Kathina, today is celebrated as the largest alms giving festival of the Buddhist world .The Vas Aradhana at Heathrow Temple (Athula Dassana International Buddhist Temple) was performed on last 29th July 2012, on the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day sponsored by Mr. Amal Edirisooriya and Mrs. Nadeeka Edirisooriya together with the other lay devotees of the temple.
Annual Kathina celebrations of Heathrow International Buddhist Temple were held on Sunday 25th November 2012 in temple premises.
On 24th Saturday at 7p.m there was held on colourful Atavisi Buddha Pooja. It was highlighted the 28 past Buddhas and also ancient practice of paying homage to the 28 past Buddhas.
The head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero and there devotees of the temple was made beautiful small pavilions and decorated nicely for that event. On that event dhamma speech and Atavisi pooja was conducted by Ven Pulahasthigama Dammakusala Thero
H. E. Dr. Chris Nonis – Sri Lanka High Commissioner for United Kingdom, Mr. Chaminda Kularatne – Minister Counsellor, Mr. H . M. K. Herath – Head of the Educational and Cultural Division in High Commission, and devotees of the temple were participated for success this event. And also Dr .H.E. Chris Nonis, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka who was present the grate speech about that ceremony. H.E the High commissioner addressed the gathering and he was pleased that within this short period of time a more devotees of the temple, Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa could be able to organise a successful event. and he was very appreciate about this ceremony.
The day was a great success. Devotees and other members of the community organised the event under the guidance of the head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero. More devotees participated in the event with great devotion. More than 300 devotees participated in the event with great devotion.
The Kathina day commenced with the materials for the Kathina robe being brought to the from the sponsors and other devotees of the temple before sun rising the morning. The Kathina Robe was carried on their heads in a large Kathina procession and offered to the monks by the devotees with deep devotion in all participants. There was a ceremony was start at 7.30 a.m After the offering of kathina robe Dhamma talks were given by Ven. Wanduraba Kassapa Thero who was explaining the significance of offering a Kathina Robe.
A large number of devotees observed sil on this auspicious occasion. The Buddha Puja and Vandana were conducted by Ven. Wanduraba Kassapa Thero who was the head of temple.
It was a remarkable day for devotees and friends of the temple as there were eight monks participated for the ceremony. Ven Dediyawala Wimala Thero, Ven Kahaththewela Chandrajothi Thero, Ven Gunnepane Sumanarama Thero, Ven Bambarabotuwe Ananda Mangala Thero, Ven Kalatuwawe Pagngnasara Thero, Ven Pulahasthigama Dammakusala Thero and Ven Ambampola Pagngnananda Thero also participated for success that event.
At 2.00 p.m there was a great dhamma talk speech which was conducted by Mr. Darshana Rammuthuge and he was explaining also specialise the point and importance of the Katina Ceremony.
After the entire cutting and sewing of Katina Chivara, it had to be completed by Mr. Amal Edirisooriya and Mrs. Nadeeka Edirisooriya who were the main sponsors in this ceremony. When the robe was completed, it was being brought to the from the children of Dhamma School with beautiful procession and offered to the monks by the devotees with deep devotion.
The Katina Chivara Pujava (Katina Robe offering Ceremony) took place at 3.30 pm. The monks who observed Vas at the Temple unanimously decided to nominate Venerable Ven. Wanduraba Kassapa Thero as the most suitable to receive the Katina Chivara.
More than 400 devotees participated in the event with great devotion.
The Katina ceremony was great success. Devotees of the temple and other members of the community organised the event under the guidance of the head of the temple Ven. Wanduramba Kassapa Thero who was extremely pleased with the crowd that came.