Kathina 2024

 

Dear Friends and Family, We are excited to announce that the long-awaited Kathina Celebration is almost here! This special event will take place on November 2nd and 3rd, and we warmly invite you to join us for a time of reflection, devotion, and community. Program for November 2nd: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Refreshments and candle lighting around the Stupa 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Pirith chanting and the Most Noble Pattana Deshana If you'd like to contribute, please sign up for flowers and candles via the SignUpGenius link below. Program for November 3rd: 6:00 AM: Kathina Ceremony begins with the offering of the Chivara 6:30 AM: Buddha Pooja 7:00 AM: Heel Dhana (Offering food) 7:30 AM: Breakfast for devotees 8:00 AM: Program for Devotees 9:00 AM: Padu Pevima (Dyeing the robe with medicinal herbs) 10:00 AM: Pindapatha-Bessaja Pooja (Offering medications to monks) 10:30 AM: Buddha Pooja 11:00 AM: Almsgiving for monks 12:00 PM: Lunch for devotees 1:00 PM: Program for Devotees 3:00 PM: Kathina Perahera (Procession) 4:00 PM: Chivara Pujava 5:00 PM: Refreshments 5:30 PM: Attavissi Pooja 6:00 PM: Program concludes Your presence would be a great honor on this auspicious day, regarded as one of the eight most meritorious deeds in Buddhism. If you would like to participate or assist in any way, please visit the SignUpGenius link below. For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at 404-388-1977 or dshanali2@aol.com. We look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion together! SignUpGenius Pindapatha & Katina Celebration 2024 With Metta, Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara

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Georgia Buddhist Vihara Sthupa completed on May 18 2024

It’s truly heartwarming to see the dedication and support of all the contributors, volunteers, and skilled friends who have come together to create this sacred monument (Sthupa) in the Georgia Buddhist Vihara premises. Your collective efforts have brought about something truly special and meaningful for the community. Thank you for your hard work, generosity, and friendship in making this project a reality. Your contributions have made a lasting impact that will be cherished for years to come.

 

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GBV Vesak Celebrations & Ceremony to Offer the New Pagoda to the Buddha Sasana (May 18th-19th, 2024)

 

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Expressing Gratitude for Your Generous Donation to Chemotherapy Medication Procurement for Apeksha Hospital

On behalf of the organizing team and the entire staff at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous contribution towards purchasing Paclitaxel, a vital chemotherapy medication used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.

We are delighted to inform you that, thanks to your collective efforts, we were able to raise a total of $4,220. Attached to this note, you will find the billing proof, documenting the purchase of Paclitaxel, along with a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred below:

Description	Amount (LKR)
Total collected	1,265,700
Supplier’s contribution	66,300
Cost per vial	12,000
Total vials donated - 111

*Exchange rate: 1 USD = 299.93 LKR

Furthermore, we are pleased to share that the drugs were handed over to the hospital director personally on the 26th of February 2024 by Ven. Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thero.

Once again, we express our deepest appreciation for your generosity and compassion. Your donation has made a significant difference in the lives of those battling cancer, bringing hope and relief to patients and their families during challenging times. Thank you for being a part of this meaningful cause and for your unwavering support in providing quality and timely care to cancer patients at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama.

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GBV Madin Poya Program on March 16th @ 7:30 am

Madin Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara.  We invite you all to join the program. Morning Program 7:30 – 8:50 a.m. Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana (Self Serving) 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Guided Meditation 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. break 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Dhamma Desanawa 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Buddha Pooja (@ 11.00) 11:30 – 12:00 nn Dana offering to the Bhantes and those who observe eight precepts 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Afternoon Program. 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Dhamma Deshana 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Tea & coffee break 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Suthra Discussion  3:45 – 5:45 p.m. Dhamma Discussion 5:45 p.m. Observation of Five Precepts, Punnyanumodana, and Conclusion

Sign up for the program

 

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School Supply Donation - Completion Details (Community Project)

 

School Supply Donation - Completion Details 

(Community Project) 

Dear Friends,

We wish you all a healthy, peaceful, and productive 2024. Please find the final report on our School Supplies Project that started last fall. Those items were distributed to two schools in Puttalam district on the  22nd of December, 2023. Please accept our deepest appreciation for your support.  Although I am sure you do not expect a detailed report, we provide these details as our duty. Details are in different paragraphs below and have pages (Schools and donation details, images, receipts, etc) in order for you to select what you want to read.  Again, a Big Thank You for your support. 

School selection and support:  I wanted to pick rural schools in SL. Dr. Manjula Dharmawardena said he knew a few schools in the Puttalam district while he was working there that were in dire need of school supplies even then. He also mentioned that his friend Dr. Ajith De Alwis is still working in the area. We found two schools,  and the Deputy Principal of Mahakumbukkaduwela Kanishta Vidyalaya( Mr. Krishantha  Dhammika,  impressed me in our first meeting. He asked me to help him do a science project on the night sky. When I inquired him about his science background. He said He did one course in Astronomy at Univ of Peradeniya for his degree. To make a long story short, we (with Dr. Shameer Abdeen and Dr. Nalin Samarasinha) helped him organize a star night at the school (at very short notice), which was a success. We also picked the Punnavitiya Knahishta Vidyalaya again for the prompt responses from the principal and Mrs. Hasini Upamalika who was assigned as the teacher in charge for the project.. 

Supplies & Selection:  We specifically asked for simple essential items that can be used by students for their day-to-day use in school and to start the school year with enough basic supplies. ( No school bags, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.) These were selected in order to manage the packing volume and make sure we can distribute enough material to all the students equally.  The support we received was commendable!.  

We had 4 boxes full of material (totaling 24 Cubic Feet), which were shipped and distributed to two schools, two boxes each, distributed to the students on Dec 22nd, 2023, to start the new year with new books to write, pencils, and erasers, thanks to your generosity. 

Best Regards,

Unil  & Shrima Perera
Kumarasiri Rathnayaka
Manjula & Dasheema Dharmawardena
Bhante Panamwela Wajirabuddhi

School Supply donations for Two schools In the Puttalam District in Sri Lanka (Dec 22nd, 2023 )

MahKumbukkadawala Kanista Vidyalaya: (~200 students) Deputy Principal: Mr. Krishanatha: Dhammika, Two boxes  ( six cubic feet each, labeled M1, and M2)

 

PU/Mahakubukkaadawala  K.V., Maradankadawala, Madurankuliya, Puttalam	Box M1	Box M2
Composition Books	200	150
Spiral Notebooks	50	250
Pencils	2450	1000
Erasers  Grades 1- 2	150	200
Erasers  (White, Pink, Pencil)	350	250
Blue pens	400	200
Black pens	500	250

  

Punavitiya Kanishta Vidyalaya ( ~150 students): Mrs. Hasini Upmalika   2 boxes, six cubic feet each, labeled as P1, P2

Pu/ Punavitiya K.V., Punavitiya, Andigama	Box P1	Box P 2
Composition Books	60		100
Spiral Notebooks	150		70
Pencils	1750		1200
Erasers  Grades 1- 2	25
Erasers(white,Pink, Pencil)	250		185
Blue pens	200		232
Black pens	275		300

 In addition, each school received a few items to be used by teachers ( not enough to distribute, such as Pencil Sharpeners, rulers, multicolor pens, etc); this large quantity of school supplies received is a testament to the generosity of our GBV devotees.  We really appreciate your support.

Several devotees of the GBV helped sort and pack the boxes. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka was helpful in shipping the packages to SL, which were cleared by Ven Kirinde Pangathisssa Nayaka Thero of the Padangaha Buddhist Temple. The tireless efforts of Ven Welivitiya Sujeewa Thero should be commended, as he tried his best to get a tax exemption/reduction through the Buddhist Cultural Affairs ministry.

Puttalam District  Hospital Physician Dr. Indika De Alwis graciously transported the material from the Padangaha Vihara to Puttalam. The parents picked up the boxes from the office and delivered them to schools. Dr. Indika participated in the distribution ceremony at both schools. Images of the packages and the distribution ceremony are also attached separately,  Courtesy of  Mr. Krishanatha  Dhammika, Mrs. Hasini Upamalika, and Dr. Ajith De Alwis. 

Two boxes each were ( six cu ft) shipped to the two schools:

M1 and M2 : Mahakumbukkkaduwela,P1 and P2 : Punnavitiya   

( Only MI and M2 are shown)

Unpacking at the schools

Mahakumbukkaduwela  Distribution Ceremony

Punnavitiya   Distribution Ceremony:

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Placing of the Sacred Pinnacle (Koth Wahanse) Ceremony (Thursday, November 23rd, 2023 - 7:00 AM)

 Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

We would like to invite you for the Placing of the Sacred Pinnacle (Koth Wahanse) on Thursday, November 23rd, 2023, at 7:00 AM at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara Stupa/Pagoda.

May you all rejoice in this powerful meritorious deed and realize the Four Noble Truths in this Gautama Buddha's Dispensation!

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Katina Ceremony (October 8th, 2023)

 

Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

Georgia Buddhist Vihara Katina Ceremony 2023 will be held on October 8th. We warmly invite all of you to participate in this wholesome event. The merits you can generate from this special event are enormous. Therefore, we hope you will make the best out of this opportunity. Katina Ceremony Day Schedule: (October 8th, 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM) 5:00 AM - Bringing of the Katina Cheevara to the Vihara and Offering to Maha Sangha 6:00 AM - Morning Buddha Puja and Heel Dana for Maha Sangha and Devotees 8:30 AM - Enshrining of The Lord Buddha's Sacred Relics The sacred relics of the Lord Buddha will be enshrined in the new Pagoda. For those who missed the enshrining ceremony of the stupa, there is the opportunity to donate any small items you wish to be enshrined until the Katina Day. 9:00 AM - Cheevara Pandu Peweema Katina robe coloring using tree barks and medicinal herbs. 10:00 AM - Besajja Pindapatha Please sign up for the Besajja Pindapatha and participate in this great meritorious deed using the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44675175-bhesajja 10:30 AM - Afternoon Buddha Puja Followed by Dana for Maha Sangha We kindly request that you bring the food items that you have signed up for no later then 10:00 AM so that we can prepare Buddha Puja and Dana. 12:00 PM - Lunch for Devotees In appreciation and gratitude for everyone's support during the Katina Season, the Katina hosting family and friends will be providing lunch for all devotees. However, we have some items that we need you to generously provide. Please use the following link to confirm your participation and contribution: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44675177-gbvkatina 1:30 PM - Katina Perahera 2:30 PM - Katina Cheevara Puja Ceremony 5:00 PM - End of Program Kapruka If you would like to bring items to place under the Kapruka, below are the much-needed items for the temple: Paper towels, paper cups, water bottles, Ziplock bags in assorted sizes, Tide/All detergent, dishwashing liquid, hand washing liquid, aluminum foil, kitchen towel, dishcloths, broom, dustpan & brush, tea candles, oatmeal, almond milk (nonperishable), cleaning liquid, air fresheners, Clorox wipes, paper plates, disposable spoons, trash bags (large and 13 gal). Pirikara If you would like to offer Pirikara for the participating Bhantes, you are most welcome to. We will have approximately 16 Bhantes attending the Katina.

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Overnight Pirith Chanting & Stupa Enshrining Ceremony (September 23rd - September 24th, 2023)

 

Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

You are cordially invited to participate in this meritorious occasion! An Overnight Pirith Chanting Ceremony will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gem upon all beings! Followed by a ceremony next day morning to Enshrine Buddha Statues inside the new Pagoda. It will take place from Saturday, September 23rd 6:30 PM to Sunday, September 24th 7:00 AM, followed by the offering of the morning dana to the Maha Sangha and all participants. The schedule is as follows (September 23rd): 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM – Dinner 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM  – Atavisi Buddha Pooja 8:15 PM Onwards – Pirith Chanting (September 24th): 7:00 AM – Morning Dana for Maha Sangha and Attendees 8:00 AM – Enshrining Ceremony To confirm your participation and contribution to dinner, snacks, or morning dana please use the following link. Please indicate as a comment if you are only participating for the morning Dana & Enshrining Ceremony. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44344636-pirith The Pirith Chanting will also be live-streamed via GBV YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GeorgiaBuddhistVihara

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GBV Overnight Pirith Chanting (September 23rd, 2023)

 Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

You are cordially invited to participate in this meritorious occasion!
An Overnight Pirith Chanting Ceremony will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gem upon all beings!
It will take place from Saturday, September 23rd 6:30 PM to Sunday, September 24th 7:00 AM, followed by the offering of the morning dana to the Maha Sangha and all participants.

The schedule is as follows:
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM –  Dinner
7:30 PM - 8:00 PM  –  Atavisi Buddha Pooja
8:15 PM Onwards – Pirith Chanting

Please use the following link to sign up to confirm your participation and to indicate if you wish to provide dinner and snacks: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-44344636-pirith

The Pirith Chanting will also be live-streamed via GBV YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GeorgiaBuddhistVihara

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