Navam Poya

Navam  Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, Feb, 3rd, 2018 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabuddhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion  MN9 The Shorter Discourse on the Lion’s Roar #11
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Duruthu Poya

Duruthu  Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, January 13th, 2018 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion  MN9 The Shorter Discourse on the Lion’s Roar #11
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Il Poya

Il Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, November 11th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion  MN9 The Shorter Discourse on the Lion’s Roar #11
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

GBV Kathina 2017

Kathina refers to the offering of a special robe (kathina Civara) carefully prepared by pious laity and presented by them to monks who have completed the three-month period of retreat called Vas in Sinhala and Vassana in Pali (literally, ‘the period of rain’).  Katina literally means ‘firm’ or ‘solid,’ as the offering of a Katina robe helps one to earn good, solid karma. The Katina Ceremony has a history spanning more than 2500 years.  A special element of the Katina robe offering is that it is not offered to an individual monk, but to the entire community of Sangha; to all noble disciples of the Buddha --  and not only to enlightened ones but also to those monks yet to be enlightened.  

The Katina robe can be offered only during a specified period at the end of the rains retreat, between the full-moon day of October and the full-moon day of November. It is a monastic tradition long preserved and observed by Buddhists all over the world and is highly revered as a unique, once-yearly opportunity to acquire merit. Georgia Buddhist Vihara will celebrate Kathina on 20 and  21st    of October 2017(below is the full program). This year Kathina Pinkama is sponsored by devout devotees; Dr, Amarasingha, Nanda family and Dhaminda and Sumudu Manamendra family.  You are invited to attend this meritorious Pinkama. Signup for Dana contribution list; please click here more details:

Program
Kathina Maha Pinkama 2017
Friday, Oct 20, 2017
7:30; 9: pm	Pirith Deshanwa/Maha Piritha and Dhammacakka Deshana
Saturday, Oct 21, 2017
5:.45 6:30 am	Bringing the Kathina Robe to temple by devotees.
7.30: 8:30 am	Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8.30 am	Breakfast for devotees
9.15  10:30 am	Group Discussion.
1:30 pm	The procession starts at the   parking lot and heading onto the Vihara pathway to main preaching hall with Buddhist flags and Robe. All are invited for this parade to carry the Kathina Robe make use of this rare occasion.
2: 2:45 pm	Offering of Kathina Robe by devout Dayaka.  Dr, Amarasingha, Nanda family and Dhaminda and Sumudu Manamendra family and spiritual friends.
3:00: 4:00pm	Kathina Dhamma Desahanawa/English and Sinhalese
4:30 to 5:30pm	Atavisi Pujawa and conclusion of the Kathina Ceremony

Nikini Poya

Nikini Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, August 12th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Nikini full moon day is observed one month after the commencement of “Wassana Kala“the rainy season: is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day.

Attainment of Arahatship by the Buddha’s chief attendant, Ananda Maha Thera, commencement of the first Dhamma Sangayana, Convocation to settle the Buddhist canon and “Pasu Vas” or the commencement of the “Vas” period by those who had not started the period of sojourn on the Esala full moon day are some of them. For Sri Lankans this day is further more significant because of the world famous Kandy Esala Perahera which normally ends on this day.

The rainy season in Dambadiva-India begins during the month of Esala (July – August). It is extremely cold in the snowy peaks of Himalayas and in the valleys where ascetics meditate under the shade of trees.

Due to cold weather and heavy rain it is not convenient for them to sit under trees and meditate. Even birds build sheltered nests to live in during this season with birdies. Some of them even migrate to other countries where there is less rain. Buddhist monks also sojourn with house holders during this season.

The “Pali” word “Vas” means the rains “Viseema” means dwelling. Therefore “Vas Viseema” means to sojourn during the rainy season. “Vassana Kala” or the rainy season of three months begins on Esala full moon day. Commencing the “Vas” period from Esala full moon day is called “Purmikawa” or “Pera Vas”. However the bhikkhus who could not commence the Vas period on Esala Full Moon day are allowed to start observing Vas on the Nikini Full Moon day. This is called “Pasuvas”.

Buddhist monks commence “Vas” on Nikini full moon day in keeping with the enactment called “Santhaha Karanaya” The circumstances which led to the enactment of “Santhaha Karanaya” was the hardships caused to the bhikkhus due to rain.

Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where what the Buddha said, was agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Sattapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha (now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion  MN9 Samma Ditthi Sutta MN;9
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja