On Tuesday, November 17, 2015 International Buddhist College (IBC) celebrated the Appreciation Day with meaningful agenda to instill a sense of gratitude and appreciative qualities amongst all teachers, staff and students of IBC. The ceremony commenced at 9 am by paying homage to Triple Gem followed by an opening speech by Venerable Zhen Ti, Director of Administrative Affairs.
During the section of “Appreciation Speech”, our respected Professor Kapila Abhayawansa and Professor Tilak Kariyawansa gave phenomenal key note speeches regarding Buddhist ways of Appreciations.
Professor Kapila stressed the value of appreciation and said, “Appreciation is a valuable human quality and in the real sense it should be an inborn quality. According to Buddhism, all human being are inter-dependent. We cannot survive without the help, support and assistance of others. Therefore we should be appreciative not only to our animate supporters but also to the inanimate supporters like the environment. The Master of our religion, the Buddha taught us the valuable lesson by his own action of paying gratitude to the Bodhi tree for the support he got for his enlightenment. The organization of an Appreciation Day by IBC is praiseworthy. As members of a Buddhist academic institution, we are bound to practice such qualities for the good of many. IBC can be maintained properly and effectively only if all the relevant parties willingly render their services for the promotion of IBC. When we pay our gratitude as an appreciation to all of them, not only they would be happy but also they are encouraged to contribute their valuable services to make the IBC Motto– for the good of the many a living reality.”
Professor Tilak especially expressed his thanks to the founder, Ven. Wei Wu and the Director of Administrative Office, Ven. Zhen Ti for the continuous improvement of IBC as well as the staff of IBC. He also reminded the students of IBC to train themselves to appreciate others and to see good in others.
This was then followed by “Thank You” speeches made by three student representatives from BA program, MA program and PhD program. They shared their experiences and their appreciations to IBC for supporting them both in academic and spiritual insight.
After that, IBC presented the certificates to those who have contributed to the smooth running of IBC such as professors, lecturers, staff and students who involved actively in organizing activities in IBC. Besides that, IBC also showed their appreciation to those volunteers who have dedicated their time in helping IBC in one or another way.
Amongst those who need to be appreciated, an outstanding student award, was prized to Mr. Chhen Sela for his remarkable social work and great endeavors to IBC. He shared his happiness with the audience of the ceremony by thanking IBC, Student Club and his friends and said, “With regard to this inspiration, it reminds me one short sutta that occurs in the Anguttara Nikaya which left a deep impression on me. The sutta states that there is one person who arises in the world for the welfare of the multitude, for the happiness of the multitude, out of compassion to the world, for the good welfare and happiness of devas and human beings. Who was that one person...the Tathagatha ,the Arahat the perfectly enlightened one. This short sutta indicates that the very reason of beings for the Buddha arising in the world is to teach compassion for the world, and we Buddhists have to do it in the name of good, happiness and peace of humanity.”
Finally, the Appreciation Day ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Ven. Wajiraseeha and a group photo taking session. It ended successfully at 11 am. All the participants then enjoyed delicious lunch hosted by IBC in the dining hall.
