New Year Gift Exchange Program, 2020

Reported by: Ven. Joy Barua and Ven. Dorjey Dolma

International Buddhist College has organized the New Year eve in Kristigarba classroom on 31st December 2019. All the teachers and students enthusiastically celebrate the New Year by cutting the cake and paying respect to the triple gem for the betterment of all the sentient beings. The program was managed by all the final year students of B.A., M.A., Ph.D. and students from B.A.3rd year. Ven. Anandajoti Bhikkhu, Prof. Kapila Abhyawansa, Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam, and Prof. Lozang Jamspal have blessed the event by the heartfelt speech. And at last, Program was ended with the gift exchange session.

The New Year event started at 7:00 p.m by paying homage to the triple gems from three Buddhist traditions, namely; Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Ven Anandajoti and Ven. Maha Narong led Theravada chanting, Ven. Penjor and Ven. Dolma led Vajrayana chanting and Ven. Zhen Sheng and Ven. Zhen Yuan led the Mahayana chanting. After that M.C of the program Ven. Saksith and Ms. Phyo brief about the program.

Next session Ven. Anandajoti Bhikkhu, Prof. Kapila Abhyawansa, Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam, and Prof. Lozang Jamspal have given the speech. Ven. Anandajoti Bhikkhu wished everyone Happy New Year and emphasized on the importance of meditation and new aspiration in student life. He suggested to practice meditation. Prof. Kapila Abhyawansa vice Rector cum Dean of Religious Studies of IBC wished Happy New Year and thanked the organizer team for providing the occasion to be happy, Prof. said that happiness is very important for the life of the people, as Buddhism also present, that may all living beings be happy. He suggests everyone make happiness for the men kind in the coming year 2020. Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam said: we are all trying to look at things in a new way so look everything as a new because looking everything new is what important in our life. It’s a new life that we begin with the New Year celebration to look at everything in a new way. Prof. Jamspal quoted a Ladakhi proverb, “every one of us is from different places, but we live in the same place with unity.” Therefore, Professor emphasized to live in unity in a diverse environment. The program was followed by a Sinhalese Dhamma song by Prof. Tilak. In the meantime, everyone enjoyed the snacks and cold drinks.

Next, the gift exchange session led by Ven. Aggadhamma, Ven. Nishan, Ven. Utpal and Ven. Chinh. The session started with a pick up from most senior monk Phra Mahanarong and gradually everyone shared the gift, after that there were lucky draws or lucky gifts where only some people can get the gifts. The program ended at 10:00 pm by welcoming the New Year 2020 with the great zeal.

The New Year ceremony is a get together of the IBC family where every teacher, staff, and student participates in cherishing and welcoming the New Year. Students get inspired and motivated by the teachers to socially active to frame one’s character to do something better in the year to come. It would be wonderful if recreational activities to be kept for all the participants in the middle of one session. Overall, the New Year Gift Exchange Program has been an excellent learning event as well as everlasting memory in the IBC campus.