Published on Monday,
25 June 2012 15:03 News.lk
The
first batch of students from the University of Vienna who completed the
inaugural Diploma in Buddhism was felicitated in Austria on Friday (22). The 15
Austrians were conferred with a Diploma after passing the examination conducted
by the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka through the Academy of
Buddhism and Christianity of the University of Vienna.
In
honour of the students who were awarded the Diploma, the Embassy of Sri Lanka
organized a ceremony to invoke blessings on the students and staff of the
Embassy. The Most Venerable Wijayarajapura Seelawansa Thero, Chief Prelate of
the Vienna Buddhist Centrum, conducted the ceremony, followed by a sermon
delivered by The Venerable Wilachchiye Kassapa Thero from Sri
Lanka.
Lanka.
Having
invoked blessings on the participants, the Venerable Wilachchiye Kassapa Thero
explained to the audience the Buddhist concept of humanity, which emphasised
mutual understanding and accommodation, reaching out to people of all
communities and from all walks of life.
The
Chief Prelate of the Vienna Buddhist Centrum stressed the importance of working
towards achieving peace and harmony among different religions and traditions.
The Most Venerable Wijayarajapura Seelawansa Thero had pioneered the course of
study in Buddhism at the Academy, following an agreement signed between the two
Universities, facilitated by the Embassy.
The
15 Austrian students, who were awarded the Diploma in Buddhism, have expressed
interest in pursuing higher studies in this field at the Buddhist and Pali
University.
Earlier
on, the students had been presented with Diploma certificates by Ambassador
Azeez, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in Austria at a Certificate
Awarding Ceremony that was held at the Academy of Buddhism and Christianity.
