India has the honour to participate in the Buddha Rashmi Vesak celebrations at the kind invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka. India would, inter alia, be displaying a Vesak lantern modelled on the stupa at the Mahabodhi Temple in Gaya, Bihar, India.

The event is being jointly organised by the Presidential Secretariat and the Gangaramaya Temple from 21-25 May 2016 in Colombo.

Traditional accounts say that, after attaining enlightment under the Bodhi tree, Lord Buddha spent the succeeding seven weeks meditating at seven different spots in the vicinity. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks. The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. During the second week, Lord Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, which is located on the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. Lord Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route and it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk.

The lantern being exhibited is based on the architecture of this stupa at the Mahabodhi Temple.

The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the oldest brick structures in eastern India. In June 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

India-Sri Lanka relations have a rich legacy of civilizational, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction. The advent of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE is linked with the arrival of Prince Mahendra in Sri Lanka known as Arahat Mahinda and later of Princess Sanghamitra known as Sanghamitta Theri, who were the children of the great Indian Emperor Ashoka. The links forged since then have become stronger over the years. Cultural traits brought from India have blossomed and have been adapted to suit the Sri Lankan way of life.

India’s participation in the Buddha Rashmi Vesak celebrations is yet another manifestation of the rich cultural tapestry that the two countries share, based on historic affinities, which have been nourished over the millenia.

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