斯里兰卡摩诃菩提会着手在印度桑奇修建香客休息场所

据斯里兰卡《每日镜报》2009年8月12日报道，近日，斯里兰卡摩诃菩提会已着手在印度桑奇修建一座三层高的香客休息场所。

据悉，该项目预计耗资8300万卢比，由斯里兰卡政府出资、印度中央邦政府在桑奇寺Wimalatissa法师的监督下建造。

斯里兰卡摩诃菩提会会长Upatissa法师接受采访表示，该项目由斯里兰卡城市发展与圣地开发部部长Dinesh Gunawardene在斯里兰卡文化公共关系部部长Madya Pradesh Luxmikanth Sharma以及考古负责人Gopal Circle, Dr.K. K. Mohamed 的帮助下于2006年启动，目的是为到印度桑奇朝拜的香客提供休息场所和设施。

Upatissa法师还强调了印度桑奇的历史重要性，他表示，将佛教传入斯里兰卡的印度阿育王之子摩哂陀就是从印度桑奇启程的，同时佛陀两大弟子舍利弗与目犍连的舍利也在印度桑奇大塔内珍藏。(编译：子规）

Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society has taken steps to construct a three storied pilgrims’ rest at Sanchi in India.
The project costing Rs. 83 million is funded by the Sri Lankan government and constructed by the Madya Pradesh Government in India under the supervision of Chief Incumbent of the Sanchi Vihara Ven. Banagala Wimalatissa Thera.

President of the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society, Chief Sanghanayake in Japan Ven. Bangala Upatissa Thera told the media that the project was inaugurated in 2006 by Minister of Urban Development and the Sacred Area Development Dinesh Gunawardene with the help of Cultural and Public Relations Minister Madya Pradesh Luxmikanth Sharma and the Director of Archaeology, Gopal Circle, Dr.K. K. Mohamed to provide enhanced facilities for the devotees on pilgrimage to Sanchi. Emphasizing the historical importance of Sanchi Ven. Upatissa Thera pointed out that Arahath Mahinda who established Buddhism in Sri Lanka set off from Sanchi and that the relics of the two chief disciples of the Buddha Arahat Sariputta and Moggallana have been enshrined in the Sanchi Vihara.