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Today is Duruthu Pasalosvaka Poya

The Buddha's third visit

by Walter Wijenayaka

This is the Kelaniya festival season, and today is the Full Moon Poya Day of Duruthu in the year 2548 as for the Buddhist calendar.

A Kelaniya fresco

The Sinhala saying "Upanda sita karapu paw netha warak wendoth Kelaniye" which meant - the sins committed in the lifetime are brought to nil by worshipping at Kelaniya even once - explains well the greatness of worshipping the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya.

According to Mahavamsa, this place of worship is one of the most sacred three Buddhist religious Places in this small beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, where the Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gauthama Buddha visited.

The first visit was to Mahiyangana in the ninth month of His Buddhahood. The second visit was to Nagadeepa in the fifth year of His Buddhahood.

Kelaniya is the third place visited by the Thathagatha on a Full Moon Poya Day of Vesak in the eighth year of His Buddhahood.

The Mahavamsa chronicles thus: "...... in the 8th year after He had attained the Buddhahood, when the Vanquisher was dwelling in Jethavana, the Master, set forth surrounded by five hundred Bhikkhus on the second day of the beautiful month of Vishakha on the Full Moon and when the hour of meal was announced the Vanquisher, Prince of Wise, forthwith putting on his robe and taking His alms-bowl went to the Kelani country, the habitation of Maniakkhika....." (Chapter I Notes 72 - 77).

On this visit, the Buddha has also visited "Samantha Kuta" (Sri Pada Kanda), "Dheegavapi", "Mahamegavanarama", the place where later the "Thuparama" was built at Anuradhapura, the place where the stone-cetiya now Selacaitya has been built in Anuradhapura from where He returned to Jethawanaramaya.

It is in the early history that the city of Kelaniya along with Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya (Kelaniya Temple) was built by the King Yatalatissa who reigned in the 3rd century. (It was during the period of the King Voharikatissa that the original paintings on the Shrine walls were added).

The Dagoba is said to be 60 cubits in height and 120 cubits in circumference. There had been built a number of image houses, a five storied aarama for Bhikkhus and for God Vibhishana, a devalaya.

The King Panditha Parakramabahu II (1236-1271) carried out extensive renovations at this temple, in accordance with the text of Mahavamsa (CH: 85, 64-72).

It is also in the recorded history that this king completely restored the five storied Prasadaya along with other buildings including the recumbent - Buddha image and the Thivanka Buddha Image which had been built by the King Yatalatissa and which had gone into ruin. Further he has paved the Courtyard with smooth stones and has erected a huge Mandapaya.

The glorious era of prosperity of this Raja Maha Viharaya could have been from about the middle of the 14th century until the middle of the 15th century as has been in the context of the contemporary literary works, especially in Sandesa Kavya - "Hansa", "Selalihini", "Mayura", "Kokila" etc.

Thotagamuwe Sri Rahula Maha Thera has given a good description of the temple building in one of his writings:

The frst building is the Lankatilaka Image House. The other one is Pasmahal Prasadaya, the five storied hall where the Arhant Maliyadeva delivered sermons to 60 Bhikkhus. The next was "Wata-Dage" - the circular relic house. The Western hall was with the recumbent Buddha image.

There had been another Dagoba 60 cubits in height which had been constructed in the place where the Buddha said to have preached Dhamma to the Naga King Maniakkhika.

The other is the Naga image house with the image of the Buddha seated within the coils of Naga Muchalinda.

The Bo-tree and the Thivanka Buddha Image was near the southern gate.

There was Cheevara Dagaba built at the place where the Buddha is said to have remained standing a while after having a bath in the Kelani Ganga.

The devotees have constructed another hall and a Buddha Image within it to mark the place where lay the cauldron of oil into which the King Kavantissa had a Bhikkhu thrown suspecting him of intriguing with his queen.

There was another stately mansion which the poet described as resembling in splendour of Indra's Vijayothpaya, dedicated to God Vibhishana. An invasion from South India in the year 1213, led by Kalinga-Magha resulted in the destruction of several shrines and temples in the country including the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya. It was the King Vijayabahu III who reconstructed the Kelaniya Temple and brought it to the former glory.

Again the Portuguese, after invading and the maritime provinces in the year 1505, exactly 500 years ago, this temple and several others were destroyed.

It was the King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe of Kandy who rebuilt the Kelaniya Viharya in the year 1767, after it had been abandoned for 200 years.

In the year 1930, this viharaya received further attention of Mrs. Helena Wijewardena who commissioned the famous temple artiste Solius Mendis to restore the interior of the Viharaya to its former glory.

Solius Mendis has set the incidents of the stories into the wall spaces with a remarkable talent and eye for life - like representations of the characters of the stories.

The first ever Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera commenced in the year 1927.

Some simple instructions for a happy life

Here are three brief sutras, which show how the idea of rebirth contributes to our compassion for others, as well as giving us a little comfort for ourselves.

Duggata Sutta - The hard-times Sutra

When you see someone who has fallen on hard times, overwhelmed with hard times, you should conclude: 'We, too, have experienced just this sort of thing in the course of that long, long time.'

Sukhita Sutta - The happy sutra

When you see someone who is happy and well-provided in life, you should conclude: 'We, too, have experienced just this sort of thing in the course of that long, long time.'

Mata Sutta - The mother sutra

A being who has not been your mother at one time in the past is not easy to find... A being who has not been your father... your brother... your sister... your son... your daughter at one time in the past is not easy to find. Not everyone desires enlightenment. Sometimes, all we want is to be able to meet once again the ones we love:

Samajivina Sutta - Living in tune

Once the Blessed One was staying among the Bhaggas in the Deer Park at Bhesakala Grove, near Crocodile Haunt. Then early in the morning the Blessed One put on his robes and, carrying his bowl and outer robe, went to the home of the householder, Nakula's father. On arrival, he sat down on a seat made ready. Then Nakula's father and Nakula's mother went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As they were sitting there, Nakula's father said to the Blessed One: "Lord, ever since Nakula's mother as a young girl was brought to me [to be my wife when I was just a young boy, I am not conscious of being unfaithful to her even in mind, much less in body. We want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

And Nakula's mother said to the Blessed One: "Lord, ever since I as a young girl was brought to Nakula's father to be his wife when he was just a young boy, I am not conscious of being unfaithful to him even in mind, much less in body. We want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

The Blessed One said: "If both husband & wife want to see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come, they should be in tune [with each other] in conviction, in tune in virtue, in tune in generosity, and in tune in discernment. Then they will see one another not only in the present life but also in the life to come."

Husband and wife, both of them
having conviction,
being responsive,
being restrained,
living by the Dhamma,
addressing each other
with loving words:
they benefit in manifold ways.
To them comes bliss.|
Their enemies are dejected
when both are in tune in virtue.
Having followed the Dhamma
here in this world,
both in tune in precepts and practices,
they delight in the world of the devas,
enjoying the pleasures they desire.

- Translated from Pali by Bhikkhu Thanissaro

The efficacy of the Tun Sutra

by H. M. Nemsiri Mutukumara

The Tun Sutra - three sutras - Mangala Sutra, Ratana Sutra and Karaniya Metta Sutra - are household in the Buddhist polity.

Buddhists wherever they live either organise and hold Sarva-ratrika partrana desana - all-night chanting of paritta in their own homes or pariticipate in pirith chanting ceremonies in the homes of their friends or relatives. The chanting of paritta goes back to the time of the Sakyamuni Buddha himself.

The Lamas of Tibet recite the sacred Suttas in Chinese and Sanskrit, accompanied by the playing of the drums and large bugles.

These ceremonies attract large gathering of devout Buddhists, well-wishers, pilgrims and tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh all round the year. From the beginning, Arhants, the Saints in the Bhikkhu Sangha order collected and classified all the suttas into one lofty division called the Sutta Pitaka. The general discourses and desana are intended for both Bhikkhu Sangha and Bhikkhuni Sangha and lay disciples.

The Mangala Sutta is famous and extremely popular throughout the world. Mangala Sutta is highly cherished in all Buddhist countries and every part of the world where Buddhists live.

The Maha Mangala Sutta is the Discourse on the Great blessings. Thirty-eight blessings embody the Maha Mangala Sutta. These sacred words the Sakyamuni Buddha delivered instantaneously to a deity from the Jetavanaramaya near Savatthi.

"Now when the night was far spent, a certain deity, illuminating the sprawling Jetavanaramaya complex and its environs with his surpassing splendour came to the Dam Sabha Mandapaya. The Buddha was in assembly with the Sangha.

The deity came to the presence of the Buddha, drew near and respectfully saluted Him and stood at one side. Standing on one side the deity addressed the Great Teacher in verse.

The deity with extreme reverence prayed that many deities and men, yearning after good have pondered on blessings, please tell me the Highest Blessing. Buddha Sakyamuni in that hour passed midnight, promptly delivered thirty-eight (38) blessings that would conduce to peace, happiness and prosperity to people, gods and men and all beings living at the present time as well as in the future.

The Maha Mangala Sutta is a complete and comprehensive summary of Buddhist ethics for the individual as well as for society.

Mangala Sutta composed in elegant and melodious verses is a soothing balm to the listener.

The thirty-eight blessings enumerated in the sutta as sure and never failing guides throughout one's life, start with a refreshing advice on ('avoidance of bad company - asevanaca balanam') and provide ideals and practices basic to all moral and spiritual progress for the welfare and happiness of the individual, the family and the community.

Delivered nearly 2600 years ago from the Jetavanaramaya in Savatthi (now, though the place has been named Sahet Mahet, the ruins of the Jetavanaramaya are still found unaffected). The visitor could hear the sound of the musical words of the Sakyamuni reverberating in the air.

The Buddha said:

"Not to associate with fools,

To associate with the wise,

Honour those worthy of honour,

To reside in a suitable locality,

Having done meritorious work in the past. (To encourage clean living in the present life)

To set oneself in the right course, vast leaning with proficiency and skilfullness, perfect in handicraft, highly trained discipline, pleasant speech, to support the mother and the father, to cherish wife and children, to engage in peaceful occupations, to be liberal, to lead a righteous life, help relatives, perform blamless actions, to cease and abstain from evil, forbearance with respect to intoxicants, to be steadfast in virtues, reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude, to hear the sublime Dhamma, to lead a self-controlled life, to cultivate patience always, to be obedient, to visit and meet the Bhikkhu Sangha, to conduct Dhamma discussions, to abstain from all unchastely acts to lead a Holy life perceiving the catur-arya sacca, to strive to realise Nibbana.

The Buddha Sakyamuni told the deity that one whose mind does not flutter by contact with worldly contingencies, sorrowless, stainless, and secure for him this is the Highest Blessing. To him who will be fulfilling matters such as these, everywhere invincible in every way moving happily, these are the Highest Blessings.

The Ratana Sutta, was delivered by Sakyamuni Buddha Himself espousing the efficacy of the noble and sublime qualities of the Supremely Enlightened One The well-expounded message the Samma Sambuddha gave the world, after Himself realising the path and enjoying the fruits so that all beings following the way will enjoy with immediate effect.

The Sakyamuni emphasised the excellence of the quality of the conduct of the disciples of the Blessed One who are upright and dutiful. When Sakyamuni Buddha was dwelling in Rajagaha the Liccavi Princess went in delegation to the Buddha and invited Him to visit Vesali to dispel a disastrous situation that is causing havoc in Vesali.

The Buddha lost no time in finding the perfect solution, Sakyamuni took the Buddha-patra-the alms bowl, filled with fresh and pure water and walked throughout Vesali sprinkling water reciting the scintillating, sparkling and refreshing qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. The famine and the disease that plagued Vesali disappeared. The Buddha countered the plagues by invocation of the Truth of the Special Qualities of the Trividha Ratna.

The Karaniya Metta Sutta is a message of dual purpose. Its salutary effect lies mainly on the practice. Nevertheless, the reciting of and listening to the Sutta too provide immense benefit, pleasure and peace of mind. The Sakyamuni Buddha taught all that should be perfected by one would with skill seriously seek to attain peace - emancipation. Such a one should possess ability, uprightness - constant uprightness with mental pliability and sans arrogance.

He must possess facile contentment, he must be one who could be easily supported, his needs are a few, he must be courteous, he must maintain his dignity in association with others, avoid the mean who would be rebuked by the wise.

He must wish well to all beings whosoever draws breath or has existence, those long, the huge the mid-sized, the short, the lean and the big, those visible and those invisible, those dwelling far and those living nearby, beings already born and those yet to be born.

None should deceive another nor despise anyone, anywhere, anyway, none should wish others ill-will and engage in conflicts. All must cultivate boundless heart to others like a mother cherishes her only son with her own life, unhindered, with no anger, with no malice, only with loving-thought towards all beings in the universe, above, below and all around.

Those perfecting the Metta Sutta in every possible manner - standing, walking, sitting down, reclining with complete mindfulness will enjoy the "Supremest Living" Sakyamuni showed the world. Not being a follower of mere views, being virtuous perfect in Insight with all senses banished.

Such One will gain emancipation in this birth without getting entangled in the web of being born and born again in the worlds of suffering.

The Sakyamuni Buddha taught the Metta Sutta to a group of bhikkhus who were sitting in meditation at the foot of secluded forest trees being troubled by non-human beings and showed them the way to develop loving-kindness towards all beings, the practice which will not only protect them from harm but also will serve as a basis for insight through attainment of Samadhi.

The Buddha Sakyamuni, born a human being gave a lofty message during His forty-five year ministry which began at the Sacred precincts of Buddha Gaya and concluded at the serene precincts of Kusinara.

Whereas, other messages were delivered by saints, prophets and sages from time to time that continued for several centuries. In Hinduism - the doctrine is embodied in the Caturveda, Rg. Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.

In Christianity Revelations made by Saint Mark, Saint John, Saint Paul and Saint Mathew and the Message of Peace, the Ten Commandments of God comprise the Doctrine.

In Islam, all that is embodied in the Holy Quran were revealed by Allah to Prophet Mohammed.

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