Buddhist Spectrum

The origin of Esala Poya

Rupa BANDUWARDANA

Esala Full Moon day is of great significance for a variety of reasons. This revered month of religious festivals is celebrated with much grandeur and splendour, as it signifies a number of events in the life of the Buddha as well as in the history of Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. The first sacred event of great historical and cultural importance starts with the birth of the Buddha.

Queen Mahamaya, the wife of King Suddodana leading a very righteous life, having given alms to the poor, while in her sleep that night on Esala Full Moon Day, had an unusual dream in which she saw the four guardian Devas carrying encircling her thrice entered her abdomen.

Bosath Siddhartha

This signified the conception of Bosath Siddhartha arising from Thusitha heaven, to the anxious couple who were without children for twenty long years. Ten months later this future Thathagatha to be was born.

He grew up as a royal prince and mastered all arts including warfare and married his cousin princess Yasodhara and lived happily. Prophesy of the astrologers always working in his mind, King Suddhaodana tried his best to keep the prince away from the truths in life. He was determined that the son should never be made aware of Jara, Vyadhi and Marana (decay, sick and dead).

Four portends

Despite all his precautions, the emergence of the four portends made him give up the worldly life and embark in the journey of search of bliss and Kin Kusala Gaveshi, was his motive. The same day with his new born son Rahula, he thought he would further get entangled in lay life; Rahulan Jathan Bandanan (Another barrier is born).

Taking a glimpse of his son, amidst numerous festivities in the palace, with pretty girls performing, he left the palace at midnight and the actual event of renunciation took place on the same Esela Full Moon Day.

His search for the truth commenced. His first step was to go to early saints. Realising that their teachings in no way leads to detachment he continued every form of self mortification, Dushkara Kriya, through deep meditation, supreme enlightenment dawned upon him.

The four noble truths and the eight fold path was revealed - the greatest truth the ever occurred in human history. He was now the Thathagatha - the Perfect one. He was the all wise, all compassionate universal teacher, Saththa Deva Manussanang.

It was also on the Esala Full Moon Day, two months after his enlightenment, he delivered his first sermon to the five ascetics in the Deer Pond at Isipathana, Benares and set in motion the wheel of the Dhamma.

Priceless Dhamma

His doctrine, the priceless Dhamma, was brought into focus. The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts, Sabba Danam Dhamma Jinathi, so said Sakyamuni Gautama displaying the distinctive message to mankind. Disciples rallied round him. He said, go forth Bhikkus into the world taking the sacred message to them of heavy rains Monsson.

Hence Esela Poya marks the beginning of the Vas season when Bhikkhus had been advised to stay in their own temples without going for alms. According to ancient chronicles, the first Vassana was observed by Sakyamuni and his five disciples at Isipatana on Esala Full Moon Day. This tradtition is continued to date, culminating in the Katina Puja.

Esala Poya day is of great significance for yet another reason. A very important historic event of the Sasana was the emergence of the supreme objects of Buddhist reverence - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in the world with the attainment of Sotapanna by Thera Kondanna.

Even though numerous Devas and Brahmas who had gathered to listen to the first sermon ‘Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’, Ven. Kondanna was the first and the only disciple of the Buddha from among human beings to obtain the eye of the Dhamma.

Another major event of this Poya day is the widespread acceptance of the greatness of the Buddha with the miraculous performance of Yama Maha Pelahara (psychic powers) at the foot of the tree named ‘Gandhabba’ to diminish the pride of the Theerthaka (heretics).

Seventh year of Buddhahood

It is said that in the seventh year of Buddhahood Sakyamuni preached Abhidamma to Maathru Divyaraja in Tautisa heaven on an Esela Poya day.

Esela full moon day bears special significance to Sri Lanka too. It ranks very high in its history, because a series of incidents connected to Buddha Sasana has taken place on this day.

The most magnanimous event - the establishment of Buddha Sasana itself occupies the highest position. Arahath Mahinda preached Wassupanayakiandaya’ to the King and his retinue before he observed Vas in the 68 caves prepared by King Devanampiyatissa and on the same day the nephew of the King - Aritta and 55 other children entered the order, thereby inaugurating Buddha Sasana in this Dharmadweepa.

History reveals that it was on Esala Poya day that Sri Lanka was blessed with the most venerated sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It was brought to the island by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala from Kalinga during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghawanna and the first exposition of the most precious relic was held at Anuradhapura followed by the first ever Dalada Perahera.

Foreign domination

This had a great influence for the subsequent political history of the island as the rightful heir to the throne was associated with the possession of the sacred tooth relic. Its exact location was kept in utmost secrecy during the critical times of foreign domination, the tradition down the years of foreign domination.

The tradition down the years continues to this day with pomp and grandeur when Buddhists island wide commemorate the Kandy Esela Perahera in August, every year.

Another event of historic importance is the foundation laying ceremony of Ruwanweliseya the longest Chethiya built by King Dutugemunu, the national hero of Sri Lanka as mentioned in the Mahavamsa. Historically a similar event of importance was the drastic deterioration noticed in Upasampada or the Higher Ordination with alien rule.

Decline in Vinaya and discipline amidst wars had to be rectified. According to Mahavamsa, King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe who showed a keen interest in stabilising higher ordination, invited 18 monks from Siam to revive the above, and the novice monks including the most erudite Ven. Saranankara received the Upasmpada at Getabme Sima Malaka, from Siamese Maha Thera Upali; Shyamopali Maha Nikaya was founded by the Bhikkhus of the Siamese Chapter. After a great religious revival Ven. Saranankara passed away in Kandy on the Esela Poya day in 1778. Sri Lankan Buddhists owe their respect and gratitude on the preservation of the Triple Gem to this Sangharaja Thera.

Glimpsing the Nibbana

Random thoughts on a common phrase:

Channa Cabraal LOKULIYANA

A definite phrase found in daily Sinhala conversation, especially among ancestors, is “Nivan Daekkaa”, which literally means to have attained Nibbana.

Does it really have a meaning in depth?

Puthe, umba budun deka nivan dekapan (Son, you should see the next Buddha and see [attain] Nibbana) was often said by the old folks - but is hardly heard now. Why?

Is it really something you see? To rephrase the question, what is the human interaction / interface with Nirvana?

Is it something acquired, like a medal after a race, or like an idea that struck Archimedes who then run round the streets shouting “Eureka”, or to achieve like a diploma, degree, PhD after studies? or something impossible to comprehend so hidden in some multi dimensional guise of an almighty Santa Claus... so that people (like children) can be aspired to?

A lot of Buddhist people today have absolutely no clue at all about what the human interaction with the pinnacle of Buddhist achievement (Nirvana) is. They will be proud of themselves to be Buddhists, simply because they know that there is something great and glorious there, which is called ‘Nirvana’ (so do they say “Saadu” with their hands clasped every time it’s mentioned) with no idea at all.

Some think when they wear white - they are close to Nivana. Some think by going to temple every poya day they are close to Nirvana. Or if they are vegan, look after parents, give alms to a recluse they are close to this achievement!

This writer has read in a book authored by late Ven. Medagama Vajiragnana (London Buddhist Vihara) that the approach to Nirvana must be like when one is expecting to see a rare deer heard in the night gathered to drinking water by a pond in the middle of the jungle.

You got to watch your every move not to rustle any leaves, step or breathe hastily as any sound would disturb them and they would flee.

So Nirvana is something observed? You can “observe” momentarily and accumulate moments - like pin/pau, merits/demerits - through each of your births by meditating. It does not need money, paper qualifications or fame. Anyone can do it.

So Nirvana is something you see, daekkaa or dakinava, how accurate our ancestors were! It is not something that you could force like being a bull in a China shop or acquire by cheating or by lazing about thinking you are privileged to be so. It is seen with your mind (not eyes), a perfectly peaceful mind.

Buddhism online:

A global spiritual force

Janaka PERERA

Continued from last week

Lim Kooi Fong is a well known Dharma preacher in Malaysia and has been involved in Buddhist related activities since 1985. Apart from giving talks, he also conducts Sutta Study lessons and has published children story books based on the Jataka tales.

He currently manages an Internet Development company based in Petaling Jaya, a suburb located near the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. He has a team that helps him to develop web based technologies which sustain the Buddhist Channel and to also edit and moderate articles before they are published. All efforts to sustain the site are made voluntarily, and the Buddhist Channel remains very much a not for profit endeavour.

The Buddhist Channel is now virtually a household name among computer literate Buddhists with an interest in the rapid growth of Buddhism worldwide.

Buddhist News and Comment (BNC)

Senaka Weeraratna who is the Honorary Secretary of the German Dharmaduta Society was instrumental in founding the Yahoo E-mail discussion group, ‘Buddhist News and Comment’ popularly known as BNC ([email protected]) on March 20, 2002. In setting up the BNC, he was assisted by a young computer savvy student Kaveenga Wijesekera who founded the Dhamma and Young Adults (DAYA) Group, which also functions as a Yahoo Email discussion group. Wijesekera is now based in Australia.

The BNC provided for the first time an internet based forum to a large number of Sri Lankan born-Buddhists - both in Sri Lanka and abroad - to discuss subjects of mutual interest ranging from Buddhist philosophy, Sri Lanka’s history and national and cultural issues, and threats to the Buddhist community from non-Buddhist proselytizers.

The BNC forum attracted among others Daya Hewapathirana (Canada), Dr. Chandrasiri Wijewickrema also known as Chand Wije( Texas, USA), Professor Sunil Wimalawansa (USA), Dr. Victor Gunasekera, Ranjith Soysa, H.L.D. Mahindapala (former Editor, Sunday Observer now resided in Australia), Ajantha Premaratne ( Dubai), Wimal Ediriweera (UK), Anura Seneviratne (UK), Bodhi Dhanapala, Channa Lokuliyana (UK), Ananda Wijesinghe (Canada), Ananda Jayasinghe, Anoma Akmeemana (USA), Mahinda Gunasekera (Canada), Asoka Weerasinghe (Canada), Mohn Senaratne ( Canada), Mohan Samaranayake, Kamal Rajapaksa (UK) Douglas Wickremaratne (UK), L. Jayasooriya and Ramani Wickremaratne. Several foreign-born Buddhists too were drawn to the discussions in this forum.

The following are some of the other leading Buddhist Websites:

Dhamma Journal (http://web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/dhamajnl.htm) ‘The Dhamma Journal’ published by the Burmese Buddhists and most likely sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Myanmar.

The main attraction of this Journal is that the content comprises a select collection of articles written over the last 70 years by leading Burmese and western scholars on a variety of topics as seen from a Theravada perspective.

The contributors include U Nu (former Prime Minister of Burma), the internationally renowned monk U Thittala, Ven. Dr. Revata Dharma, Mahasi Sayadaw and Francis Story (also known as Anagarika Sugathananda).

Buddhapia (http://www.buddhapia.com)

This is one of the largest websites on Buddhism in Korea. It provides detailed information on Korean Buddhism, Temples, Dharma Talks of Korean Meditation Masters, Research and Books, Buddhist Holidays.

Vietnamese Buddhism (http://giacngo.vn/chude/vesak2008/)

The Vietnamese Official Buddhist Website (in Vietnamese) has provided colourful pictures of this year’s Vesak celebration throughout Vietnam including the holding of the UN Day of Vesak in Hanoi.

Himalayan Art features over 1500 artworks from Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India, China and Mongolia. Firstly, the Website exhibits images of art from museum, university and private collections around the world. Secondly, the Website catalogs all Himalayan art objects known through past or present collections or publications.

Women Active in Buddhism: The Web’s first comprehensive collection of links and resources on contemporary Buddhist women.

Female teachers, activists, scholars, nuns, and Yoginis (practitioners) may be found on these pages, as well as teachings and special events, projects, organisations, bibliographic and contact information.

Access to Insight (www.accesstoinsight.org) is another popular Theravada Buddhist website providing access to a huge collection of translated texts from the Tripitaka as well as contemporary materials published by the Buddhist Publication Society and many teachers from the Thai Forest Tradition.

With the internet’s potential to reach millions, it is likely that computer technology will be a driving force behind one of the world’s oldest religions for generations to come. Buddhism on the Internet will become a powerful communication tool. If Sri Lanka wishes to re-assert its claims as a source of Buddhist scholarship on the rapidly expanding Internet, then the writings of Sri Lankan Buddhist scholars must be published on the Internet.

Fragrance of the Dhamma

Fragrance of the Dhamma
Fragrance of the virtues
Waft in the cool breeze
Perfuming the surrounding

Full moon beams
Illuminate the Scenic Mihintale
Reminding us of that
Great name of a sage
The light of Doctrine

We should ever honour
Our sacred Buddhism
The teaching of the Buddha
With echoes of ‘Saadhu, Saadhu’
Resounding from our pious hearts!

The pride of our nation,
Sky scraping, stupas as
‘Ratnamali’, ‘Abhayagiriya’
Are worshipped by Gods and Brahmas

The intricate sculptures of Polonnaruwa
Speak out boldly and proudly
Of the glorious history of Buddhism
And the talents of our Sinhala sculptors

May the guardian deities
Ever protect and preserve
Our priceless Gem
Our revered Buddhism!

With heart full of reverence
Let us pay homage
To Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
‘Saadhu, Saadhu’
Our revered Buddhism
Our priceless Gem

Malini Hettige