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

  Sign Up!

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

 


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:











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!

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.

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

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

Upcoming Events - Katina Season 2023





GBV Stupa/Pagoda Fund

-Namobuddhaya-

Atthi Dinnan: for those who believe in giving

Dear Devotees and Friends, 


We were given a very rare and once in a lifetime opportunity to construct a Stupa or Pagoda in our Georgia Buddhist Vihara temple with blessings of the resident monks (maha sangha). The merits gained are enormous, in addition to the 18 benefits, by donating to such a noble project. 

This project was initiated since 2015, when we finished our second Katina, and throughout 8 years we have donated over $80,000 in cash to initiate this project. In addition, the Kotha (Pinnacle) was built in Sri Lanka and brought over to the temple.

We were blessed to get the most difficult part of hiring the experts such as qualified architects, structural engineer and a site engineer to draw the plans and get it approved from city and county authorities in a very short time. We were fortunate enough to find a very reasonable contractor who agreed to complete the footing, foundation and inner walls, accessibility landings, and stage 1 & 2 of the Stupa/Pagoda with the funds provided.

Rejoice the merits of this project's progress through the following page.

To complete the rest of the project we need to raise another $60,000 as soon as possible. Therefore, we look forward to your kind participation, generosity and support.

You can also donate your effort through shramadana (gifts of labor) whenever you have time to contribute to the building of the stupa. Even moving one brick will produce enormous merits.

To complete the rest of the project we need to raise another $60,000 as soon as possible. Therefore, we look forward to your kind participation, generosity and support.

Tiles will be laid on the stupa's upper level (Salapathala Maluwa) by September 25th, 2023. Anyone who wishes to have their name engraved on a tile can donate before September 20th, 2023.

Please fill in the following form to sign up for contributions and donations made to GBV Stupa/Pagoda Fund. Donations can be made by:

  • Checks by mail to 3153 Miller Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038 to be received before 20th September 2023
  • Cash or checks provided in-person, please enclose it in an envelope and write "GBV Stupa/Pagoda Fund" and hand it to Bhante Wajirabuddhi Thero or the resident monks. 
  • If using Zelle, please send it to gbvihara@gmail.com.

With the blessings of this enormous meritorious deed, may you attain the ultimate bliss of awakening as you wish!  

This retreat helped me to reduce stress and anxiety.


 Kalana Karunanayake


These past few days have been good because I learned a lot
about Buddhism. I learned the importance of being mindful
and present in the moment. It helped me to be more aware of
my thoughts and feelings. I also realized how good meditation
is and its ability to help reduce stress and anxiety. On the first
day, I barely got any sleep but it was okay because the nice tea
helped it out. The candle meditation was good because I
learned that even if you don't like someone, you still have to
wish them that they have a good day without problems. Also, I
saw that it felt much better when I did the meditation because
it cleared all my useless and distracting thoughts. After the art
class started, I learned about the importance of
impermanence. Impermanence is the awareness that you and
everything will disappear someday and you cannot do
anything to stop it. The whole world is not permanent, you are
not permanent, I am not permanent. Everything you think will
disappear one day. Even your thoughts are not permanent.
Our group was supposed to represent a Buddhist topic and
draw something to represent it. We drew pictures of
something that represents impermanence. I drew a waterfall.
It represents impermanence because the waterfall is changing
every minute. I think someone in my group drew a candle that
burned out. It represents that the candle will always burn out
just like everything will burn out too.

    When I was eating lunch, I heard the Bhantes saying to pick
some food that you don’t like and you like. So I got rice
because I don't like it and I got yogurt and a ton of fruit. I was
so full but I knew I was not going to eat dinner so I ate it all.
Also, the Bhante said not to waste food so get the right
amount that you need. I was grateful that I chose to eat all of
my food because I was not hungry the rest of the time.
Then I had to leave the retreat because I got sick. I think it was
because I slept on the ground. After all, I do get sick from the
dust. I will have to come back another day. So the Bhante said
the 5 precepts to remove the 8 precepts so I could go home.
I missed the second day but I came back on the last day. I was
kind of disappointed because I missed it. Sadly, I missed the
meditation too. The Bhantes did the 8 precepts so I can
observe them again. For art class, I saw that they drew on
rocks when I was gone. I was asked to draw on a rock, so I did.
You were supposed to draw a Buddhist symbol. I drew the
Buddha meditating under A tree. Afterward, I was told to draw
a table and things on it. It had some items on it, I remember
there being an orange cloth and an oil lamp.
When the retreat was over, I think back and notice the change
from the beginning to now. When I first came here I thought
about what is the purpose of doing this retreat, then in the
end, I learned that the purpose was to clear your mind and
learn more about Buddhism. When I cleared my mind I was
able to focus much better. I think this can help you a lot with
schoolwork and other things you need to focus a lot on. I
recommend people to meditate more often, especially during
school because it helps more than you think. Also, I have
become a lot kinder because I meditated. I think I got a lot of
merits from paying attention and listening and even learning. I
learned so much from this and I hope everyone had the same
experience as I did. If you didn’t have the same experience,
you may not have paid attention. So you could focus and clear
your mind because your mind is going here and there. Next
year, I recommend you listen more. It might get hard to focus
but it is worth trying to. If you didn’t get the same experience
as me, you should continue meditating more at home and be
mindful of your surroundings. Thank you for reading about my
experience.

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