Nepal and Sri Lanka have reaffirmed their deep spiritual, cultural and historical ties through the shared Buddhist heritage connecting the two countries for more than 2,200 years. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Nepal in Sri Lanka, Vijay Kumar Raut, participated in the Sacred Picha Mal Puja held at the Shri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.
The ceremony was organised by the Shanthi Padanama Foundation to mark the 36th anniversary of the noble tradition. During the ceremony, jasmine flowers collected from various parts of Sri Lanka were offered to the Sacred Shri Maha Bodhi.
A Spiritual Connection from Lumbini to Anuradhapura
The Picha Mal Puja is not merely a Sri Lankan religious tradition. It also carries deep historical and spiritual significance for Nepal, as it represents the centuries-old Buddhist connection between Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and Sri Lanka.
The Sacred Shri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura is a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. According to Buddhist history, the sapling was brought to Sri Lanka in 236 BC by Sanghamitta Theri, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka. The tree has since become one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world.
Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, while the Bodhi Tree under which he attained enlightenment is located in Bodh Gaya, India. The sacred connection therefore extends from Nepal to India and onward to Sri Lanka, creating a shared spiritual heritage among the three countries.
Participation Highlights Shared Buddhist Heritage
The participation of Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Vijay Kumar Raut in the ceremony carried special significance. It symbolised the shared Buddhist heritage linking Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Anuradhapura. It also reflected the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening the historical and people-to-people relations between Nepal and Sri Lanka. The participation further highlighted the more than 2,200 years of spiritual and cultural friendship between the two South Asian nations.
Picha Mal Puja Promotes Peace and Unity
The Picha Mal Puja is regarded as a symbol of peace, unity and heritage preservation. The Bodhi Tree represents enlightenment, peace and non-violence, while the participation of devotees from across Sri Lanka and international guests reflects unity and shared devotion.
For Nepal, participation in the ceremony also represents a tribute to the Dhamma associated with Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and its continued flourishing across Sri Lanka.
The ceremony thus served as a reminder of the enduring spiritual journey connecting Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, to Bodh Gaya, the site of his enlightenment, and Anuradhapura, home to the Sacred Shri Maha Bodhi.
The shared heritage continues to strengthen the cultural and spiritual ties between Nepal and Sri Lanka, with the message of peace and the light of Dhamma continuing to shine across generations.
