To commemorate the auspicious event and pay respect to the Lord Buddha, Wat Phra Dhammakaya in cooperation with the Buddhist Community organized the international Magha Puja Day on February 22nd, 2016. The ceremony included an almsgiving ceremony, meditation practice, presenting awards to the winners of the World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC). and light of peace ceremony. There were many VIP guests and the famous persons participating in this auspicious day.
The honored guests were Most Ven. Thich Tri Quang – President of Vietnam Sangha Council, deputy supreme patriarchs of Sri Lanka which are Most Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma- Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Syamopali Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thero -Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Syamopali Asgiriya Chapter and Most Ven. Seruwila Saranakitthi Thero-Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Amarapura Nikaya. Also Most Ven. Baddanta Kumara- Rector of State Pariyatti Sasana University(Rangoon), Most Ven. Baddanta Kesara- Rector of State Parriyatti Sasana University( Mandalay), and Hon.Sri Rajkumar Badole- Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance of Maharastra State, India. Also honored guests who are leaders of Buddhist organizations from more than 40 nations around the world.
In the morning, the Almsgiving Ceremony started at 06.00a.m., receiving food offerings by 3,000 monks then continuing Meditation Practice at 9.00 a.m. In the afternoon at 1.00 p.m. awards presented were for his Majesty’s grant to the winners of the 34th Path of Progress Dhamma and the 18 honor awards. Also 9 silver awards were presented to the winners of the 10th World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC). At 6.00 p.m., the traditional ceremony: Light of Peace Illumination and Circumambulation Ceremony, lighting the 100,000 lanterns for the sake of The Lord Buddha.
Magha Puja Day is an important Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month. About 2,500 years ago, on day of the full moon of the third lunar month, the Lord Buddha assembled with his disciple monks at Veluvana Bamboo Grove following which four marvelous events occurred: 1,250 Arahant monks appeared before the Lord Buddha without being summoned. All of them were Arahant, the enlightened disciple monks, and the Lord Buddha ordained them all.
