Theravada Buddhists celebrate Poi Lu Fra and Poi Lu Lik Chow Bilaseng Namchoom ITANAGAR, Dec 7:The religious procession along with recitation of chants and beating of drum and cymbals carrying Lu Fra (Buddha statues) and Tun Petesha (decorated celestial tree) in a bamboo carrier marked the celebration of Poi Lu Fra and Poi Lu Lik of the Theravada Buddhists at Theravada Buddhist Temple Itanagar on December 6 and 7. Addressing the devotes on the occasion, Director Mahabodhi College of Namsai Reverend Monk Paniyaloka Bhikkhu and Reverend Monk from Kherem village of Chongkham circle Dhammaketi Bhikkhu spoke about significance of celebrating the religious ceremony of Poi Lu Fra and Poi Lu Lik and its observance by the Theravada Buddhist with pious minds and hearts. Both emphasized on the need to perform Dana (charity), Sila (Morality) and Bhavana (Meditation) which are the only three ways of acquiring merit and to give more precedence to Buddhist principles of five precepts. The specialty of the Poi Lu Fra and Poi Lu Lik ceremony is the offering of Buddha statues and Buddhist Holy Scriptures to the Monastery as a dana (offering) by a family or by the whole village or by the whole community. It is an auspicious occasion carrying tremendous value for Buddhists believer in the fulfillment of religious feelings. It is believed that offering of ‘dana’ in the form of Buddha statues acquires merit in return. The offered Buddha statues of the devotees were kept in a temporarily constructed decorated pandal known as Ho Mantap or Chong Fra before final installation at a pre-determined place inside the monastery. Before installing Buddha statues inside monastery, the monks recited Dhamma Gatha, Triratna Bandana and Paritran Sutta which are religious song of the Buddhists. To mark the celebration, it is also customary to have religious procession carrying Buddha statues and decorated celestial tree which the locals termed as Yaa Fra/Petesha. During the procession, everyone has the wish and intention to lift and carry the carrier with Buddha Statues and decorated Celestial tree for a while in order to earn merit. Every individual hangs and ties money or any other materials and decorate the Tun Petesha (celestial tree) before the joyful procession is carried out in the area. The two day programme also included hoisting of Buddhist flag, offering of foods to Bhikkhu Sangha (Monks), illumination of Theravada Buddhist Temple, Tang Anekacha (Pranpratistha Buddha Idols), Khamsin Thomtra (taking of five precepts) and community feast for devotees and guests. The entire religious event was solemnized by Advisor Planning Chow Lileswar Tungkhang and Nang Sumitra Tungkhang with their family members and was participated by Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society, Theravada Buddhist from all over state and Assam and people from different religion background.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:47:25 +0000
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