The first conference of Sri Lankan monks living in Europe was held recently in the capital of Vienna, Austria in a grand manner.
More than sixty-one Sri Lankan monks from the countries of Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France, Austria, Norway, Cyprus, Switzerland, Greece, England, as well as the countries of Japan, Malaysia and Bangladesh in the Asian region participated in this event.
As the president of the New Bhikshu Association, the Chief Sanghanayake of Austria, Most Reverend Vijayarajapura Seelawansa Thero, was elected. The Austrian Government and the Austrian Buddhist Association organized this Sangha Conference.
In this conference, “more attention was paid to the responsibility and role of the Sri Lankan monk in spreading the dharma in foreign countries, the dharma knowledge of the monks engaged in missionary work”.
Mr. Majintha Jayasinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria, Mrs. Varuni Muthukumarana, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany, participated in this conference representing the Government of Sri Lanka.
Along with this Sangha conference, a new website named slbhikkhuassociationeu.org was also launched, containing information about Sri Lankan temples across Europe.
The association has decided to hold the next conference in Italy in 2024.
