Today is Navam Poya

Order of Sangha Established

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A notable event in the expansion of the Sangha community was the arrival of the two youths - the two friends Kolitha, Upatissa who came with their retinue numbering 250. They all obtained the eye of Dhamma and entered the order, Sakyamuni assembled them to one place and pronounced them that the chief Disciples of the sasana are Sariputta and Moggallana further stabilizing the Sangha Sasana. In this contest the month of Navam is a landmark day in the history of the sasana.

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Rupa Banduwardena

The supreme objects of Buddhist worship, reverence and devotion are the three refuges, also called three Jewels (Thrivida Ratna).

The Buddha, the intellectual genius, the fountain of love and compassion, the enlightened one who proclaimed the eternal truth.

Dhamma - His teachings - the root cause of all the sorrow and suffering and the way out of it - the eightfold path ‘Ariya Attangika Maggo’ to be achieved by controlling one’s speech, actions and thoughts.

Sangha - the community of monks to spread the doctrine, leading to the establishment of Sasana. The disciples commenced their mission engaging in the sasanic tour.Sakyamuni Gautama delivered his first sermon at Saranath to the five ascetics and ‘set the wheel of Dhamma rolling’.

The disciples listened with utmost faith and attained Arahantship, setting in motion the Sangha sasana. Soon the Sangha grew in numbers and realising that there were sufficient disciples to plant the propagation of the Dhamma, he addressed the disciples to spread the doctrine for the well being of the humanity.

The Sakyamuni said, “Go forth Bhikkus into the world taking the message to them explain to them what I have explained for the well-being of the majority.” Then Sakyamuni himself proceeded to Rajagaha where on his way he preached the doctrine to Jatila brothers, together with their 1000 disciples helping them to achieve sotapanna.

The next notable event in the expansion of the Sangha community was the arrival of the two youths - the two friends Kolitha, Upatissa who came with their retinue numbering 250.

They all obtained the eye of Dhamma and entered the order, Sakyamuni assembled them to one place and pronounced them that the chief Disciples of the sasana are Sariputta and Moggallana further stabilizing the Sangha Sasana. In this contest the month of Navam is a landmark day in the history of the sasana.

The period of two decades since the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Gautama is recorded in the sasanic history as the ‘First Bodhi Period’. The Vinaya, the code of discipline of the Sangha, Community is said to be par - excellent. Hence there was no necessity for enacting rules and regulations.

The main reason for a well-disciplined Sangha Samaja was the proper observation of Kusala Kamma, throughout sansara till they finally met Sakyamuni under whom they attained Nibbana. They listened well to the sermons of the Buddha and attained Margapala instantly.

The most important events in the Buddhist calendar are:

Visuka Puja - Birth enlightenment and Parinibbana

Asatha Puja - Rains retreat. (Vassana)

Magha Puja - the third one which falls usually in the month of Navam is a reflection of the Sangha.

It signifies the early period of the establishment of the Sangha. It commemorates the day when 1250 Arahaths came together to hear the teachings of the Buddha. It was on this day that the Buddha preached a discourse known as ‘Ovada Patimokkha’, which established the tradition of the Sangha coming together before the rules of Vinaya.

This discourse which is referred to as the basis and the foundation of the Buddha’s teachings was delivered on the first Navam full moon day after the enlightenment. It is said to have created a very disciplined and orderly Sangha Samaja to preserve the doctrine. Ovada Patimokkha was the guiding principle in Sangha life covering the entire sphere of conduct and moral progress.

According to Sakyamuni Gautama those who have become Bhikkhus, having given up their worldly pleasures are, free to devote their full time energy and effort to concentrate on Dhamma as the achievement of perfection in ‘Sila’ was what was expected of them. It was with utmost faith and overwhelming shraddah that the disciples too entered the order leading a life of piety and sanctity.

It was out of compassion that the Sakyamuni trekked the dusty paths of North India preaching his absolute Dhamma with his disciples accompanying him. His system was based on discipline, which implied moral excellence having a classic impact on the code of conduct taught in Buddhism, to the Sangha.

There are eight items comprising the personal property of the Sangha who has taken a very rigorous vow of poverty. The early Buddhist monk was a mendicant and consequently he depended on the generosity of the laity for his existence.

This became all the more important during the rainy season during which time they are confined to the temple, which culminates in the annual Katina Puja. All these sacred religious events highlight the importance of Sangha to the Buddhist world. Hence the Navam Poya has a special significance regarding the emergence and the inauguration of the Sangha for the propagation of Dhamma for the sake of the humanity.

Sankassapura - The Avijahitha Punyabhoomy

Rupa Banduwardena

During the seventh Vas period, Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha decided to spend the three months at Thauthisa heaven preaching Abhidamma to his mother, Mathru Divyaraja to help her attain Sotapanna.

Three months elapsed. Vap Full Moon Day dawned. The devotees who were really desperate to see Thathagatha got the happiest message from Thera Mugalan that the Sakyamuni will be descending to the human world.

The news spread like wildfire. The place was a sea of heads anxiously awaiting the arrival. There was calm and serene atmosphere. The cool breeze was fantastic. Sun’s rays were not harsh, but cooling as if the environment itself was welcoming Sakyamuni. They were all staring at the sky in desperation.

There was the sudden appearance of the six fold rays encircling the Buddha Sheersha and finally Buddha himself emerged descending a jewel studded ladder while Sakra, Brahma and Devas followed in a golden ladder. Sahampathy Brahma held the umbrella. God Suyama was fanning while Panchasika the expert was providing music. This sacred place where many miracles occurred is none other than Sankassapura. Then Sakyamuni delivered a special sermon.

He began serenely. His voice was filled with such clarity, serenity and sanctity that the word ‘Sadhu’ from massive crowds filled the air and the surrounding holy site. Large numbers attained Arahantship. They all wished to attain Buddhahood some day.

A place of many marvels

The Sakyamuni himself has mentioned Sankassapura as one of the sacred Buddhist sites not to be missed by true Buddhists. This venue stands to tell us about the miraculous wonders of the early Buddha era. It inherits a long and proud history of the Sasana. The holy site exists as a silent testimony to majesty, spirituality and the magnanimity of the Dhamma delivered in the magnificent site. Sankassapura bears significance in the annals of history for a number of reasons.

Descending from heaven

Sakyamuni arrived in Sankassapura after preaching Adittapariyaya Sutta to his mother. To commemorate this great event Emperor Asoka is said to have built a Chetiya to mark the significant location the exact spot where he delivered his sermon in Manu Lowa. The historical records of well-known Chinese pilgrims Huian Tsang and Fa Hsien provide valuable information. Just as Buddha’s sacred feet were touching the ground both Peddlers had sunk deep down.

To see the extent to which it had sunk Asokan excavations to locate the end had been a vain effort. Instead he had come across a fountain. With great devotion he had got the above mentioned Stupa built there adding a temple too.

He is said to have constructed a stone pillar with the figure of an elephant on top and several other Stupas in the vicinity. There is evidence of a holy spot, in a rich natural setting where Buddha had been walking while engaged in meditation.

There are four places said to have been blessed by every Buddha born to the universe: 1. Bodh Gaya 2. Isipathana 3. Shrawasti (Sevath Nuwara) 4. Sankassapura.