The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in association with Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), IBC chapters and several partner organizations had put together a unique and blessed opportunity to witness and participate in the ceremonies and prayers from the most sacred sites of Buddha Dharma- Lumbini in Nepal, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. The Secretary General of IBC, Ven. Dr. Dhammapiya, the Convenor of the National Buddha Poornima Celebrations explained “We were compelled to organise a Virtual Visak day because of Covid-19 obligations.
He welcomed the Supreme heads of the Sanghas from Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Mongolia, Uganda, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, The US, The Tibetan Sangha and India, and expressed IBC’s gratitude for their messages and prayers.
The Virtual Vesak- Buddha Poornima and Global Prayer Week received phenomenal response of more than 2.5 lakh and 20 lakh viewers joining respectively from 27 countries.
VenDrDhammapiya emphasized the need for prayers and refuge in the blessing of Triple Gem, adding that its need is greater than ever before especially while the humanity is going through probably the worst crisis in recent times.
A major highlight of the event was the exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics amidst prayers from Rajaguru Sri SubhuthiMahaVihara, Waskaduwa, in Sri Lanka. Later in the day, the programme included Live Streaming of other ceremonies and prayers from
The Sacred Garden Lumbini, Nepal,
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, India,
MulgandhaKutiVihara, Sarnath, India and
ParinirvanaStupa, Kushinagar, India
Special Pirith Chanting from RuwanweliMaha Seya in the sacred and historic Anuradhapura stupa premises, Sri Lanka
Prayer and Lighting of lamp from Boudhanath, Swayambhu, NamoStupa, Nepal
Vesak – Buddha Poornima, is the Triple Blessed Day of TathagataGautam – Buddha’s birth, enlightened awakening and MahaParinirvana – all were observed this year on 7 May, 2020.
The event is also being dedicated as Global Prayer Week to pray for the victims of Corona virus contagion and honouring the medical professionals and first responders in the frontline of humanity’s fightback against the pandemic.
The week saw live streaming of chanting, prayers, religious ceremonies, messages, speeches, Dhamma talks, performances and presentations through FaceBook, IBC Apps, Instagram, You Tube, Mandala App, and many other online channels. Apart from Monks and Nuns many lay persons also participated in the 7-day virtual programme. Hundreds and thousands of Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike witnessed and benefitted from this virtual holy event.
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