MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / International Day of Vesak

International Day of Vesak

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka
Download logo

Sri Lankans in Johannesburg and Pretoria of South Africa joined residents of Thai and Nepal origin to celebrate the International Day of Vesak at the Johannesburg Thai Temple (Johannesburg Meditation Center – JMC – in Midrand, South Africa), on June 3, 2023. Over 100 residents from the three countries attended the event.

The Chief Monk of JMC, Rev. Kitsakol, conducted the religious ceremonies and delivered blessings of Vesak to those gathered. He highlighted the universal applicability of Buddha’s preaching based on the four noble truths and extended Vesak blessings to people of all religions in the world.

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, at the invitation of the Chief Monk, led the gathering in reciting the traditional Pali verses for Offering of Picked-up Robes. He also mentioned how Buddhist relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka goes back to the introduction of the Sihala Sangha to Thailand in 1425 and the introduction of Siam Nikaya to Sri Lanka in 1753 under Upali Maha Thera from Thailand and Sarankara Thera from Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of Nepal in South Africa, Dan Bahadur Tamang highlighted that Buddhism has remained one of the strongest links between the peoples of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is one of the most desired destinations in Nepal which is visited by thousands of Thai and Sri Lankan nationals every year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankans in Johannesburg and Pretoria of South Africa joined residents of Thai and Nepal origin to celebrate the International Day of Vesak at the Johannesburg Thai Temple (Johannesburg Meditation Center – JMC – in Midrand, South Africa), on June 3, 2023. Over 100 residents from the three countries attended the event.

The Chief Monk of JMC, Rev. Kitsakol, conducted the religious ceremonies and delivered blessings of Vesak to those gathered. He highlighted the universal applicability of Buddha’s preaching based on the four noble truths and extended Vesak blessings to people of all religions in the world.

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, at the invitation of the Chief Monk, led the gathering in reciting the traditional Pali verses for Offering of Picked-up Robes. He also mentioned how Buddhist relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka goes back to the introduction of the Sihala Sangha to Thailand in 1425 and the introduction of Siam Nikaya to Sri Lanka in 1753 under Upali Maha Thera from Thailand and Sarankara Thera from Sri Lanka.

Ambassador of Nepal in South Africa, Dan Bahadur Tamang highlighted that Buddhism has remained one of the strongest links between the peoples of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is one of the most desired destinations in Nepal which is visited by thousands of Thai and Sri Lankan nationals every year.

Press Release Source

Category: Tag: , , , ,

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I cannot see a comment section underneath a page on MyZA that I really find benefit from – https://myza.co.za/sa-news-headlines/ – so wanted to post a thank you here under this article if you do not mind at all. Iff my thank you is not appropriate please do delete, I will not be offended.

  2. Fun South African Fact: Table Mountain, one of the iconic landmarks of South Africa, is one of the oldest mountains in the world