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Guoqing : The cradle of Tiantai Buddhism (Pics)

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2023

editor

The Guoqing Temple is a well known Buddhist temple in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

The temple is located on Tiantai mountain, which is roughly 220 kilometres from the city of Hangzhou. Visitors are treated to a walk through calm and fresh environs as they take the path up the mountain.

The temple is considered as the birthplace of the Tiantai sect of Mahāyāna Buddhism, and was reconstructed several times during the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties.

From there, the Tiantai sect of Buddhism spread to both Korea and Japan during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).

Originally built in 598 CE during the Sui dynasty, the Temple was founded by the monk – Zhiyi.

Spread around an area of 250,000 sq. ft. the temple features around 600 rooms in a total of 14 different halls, including the Grand Hall of Sakyamuni, the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats and the Hall of Monk Jigong.

The temple, which was greatly vandalised during the cultural revolution, was later restored by the Tiantai County Guoqing Temple Restoration Committee, which was appointed by the Tiantai County officials.

The 59.4 metre tall brick Sui Pagoda with 09 levels was built at the temple area in the year 597 CE is still standing, making it one of the oldest surviving brick pagodas in China.

Meanwhile, one of the Buddha statues handed to Sri Lankan Missions abroad in 2011 by the then President – Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark the 2600th ‘Sambuddha Jayanthi’, has also been placed at the Guoqing temple. Citing temple sources, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka had stated that the Temple’s relations with Sri Lanka can be traced back to 200 years , and it is the third Buddha statue of Sri Lankan origin to be donated.

(Pics : Shanika Jayasekara)

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07 new envoys to SL, present credentials to President AKD (Pics)

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2025

editor

Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (May 15) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.

The new diplomats who presented their credentials are as follows :

– Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
– Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
– Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
– Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
– Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

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“Lassana Dansala” offers beauty care during Vesak (Pics)

Published

5 days ago

May 14, 2025

editor

A special ‘Dansala’ was held at the Maharagama Youth Services Council premises from 7:00 a.m. yesterday (May 13) to mark Vesak Poya Day.

Unlike traditional ‘dansal’ that offer food, this unique initiative provided a host of free beauty care and advisory services for both women and men, including haircuts, head massages, eyebrow shaping, facials, under-eye treatments, and skin analysis.

This event attracted over 5,000 participants who received professional grooming and skincare advice in a Vesak-themed setting.

Present at the event were Deputy Youth Affairs Minister Eranga Gunasekara, NYSC Chairman and Director-General of Youth Affairs Attorney Supun Wijerathna, MP Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Maharagama Mayor Saman Samarakoon, and Colombo Mayoral candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar, among others.