SRI LANKA, DAY 8
August 4, 2025

Leaving Kandy before sunrise, our delegation returned to Colombo, the capital city. Along that long journey, we had the chance to share heartfelt reflections. Each person carried their own unique emotions, their own life story—no two alike. Yet, the one thing we all shared was a spirit of harmony, joy, and mutual care that had remained constant throughout our days together. All in all, this was a journey both meaningful and fulfilling for every member.

Though the schedule was at times rushed, the joy in our hearts never waned. For most of us, this marked the first time in our lives to venerate the Buddha’s relics, to bow beneath the more than 2,300-year-old Bodhi Tree, and to meet esteemed Great Elders, the Prime Minister, and other distinguished leaders of Sri Lanka.

At 11 a.m., a meeting was held with the Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President. We shared our heartfelt aspirations regarding the construction of the Dhammacetiya Complex, the 2026 Vesak Celebration, the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony, and our concerns about the path of Dhamma propagation. The officials graciously accepted the invitation to attend and give their support at next year’s Grand Ceremony, circumstances permitting. This marks a significant milestone in the journey toward building the Dhammacetiya.

Afterward, we visited the Office of the Inspector General of Police in Sri Lanka to share our experience and express our deep gratitude to the Inspector General for his wholehearted support. From the very first day, the police provided an escort from the airport, and on this final day, they accompanied us back. During this busy season, the streets of the capital are filled with heavy traffic, and without the police escort, many of our important meetings would have faced severe delays. We are sincerely grateful to the Sri Lankan government for making this Dhamma journey possible.

Finally, the delegation arrived at Colombo International Airport. Our teacher and disciples boarded the flight home to our beloved temple, while the lay devotees—some from the South, some from the North—prepared for their separate ways back to the United States or Vietnam. All were moved in those final moments as we parted ways at the close of this profoundly meaningful journey.

Farewell, Sri Lanka,
Farewell to those warm and kind souls.
To sacred temples, Bodhi Trees, and holy relics,
And to the noble ones whose virtue and wisdom gently unfold.
If one day we still wander through saṃsāra,
May we meet again to continue this thread of kamma.
Encountering one another in this world of illusion,
Guiding each other across the ocean of suffering and delusion.

#buddhism #tangkinhthanhdien #buocchanhanhgia #sbsstupas #dhammacetiya #chuahuongdao #sutuenhan #pannakara #srilanka #relics