PIRITH CHANTING CEREMONY 2018

“Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati

sabbarasam dhammaraso jinati

sabbaratim dhammarati jinati

tanhakkhayo sabbadukkham jinati.”

-Dhammapada Verse 354,Sakkapanha Vatthu-

"The Dhamma is the noblest of all gifts, the best of all tastes and the best of all delights. Eradication of Craving leads to the attainment of arahatship and is, therefore, the greatest of all conquests."

The department of Civil Engineering of University of Moratuwa bequeathed their share of the noblest of the gifts to the religious community for the second continuous year on 13^th of October 2018 with the participation of all four levels of the department and the blessing of the academic and non-academic staff members.

 

The final year undergraduates had guided the junior undergraduates to a well-organized Pirith chanting ceremony sanctifying the year ahead of all the university community. The department was decorated with a traditional Buddhist “pirith mandappa” and the civil courtyard was illuminated with hundreds of oil lamps and lightnings giving a soothing and calming effect to the participants.

The Over Night Pirith Chanting Ceremony was spearheaded by the Chief Monk from “Shaila Bimbaramaya” Temple, Katubedda and the chanting was amalgamated by 12 monks throughout the night. The event commenced around 8.30 in the evening and Prof. Bandara pioneered the rituals as the head of the department as well as the pater role of all of us. Prof. Mampearachchi, Prof. Jayasinghe, Prof.(Mrs.) Jayasinghe, Prof. Weerasekara, Prof. Kulathilake, Dr. Lalith Rajapakshe and Dr. Lesly Ekanayake were also engaged in the event in to the night.

The event was followed by an arms-giving ceremony on the next morning for 15 monks who were chanting pirith over the previous night. This was conducted with the participation of Prof. Bandara, Prof. Mampearachchi and Prof. Nawagamuwa. The occasion itself would not be possible if not for the workforce of the 17^th batch junior undergraduates who are taking their first steps in to the Civil Family whilst embracing their legacy to continue these events in to the future.

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

Similarly, the blessings we shared will not decrease the blessings we received through this “Dhamma Dhana.” We wish that this noblest gift of all would bless the year ahead of all Mora Community.