Publicity - LBDFI

International Abhidamma International Chanting Ceremony Sankasya

Chanting the Tipitaka – A Revival of an Ancient Tradition

In 2013 LBDFI installed a Dharma Bell in the historic site of Sankasya, the site where the Buddha returned to the earth from the heavenly realm at the end of the seventh Vassa, having taught the Abhidamma to his mother and other devas. It is also recorded that the Buddha returned every day to eat in the northern continent, and Sariputta went there by his psychic power and served him and so was able to receive the teachings, returning to Sankasya to write them down every evening in a nearby vihara. Because of this, Sankasya is associated with the Abhidamma and venerated by all Buddhists as one of the eight ancient sites of pilgrimage.

During the installation of the bell, Executive Director Wangmo Dixey discussed the possibility of starting an annual Abhidamma Tipitaka Chanting ceremony with the local viharas, and with the support of friends in Dhamma it was decided to begin the first Abhidamma Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony on November 11-13th 2014.

This year’s ceremony, scheduled for November 11-14th 2015, will be the second time the Abhidamma is chanted in Sankasya by an international sangha of Theravadin monks.

LBDFI will offer free copies of the Abhidamma Pitaka to all participants.