COMMUNITY
October 24, 2014
23
Houston Buddhist Vihare Celebrated Katina Pinkama
BY CHIRANJAYA NANAYAKKARA HOUSTON: This year the Houston Buddhist Vihare held the celebration of ‘Katina Pinkama’ on two consecutive days - October 18 and October 19, at the Temple located at 8727 Radio Road, Houston, TX 77075, with the participation of twenty monks from various parts of the country and, well over five hundred Buddhist devotees from Houston and other cities of Texas. The ceremonies started on Saturday evening with Buddhist Monks chanting ‘Pririt’ (blessings) throughout the night. The next day, early morning around 7:30 a.m., the monks were offered ‘Heel Dana’ (breakfast) prepared by the devotees. The monks walked slowly and silently in line, with their ‘Pathra’ (bowl) held out and, the devotees placed the ‘Heel Dana’ (breakfast) into the monks’ ‘Pathra’ as they passed by. The day was then filled with ‘Bana’(Sermons) from various monks, addressed to all the adults and children present, and this went on until the time came for Dana (Lunch) which, again, was prepared by the devotees and offered to the monks. After the afternoon Dana, the Buddhist devotees organized a ‘Perehara’ (parade) where they brought offerings
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to the monks, while traditional dancers danced to the rhythmic, hypnotic beat of the drums. The dancing was presented by the second generation of Houstonians who enthralled the spectators with their beautiful dancing. They had been trained by Mr. Suren Lewkebandara and Mrs. Ritani Rathnapala. Resident monks of Houston Buddhist with the assistance of the Houston Buddhist Vihare devotees, was instrumental in organizing the colorful ‘Katina Pinkama’ festivities and ensuring that they adhered as closely as possible to the Buddhist traditions practiced in Sri-Lanka, India, Burma, Vietnam and elsewhere in the world. While the entire Buddhist Community pitched-in through various means and ways for the success of the ‘Katina Pinkama’, usually, one family is charged each year with the main responsibility of providing the ‘Dana’ and other Offerings to the monks. This year the responsibility of the ‘Pinkama’ was carried out by Mr. and Mrs. Sumith and Sandya Jayasuriya, together with the Houston Buddhist Vihare and the Buddhist community of Houston. Katina-Vap (October) Full Moon ‘Poya’day is of special significance to Buddhists because of ‘Katina Pinka-
TEMPORARY NEWS REPORTER
KTRK-TV, the ABC owned station located in Houston, TX, has an opening for a full time temporary News Reporter.
ma’. In the month of ‘Vap’, Gautama Buddha is said to have completed three months of the ‘Vas’ period (rainy period). In other words, it signifies the completion of the rainy season, so that the Buddhist monks can once again step out of the temples and go forth to preach the teachings of Buddha as well as obtain offerings, which often include food, clothing and monetary donations.
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NEWS REPORTER
Candidates should have experience in general assignment reporting, including Live ENG and satellite work. Applicants must be able to develop contacts, enterprise good, hard news stories, and respond well to breaking and spot news. Candidates must have outstanding writing skills and the ability to make good use of graphics and production equipment. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
KTRK-TV, the ABC Owned Television station located in Houston, TX, has an excellent career opportunity for a full time News Reporter. Candidates should have experience in general assignment reporting on multiple platforms, including social media and web, including Live ENG and satellite work. Applicants must be able to develop contacts, enterprise good, hard news stories, and respond well to breaking and spot news. Candidates must have outstanding writing skills and the ability to make good use of graphics and production equipment. Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.
All interested applicants must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Interested applicants should also send video tape samples of your news related work to: Human Resources, KTRK-TV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005. Please Reference Job ID: 220303BR on all materials submitted. No Telephone Calls
All interested applicants must apply on-line at www.disneycareers.com by uploading a resume file, cover letter and list of references. Interested applicants should also send video tape samples of your news related work to: Human Resources, KTRK-TV, 3310 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005. Please Reference Job ID: 219223BR on all materials submitted. No Telephone Calls
KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability KTRK-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM