Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Annual Kathina Ceremony 2015 Highlights
Annual Kathina Ceremony Sangha (Spiritual Community) Day Celebration of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya was held for the 12th consecutive year with great success with the participation of over 300 people and 14 Venerable Monks. Principal sponsor of the year 2015 was Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa, Harindi and Hasidu Lokuwaduge family together with all the members under the guidance of Bhante Samitha
Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Kathina Ceremony 2015
Spiritual Community (Sangha) Day Celebration
The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural Centre was held on Sunday 15th November 2015 at St Michael’s Church Hall in Letchworth Garden City. It was the 12th consecutive Kathina Ceremony to be held by Dhamma Nikethanaya Community.
This year The Kathina Ceremony was sponsored mainly by Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge together with their children Harindi & Hasindu Thilsara, and all the members of the Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre Community.
A large gathering of venerable monks and over two hundred cosmopolitan member families of Dhamma Nikethanaya Community participated despite the torrential stormy and very cold weather conditions.
Accustomed to the 26 centuries old unhindered tradition and the words of the Blessed One Lord Buddha, monks at Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural Centre observed this year’s Three Months Rains Retreat on Sunday 26th Esala (July) Full Moon Day 2015. During these three months, public from all walks of life had wonderful opportunities to learn much of the Buddha Dhamma (teachings of the Lord Buddha) and practice Meditation for peace and happiness in their daily lives.
The Kathina Ceremony is one of the biggest Buddhist Community festivals and regarded as highly meritorious and significantly blissful. It is a ceremony held to mark the end of the annual three-month spiritual rains retreat, observed by venerable monks residing at the monastery. The members of the community engage fully by contributing more time and efforts for practising Meditation, studying Dhamma Teachings, Practising generosity (dana), observing Moral Conduct Retreats and offering many Blessings Poojas.
This year’s ceremony commenced early morning with taking the cloth- material to the temple to make the robe. After offering morning dana to venerable monks and sharing breakfast, everyone joined the blissful procession to take the Kathina Robe Material, Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, Buddha Statue, Bodhi Tree and other sacred objects of veneration to the ceremony venue.
Children and Parents of Dhamma School led the elegant Kathina Procession from the Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Centre, through Letchworth Garden City town centre to the St Michael’s Church Hall, braving the most unusual and torrential stormy weather. Local residents were delighted to experience a sight of spectacular blessings on a Sunday Morning, with traditional drummers clad in beautiful costumes and flag bearers.
The Ceremony was blessed with the presence of over 14 venerable Buddhist Monks representing leading Buddhist Temples in the United Kingdom. Among them were Most Venerable Tawalama Banduala Maha Thero (Deputy Head Monks of London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Ehaliyagoda Dhammapala Maha Thero (Head Monk of Thames Buddhist Centre), Most Venerable Bhikkhu Gonulle Assaji Maha Thero (Croydon), Most Venerable Kanamuldeniye Ariyawansa Maha Thero (Edmonton Samadhi Meditation Buddhist Centre), Most Venerable Denunupitiye Upananda Maha Thero (Calgary, Canada), Most Venerable Madugalle Mahanama Thero (Deputy Head Monk of East London Lumbini Buddhist Cultural Centre Palistow), Most Venerable Waskaduwe Subodhi Thero (Representing Kingsbury Temple), Venerable Kirioruwe Dheerananda Thero (East London Plaistow Temple), Venerable Galayaye Dhammadassi Thero (Kingsbury Sri Saddhathissa International Buddhist Centre), Venerable Rambodagama Naradha Thero (Thames Buddhist Vihara), Venerable Kuruduwatte Pangnasiri Thero (Edmonton Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Centre) Venerable Kothmale Sumedha (Thames Buddhist Vihara), and Venerable Panna Sri of Bangladesh (East London Lumbini Vihara).
In appreciation of Venerable Akurala Samitha Thero’s (Head Monk of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya) services to other temples, some special guests also attended. Representing Thames Buddhist Vihara, Surrey, Croydon, Dr Herath Kularathne, it’s President together with Mrs Kularathne, Mr Ariyadasa Kodinkaduwa, Mr Nihal Jayasinghe and some other members of Thames Vihara were pleased to attend. Dr C Nanayakkara, the president of Leicester Buddhist Vihara also attended.
The day’s programme commenced with sewing the Kathina Robe, brought in procession to the ceremony hall, followed by offerings to Wish-Fulfilling Tree (kapparukka), offering gifts and food to monks, listening to Dhamma talks delivered by monks in English & Sinhala languages, blessings chanting and sharing food with all present.
The keynote speech was delivered by Mr Madawala Hemananda on “We are our Mind” who also introduced his latest book on Buddhism and Meditation. On behalf of the centre, Venerable Akurala Samitha Thero deeply appreciated the contributions of Mr Hemananda personally to the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya and to the wider community.
Everyone deeply appreciated the highly spiritual harmonious feeling felt throughout the ceremonies. The community was very grateful to Venerable Akurala Samitha for his remarkable dedication particularly for children’s educational programmes. The local community appreciated very much the opportunity to experience the traditional cultural items of the ceremony.
The closing item of the ceremony was the beautiful pooja for twenty eight Lord Buddhas, which was sponsored by Mrs Nita Gurusinghe for good health and blessings to loving parents.
All the Venerable Monks chanted special blessings wishing peace, happiness, prosperity and security on the community. Everyone bore the thoughts in solidarity for the unfortunate things happenings in Paris and other parts of the globe and expressed their sorrow at the death of the beloved borther of Miss Padma Wijerathna.
Venerable Akurala Samitha thanked everyone for giving a tremendous support to make the event a great success. In particular, Hertfordshire Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, PC Mr Carla Little & PCSO Mr Baringer; Children of Thames Vihara Ralph, Devan, Kevin and Gayan organized by Mrs Renuka Amarasinghe & Mrs Nitha Wijewickkrama. On behalf of the centre, Mrs Rathnawalie Dep and Mrs Cheryl Green, Parents of Milton Keynes Dr Mahesh Dias, Dr Arosha Bandara, Mrs Samanthi De Silva, Mrs Asha Sooriyabandara, Mrs Wasana Deepani Kariyawasam and others were remembered with gratitude.
Outstanding hall decorations and ceremony arrangements were also highly appreciated by everyone. Venerable Samitha invoked blessings especially on Mr Paul Martin, Mr Chanaka Herath, Mr Lokuwaduge Family, Mr Uluvita family, Mr Nick Coplowe and Mr Chris Sill for their relentless and sleepless support for the hall arrangements. Mr Priyantha Uluvita and Mr Devapriya Perera were thanked for their support with photography.
For more details and pictures please visit our website: www.buddhistacademy.com Our Next programme will be New Year Blessings on Friday 01st January 2016 at 5PM.
May the Blessings of this greatest meritorious deed fulfil the aspirations of all, and lead to the everlasting happiness Nibbana! May all be secure, well and happy with Noble Blessings of the Triple Gem!
Photographs by Mr Priyantha Uluvita & Mr Devapriya Perera
Report by Secretary, Dhamma Nikethanaya
Highlightes of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Annual Kathina Ceremony held on Sunday 15th November 2015
Main Sponsor of Kathina 2015 Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge family
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Bring the Kathina Robe materials to make a robe by the main sponsor family Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge with their children Harindi and Hasindu Thilsara
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Offering the Robe materials to make the Kathina Robe
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Offering Morning Dana Venerable Monks
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Morning Dana Offering to Venerable Monks
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Attending Morning Dana Offering at the centre
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Main sponsors of the Morning Dana transferring merits to parents
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Devotees sewing the Kathina Robe
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Kathina Procession receiving the blessings to proceed from the Buddhist Centre
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Children Drummers clad in Traditional costumes lead the Kathina Procession
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Taking the Sacred Ralics from the Centre to the Ceremony Hall in Procession
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Kathina Procession proceeds from the Pix Road
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Kathina Perehera proceeds through the village
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Kathina procession going through Letchworth Town Centre
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Kathina Procession at Broughton Hill Road Letchworth Garden City
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Kathina Procession reaching into Leys Avenue Letchworth Town Centre
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Kathina procession leading through Leys Avenue Letchworth Town Centre
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Kathina Procession at the Heart of Letchworth Town Centre
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Kathina procession at the Letchworth Garden City Square
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Venerable Monks attending to the Kathina Ceremony
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Kathina procession approaching into Broadway Letchworth Garden City
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Kathina procession reaching the Main Ceremony Hall St Micheal’s Church Hall
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Kathina 2015 Ceremony Hall at St Michael’s Church Hall
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Bringing the Objects of Veneration to the Ceremony Venue
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Respectfully placing the Sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha at the Ceremony hall to Open the Ceremony
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Devotees taking their seats after the procession
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Dedicating the half sewn Kathina Robe Materials to Monks for further completion
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Main Sponsors Offer the half sewn Kathina Robes to Monks for further completion
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Venerable Bhante Samitha welcomes everyone to the ceremony with blessings
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Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge and Harindi and Hasindu Offer the half sewn Kathina Robe materials to Venerable Monks
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Devotees Offering Refreshments to the Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony 2015 Letchworth
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Devotees Attending the Annual Kathina Ceremony 2015 Letchworth
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Sharing Food at the festival of Kathina 2015
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Offering Buddha Pooja on Kathina Pinkama
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Offering Buddha Pooja on Kathina Pinkama
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Lightening the Traditional Oil Lamp
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Lightening the Traditional Oil Lamp
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Lightening the Traditional Oil Lamp
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Special Guests Lightening the Traditional Oil Lamp
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Offering Dana to the Blessed One Lord Sakyamuni Gauthama Buddha
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Offering Buddha Pooja
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Devotees paying homage and doing the chanting to offer the Buddha Pooja
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Venerable Rambodagama Narada Thero of Thames Buddhist Vihara conducting the Buddha Pooja
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Devotees Attending the Buddha Pooja
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Devotees Attending the Buddha Pooja
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Venerable Akurala Samitha welcomes Venerable Monks representing different temples in the UK
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Most Venerable Dedunupitiye Upananda Maha Nayaka Thero of Calgary Canada administering the morning session of dana dedication and dhamma reflection
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Devotees preparing dana food offering
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Most Venerable Kanamuldeniye Ariyawansa Thero sharing the merits with all
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Offering refreshments to Venerable Monks who attended the Kathina procession
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Offering Dana to Venerable monks
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Venerable Monks attending the Kathina Dana Ceremony
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Offering Dana to venerable monks
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Offering Dana to venerable monks
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Offering Dana to venerable monks
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Offering Dana to venerable monks
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Devotees attending the Kathina Dana Ceremony
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Devotees attending the Kathina Dana Ceremony
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Offering dana to venerable monks
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Devotees attending the kathina dana ceremony
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Devotees attending the kathina ceremony
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Devotees sharing the lunch
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Offering Gifts to Venerable Monks
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Devotees offering gifts to Venerable Akurala Samitha
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Devotees offering atapirikara to venerable monks at Kathina Ceremony
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Robes offering to venerable Monks
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Robes offering to venerable Monks
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Robes offering to venerable Monks
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Robes offering to venerable Monks
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Children offering gifts to venerable monks
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Children offering gifts to venerable monks
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Children offering gifts to venerable monks
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Children offering gifts to venerable monks
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Children offering gifts to venerable monks
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Main sponsors of Kathina 2015 with the completed Kathina Robe
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Main Sponsors of Kathina 2015 bringing the completed kathina Robe to offer to Venerable Monks
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Main Sponsors of Kathina 2015 together with devotees of the centre bringing the completed kathina Robe to offer to Venerable Monks
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Taking the completed kathina robe in procession
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Taking the completed kathina robe in procession
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Taking the completed kathina robe in procession
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Venerable Monks attending the Kathina Robe dedication ceremony
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Main Sponsor Mr & Mrs Sujeeewa Lokuwaduge, Harindi and Hasindu joining the community to offer the Kathina Robe 2015
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Venerable Monks giving the talks on Kathina Robe Offering
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Devotees dedicating the Kathina Robe for Maha Sangha
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Devotees dedicating the Kathina Robe for Maha Sangha
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Main sponsor family offering the kathina Robe
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Main Sponsors’ Team organized the dana
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Venerable Akurala Samitha conducting the Atavisi Buddha Pooja in loving memory and blessings to beloved parents
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Offerings to Twenty Eight Buddhas (Atavisi Buddha pooja)
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Team of Devotees who finished all activities to bring the hall back to normal
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Devotees attended the Kathina Ceremony
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Main sponsors Dana organizing Devotees team organize the dana offering
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Mr Neil & Mrs Neetha Gurusinghe organizing the Atavisi Buddha Pooja
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Venerable Monks doing the Vinaya karma (traditional performances)
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Main sponsor family Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge offering the kathina Robe
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Main sponsor family offering the kathina Robe
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Main Sponsor family Mr Sujeewa & Mrs Sujeewa Lokuwaduge, Harindi & Hasindu together with All the Venerable Monks attended the annual Kathina Ceremony 2015
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Venerable Monks attended Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Annual kathina ceremony 2015
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Venerable Monks doing the Vinaya karma (traditional performances)
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