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Guoqing : The cradle of Tiantai Buddhism (Pics)

Published

6 months ago

November 13, 2023

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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)

Photo Story

75th Foundation Day of ICCR celebrated in Colombo (Pics)

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

editor

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, commemorated the 75th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at the Viharamahadevi Park Open Air Theatre in Colombo on April 29, 2024.

The event unfolded with a vibrant showcase of Indian classical dances and musical performances, painting a tapestry of cultural harmony and universality.
High Commissioner of India H E Santosh Jha was joined by Minister of Education – Dr Susil Premajayantha as the Chief Guest and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Vidura Wickramanayaka as the Guest of Honour in inaugurating the event. High Commissioner Jha in his address congratulated the ICCR family for being the pillar of India’s cultural diplomacy for 75 years and counting. Minister Premajayantha thanked ICCR for offering over 200 fully-funded scholarships annually for Sri Lankan students to pursue Under Graduate, Post Graduate and doctoral degrees in diverse subjects in more than 120 leading Universities and institutions of India.

On this occasion, High Commissioner jointly with the Minister of Education Dr Susil Premajayantha and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka felicitated the winners of the second edition of the Pratibha Sangam competitions. An initiative of ICCR to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Pratibha Sangam (Confluence of Cultures) shines spotlight on the invaluable contributions of foreign nationals and overseas Indians to Indian classical art forms.

ICCR was founded in 1950 by India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The 75th Foundation Day of ICCR holds immense significance as it commemorates 75 glorious years of an institution that has been at the forefront of India’s cultural ties, fostering understanding, goodwill, and cooperation between India and the world. The ICCR centre in Sri Lanka, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre under the aegis of High Commission of India has also completed 25 Years. Established as a testament to the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka, the Centre serves as a hub for cultural exchange, appreciation, and dialogue.

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Uma Oya project launched (Video / Pics)

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2024

editor

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe have jointly inaugurated the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) a short while ago.

This project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Sri Lanka following the Mahaweli Development Project.

Speaking at the event, Iran’s President Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi emphasized Iran’s technical prowess and engineering expertise and highlighted that Iranian experts are currently involved in significant electricity and water projects across more than 20 countries.

“Today the Islamic Republic Of Iran, enjoys great technical and engineering skills and expertise, and in more than 20 countries, our experts are running great and big electricity and water projects,” he said.

He further noted that Iran stands ready to share its knowledge, expertise and experience with Sri Lanka for the progress and development of the country, including partnerships in large-scale projects.

Following the inauguration of the Uma Oya multipurpose development project, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to Iran for their technical support, emphasizing that without Iran’s assistance, Sri Lanka couldn’t have diverted the Uma Oya tributaries into Kirindi Oya. He highlighted the south’s desire to establish its identity & independence, suggesting that southern countries should now strive for their own strength and autonomy

(Video / Pics – PMD)