Three Buddhist Viharayas constructed in India

Pradeep Kumara Dharmaratne with Anuradha Edirisinghe

The three Buddhist Viharayas named, Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha constructed at Thiruthanni, Trichy and Chennai in India will be opened on March 1, 2008.

Arrangements have also been made to plant two Bodhi saplings from the Jayasiri Mahabodhiya, Sri Lanka, at the Buddha and Dhamma Viharayas.

The work of the three Viharayas were commenced in 2006 under the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bharata Dharma Yatra programme.

Modelled on the ancient Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya in Sri Lanka, a new Devalaya will be constructed at Perur, Tamil Nadu. The construction work will be inaugurated at the auspicious hour 10.30 a.m. on March 3.

The project will be jointly funded by a team of devotees and Tamil businessmen in Sri Lanka.

Former Indian Government Minister N. Vallusamy who had provided a land of one acre for the proposed Viharaya has also agreed to make available ‘Ranpath Iru’ worth about 108 gold sovereigns to be deposited.

A group of Bhikkhus representing the three Nikayas along with their devotees will leave for South India shortly to participate at the ceremonies.

Several South Indian entrepreneurs too have extended their patronage to the event, the organiser Mahinda Galappatti said.