Vesak in Canberra

Clad in immaculate white symbolising simplicity, with white ‘pahan koodu’ and Buddhist flags hanging above them, the staff of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra sang Bhakthi Gee as part of this year’s Vesak celebrations. 

To find High Commissioner Somasunderam Skandakumar among them in an identical dress as the others added a freshness. He could have sat with the audience, possibly occupying the centre spot. No – he preferred to join the group and sing ‘Danno Budunge’, everyone’s favourite devotional song. What a fine example of oneness at a time there is so much talk of reconciliation and understanding.

He also made to use of the opportunity to appeal to all to abide by the profound teachings of the Buddha and to come together as the United Sri Lankan Diaspora of Australia to serve the motherland as one at a time of need when floods and landslides had affected people from all walks of life irrespective of caste, creed or ethnicity. He was grateful to the Maha Sangha who participated at the Vesak ceremony and chanted ‘seth pirith’ and blessed those who had suffered extensively due to the recent disaster.

The devotion and enthusiasm of the High Commission staff was clearly visible in the way they had planned the ceremony following the traditional Buddhist customs. The relic casket was brought along with the Maha Sangha and was received and taken into the building by the head of the ‘household’, High Commissioner Skandakumar. Placing the casket alongside a statue of the Buddha, offerings were made and a ‘pahana’ and joss sticks lit. The monks administered ‘Pan Sil’ – the Five Precepts followed by a sermon and ‘seth pirith’. 

Among those who joined were non-Sri Lankan well-wishers.

The evening turned out to be a typical Sri Lankan festival of lights. The imposing High Commission building was full of ‘Vesak koodu’ of different sizes, shapes and colours. The colourful lotuses at the entrance depicted the birth of Prince Siddhartha.