On 30th January, H.E. Ling Rinpoche arrived in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and visited the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). The temple is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the holy relic of the tooth of Shakyamuni Buddha.

On 29th January, H.E. Ling Rinpoche visited and paid respects to eight of Sri Lanka's major pilgrimage sites in the ancient Kingdom of Anuradhapura (a UNESCO world heritage site), believed to be visited by Shakyamuni Buddha. This is the place where Buddhism first originated in Sri Lanka and was spread, by Mahinda Thero - the son of King Ashoka. One site contains the Sri Maha Boddhi Tree, the 2329 year old tree descended from the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, India, where Buddha was enlightened. Each of the stupa and monastery sites are more than 2000 years old and contain holy relics of the Buddha. Some remain as excavated ruins and others have been restored. One site historically housed Vajrayana and Mahayana traditions. Rinpoche was very warmly received by the head monks at the sites that currently have monastic communities.

On 28th January, H.E. Ling Rinpoche was kindly invited for lunch with the most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Mahanayake Thero, Head of the Ramanna Order, in Meergama, Sri Lanka on 28th January. They enjoyed an enthusiastic discussion about Vinaya.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche was given a special reception by the most senior Maha Sangha, including Venerable Mahanayake Thero of Amarapura Maha Nikaya, at the headquarters of the Amarapura Order in Colombo. Hiru TV News interviewed Rinpoche during this event.

Sri Lankan Buddhism has three major Buddhist orders; Amarapura Maha Nikaya is the largest order among the three. The other two are the Siam and Ramnaya Orders.

On 27th January, H.E. Ling Rinpoche met with the Supreme Patriarch, the most Venerable Dodampahala Chandrasiri Mahanayake Thero of Amarapura Maha Nikaya, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On 26th January, H.E. Ling Rinpoche embarked on a visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the venerable Sri Lankan sangha. Upon arrival at Sri Lanka's Colombo International Airport VIP Lounge, Rinpoche was warmly welcomed by the most Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero, Mahanayake of Sri Sambuddha Sasanodaya Sangha Sabha of Amarapura Maha Nikaya (Deputy President of Sri Amarapura Maha Sangha Council), Ven Kosgoda Gnaninda Nayake Thero and Dr Daminda Porage Deputy Secretary General of the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

Wishing all a very blessed Lunar New Year! May the new year be smooth and may all your wishes be fulfilled! - H.E. Ling Rinpoche

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche is deeply saddened at the passing of Venerable Thích Nhất Hạnh - one of the greatest Buddhist masters of our time. Thích Nhất Hạnh was one of the brightest lights illuminating our world, and his passing is a great loss to the whole world, in particular for the global Buddhist community. Rinpoche encourages everyone to rejoice and to be inspired by Thích Nhất Hạnh's exemplary life of tireless service to the Buddhadharma and to promoting non-violence, peace and harmony in Vietnam and throughout the entire world. Rinpoche sends his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to all who are mourning at this time. Rinpoche joins all of you in praying that Thích Nhất Hạnh's vast Dharma activities and blessings will continue to benefit all sentient beings throughout limitless time and space!