THE EFFORTS BY LATE VEN SOMA THERO IN ESTABLISHING BUDDHIST VIHARA VICTORIA FOR THE BUDDHIST COMMUNITY.
We have heard that Venerable Soma Thera arrived in Australia and resided at the Temple in Richmond in 1986. It was on an invitation given by Mrs Bell, the founder of the Richmond Temple, that Venerable Soma came to the Richmond Temple to observe the rains retreat in 1986. Dr Mervyn Mendis, a devout Buddhist had recommended to Mrs Bell that Venerable Soma be invited for a short stay.
During this stay, Venerable Soma had encouraged the Sri Lankan community to consider establishing a Buddhist temple which would serve the Sri Lankan Buddhist community and provided traditional Buddhist rites and practices. The idea took hold and many of the active and prominent members of the community, among whom were doctors, lawyers and other professionals, held several meetings to discuss the establishing of a temple for the Sri Lankan community.
Having completed the rains retreat, Venerable Soma returned to Sri Lanka. It was at this time that he went to remote Digamadulla area to meditate and improve his knowledge of the Dhamma. The interest in establishing a Buddhist temple in Melbourne continued to be discussed. As the idea was put forward by Venerable Soma, it was agreed that he should be requested to return and help and advice on this important matter. Unfortunately, as Venerable Soma was not available, it looked as if the temple would remain an idea only, until, one person, Mrs Kusum Wijesinghe took matters into her hand.
She went to Sri Lanka and found out where Venerable Soma was residing. She travelled to Digamadulla to meet and invite Venerable Soma to return to Melbourne to bring the idea of a Buddhist Temple in Melbourne to fruition.
In 1989, Venerable Soma returned to Melbourne. A house on Bessemer Street in Springvale was rented. Six members who formed the committee, Daya Silva, Bandu Gunasekera, Kusum Wijesinghe, Chandra Pieris and two others each paid $100 every month to cover the rent. Other expenses such as electricity, water, gas and telephone bills were met through the contributions made by those coming to the temple.
Very soon, Venerable Soma and the committee realised that meeting costs would be unsustainable with just six people paying $100 each month. Venerable Soma gave a plan. He said that if each of them could get ten others, paying $10 a month, to become members of the Association that had been formed, they would have enough funds to meet expenses without the six members being burdened with the $100 a month payment. Unfortunately, after 5 months they could not even find five others to join. At the same time, they were looking to move to a new, more spacious premises.
At this point, Daya Silva took out a personal loan from the bank to be used towards a deposit for a new premises. He went to the temple and laid the money on a table before Venerable Soma and said the money was for a deposit for the new premises. Immediately, Venerable Soma called the treasurer, Chandra Pieris and told him of Daya’s contribution. Overjoyed, Chandra had said that he too would make a similar contribution. The others also contributed what they could afford to the fund and soon $18,000 was raised towards the deposit in just two weeks. With this, they purchased the new premises at 66 Regent Street, Springvale.
After moving in, they realised that they would have to modify the premises to be suitable for use as a temple. They could not afford to hire builders or tradesmen to carry out the modification works, so the members themselves put their shoulders to the wheel. Asoka Rajapakse, an architect, drew up a rough plan. The modification work, to create a hall big enough to accommodate a fairly large gathering of devotees was soon completed.
Daya became the first president of the Association. Others in the committee were Kusum Wijesinghe, Lakshman Gurusinghe, Keerthi Jayasuriya, Chandra Pieris. After one and a half years, the members discussed obtaining permanent residency for Venerable Soma. It was at this point that Venerable Soma stated that, according to tradition, once a temple was established, it was handed over to the Sangha.
Misunderstanding this request Daya said that this could not be done. He thought the request was to write the property in Venerable Soma’s name. Venerable Soma then contacted Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Mahanayaka Thera and informed him of the situation. The Mahanayaka Thera travelled to Australia to sort out the issue. Calling the committee together, he handed a paper on which a stanza had been written. He told the committee that all they had to do was repeat that stanza, which would be offering the temple to the Sangha, which was what Venerable Soma had meant initially.
A new committee was formed and the formal handing over ceremony was conducted in the presence of the Mahanayaka Thera. Venerable Soma Thera was very firm on the correct protocols of conducting a temple. This caused differences of opinion between the Venerable monk and the committee.
Noble Park Temple:
The dayakas were divided in their support of Venerable Soma. Soon, Venerable Soma realised that the only way to keep the harmony of the community was to form a new association and start another temple. With this a new little house at 21 Rich Street, Noble Park was purchased. Mrs Piyaseeli Jayawardane, a very loyal devotee of Venerable Soma donated the funds required for the deposit. The house on Rich Street was rented by Mr Kanangara, his wife Mallika and their daughter were looking to move as the house had been put on sale. When the family learned that Venerable Soma was purchasing the house, they decided to move out immediately, even though they had another three months to vacate the property and had not purchased a new property.
Once the new premises were ready, Venerable Soma and members of the new association moved to the new temple on Rich Street Noblepark in April 1993.
Purchase of Land in Berwick:
The premises at the Noble Park Vihara (as it was known) were very small. The Dhamma School and many of the other programmes were often held in premises outside the Vihara hired for the occasion. This was not only an added expense and also did not provide the required environment. When Poly Weerakkody approached the Venerable Thero with his concept for a Vihara that would be a centre to provide a knowledge of the Dhamma to all who came searching for it, Soma Thero requested him to obtain the blessings of the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayake Thero, who immediately recognised the merit of the project and gave his blessings to it. With this, Venerable Soma then looked around for suitable location, which he found in the then rural farming region of Berwick. Five acres were obtained for the sum of $100,000 and for the next few years were spent in paying off the mortgages on both the new land and the existing Vihara premises.
Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony in Berwick:
The 8th of April 2001 was a day of very special significance for Buddhist Vihara Victoria. Five years ago, a five-acre property was purchased in the scenic suburb of Berwick to construct a beautiful Vihara called Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara. Blending in with the surrounding countryside but built according to ancient tradition, this Vihara will be a centre for the dissemination of the pure Buddha Dhamma to all those seeking this knowledge.
When the new Vihara was planned, one of the fund raising methods was to divide the entire property into one square metre blocks. Those wishing to make a donation could do so by purchasing 1 square metre and they would get a receipt acknowledging the donation with two trees to plant in the premises. Attached is the receipt that was issued to one of the donors.
During the past five years, trees were planted in the premises but building construction work was not undertaken. Instead, the loan taken for the purchase of the property was paid off with donations received from devotees. Now the property itself is unencumbered and any future loans will be required only for the buildings to be constructed.
On April 8th, a start was made on commencing the construction work with a foundation stone laying ceremony. On this day, at the auspicious moment of 10.29 devotees gathered in their hundreds to place a brick on the site where the first building will be constructed. It was a cold day with a chill wind blowing with a watery sun shining intermittently. In spite of the weather, devotees were arriving from 8.30 in the morning and were busy helping with the various tasks that needed to be completed before the ceremony began.
By 10.00 a.m. the monks who had been invited to participate in the ceremony from the different Buddhist Viharas in Melbourne had arrived. Seats had been prepared for the monks. After observing the five precepts and special short discourses from the assembled monks, the foundation stone laying ceremony began.
The perimeter of the building to be constructed was marked with white sand, which had been spread on the ground. From this the layout of the final building could be seen. Placards were placed stating what each room would be used for. A library, a hall, kitchen, foyer, courtyard, bedrooms, and bathrooms would be constructed as part of the first stage, which was the monks’ residence. Until the other buildings were constructed, this building would be used for the normal day to day devotional activities as well as serving as a residence for monks. Buddhist flags, gaily fluttering in the wind, had been placed around the perimeter. Five Buddha statues had been placed on special stands on, which were also placed offerings of flowers, candles, incense, milk and milk rice. At the entrance to the building a moonstone had been marked in white sand. Brass vases also decorated the entrance and foyer.
When the ceremony began,
Bhikkus and devotees placed the bricks they were donating on the line marked by the white sand. As they did this a very light sprinkling of rain, hardly noticeable, fell.
Once the foundation stones had been placed, it was time to offer refreshments to the devotees who had gathered there. Tables groaned with the lavish display of food that had been prepared. Milk rice and traditional sweetmeats together with cakes had been brought in abundance, and everyone ate their fill. Tea and coffee were also served and the hot beverages were welcome on a cold day.
The dana for the monks was also offered at the site in a tent specially prepared for the purpose. It had been announced that the function would officially end at two o’clock and devotees kept arriving even after the auspicious time had passed. While a majority of the crowd dispersed after partaking of refreshments, some remained until two to greet and attend to the late arrivals. By that time the darkening clouds had gathered had the wind had become sharper and stronger. As if on cue, the rain began to come down harder exactly at two o’clock. The rest of the devotees who had remained behind then left.
The First Milestone
On the 24th of March 2002 Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara was ceremonially opened with a handing over ceremony being conducted on the new Vihara premises. The Dayakas of Buddhist Vihara Victoria together with thousands of devotees gathered at the new Vihara premises in Berwick from early morning on this Sunday to participate in the various ceremonies that were held throughout the day.
Though the morning was chilly, the temperatures soared into the low thirties during the day, but the mild breeze made the heat endurable.
The premises were a riot of colour with the Buddhist Flags that were everywhere. Rows of flags marked the perimeter of the area, which was to be the main meeting hall, the next stage of the construction work. Flags were also placed around the area where the Chaitya would be constructed. A single tall flagpost stood in front of the building with a Buddhist Flag fluttering in the breeze, waiting to be raised.
The opening ceremonies began with the lights being turned on by Walter Peters family, who donated all the electrical wiring and fixtures and Mano Bandara family who obtained the supply and did all the wiring and connections as his donation. The saving on costs for the supply of electricity is valued at over $15,000.
Following this the most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka unveiled the Buddha Statue. It was the same statue that was in the former Vihara premises at Noble Park. However, the statue was different because now the eyes had been painted at a special Nethra (or eye placing) ceremony. The sacred relics of the Buddha (Dhatu) were also placed in the Statue by Venerable Wimalananda Thero.
Next followed the offering of milk rice or the Kiripidu puja. The milk rice that had been prepared by devotees was arranged in little bowls specially obtained for the occasion and were placed on the new granite offering table donated by Venerable Vidura Thero. The gathering chanted “Ithi Pi So…” honouring the Buddha while the offerings of milk rice were being made. After the Buddha Puja, the 10 monks, who were present for the opening ceremony were offered the morning meal which consisted of milk rice and other foods prepared by the devotees.
Venerable Soma Thero raised the Buddhist Flag as the next event on the programme. Devotees who gathered round the flagpost kept up a steady chant of Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu while the Flag rose majestically up the post fluttering in the breeze.
Next the devotees and well-wishers partook of the breakfast of milk rice and roamed around the new Vihara premises.
The building that has been completed at present is the monk’s residence. Until the main hall is constructed the Daham pasela and other religious activities will be conducted in these premises. The area where these activities are being conducted for the present is the Dana Sala.
In the meantime, the ladies had been busy organising the mid-day meal for the monks. Devotees had brought the food they had prepared to be offered to the monks and to those who were participating in the ceremonies. Following the dana and the homily and blessings, the monks retired, while the devotees were given lunch, after which they too rested in the shade and chatted quietly.
The next and most important part of the ceremony was arranged for 3 o’clock. By that time the gathering had again swelled, and the hall was filled to overflowing with everyone eager to participate in this event. This was the traditional handing over ceremony. The Dayakas were handing over the premises to the Sangha for their use as an abode for the Sangha and a place of worship for everyone. Monks from all other Sri Lankan Viharas in Melbourne, as well as monks from Brisbane and Sri Lanka were present on this auspicious occasion. Ten of the monks present had received higher ordination at the Siri Va j i r a g n a n a Dharmayathana in Maharagama.
After a brief explanation of what was about to take place the stanzas of t r a d i t i o n a l donations were repeated by the Dayaka Sabha, while water was poured over the hand of the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thero as a symbol of the handing over of the premises.The Venerable Prelate then accepted the offering. It was a moment of great happiness to everyone who had strived towards this moment: those who had made countless donations, those who had worked hard before, during and after the construction stage to ensure that the work went smoothly, those who had donated their time, expertise and labour to make this moment possible, everyone had waited eagerly for this moment.
The ceremonies were now drawing to a close. After the handing over ceremony everyone gathered outside. Venerable Soma Thero described the long journey which began in 1986 that had now reached its first milestone with the completion of the first stage of Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara. The journey was undertaken with great care every step being examinedclosely to ensure that the direction was correct. Viharas are not built in a day and a heavy burden should not be placed on anyone during this process.
Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara building profile came about as a result of an idea conceived by Polly Weerakkody, who went on to draw the architectural designs and plans which he then placed before the Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Maha Nayaka Thero during a visit to Melbourne in 1993. It was the Maha Nayake Thero himself who had given the name Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara to the project. Since then, the property at Berwick was purchased and during the interim period the mortgage on the land was slowly paid off. Devotees, impatient to see the new Vihara made numerous queries as to when construction would begin.
When the time was right, a Technical committee was formed, and the construction work was undertaken. Due to cost constraints some modifications were made to the original building design, but the overall beauty of the design was not compromised. When construction got underway, devotees who had been waiting for this moment came up with more donations and contributions that it became unnecessary to go ahead with the application for the bank loan.
The former premises of Buddhist Vihara Victoria were sold to a Buddhist group from Burma who were looking for a place to start a Temple. The two communities were re-forging historic links that had been forged between our two countries more than two thousand years ago.
Following Venerable Soma Thero’s address, Saman Fernando spoke a few words (on behalf of the Dayaka Sabhawa). “Building a temple with bricks and mortar is easy, but building a virtuous community is the more important task. The real benefit of the temple is achieved when our youth is directed in the Path of Nibbana” he said. In describing the objectives of Buddhist Vihara Victoria, he explained that Sakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara was intended to be a Buddhist Education, Research, Information and Cultural centre (BERIC) to disseminate the Dhamma to the wider Australian community and to the world.
Polly Weerakkody then described his visualisation of the layout of the Vihara. While the Vihara was to be a traditional Sri Lankan place of worship, it would also blend in with the Australian surroundings and become a part of the landscape. Polly, who had written a song about the Vihara was then persuaded to share it with the gathering.
The Venerable Uhumiye Sumanasara Nayake Thero gave the final address and gave blessings to everyone who had shared in making the idea a reality. Refreshments were then provided to the devotees.
The culminating event of the day was the chanting of pirith. Instead of making this one all night event, pirith was chanted over a period of seven days. Before the chanting the meaning of the Sutras being chanted during that evening were explained which then gave the listeners a better understanding of the sutras being chanted. As chantinge each night was over a period of two hours, it was also possible for people to listen to all the Sutras which are normally chanted during an all-night session.
From the 24th until the 30th for seven days, the Sutras were chanted by the nine monks residing at the Vihara. On the 30th Venerable Sanghananda Thero and Venerable Vijitha Thero also participated in the final session of Pirith.
Final session of Pirith.
One more event was conducted prior to the conclusion of the ceremonies. This was the ceremony in which a special area of the grounds was consecrated. The Vihara had been handed over to the monks but for these premises to be a true Buddhist Vihara it had to be consecrated and prepared through a special ceremony carried out by monks who conduct a special act of discipline (Vinaya Karma) in the selected area.
This area is paved with crushed rock with the 4 main directions and 4 sub-directions being marked with large granite stones. Once this ceremony is conducted, this area can be used by the monks for their acts of discipline carried out twice a month and on special occasions and the Vihara becomes a true abode for monks.
On the final day of the ceremonies, the 31st an almsgiving was offered to 22 monks from all over Melbourne with the final event being the first session of the Suvisi Vivarana puja.
Finally, one of the most important events that took place at this time was the planting of the Bo tree. The Bo sapling from the Sri Maha Bodhi and the sapling from the Ananda Bodhi were both placed in their permanent place of abode at the new Vihara Premises by the Most Venerable Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayake Thera, Venerable Soma Thera and the other monks residing in the Vihara. Little children placed baskets of flowers around the Bodhi trees, and everyone took it in turns to put soil around the newly planted saplings. When the saplings were placed
in the ground, a very fine drizzle of rain passed over like a blessing. Everyone realised this was an auspicious moment.
