanadhipathi Most Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, Ruwanweli Chethiyramadhipathi, Chancellor of the Rajarata University Ven. Ethalwetunuwewa Gnanathilake Nayaka Thera.