ANNUAL ALL NIGHT PIRITH CEREMONY & ALMS GIVING
The Buddhist Society of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura has a history that runs back for more than 20 years. The society was established in the faculty in order to enhance the enthusiasm of the Buddhist culture among students. Many events are organized by the Buddhist society annually.
The Annual Pirith ceremony is one of the most important programmes organized by the society. This year (2019) pirith was held for the 19th conservative time, on 15th February 2019 followed by an alms giving on the following day. Mahasangha were escorted in a magnificent procession starting from the Sunethradevi International Buddhist Centre at Wijerama to the Board Room of the Faculty of Medical Sciences where all night pirith was held. The alms giving was held at the Anatomy building premises on the following day.
The main intension of this annual event is to gratify body donors for their generosity. The Pirith ceremony this year was also to celebrate 60 years of excellence of university of Sri Jayewardenepura and in memory of late Chancellor Professor most venerable Bellanwila Wimalarathana thero who passed away 1 year ago.
Cadeveric dissection is a major component of the first two years of the medical curriculum. Thus the most junior batch in the faculty takes the main responsibility in organizing the annual pirith ceremony. In 2019, two batches, i.e. 27th and 28th batches, guided by the Buddhist Society of the faculty, showed immense commitment in making this event a great success. Other students also contributed by helping to make a giant pandol at the entrance, decorating the faculty premises with very creative splendid adornments, organizing a magnificent procession for the Pirith Ceremony and an alms giving in the following morning as well. Almost all members of staff (academic and non-academic), relatives of body donors and well- wishers contributed in various ways donating items as 'pirikara'. The Dean Senior Professor Surangi Yasawardene, Adviser Dr. Indira Wijesiriwardene, and Senior Treasurer Dr. Hasini Banneheke guided and supported the students throughout the process.
Large number of academics and non-academic staff members and their families and most importantly the relatives of the body donors attended the event on both days. After the event, relatives of body donors thanked the students immensely for their thoughtfulness and sense of gratefulness towards the diseased relatives. The relatives praised the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura for inculcating such values in students.
