The 88th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and religious leader of the Tibetan people, who is respected by the whole world, a Buddhist monk with a heart filled with kindness, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was held in the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka on July 06.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who perfecting himself for worldly Enlightenment is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and holds two titles, the King and the Sangharaja of the Tibetan People. Tibet was the first and the only country in the world to have such a unique feature. Also, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who has the virtue of compassion and generosity, has earned the respect of the whole world for his patience, kindness, compassion and the ocean of knowledge on Buddhist Philosophy and many other fields like science, logic etc. His Holiness has written more than 100 books based on Buddhist doctrine and has delivered an uncountable number of teachings based on Sutra, Abhidhamma, Vinaya and many other topics.
Based on the great kindness arisen from the Buddha’s teachings and following an unchanging policy of non-violence, His Holiness was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989 for his unique peace ability for peacemaking.
The occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday was celebrated by millions of his followers and devotees from all over the world in their respective countries. In order to celebrate his birthday in Sri Lanka, in a meaningful way, an International Scholarly Symposium was organized by the University of Kelaniya; Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, Department of Philosophy, Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Studies, the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in the premises of University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
The occasion was graced by the Chancellor of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Most Ven. Dr Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thero as the Chief Guest, former Vice Chancellor of Central Tibetan University, Saranath Prof. Most Ven. Geshe Ngawang Samten as the Keynote Speaker and Most Ven. Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero as the guest speaker.
Most Ven. Dr. Waleboda Gunasiri Anunayake Thero, Most Ven. Prof. Pallekande Rathanasara Anunayake Thero, Most Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaji Anunayake Thero and Most Ven. Elikewala Seelananda Nayaka Thero participated in the event representing the three Main Nikayas of Sri Lanka.
Snr. Prof. Chandima Wijebandara, Snr. Prof. UdithaGarusinghe, Prof. Jayantha Waththevidana, Dr Chaminda G. Gamage, Dr Anuradha Mahasingha represented different seats of higher learning. Members of Buddhist organizations from various countries, namely, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, and Myanmar also joined the symposium. Academics, diplomats, and scholars joined in representing different fields as dignitaries. The inauguration programme was held at the Faculty of Humanities Auditorium, the University of Kelaniya.
Ven. Dr. Deniyaye Pannaloka Thero (Senior Lecturer, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies) delivered the welcome address at this event welcoming the eminent guests who participated in this grand International Symposium and the Chairman of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood Dr Damenda Porage addressed the scholarly gathering explaining the objectives of the conference. Then, all the participants witnessed His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s special video message.
Most Ven. As the guest speaker, Dr Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero made a very important statement in his ‘anusasana’. He said, ‘During His Holiness, the Dalai Lama’s annual visit to Bodhgaya in 2022, our Most Venerable Mahanayake and Anunayake Theros who were among the delegations met His Holiness and invited him for a pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has informed me in writing that he accepted the invitation. Accordingly, if the arrival of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Sri Lanka occurs, millions of followers and devotees from all over the world will also come to Sri Lanka, which will be a huge boost to the tourism industry. Not only that, the arrival of his followers from America, Europe, Japan, Vietnam, India, Thailand and many other countries and some of them are also giant investors who will invest in the business sector of Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly, alleviating the current economic crisis on a poverty-stricken island will be a great strength.
After this, a congratulatory message from the Snr. Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya was read and a short documentary video on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s religious and social mission was presented.
The renowned Tibetan scholar former Vice Chancellor of the Central Tibetan University Snr. Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten delivered the Keynote speech of the inauguration programme of the Scholarly Symposium under the theme of “His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Commitment to Humanity”. He eloquently explained the commitments of the Dalai Lama and how important they are to the sustainment of the modern world.
In his address, the Chief Guest, Chancellor of the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine Most Ven. Dr.Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thero said ‘Today we celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday, which is respected and celebrated by the whole world. The Dalai Lama is known as the spiritual leader of the Buddhist world. Not only Asian Buddhist countries, but even Western countries have also accepted him as a global Buddhist leader. His Holiness was able to achieve his spiritual goals. He created followers and a strong spirituality for himself. His Holiness himself set the background for this, and his foundation is Buddhist doctrine. Our foundation is also Buddhist doctrine. Buddhist teachings help to create a disciplined and peaceful world.’
Then the vote of thanks was proposed by Snr. Lect. Ms Sanjeewani Rupasinghe of the Department of Philosophy marking the end of the Inauguration Programme.
After offering the afternoon alms to more than a hundred Maha Sangha who were present, the distinguished guests and other guests enjoyed lunch followed by scholarly discussions on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his Commitment to Humanity and Tibetan Buddhist culture. The Deans of the Social Science Faculty Prof. M.M. Gunathilaka and the Faculty of Humanities Dr. Sudath Senerath also participated in the programme.
After awarding souvenirs and certificates to the participants, the head of the Department of Sanskrit and Eastern Languages, Prof. K.B. Jayawardena proposed the vote of thanks and subsequently the International Multilingual Scholarly Symposium which was held on the occasion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday under the theme ‘Buddhist Commitment to Humanity’ ended in a grand note.
