The White House celebrated Vesak for the first time, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC said today (31)The ceremony was conducted with the participation of three Venerable theros representing the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions. The Most Venerable Katugasthota Uparathana Nayaka Thero, the Chief Incumbent of the Wheaton Buddhist Vihara represented the Theravada tradition. In addition, the ceremony was attended by the Second Gentlemen, Mr. Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Earlier in an official statement to mark Vesak President Joe Biden observed “Jill and I extend our warmest wishes to Buddhists in the United States and around the world as they celebrate Vesak, a day honoring the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. The Embassy staff and leaders of the Dayaka Sabba of the Greater Washington based Sri Lankan temples also attended these events.
