Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Annual Kathina Ceremony 2025 Highlights & Report
The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Meditation Centre was held on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Free Church Hall in Letchworth. This was the 22nd consecutive Ceremony held by Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community. A large gathering of Venerable monks and Over 300 hundred devotees, representing cosmopolitan member families participated.
Official Press Release:
Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya
Annual Kathina Ceremony 2025
22nd Consecutive Community Day Celebration
The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Buddhist Cultural & Meditation Centre was held on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Free Church Hall in Letchworth Garden City. This was the 22nd consecutive Kathina Ceremony or Community Day (Sangha Day) Celebration held by Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community with the guidance of Venerable Akurala Samitha, head of the centre.
This year Kathina Ceremony was mainly sponsored by Miss Padma Wijeratne and Family, Mrs Shilani Porage and family in memory of Mrs Padmini Porage, Mr Sanka and Mrs Nilanka & Family, Mr Prabath Buddhika Mummullage & Mrs Manjula and family, Mr Osanda Weerawansa & Gayathri Family and all the members of the Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya Community Centre. A large gathering of Venerable monks representing Buddhist Temples in UK graced the ceremony. Over 300 hundred devotees, representing cosmopolitan member families of The Dhamma Nikethanaya Community, participated.
The Kathina Ceremony is the highly meritorious and significantly blissful festival in the Buddhist tradition. This Community Day Ceremony is held with the full participation of the community to mark the successful completion of the annual three months spiritual retreat observed by venerable monks residing at the monastery. During this period of three months, the members of the community take special attention to devote more time and effort to practice Lord Buddha’s teaching as in Meditation, Dhamma studies, Dana Offering, Sila (Morality) Observations and blessings with Pooja chantings. Hence this three-month period is regarded as the highly blessed and most sacred spiritual season of the community.
In accordance with the 26 centuries old unrestricted Buddhist traditional lineage, Venerable four Monks headed by Most Venerable Akurala Samitha, Head of the Centre, Venerable Kuragammana Dhammika, Venerable Galagama Sumedha and Venerable Mattala Vineetha observed this year’s Three-Month Rainy Retreat on Esala Full Moon Day that fell on Saturday 05th July (Esala) 2025 and successfully completed the three months on Vap Full Moon Day Which fell on Monday 06th October 2025. Kathina Ceremony has to be held within the month from the completed full moon day to the subsequent full moon, that means before the next Full Moon Day that falls on Wednesday 05th November 2025. After this day this Ceremony cannot be held according to the Buddhist tradition.
This year Kathina Ceremony of Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya brought many multi cultural people together as one family. Everyone inspired the happy, peaceful and uplifting atmosphere of the ceremony. The local community admired the rare experience of attractively pious cultural activities related to the ceremony such as Kathina Procession. Children of the Dhamma School put lots of effort with overwhelming enthusiasm in participation. It was a very educational and joyful opportunity for them to experience the typical Buddhist Culture.
The Kathina Procession was beautiful as it was led by the children with traditional drumming heralding a Special Statue of Lord Buddha and the Kathina Robe. Children, parents and members of the Buddhist Centre community joined carrying Buddhist flags and decorative items.
The ceremony was held in the graceful presence of over 12 Venerable Buddhist Monks representing leading Buddhist Temples in the United Kingdom. Among them were Most Venerable Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Thero (London Kingsbury Temple), Most Venerable Tawalama Bandula Thero (Deputy Head Monk of London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Waththewewe Sumana Maha Thero (East London Lumbini Vihara), Most Venerable Padukke Pannavansa Maha Thero (London Kingsbury Temple), Most Venerable Gunnapane Sumanarama Maha Thero (Head Monk of Edmonton Samadhi Meditation Centre), Most Venerable Yatalamatte Palitha Maha Thero (East London Lumbini Vihara), Most Venerable Rakwane Sumanananda Maha Thero (East London Lumbini Vihara), Venerable Maharagama Sudassi Thero (London Buddhist Vihara), Most Venerable Godamunne Piyananda Thero (London Kingsbury Temple), Venerable U Vayama Thero of Burma (London Edmonton Samadhi Meditation Centre), Venerable Galagama Sumedha Thero (Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya & Milton Keynes Vihara) and Venerable Mattala Vineetha Thero (Letchworth Dhamma Nikethanaya & Milton Keynes Vihara).
Most Venerable Dr Handupelpola Mahinda Maha Thero administered the five precepts to mark the beginning of the ceremony. Venerable Galagama Sumedha Thero conducted the Buddha Pooja. Most Venerable Tawalama Bandula Maha Thero delivered a Dhamma Talk in English explaining the significances of the traditional spiritual ceremony to the modern world and highlighted the credentials of Venerable Akurala Samitha as a rare skilful monk from whom the community can be benefited immensely and he dedicated the Kathina Dana. The Sinhala Dhamma Sermon was given by Most Venerable Most Venerable Gunnapana Sumanarama Maha Thero explaining the significances of the day and commended the importance of mental health services rendered by Venerable Akurala Samitha and Dhamma Nikethanaya Centre. Most Venerable Padukke Pannawansa Maha Thero dedicated the dana. Most Venerable Waththewewe Sumana Thero conducted the sharing merits and Most Venerable Rakwane Sumanananda Thero conducted the vinayakarma Monastic discipline to offer the robe.
Hamper Gift Parcels to venerable Monks were sponsored by Mr Anuruddha & Mrs Poorna. Flower offerings and the elegant floral pooja were sponsored by Mrs Gayani Perera & Mr Susathan Nonis & Mrs Nilmini Sigera. Hall decorations were sponsored by Mrs Priyangani, Mrs Sanjeewani. Fruit baskets were sponsored by Mrs Lasanthika and Mr Asitha. Sweet boxes were sponsored by Mrs Chopana & Mr Nuwan. Monks Gift items were sponsored by Mr Rajitha and Mrs Lakshi. .
Venerable Akurala Samitha thanked everyone who supported to make this year ceremony a great success. The Ceremony arrangements and temple decorations were not possible without the earnest support of Mr Rajitha Kuruppu, Mr Tharindu, Mr Asitha and Friends, Mr Sasanka Mendis, Mr Chanaka Jayasekara & Mrs Indika, Mr Dharshana jayarathna and Mrs Harsha, and Mr Deshan De Silva. Venerable Samitha shared heartfelt gratitude and blessings with them all.
Venerable Akurala Samitha shared the blessings with those who offered Atapirikara, Robes, Monks’ gift items and other donations. Their support greatly counted for the blessings in wellbeing and of course for the success of the ceremony.
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May the Blessings of this greatest meritorious deed fulfil, without exception 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 Sasanka Mendis
Videography by Mr Sasanka Mendis
Report by Miss Padma Wijeratne
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