Inauguration of a program to train monks to preach Dhamma in Tamil.

Inauguration of a program to train monks to preach Dhamma in Tamil.

The Dharmavijaya Foundation launched a training course on Tamil language at the Vidyalankara Maha Pirivena, Peliyagoda affiliated with the Kelaniya Dharmavijaya Society on 5th March 2025 for student monks studying in temples and Pirivenas across the island. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Tripitakacharya Shastrapati Rajakiya Pandita Venerable Hakmana Sumanasiri Thero, the Honorable Patron of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, while the Vidyalankara Maha Parivenadhipathi Shastrapati Rajkiya Pandita Venerable Velamitiyawe Sri Gnanarathana Thero presided over the ceremony. The invited monks for this ceremony included the Chief Incumbent of the Jaffna Naga Viharaya, Shastrapati Rajakaya Pandita Meegahajadure Siriwimala Nayaka Thero, the Executive Director of the Divulapitiya Balagala Saraswati Pirivena and Lecturer in the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Colombo, the President of the Gampaha Divulapitiya Saraswati Dharmavijaya Society, Hindagala Gnanadhara Thero, Dr. Akuressa Dhammarathana Thero and the Deputy Director of the Maharagama National Institute of Education, Shastrapati Rajakaya Pandita Radaliyadde Seelananda Thero. There were 31 student monks participating for this program.

The training and resource contribution of this training program is being implemented with the contribution of Professor Vajira Prabath Wijesinghe, a Tamil language scholar along with the support of Shastrapati Rajayaka Pandita Venerable Radaliyadde Seelananda Thero. The guests of honor at this event were the Assistant Director (Training) of the National Library Services Board, Mr. W. M. Aravinda, and the Assistant Secretary for Education in charge of Pirivena Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Dhammika Lalith, and the Assistant Secretary of the Western Provincial Council, Mrs. Menaka Padikorala. On behalf of the Dharmavijaya Foundation, the Honorary Secretary Mr. H. B. Premaratne, Mr. Sunil Chandrakumara and two other trustees participated.

After the inauguration ceremony, the training activities began at 10.30 a.m. This Tamil language course will be held every Wednesday from the day of commencement with the participation of student monks studying at 8.00 am to 10.45 am Vidyalankara Pirivena. The opportunity has also been provided to Venerable Theros residing in foreign countries who wish to learn Tamil for this educational program through zoom technology (Meeting ID: 639 211 4195 – Passcode: 969) for more information, please contact 0713531338 for call or WhatsApp messages. Photos from the inaugural program are shown below.