Bodh Gaya, India – December 17, 2024: His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, visited the Buddha Gaya Centre of the Maha Bodhi Society of India during his official visit to Bodh Gaya, the sacred site where Prince Siddhartha attained Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha.
The General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Venerable P. Seewalee Thero, warmly welcomed the President upon his arrival. The visit commenced with a special pilgrimage to the Mahabodhi Mahavihara, where the President, accompanied by Venerable P. Seewalee Thero and his delegation, offered prayers at the main shrine and the sacred Bodhi Tree, which symbolizes the Buddha’s Enlightenment and is revered by millions of Buddhists worldwide.
Following this, the President visited the Buddha Gaya Centre of the Maha Bodhi Society of India. At the Jaya Siri Mahabodhi Vihar, he offered prayers and had the rare honor of viewing the sacred relics of the Buddha and his chief disciples, Arahants Mahamoggallana and Sariputta. Venerable P. Seewalee Thero provided a detailed explanation of the relics’ historical and spiritual significance, which are regarded as priceless treasures by the global Buddhist community.
During his visit, President Dissanayake also paid floral tributes to Bodhisattva Anagarika Dharmapala, the visionary founder of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, whose efforts were instrumental in restoring and preserving the sacred site of Bodh Gaya for future generations.
President Dissanayake’s pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya reaffirms the shared Buddhist legacy that unites nations and communities. His visit serves as a reminder of the timeless relevance of the Buddha’s teachings in fostering peace, compassion, and mutual understanding across the world.
