“Practice Dhamma at home, instead of dana/almsgiving”: Buddhasasana Secratary
By Buddhika Samaraweera In the wake of the rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the Government has cancelled all planned events for the State Vesak festival, including a ceremonial event which was to be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple. Commenting on this to The Sunday Morning, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Prof. Kapila Gunawardana said that there is no special plan for the Vesak week commencing from 23 May. He added that the ceremonial event scheduled to be held at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple was also cancelled due to the prevailing pandemic situation. Prof. Gunawardana also reiterated the request made to the public to celebrate Vesak at home, given the current situation in the country, whilst taking into consideration the health guidelines issued by the authorities. “We urge the people to celebrate Vesak at home, giving priority to ‘Prathipaththi Pooja (paying homage to the Buddha through practice)’ rather than ‘Amisa Pooja (paying homage by way of material offerings)’,” he added. Vesak is the most important festival for Buddhists as it encompasses the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and it is an annual holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists. The national Vesak festival week was planned to commence on 23 May at the Nagadeepa Temple in Jaffna and continue till 29 May. However, the Buddhasasana Ministry announced on 8 May that the festival was cancelled considering the current situation. The Vesak Full Moon Poya Day falls on 26 May while 27 May, the Day after the Poya Day, is also a holiday. The Government has also declared 24 May and 25 May as special Government holidays. Meanwhile, islandwide travel restrictions will be in effect from 11 p.m. on 21 May till 4 a.m. on 25 May, and again from 11 p.m. on 25 May till 4 a.m. on 28 May, according to the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the Covid-19 Outbreak Head and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva. The restrictions will prohibit people from leaving their homes unless for essential purposes, and only those involved in the provision of essential services will be allowed on the roads.
