CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2008

VESAK CELEBRATIONS - BUDDHA DAY:- The Full Moon Day of May commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana (passing away) of the Buddha. .

POSON CELEBRATIONS:- The Full Moon Day of June commemorates the beginning of the propagation of Buddhism under Emperor Asoka of India in the 3rd century B.C., and marks the introduction of the Buddha Dhamma to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda in 246 B.C.

ESALA CELEBRATIONS:- The Dhammacakka (Esala) Festival marks the preaching of the First Sermon known as The Wheel of Truth (Dhammacakka Sutta) by the Buddha, in the Deer Park at Isipatana, near Benares, India.

SANGHAMITTA CELEBRATIONS:- Sanghamitta Day Celebrations is unique to Sri Lanka as it commemorates the arrival of Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka of India. for the purpose of establishing the Bhikkhuni Order in the island. This day is also of universal significance to Buddhists as Sanghamitta brought with her a sapling from the Bodhi Tree of Buddha Gaya. The sapling, planted at Anuradhapura in 245 B.C., is today regarded as the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world.

For more information please contact london.vihara@virgin.net