Asala Pindapatha Charika at Ananda College -A Living Tradition of Dana and Discipline

The Asala Pindapatha Charika, a deeply spiritual and culturally significant event, was held on Wednesday, 9th July 2025, at Ananda College, organized by the Buddhist Association of the school. The event brought together students, teachers, parents, and the Maha Sangha in a moving display of faith, unity, and tradition.

The concept for the event originated from the Principal, Mr. D. M. L. P. Dissanayake, and was executed under the spiritual guidance and supervision of the Assistant Principal and Teacher-in-Charge of the Buddhist Association, Pradhana Dharmacharya Ven. Onegama Upali Thero, along with the resident Maha Sangha of Ananda College, who serve as religious instructors.

A unique highlight of this year’s Charika was the participation of fifty Buddhist monks from Myanmar, currently pursuing their higher studies in Sri Lanka. Their presence added immense spiritual value and strengthened cross-cultural Buddhist ties.

The procession commenced at the Primary Section of the college and moved gracefully through the school premises, passing the Advanced Level sections, Grades 10 and 11, and finally reaching Sathmahala, the heart of the ceremony. Along the route, students, teachers, non-academic staff, and parents engaged in the meritorious act of alms-giving (Dana), offering food and requisites to the monks as they walked mindfully in the traditional Pindapatha manner.

At Sathmahala, each class from Grades 6 to 9 performed individual alms-giving ceremonies in all 48 classrooms, accompanied by their respective class teachers and parents. These rituals were conducted with deep reverence, nurturing values of generosity, humility, and compassion among the students.

The entire event was coordinated from the Grade 6-1 classroom, where Ven. Upali Thero supervised the proceedings. The event also witnessed the participation of the Principal, the Assistant Principal in charge of Grades 6 to 11, the Head Prefect, senior prefects, and the President of the Buddhist Association.

Technical and logistical support was efficiently handled by the Radio Club of Ananda College, which maintained real-time communication with all 48 classrooms, ensuring seamless coordination throughout the event. The Photographic Art Society captured powerful moments, preserving the serenity and significance of the occasion.

The Maha Sangha of Ananda College visited the classrooms, offering spiritual blessings and ensuring the proper conduct of rituals, further emphasizing the importance of passing down these sacred traditions.

The Asala Pindapatha Charika was not just a ceremonial observance—it was a living lesson in Buddhist values, a reaffirmation of moral education, and a powerful cultural transmission from one generation to the next. The image of saffron-robed monks walking in solemn dignity through the college grounds was a profound and inspiring sight for all who witnessed it.

It was truly a grand success and a pleasant sight to behold, embodying the timeless values of Dana (generosity), Sila (discipline), and Bhavana (mindful cultivation). The joy and spiritual merit shared among the participants made the event a memorable and uplifting experience for the entire Ananda College community.