Sati Pasala Perth was inaugurated on the Saturday 17th November at 3.30 pm at Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara at Kenwick, Western Australia in the presence of Maha Sangha, invitees and families. Nearly 45 enrolled as students on this day.
Shoba Senasinghe, the Teaching Coordinator, welcomed all present and introduced Sati Pasala opening at Perth as a ‘Guru Pooja’ to the Founder of Sati Pasala, Most Venerable Uda Iriyagama Dhammajiva Maha Thero by the group of volunteers behind the organization.
Lighting of the traditional oil lamp was the next item.
Next the anusasana was delivered by chief resident monk of Sri Lanka Buddhist Vihara Kenwick and Sangha Nayaka of the Amarapura Nikaya in Australia, Venerable Beruwala Siri Sobhitha Thero. It was followed by a video show on Sati Pasala titled ‘Sati Pasala – Growing with Vigour’. Then, the volunteer team of Mindfulness Facilitators was introduced as Ari Amaratunge, Dimuthu Hathurusinghe, Sheranga Nanayakkara and Poornima Kulathunga.
It was mentioned that all volunteer teachers are regular mindfulness practitioners under the guidance of Most Venerable Dhammajiva Maha Thero and also Sheranga and Poornima have been involved in developing the first-ever Sati Pasala teaching materials at the inception of Sati Pasala in 2016.
A vote of thanks was then delivered by Sati Pasala Perth Coordinator, Professor Sumedha Rajakaruna.
Formal opening of Sati Pasala teaching commenced with Venerable Panadure Chandarathana Thero by delivering a short introduction on mindfulness followed by the guided mindful sitting session.
Mindfulness Facilitator Sheranga conducted Mindful Yoga session. Everybody was very interested to see the variation in activities.
Then, the Mindful Walking session was conducted by the Mindfulness Facilitator Dimuthu.
Next, Mindfulness Facilitator Ari conducted a mindful listening session.
Finally, the session was wrapped up with reflection and announcements. Milk rice (Kiribath) and a cup of tea were shared with all participants. The 2nd Sati Pasala session is scheduled to be conducted at the same place on 15th December at 3.30 pm.