On Wednesday, July 08, 2026, a magnificent spiritual and meritorious ceremony was held at the Biyagama Sri Bodhirukkharama Maha Viharaya to invoke Dhamma blessings for the 91st Birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who has dedicated his entire life to propagating the sublime teachings of the Supreme Buddha across the globe with boundless compassion. Fueled by the pure, meritorious intentions of over 300 devout lay followers, a sacred Pindapata Dana (traditional alms-bowl offering) was presented to an august assembly of 130 venerable monks representing the Three Monastic Nikayas, led by the Most Venerable Dr. Malwane Pannasara Mahanayake Thero of the Siyam Maha Nikaya. Concurrently, a benevolent meritorious initiative was enacted to distribute essential nutritional packs to expectant mothers.
This grand meritorious festival achieved resounding success through the organizational dedication of Dr. Damenda Porage, Founder of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood and Deputy Secretary-General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC); Venerable Balangoda Seelarathana Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Biyagama Bodhirukkharama Viharaya and Director of Religious, Cultural, and Social Relations at the Pali and Sanskrit Cultural Exchange Centre; and Dr. Sharmila Milroy, Registrar of the Pali and Sanskrit Cultural Exchange Centre, alongside the profound Dhamma sermon delivered by the Most Venerable Dr. Malwane Pannasara Mahanayake Thero.
Key Excerpts from the Monastic Addresses to the Sangha Assembly:
Addressing the assembly, the Most Venerable Dr. Malwane Pannasara Mahanayake Thero, the Supreme Mahanayake of the Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, declared:
“The humanitarian fragrance and secular values demonstrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama serve as an indispensable medicine for the modern world, which is currently burning with the fires of hatred, animosity, and warfare.”
Secondly, addressing the forum, Most Venerable Gonapola Sangharatana Nayaka Thero (MA), Resident of the Malwatte Maha Viharaya, Retired Pirivena Principal, and Chief Sangha Nayaka, emphasized:
“For a multi-religious country like Sri Lanka, His Holiness’s philosophy is immensely practical. We must continuously follow his example to cultivate a society devoid of religious extremism—one deeply rooted in mutual respect.”
Furthermore, Venerable Kadugannawa Piyadassi Nayaka Thero, Monastic Director (Disapalaka) for the Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee Districts of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya, noted:
“Despite facing severe geopolitical, political, and aggressive obstacles, His Holiness chose never to take up arms. Instead, completely devoid of hatred, he worked tirelessly to propagate his people’s cultural heritage across the globe purely through the paths of Great Compassion and non-violence.”
Next to address the forum was the Most Venerable Wataraka Anuruddha Nayaka Thero, Vice-Chief Judicial Sangha Nayaka with Special Judicial Plenipotentiary Powers for the Senadhi Sivu Korale, who stated:
“His Holiness continuously points out that while the modern educational system successfully provides material development, it completely fails to teach human beings how to govern their minds or achieve inner peace.”
Concluding the addresses, the Most Venerable Beligala Amarasiri Nayaka Thero, Chief Registrar (Maha Lekhakadhikari) of the Biyagama Tri-Nikaya Sangha Sabha, illuminated the assembly by stating:
“We must explicitly express our highest gratitude and respect on this occasion to the present leadership of India, particularly Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for his visionary, continuous state patronage and profound dedication toward protecting Tibetan Buddhist heritage and also promoting and safeguarding Buddhism across the global stage.”
The historic event was also graced by a distinguished gathering of prominent lay dignitaries and civic leaders, alongside a multitude of devout Buddhist followers. Among the notable dignitaries in attendance were Mr. Ashoka Ranwala, Former Speaker and Parliamentarian; Mr. Sugath Dissanayake, Deputy Mayor of Biyagama; Mr. U. George Perera, Former Provincial Councilor; Mr. Ajith Kumara, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Biyagama Organizer; Mr. Jayantha Athapaththu, Gampaha District Leader of the Sarvajana Balaya; Ms. Erandi Hettiarachchi, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha; and IP Prabath Paranawithana, Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of the Biyagama Police.
A Concluding Symphony of Blessings
The assembly hall was thus illuminated by these highly symbolic, profound, and insightful Dhamma presentations.
Amidst the thunderous, echoing ‘Sadhu’ cries of the lay devotees, the grand Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha assembly chanted sacred Seth Pirith to invoke powerful blessings upon His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, praying for him to be endowed with a long life of 130 years to continue sowing the seeds of compassion across the universe. Following the sacred chanting, the supreme monastic leadership of the Three Nikayas officially signed a historic joint declaration of greetings and blessings to commemorate His Holiness’s 91st Birthday.
At the conclusion of this holy festival, dry ration packs were distributed to expectant mothers under the Karuna Dhara Project of the Foundation for Buddhist Brotherhood.
By the boundless power of these collective merits, may His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the great beacon of compassion who illuminates the 21st century with the light of the Dhamma, be blessed with robust health and a long life of 130 years and beyond!
