Throughout the month of Vesak, Dhammasarana Vihara (DSV) celebrated the 60th birthday of its chief monk, Venerable Vijitha Thero. The birthday celebrations coincided with the anniversary of his appointment as the chief monk in Australia in the Ramanna Nikaya order of Sri Lankan Buddhism, as well as with the vihara’s many elaborate and varied Vesak activities. The vihara, which is located in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Keysborough, was also blessed throughout the month with visits by prominent monks from both Sri Lanka and the USA.
Venerable Vijitha Thero. From dhammasarana.org.au
DSV’s Vesak program commenced with a Sil (Eight Precepts) ceremony and retreat on 2 May, with special Vesak pujas being performed throughout the following day. Dhamma talks were also given by the visiting monks on various aspects of the Buddha’s teachings. One of the highlights was the unveiling of pandols, or framed paintings depicting aspects of the Buddha’s life. The Vesak day celebrations concluded with the performance of Buddhist devotional songs in both Sinhalese and English by the DSV children’s choir, followed by Sri Lankan food for all.
Commenting on the pandols, DSV spokesperson Lal Samarasekera said, “The showing of the pandols at the time of Vesak, when we commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of The Lord Buddha, is a Sri Lankan Buddhist tradition. This year’s pandol theme was 'The Four Signs' that were revealed to the bodhisattva before he left the palace to seek the truth, namely ageing, sickness, death, and the holy life.”
Festivities at Dhammasarana Vihara during Vesak. From facebook.com
The 60th birthday celebrations took place mainly on the 10 and 11 May. Activities included dana offering to the many monks in attendance, who had come from all over Victoria as well as from overseas, an Atavisi (28 previous Buddhas) puja, and Dhamma talks. DSV also made a substantial donation towards a scholarship fund for monks in rural areas of Sri Lanka.
Also included among DSV’s May activities was a special day of pujas and Dhamma talks on 17 May for the blessing of all disabled soldiers in Sri Lanka, and a concert by the Dhamma school children’s choir on 30 May. There were also daily pujas, meditation sessions, and a series of Dhamma talks by the visiting monks.
Dhamma talk during Vesak celebrations at Dhammasarana Vihara. From facebook.com
Venerable Vijitha Thero arrived in Australia in 1993 to serve as a resident monk at the then Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple in Springvale, which, over the next six years, he successfully transformed into a vibrant Buddhist community. The Sri Lankan Buddhist Association acquired the property in 1999, and DSV’s initial construction and establishment were accomplished under his guidance. The vihara now serves a large group of devotees.
Since Venerable Vijitha took up residence in the new premises in 2001, he has provided regular Buddhist services and activities and has also established a successful Dhamma school, which is attended by over 120 children each Sunday. His rapport with children has been especially noteworthy.
Dhammasarana Vihara. From dhammasarana.org.au
In 2003, Venerable Vijitha was presented with an award by the Ramanna Nikaya order in Sri Lanka for his outstanding service to the Dhamma overseas, and in 2010, was appointed its chief monk in Australia, a title awarded to him by the president of Sri Lanka.
DSV has cultivated cordial relations with most other Buddhist temples in Melbourne and Victoria, as well as with many in other states, and is actively involved in community and interfaith networks.