A specific standard for Atapirikara

The Buddha Sasana Council has decided to introduce a specific standard for 'Atapirikara' (eight requisites for monks) sold in the market and to regulate them under the Consumer Affairs Authority. A special circular is to be issued with the assistance of the Consumer Affairs Authority to implement these regulatory activities, providing an opportunity for the Buddhist community to purchase Atapirikara in a disciplined manner.

According to this new program, steps will be taken to ban 'Solos Pirikara' (sixteen requisites) currently sold in the market. In addition, the Buddha Sasana Council has decided to remove from the market ritual items with inappropriate features, such as beads attached to 'Vatapath' (fan-like objects carried by monks).

Market raids are planned to be conducted through the Consumer Affairs Authority in the future to inspect the Atapirikara standards. The assistance of officials such as Divisional Secretaries and Buddhist Affairs Coordinators is also expected to make these raids and regulatory activities more successful.

These decisions were reached at a recent Buddha Sasana Council meeting held at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, with the participation of the subject minister and the Registrar Theros of all monastic sects. This was confirmed by the Most Venerable Beragama Wimalatissa Nahimi, the Maha Lekhakadhikari (Chief Registrar) of the Amarapura Siri Saddhamma Yukthika Matara Maha Nikaya.