Buddhist flag
The Buddhist flag is an emblem of the solidarity of all Buddhists. Introduced in Sri Lanka on April 28, 1885, the flag has been an enduring symbol among Buddhist groups and nations.
History of the flag
The Buddhist flag was first unveiled in Sri Lanka on April 28, 1885.
According to the Sri Lanka News":
(OGNP) Yesterday marked the 125th anniversary of the Buddhist Flag in the country. The inaugural ceremony of then Buddhist Flag designed and introduced by Sri Lanka was held on April 28 1885 on a Wesak Full Moon Day on Adhi Wesak Day. The Flag was originally designed in 1885 by the Colombo Committee.
This flag was published in the Sarasavi Sandaresa newspaper of 17 April 1885 and was first hoisted in public on Wesak day, 28 May 1885 at the Dipaduttamarama, Kotahena, by Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda thera.[1]
Banning of flag in Communist countries
per Wikipedia [6] Cẩn's influence began to wane after his elder brother Ngô Đình Thục was appointed the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Huế. Thục overshadowed Cẩn and aggressively promoted Catholicism, which led to the banning of the Buddhist flag in 1963 during Vesak, the celebration of the birthday of Gautama Buddha. Cẩn's forces opened fire on a crowd who were protesting the ban, killing nine and precipitating the Buddhist crisis.
Design of the flag
The colors of the flag have great significance.
Commemorative stamps
Many commemorative stamps have been issued honoring the Buddhist flag.
First day cover of Sri Lankan stamp issued December 8, 1967.
First day cover of Vietnamese stamp issued May 15, 1965.
Sri Lankan stamp, 1989.
Myanmar stamp for World Buddhist Summit, Dec. 9-11, 2004. Buddhist flag at top of circle of flags.
125th anniversary celebrations
In 2010, the 125th anniversary of the first raising of the flag was celebrated in Sri Lanka.
According to the Sunday Observer:
Elaborate arrangements have been made to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the hoisting of the first Buddshist flag in Sri Lanka on April 28, 1885.
The historic event was held 125 years ago at Dipaduttaramaya, Kotahena, Colombo by Ven. Migettuwatte Gunananda Nayake Thera.
To commemorate this historic event, a special religious ceremony will be held on April 28, Full Moon Poya Day at Dipaduttaramaya Thai Raja Maha Vihara, Kotahena at 4 pm.
It will be followed by a State-sponsored Vesak week in May which include an essay and poem competition among Buddhist schools, issuance of a commemorative stamp and construction of a commemorative monument of the Buddhist Flag.
The events are organised by Prince College, Kotahena. Other Buddhist organisations will also be celebrating this historic event in various parts of the country.
The present incumbent of Dipaduttaramaya Thai Raja Maha Vihara, Ven. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Anunayake Thera who heads the organising committee said the historic Buddhist flag will be hoisted again at its original place at 4 p.m. on this day amidst a gathering of Maha Nayaka Theras and State dignitaries.[2]
The final Commemoration Ceremony to mark the 125th anniversary of the Buddhist Flag will be held under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, at Independence Square in Colombo today at 9.00 a.m.
A Buddhist flag will be hoisted at Independence Square. The State Engineering Corporation constructed the dais and the flag staff.
It has been designed by Aesthetic University, Visual Arts Faculty Dean Sarath Gunasiri. A commemorative stamp too will be issued at the ceremony.
A copy of ‘Buddhist Flag’, the Commemorative Journal will also be presented to the Premier. The program is being organized by the Colombo Buddhist Theosophical Society and the Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs Ministry. [3]
Recent news of the flag
The Buddhist flag continues to make news. On May 2, 2012, Sri Lankan Deputy Minister Gunawardena called upon the Buddhists to display the Buddhist flag at their houses in for Wesak Week and the National Wesak Festival.[4]
On May 5, 2012, the Sri Lanka News reported:
The Isipathanaramaya temple of Vevala, Bokkaavala, Pujapitiya is making the largest Buddhist flag in the world. The flag will be 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. Presently, the largest Buddhist flag is in Thailand. It is created with 9,000 square feet of cloth.[5]
Note
- ↑ "Commemorative stamp issued - 125th annivesary of the Buddhist Flag," Sri Lanka News (April 29, 2010), accessed at [1]
- ↑ "Hoisting first Buddhist flag in country," Sunday Observer (April 25, 2010) web page [[2]]
- ↑ "PM chief guest at Buddhist flag ceremony " Tops.lk website (April 28, 2010). Accessed at [3]
- ↑ "State Wesak Festival will be held near Dalada Maligawa on 6th," Independent Television Network News (May 2, 2012). Accessed at [4]
- ↑ "Largest Buddhist flag," Sri Lanka News (February 5, 2012). [5]