Thailand donates Golden Buddha Statue

On a request made by Ven. "Saddharma Keerthi Shree" Badulle Mahanama Thero, Thailand has sent Kotikawatte Nagarukkaramaya Temple a magnificent 14ft high beautifully decorated very valuable Buddha Statue with pure intention of propegating Buddhism, particularly considering the contribution Nagarukkaramaya has made in this regard.

The Buddha Statue belonged to Wat Tarn-En Temple of Ayudhya Thailand and Ven. Mahanayake Thero - Phrakrasamu Jirayu Athichanto. Also it donated relics to the Nagarukkaramaya. The opening ceremony of the Golden Buddha Statue is scheduled for 6th Saturday, June 2009 & Relics will be exposed for three days starting from June 7th to 9th. (Poson Poyaday and 2 days following Poson Poya day) at the Temple.

The magnificent golden statue with precious and semi precious stone decoration is particularly different to Sri Lankan statues and Thailand’s temple mentioned that it is a mix of Ghandharan and Thai cultures of Buddha statue sculpture. The Statue is 14ft in height and 7ft in width and it’s cost in invaluable.

It depicts the image of "subduing mara". Prakrusamu Jirayu aimed to show his gratitude to Sri Lanka since Sri Lanka is the greatest country from where Buddhism spread to Thailand. In addition, it Buddhism of Ceylon era of Sri Lanka is their role model of Buddhism in Thailand. As Sri Lanka has helped to make Thai people to have a very happy and peaceful life, understanding the depth of Buddhism, Wat Tar-En temple decided that this is a great opportunity for them to pay gratitude in return to Sri Lanka and they specifically selected Nagarukkaramaya understanding the service it renders to the development of Buddhism.

Nagarukkaramaya has 127 years of brilliant History and is located in the heart of Kotikawatte town. Ven. Badulle Mahanama Thero reiterated that this donation is significant to Sri Lanka as Buddhism’s central location in the world is Sri Lanka. Nagarukkaramaya is the pioneer temple in Kolonnawa area which does a significant service for Buddhism and spiritual development of citizens.

Tarn-En temple in Thailand has been built in 1374 A.D. in Ayudhaya province, the Buddhist heritage city where more than hundred temples are located. The temple is now 635 years old. Prakrusamu Jirayu is currently the Mahanayake Thero of Tarn-En temple. Tarn-En temple is the center of all villagers for all their meditation and other religious activities.