Significance of Duruthu Poya

Premasara EPASINGHE

Duruthu Full Moon Poya is important and significant for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka mainly for three reasons.

Firstly, the conversion of the Kassyapa brothers by the Blessed One took place on the Duruthu Full Moon Day.

There lived in Benares, a family known as Kassyapas. They were Agnihotris or worshippers of fire. They were called Jatilas, as they had long hair.

The three brothers were known as Uruvella Kassyapa, Nadi Kassyapa, who resided in Asrahams, close to the famous Neranjana River, and Gaya Kassyapa in the village called Gaya.

The eldest of the three brothers, Uruvella, left his home and became an Ascetic. He settled down in the village Uruvella, where he established his Ashrama. His two younger brothers followed him. They too became Hermits or Sanyasis.

The fame of Uruvella Kassyapa spread all over India as a man who obtained Mukthi or Salvation, while alive. Many people came in search of him to obtain salvation. Five hundred Jatilas joined him. Nadi Kassyapa and Gaya Kassyapa had three hundred and two hundred followers with them respectively.

Gautama Buddha, having come to know the name as well as the fame and popularity of Uruvella Kassyapa decided to preach the Dhamma to him and if possible to get him to be a follower of Buddhism.

After the lengthy discussion with the Blessed One, Uruvella Kassyapa became a follower of the Buddha.

The Great Teacher stated that Agnihotra cannot clean the man of his sin. Only if you attained Arahatship that you will be able to conquer all the passion.

Uruvella Kassayapa after the conversation to Buddhism, threw his belongings to the river.

When his two brothers Nadi and Gaya, seen the clothes realised that some change has happened to their elder brother. Later, the Blessed One addressed the ‘Fire worshipping Jatila brothers’ and converted them to be the followers of Buddha.

The Buddha graced our beautiful island Sri Lanka thrice. The first visit was to Mahiyangana, nestling in banks of Mahaveli river. This significant event took place on Duruthu Full Moon day.

The Blessed One arrived at Mahiyangana during the time that there was a battle raging between two rival sections or two groups.

The Blessed One on Duruthu Poya delivered the message of peace and Goodwill. After listening to the sermon they laid down their arms. They underwent a complete change and transformed themselves to be the followers of Buddha’s teaching on Duruthu Full Moon Day.

The Great Master prevented a blood bath. The Buddha gave them a new philosophy and a way of life.

The greatest tribute we could pay for the Blessed One is to conduct ourselves in accordance to the Buddhist precepts. We all should on this Duruthu Poya Day take firm resolution to lead a peaceful and good life not harming anyone.

It was on the Duruthu Poya Day, God Sumana, listening to the sermon of the Buddha, attained liberation from the cycle of the birth and death. As a mark of remembrance the Buddha donated a flock of His hair from his head to God Sumana, these relics were enshrined in the famous Mahiyangana Dagaba - a great seat of worships in Sri Lanka.

May this year 2009 be peaceful and harmonious to all. May the ethnic conflict be solved completely and usher peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka.