Strengthening the Bonds of Buddhist Friendship: Ven. Sri Samanthabadra Mahathero Visits MIMC Leh
Ven. Siri Samanthabadra Mahathero, Founder and Director of Umandawa Global Buddhist Village, Sri Lanka, along with a delegation of nearly 30 devotees from Sri Lanka, visited the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Leh.
The Venerable was warmly welcomed by Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder and President of MIMC, upon his arrival at the MIMC Buddha Park for World Peace. The meeting was marked by warmth, spiritual friendship and mutual respect. Ven. Siri Samanthabadra Mahathero expressed great happiness on meeting Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the MIMC Devachan Family once again.
The Venerable and the delegation offered prayers at the Sri Lankan-style Buddha statue at the Buddha Park, which was donated by Ven. Siri Samanthabadra Mahathero during his previous visit to MIMC. They also paid floral tribute at the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala, another contribution from the Sri Lankan delegation during their earlier visit.
The delegation then offered prayers for world peace at the main Buddha statue, surrounded by 1,000 standing Buddha statues at the Buddha Park for World Peace.
During the visit, Ven. Siri Samanthabadra Mahathero further announced his intention to contribute towards the construction of a Sri Lankan-style stupa at the MIMC Buddha Park for World Peace. The proposed stupa will serve as another symbol of the enduring spiritual and cultural bonds between Sri Lanka and Ladakh and as a sacred space dedicated to peace and harmony.
As part of their visit, the delegation also offered stationery and educational materials to children, essential items for elderly residents, and other useful items for MIMC as an expression of their compassion and support for the Centre's humanitarian activities.
The visiting delegation was hosted for a High Tea at the residence of Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena, followed by a comprehensive tour of the MIMC campus and the Meditation Retreat Centre.
The visit reaffirmed the strong bonds of Buddhist friendship, compassion and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Ladakh, and reflected the shared commitment of the two Buddhist communities towards peace, spiritual development and service to humanity.
