Parish Hosts Buddhist, Hindu New Year Celebrations

April 27, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Indian Catholic

http://www.indiancatholic.in/news/storydetails.php/11947-1-10-Parish-hosts-Buddhist,-Hindu-new-year-celebrations

A Catholic parish recently organized a celebration of the Hindu and Buddhist new year to foster religious harmony among villagers.

“It is unusual that Hindu-Buddhist celebrations are organized on the premises of a church,” said Venerable Akurana Gunerathne Thero, after lighting an oil lamp during the event held at the Sacred Heart Church in Hettipola, a largely Buddhist village in Kurunegala diocese.

A joint event of this type helps to foster unity in the country, added the chief Buddhist monk from the local Girathalana Temple.

The majority Sinhalese Buddhist and minority Tamil Hindu communities in Sri Lanka held their new year celebrations on April 13 and 14 this year.

About 400 villagers, including Catholics, Buddhists and a few Hindus from neighboring villages, took part in the church event, organized by the parish’s 11 catechists.

Father A. Ancelet, the parish priest, and village heads received Venerable Gunerathne, the guest of honor.

The celebration, which lasted from morning to evening, saw young and old of different faiths, dressed in colorful clothing, taking part in various games. These included a bicycle race, a bun-eating contest, and a competition which saw contestants trying to climb a greased tree.