Katina Ceremony 2019
The Kathina Ceremony 2019 of Leeds Buddhist Vihara was held on Saturday the 19th October amidst a large gathering of devotees from the North of England, under the guidance of the Head Monk of both Ketumati and Leeds Buddhist Vihara, the Most Ven. Pidiville Piyathissa Maha Thero. This Kathina was sponsored by Buddhist Families living in Yorkshire area. The ceremony was attended by 6 Buddhist monks from Ketumati Buddhist Vihara and Leicester Buddhist Vihara.
The ceremony started with a Kathina procession organized by the students, teachers and the parents of the Leeds Buddhist Vihara Dhamma School together with other devotees.
Buddha Puja was offered to commence the event inside a hall decorated for the purpose with Buddhist flags and other artefacts. Under the guidance of the Head Monk, Ven. Galpotayaye Pemananda Thero welcomed the devotees to the event. Ven. Pannala Sumana Thero administrated five precepts (Pansil) at 10.45am. Offering of Sangha Dana was conducted by Ven. Mawarale Santhindriya Thero and monks were served with Dana by the Dayaka members.
All devotees were given refreshments at this time.
The second session started with a presentation of Kathina by senior students of Dhamma School. Then Most Ven. Pidiwille Piyatissa Maha Thero given a speech on the need for Leeds Buddhist Vihara to move in to its own property. A presentation followed which highlighted the benefits to devotees of having a property owned by the Trust and how devotees can help realise this dream.
The Kathina Cheevara was offered to Maha Sanga by Mr. Sampath Gunawaradane with his family members which was accepted by Ven. Galpottayaye Pemananda Thero.
Thereafter Ven. Ariyadhamma Thero conducted a Dhamma Sermons in Sinhala.
The programme concluded around 1.30pm with lunch served to all devotees.