Buddhist spectrum

Vesak - Some historical facts

Rupa Banduwardena

The Buddhists all over the world await the arrival of the Vesak Full Moon Day which falls on May every year to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of the Buddha.

This thrice blessed Poya Day is of special significance to Buddhists everywhere, Sri Lanka in particular. This Poya plays a vital role in making a tremendous impact on the religious lives of the people. Vesak is celebrated with much grandeur and splendour combined with overflowing Shraddah.

The first event of great historic and cultural significance is the birth of the Buddha. This was his last birth. This great birth brought immense happiness to king and queen who were without children for twenty years.

Queen Maya saw a dream and ten months later Buddha-to-be was born. Maya Devi gave birth at Lumbini situated in the foot hills of the Himalayas, a quiet peaceful place full of shady Sal trees. On her way to her parents home in Devdaha while holding a branch of a Sal tree, the future Thathagatha was born. The ancient chronicles say that a Bodhi tree sprang up at Buddha Gaya on this day.

The most amazing event was setting foot on seven lotuses which were in full bloom to welcome the prince, saying Aggo hamasmi lokassa.... meaning 'chief am I in this world', because he was to be the Thathagatha later. At a royal ceremony He was named Siddhartha, which means 'wish fulfilled'.

He grew up as a royal prince well versed in the requisite arts. At 16 he married his princess cousin Yasodhara and lived happily.

According to the predictions of the Brahmins, King Suddhodhana eagerly awaiting the arrival of Buddha sent Kaludai born on the same day as Siddhartha with a retinue of 1000 to bring him down to Kimbulwathpura. He informed Buddha of the honoured invitation. He set out the long journey by foot and met the father on Vesak Full Moon Day. Here He performed His miracles (Yama Maha Pelahera) for the well-being of the Sakyans.

King Suddhodana did his best to keep him away from the truths in life - decay, disease and death despite His precautions, the tradition has it that the emergence of the four portends (sathara peranimithi) made him embark in the journey of search of bliss free from Jara, Vyadhi, Marana as mentioned in the Ariya Pariyeshana Sutta.

His search for the truth (Kim Kusala Gawesi) leading to enlightenment was the most significant event in human history. Taking a glimpse of His new born son, giving up His worldly life Bosath Siddhartha left the palace at midnight and the actual event of renunciation took place. His search for the truth commenced.

His first step on this path was to go to early sages and learn their doctrine. He soon realised that their teachings in no way leads to detachment. He then started His known meditation. He continued every form of self mortification (Dushkara Kriya) until He was reduced to skin and bone. His loyal disciples deserted Him.

Totally isolated, walked along the banks of the Neranjana river. There under the shade of an Asatu tree He put an end to His search, determined to find the eternal truth with an iron will. Through deep meditation supreme enlightenment dawned upon Him.

The four noble truths was revealed. He was now a Buddha. He saw his own existence as well as those of others. He proceeded to Saranath and it was here that He preached His first sermon to the five ascetics and set in motion the wheel of the Dhamma with time, numerous disciples from all over rallied round Him.

The Buddha said "go forth bhikkus into the world taking the message to them, explain to them what I have explained." Buddha Himself showed the world how one could be of service by meeting those in distress those suffering in pain.

Out of loving kindness and compassion he relieved the monk Puthigathathissa from agonizing pain. Angulimala the dreadful terroris became an Arahant. Kisa Gotami, Patachara, Ambapali, Rajjumala, Suneetha, Sopaka were inspired to find solace.

Examples like these are too numerous to be mentioned. With His wealth of Meththa He walked on dusty rough roads in North India preaching his doctrine the Buddha's way of life and His akalika Dhamma.

It was also on a Vesak Full Moon Day that after a successful Ministry of 45 years, at the ripe age of 80 that Mahaparinirvana, the great passing away took place. Buddha knew His end was near and when He set out on His last journey with Ananda thera from Vesali, He told Ananda, "This will be the last time that Thathagatha will see Vesali."

They came to Pava where Chunda offered alms to the Buddha. That being the last meal, with great pain He continued the journey to Kusinara in the Kingdom of Mallas. Ananda was weeping when Buddha gratefully recalled His love and devotion to the Buddha and predicted that Ananda will certainly be an Arahant.

He was anxious that Chunda should not be blamed and praised him of his good Karma. His last words to the disciples surrounding Him, "Listen now bhikkus, decay is inherent in all things (Sabbe Sankara Anicca) Work out your salvation with diligence."

With these words He passed His last breath on the robe laid slab of stone between the twin Sal trees. It was also on a Vesak Full Moon Day that He expressed His delight in putting an end to the sansaric journey. It so happened on the last Vesak Poya Day.

The Vesak Full Moon Day also marks the attainment of Arahantship by Ananda the foremost disciple who passed away at the age of 121 as prophesied by the Buddha. The body of Thathagatha was taken to Mukthabandana Chetiya, the sacred shrine of the Malla Kings, it was cremated with due honour. Later the relics were distributed and enshrined in stupas across Asia.

Another major event of Vesak Poya Day is the receipt of permission (Niyatha Vivarana) by Bosath Sumedha, to be the next enlightened one. This was given by Deepankara Buddha in his previous birth, with his divine vision and insight. Vesak Poya bears special significance to Sri Lanka for a number of reasons.

According to ancient chronicles Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers arrived in Sri Lanka on Vesak Full Moon Day that the Sakyamuni Gautama had passed away in Kusinara. This is undoubtedly a unique event in our cultural heritage - an important milestone in our religious history.

It was on a Vesak Full Moon Day that Buddha visited Kelaniya in the 8th year of his Buddhahood with 500 Arahants at the invitation of the Naga king Maniakkikha the ruler of Kelaniya, who accepted the teachings of the Buddha with great reverence.

Subsequently the Buddha arrived at Sripada at the invitation of deity Saman and placed his footprint on the Peak, hailed as the most venerated place blessed by the Buddha - a place where rich Buddhist heritage is preserved.

History reveals that it was on a Vesak Poya Day that King Devanampiyatissa sent envoys to Emperor Asoka requesting him to send the necessary requisites for his second coronation ceremony.

Another event of historic importance is the inauguration of the Ruwanmeliseya the largest chetiya built by the King Dutugemunu the national hero of Sri Lanka as well as Mahawamsa as mentioned by Thera Mahanama. It is said that there is no other chetiya which could be compared to this in the whole universe. The work of the above was begun on a Vesak Full Moon Day.

Colourful Buddhist calendar for Vesak

R.S. Karunaratne

The calendars issued during the previous years depicted wall paintings of temples created by Sri Lankan painters. However, the calendar issued this year features four paintings highlighting certain aspects of the Buddha's life. The paintings are created by Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage, a local artist of international repute.

The four paintings that adorn the Vesak calendar will depict the birth of Prince Siddhartha, the Great Renunciation, Sujatha's presentation of milk-rice and the Enlightenment. The water colour paintings carefully done following his traditional style were presented recently for the President's approval.

Out of the four paintings, the Enlightenment stands out as a unique creation. The traditional paintings of the Enlightenment have followed one set pattern. For instance, they show how the Buddha sits under the Bodhi tree while gods worship Him from above.

However, Semage has deviated from this style. His painting shows how the Buddha lights up the whole world with His Enlightenment. Even birds, such as peacocks, trees and creepers turn towards the Buddha paying their homage.

The calendar will be valid from the month of Vesak this year up to that of the next year. The paintings will be printed in colour on art paper making them suitable for framing.

Kalasuri Jayasiri Semage has earned reputation for being a Buddhist painter. About ten years he constructed a pandal depicting the then President's Dasaraja Dharma. For nine consecutive years he put up a pandal in front of the Temple Trees during President R. Premadasa's regime.

A few years ago he was picked to put up a giant Buddhist pandal in Japan. In addition, he is credited with the creation of Buddhist murals at Mangala Vihara in Singapore.

He also created a large picture of Borobudur to mark Vesak in Singapore. Once Semage was engaged in a painting depicting the Buddha's Dhammadesana to his five pupils to be deposited at Man-fat-Lam Chinese temple in Singapore.

It was an oil on canvas painting. He also drew all the important events of the Buddha's life for a book on Buddhism.

Ten days with the Buddha

I participated in the 10-day Vipassana meditation course at the Dhamma Kuta, at Mowbray Estate, Peradeniya. Situated in a beautiful location, it calms your mind the very moment you step into their premises.

I had heard of this Vipassana course for many years from those who followed it but just could not believe that it could give you so many instant benefits. But then that is the very characteristic of Dhamma - results are immediate.

I had also read the books by Dr. Kiran Bedi who used this course to reform the hard core prisoners in India. She did not stop at that, but went on to teach this system of meditation to the personnel of the Indian Police Force which brought about remarkable changes in their respective departments. She also used this to reform drug addicts, gangsters, prostitutes etc.

The social reforms this has brought about are too numerous to mention. Any one interested can read the books by Dr. Kiran Bedi.

Therefore, through sheer curiosity I decided to try it out for myself. If it can turn around hard core criminals it could be of great benefit to those who are not criminals too! With this in mind I walked into ten days of imprisonment at this Centre! I say imprisonment because the rules do not permit one to have any kind of communication with the outside world. Once one registers for the course one has to maintain total silence until the 10th day. One is not even supposed to look at the beautiful scenery outside. The staff is very strict but very kind and corrects if one breaks any rules.

Being a trained professional, the first thing that caught my eye was the methodical and professional management of the centre. Therefore I settled down easily to the meticulous clean and orderly ways of the centre. The most significant thing is that the course itself is very scientific and methodical and gives immediate results according to your level of understanding.

This is supposed to be the original technique of Vipassana as taught by the Buddha himself and carried down through the ages by practice from teacher to pupil which is the proper way of continuing the teaching. Goenkaji picked it up from Burma by practising it himself and has given it to the world through the centers established by him for this purpose.

The centre can accommodate as much as 100 people and there were around 80 this time. The course is difficult at the beginning. One has to sit in mediation for one hour and sometimes two at a stretch. At the end of each day one has to listen to a recorded discourse by Goenkaji.

The instructions are in English by Goenkaji himself and a good Sinhala translation follows. The speciality of this course is that specific instructions are given at frequent intervals and one is guided throughout the course.

I felt as if the Buddha Himself was taking us by the hand along the path of Dhamma. Therefore with continuous guidance and the compassionate support of the teacher I managed to grasp the technique by the 6th day! And it was plain sailing thereafter. The Peace, Happiness and Harmony one feels cannot be expressed in words.

One who is suffering with so much of hatred, anger, jealousy and all such defilements within begins to see this as the cause of one's misery and realise the truth of the saying that one's suffering or happiness lies within oneself and actually experience it which changes one's entire lifestyle thereafter.

The wonder is that everyone who participates can experience the peace and happiness to that extent of one's own understanding. A course so precise, practical and methodical, giving instant immediate results, can only be designed by the Buddha himself!

Come and experience that Dhamma and see the immediate results for yourself in this very life according to your own understanding! How true. May all beings enjoy the Bliss of Dhamma.

The writer is reachable on either [email protected] or 0812385774.