NOBLE SERVICE OF MASTER SHI FA ZHAO, SINGAPORE FELICITATED

A rich felitation ceremony to appreciate the noble service to the Buddhism and Sri Lanka extended by Master Shi Fa Zhao, the Chief Abbot of the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum and the Golden Pagoda Buddhist Temple, Singapore was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) yesterday evening (11 June 2023).

The ceremony graced with Honourable Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as the chief guest was held with the blessings of Venerable (Dr) Galaboda Gnanissara Thero, the Chief Incumbent, Gangaramaya Temple. In recognition of Master Shi Fa Zhao’s years of service to the Buddhism, Mr Saman Ekanayake, the Secretary to the President presented a Sannas Pathraya at the occasion.

At the invitation extended by organizing committee of Gangaramaya Temple, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil with his spouse Mrs Sujeewa Nelson attended the religious event.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is located in the historic district of Chinatown, Singapore. This majestic place of worship is comprised of richly designed interiors and comprehensive exhibits on Buddhist art and history. Built in 2007, the temple has derived its name from what the Buddhists regard as the left canine tooth of Buddha, which has been recovered from his funeral pyre in Kushinagar, India and displayed on the temple’s grounds.

The felicitation ceremony was blessed with the presence of a number of senior Buddhist monks. Former Presidents, Speaker of the Parliament, Parliamentarians, diplomats, Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Commanders of the Army and Navy, leading entrepreneurs, government officials, distinguished dignitaries and well-wishers also attended the event.

In parallel to the day’s ceremony, an alms giving for 125 Maha Sangha was another significant event that took place at the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday morning.