The Annual Pirith Chanting Ceremony of the faculty of Medical Sciences for 2024, was held on 30th of August followed by almsgiving held on 31st of August, brought the entire faculty together in what was a deeply spiritual and meaningful event. This was organized to honour and invoke blessings of the triple gem for the deceased who generously donated their bodies to the Department of Anatomy as well as to every person in the faculty itself.
That selfless act of body donation is vital for medical students so they can gain hands-on experience in understanding the human anatomy. Dissections are an integral part of medical education, allowing students to acquire the knowledge necessary for their future roles as healthcare professionals. This event was also of utmost importance to the families of the deceased ones who attend the proceedings each year in order to give merit and invoke blessing on their loved ones. The significance of this event extends beyond mere tradition, serving as a profound reminder of the connection between medical science and the spiritual respect for those who contribute to its advancement.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of monks from the Sunethra Maha Devi Temple. With the Buddhist Society overseeing the event, the 33rd batch, played a leading role in organizing the proceedings. The entire faculty, including the Dean, senior treasurer of the society, academic, and non-academic staff, came together in a collective effort to ensure the event’s success.
Financial support came through various donations, generously provided by students, their parents, members of the public, alumni and academic staff, ensuring that the ceremony could be conducted with the due reverence and grandeur it deserved. The decorations, meticulously arranged by Batch 33, added to the solemnity of the event, with the faculty premises beautifully adorned and the road illuminated with lamps, creating an atmosphere of serene devotion. Students from all religions attended and added their own touch of beauty to the event highlighting the inter-religious harmony within the faculty.
The ceremony itself unfolded in a series of significant rituals, beginning with a Bodhi Pooja. This was followed by a grand procession or perahera, leading the monks to the venue. The chanting of pirith, which is believed to bring protection and blessings, continued until the early hours of the morning, enveloping the faculty in a spiritual aura. The event concluded with an almsgiving ceremony in the early morning, where alms were offered to the monks, symbolizing the community’s respect and gratitude towards them. In the end, the Annual Pirith Chanting Ceremony not only honoured those who contributed towards the advancement of medical education but also fostered a sense of unity and spiritual well-being among all participants.
