Goenkaji in Sri Lanka -10 to 19 May, 2006 (pdf file

Goenkaji being felicitated by Hon. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at Bandaranayake Memorial International Convention Hall, Colombo 17 May 2006.	Goenkaji honoured by Sri Lanka Bhikkhu Sangha conferring on him the honorary title of Pariyatti Visarada (Master of Doctrine) 15th May 2006 (Please click on them for larger picture)	Goenkaji was felicitated by the President at a private function and conferred the title of Jina Sasana Sobhana Patipatti Dhaja, (literally the banner of the practice of Dhamma that adorns the sasana of Buddha) on 17th May 2006

• On 17 May, Goenkaji was felicitated by the Prime Minister of the Government of Sri Lanka at a public function in BMICH.
• Acharya S. N. Goenkaji honoured by Sri Lanka Bhikkhu Sangha

On 15 May 2006 in the evening, Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha
Sabha, the 150-year old congregation of most respected senior bhikkhus from
various monasteries in Sri Lanka, felicitated Acharya Goenkaji and conferred
on him the honorary title of Pariyatti Visarada (Master of Doctrine) "in
deep appreciation of his immense and invaluable contribution to disseminate
the Dhamma through very lucid and clear exposition of the original teaching
of the Buddha and to bring solace and peace to thousands through the
practice of Vipassana meditation by establishing the Vipassana centres in
India and around the world."

The Maha Nayaka Thera commended Acharya Goenkaji’s work. Ven. Chandavimala
Mahathera who had rendered valuable help in the Pali project at the VRI
spoke in Sinhala and Hindi. He said, referring to Acharya Goenkaji as Guruji
as is customary among Indian meditators, “So well-known is Guruji’s work
among serious practitioners that ‘Goenka’ doesn’t need the addition of a
title”.

Ven. Ratanapalaji gave a short speech about how he first came in contact
with Acharya Goenkaji. He also spoke in Hindi. He talked about Acharya
Goenkaji’s mission with his characteristic simplicity and brevity. Most of
the pilgrims sat all around the central aisle witnessing the love and
affection that their teacher was receiving from the Bhikkhu Sangha. Among
the audience were many senior teachers of Vipassana including Mrs.
Damayanthi Ratwatte.

In reply to the felicitation, Acharya Goenkaji said that he felt embarrassed
to be honoured by the Bhikkhu Sangha. He likened it to a grandparent
lovingly caressing a child to encourage him. He said that he gained so much
strength for his Dhamma service due to the blessings of the Sangha.

Earlier in the morning, Sangha Dana was offered in Nagavihara at Kotte in
Colombo in the morning. About 125 Bhikkhus from all the Nikayas came from
various parts of the island to participate in the Sangha Dana. Bhikkhus from
Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, as well as nuns attended this special
occasion. The pilgrims patiently waited and joyfully served the bhikkhus.
About 85 of the Bhikkhus who participated were old students of this
tradition. The Bhikkhu Sangha gave their blessings to Acharya Goenkaji.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Acharya Goenkaji gave a brief speech in
which he expressed his gratitude to the Sangha for accepting alms. He said
that in some countries the teaching of Dhamma spreads primarily through the
benevolent efforts of the Sangha. He then cordially invited the bhikkhus to
join Vipassana courses for their own benefit and for the benefit of others.

May peace and prosperity prevail in Sri Lanka

The text of the honorary citation is as follows:

Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma
Maha Sangha Sabha

Hereby it is very solemnly declared that in deep appreciation of the
immense and invaluable contribution made to disseminate the Dhamma
through very lucid and clear exposition of the original teaching of the
Buddha and to bring solace and peace to thousands through the practice of
Vipassana meditation by establishing the Vipassana International Academy
and over thirty Vipassana Centres in India and around the world.
The Supreme Council of
Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabha
at a specially convened meeting unanimously decided to confer on

Vipassana Acharya S. N. Goenka

THE HONORARY TITLE

Pariyatti Visarada (Master of Doctrine)

and this Honorary Title was conferred at a Special Convocation Ceremony
held on Fifteenth day of the month of May Two-Thousand and six at the
Siri Mangala Uposatha The Most Venerable Bellana Sri Gnanawimala Maha Thera
Sri Kalyani Samagridharma Maha Sangha Sabha

Sd
Venerable Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Maha Thera
Secretary General

• Acharya S. N. Goenkaji was invited by the President of Sri Lanka, to receive an honorary title in recognition of the laudable and noble services rendered by him in the cause of spread of the Buddha's teaching worldwide. On 17th May Goenkaji was felicitated by the President at a private function and conferred the title of Jina Sasana Sobhana Patipatti Dhaja, (literally the banner of the practice of Dhamma that adorns the sasana of Buddha), on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Heads of the Sanghas of various countries and their representatives were present. Goenkaji was requested to give a Dhamma talk. He said that for peace to prevail in a country, the leaders of the country have to walk on the path of sila, samadhi and panna. He expressed his confidence that peace will come soon to this country that has such a long history of Dhamma. Vipassana will help very much in this regard.