Sunday Times 2
UN diplomats endorse Tripitaka as a heritage for mankind in New York
View(s):The United Nations’ diplomatic community – specifically ambassadors and diplomats from predominantly Buddhist countries – was present at the Tripitaka Week celebrated at the Buddhist Vihara in Queens, New York last week.
The Tripitaka being displayed at the New York Buddhist Vihara at the ceremony to mark the Tripitaka Week
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York arranged a Buddha pooja, Dhamma sermon and almsgiving at the Vihara to commemorate President Maithripala Sirisena’s initiative to declare the Tripitaka as a National heritage and to have it included in the UNESCO “memory of the world” register for the benefit of all mankind.
The Venerable Maha Sangha of the Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in the tri-state area — from the New York Buddhist Vihara, the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara, the Long Island Buddhist Meditation Centre, the New England Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Centre (Boston Buddhist Vihara), and Connecticut Buddhist Vihara — chanted blessings at the event.
The Buddha pooja was conducted by the Ven. Heenbunne Kondanna Thera of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara and the welcome address was delivered by the Ven. Aluthgama Dhammajothi Thera of the New York Buddhist Vihara.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Rohan Perera, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, highlighted the initiative spearheaded by Sri Lanka’s President to include the Tripitaka in the UNESCO register, whereby these Buddhist scriptures would be protected for future generations. Dr. Perera also highlighted the history of how the Tripitaka was committed to writing during a time of great famine when King Walagamba was ruling.
Given the significance of inscribing the “Thripitaka” as world heritage to Buddhists the world over, several representatives of diplomatic missions based in New York participated in this meritorious act. These included the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Vietnam and Cambodia, Deputy Permanent Representatives of Japan, India, Myanmar and Thailand and diplomatic staff from the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, among others.
Sovann Ke, Cambodia's Permanent Representative to the UN, lighting the traditional oil lamp