SEC-S5:W3 – The Diary Game: Almsgiving Ceremony

Hello friends, I am @senehasa from Sri Lanka. This is my first entry into this community. Big thanks to Steem Venezuela for organizing such a lovely contest for us to participate. I am happy to share my gratitude diary about an Almsgiving ceremony in which I participated today. Actually, this opportunity was given to me by one of my neighbors called Shanika Sister. Her father passed away on the same day as today, two years ago. On remembering her father her family organized this almsgiving to Bhikkhu.

First, I will introduce you to what this almsgiving ceremony is. Almsgiving means offering food and other essentials to the monks who study and practice Load Buddha's teaching. This ceremony is mostly performed in Sri Lanka as a way to remember relatives who have passed away. This almsgiving occurs by summoning Bhikkhu to our own homes as well as by going to the temple. The almsgiving ceremony in which I participated today happened by summoning Bhikkhus to her own house.

As usual, I got up early and did my morning routine of walking, drinking coffee, cleaning, and making breakfast. It was time about 9 a.m. when I finished all my routing works. I then take a shower and get dressed for the occasion. I decided to arrive there a bit early as I might assist them. Around 11 a.m., the monks begin eating lunch. My husband told me that since the ceremony would take around two hours, he would be there by noon. So, at about 9.30 a.m. I went there alone.

A caterer named ‘Udumbara’ was hired for lunch. They make all the preparations, including setting up tables and chairs for the monks as well as providing all the food, plates, glasses, and all. For the family, just Pirikara and other needs have to be organized. Although I need to help them everything has finished when I go there. The family has invited ten Bhikkhus to their house.

The relic casket and monks were come to their house at about 11 a.m. First, presented Buddha with the "buddha's offer" by placing it in the relic box on a different table. Then the family requested the monks to accept their alms. After Nayaka Thera made a brief statement about the significance of the occasion, the food was properly presented. After the monks had eaten their food and delicious dessert, the additional necessities called pirikara were provided.

After finishing all these activities, another monk gave punnanumodanawa and asked everyone who participated in the ceremony to transfer the merits to their departed family members and friends.

The relic casket and monks were conducted back to the temple in the same manner as they were brought and the proceeding was concluded.

Then, all of the members who had been invited to the occasion were then offered lunch. By this time my husband also attended the ceremony. All of us enjoyed the food and dessert very much. All the foods were very delicious, and for dessert, there was Watalappan, Pudin, Fruits, Curd, Ice-cream and many more.

After our meals, we talk to one another and share our thoughts. We had a chance to meet friends and other family members there, after a very long time. I must gratitude my friend Shanika for giving me this opportunity to take a time to enjoy as well as to collect some merits to my life.

My dear friend this is my gratitude diary, hope you all enjoy that and could learn something about our almsgiving. I like to invite @jyoti-thelight, @sualeha, @marito74, and @pea07 to participate in this contest.

Thanking you all for reading my blog.