[TODAY IS UNDUVAP POYA]
Social and cultural transformation
Rupa Banduwardena
Jayasri Maha Bodhi
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Unduwap Poya is a day of historic and cultural significance to
Buddhists in Sri Lanka. This Poya tells us the most important and
interesting facts of Buddhism. The Buddha said, “go forth Bhikkus into
the world taking the message to them, show how one could be of service
when one is in need and in anxiety.” Accordingly Sri Lanka had the good
fortune of being blessed with his supreme gift - his doctrine and the
message of the Dhamma.
The earliest available documentary sources, Deepavamsa and Mahavamsa
give an elaborate account of the immortal dowry and also the sacred
visits of the Thathagatha himself, long before the introduction of his
doctrine to Sri Lanka. This was the greatest blessing in the pre-Mahinda
era, to the island.
Mutual friendship
As mentioned above Lanka’s links with Jambudweepa are known to date
back to the Buddhist era. Later, Emperor Asoka’s mission to propagate
the Dhamma after the Mahaparinibbana, Lanka, was the first place to
attract his attention. The two kings in either country had developed a
very special friendship which led to this celebrated religious event.
The dedicated duo was responsible for this invaluable treasure, in which
the rich Buddhist heritage was preserved.
Emperor’s son Arahat Mahinda led the Buddhist mission to Sri Lanka.
The King Devanampiyatissa, greatly impressed, accepted Buddhism followed
by the people at large. Thousands embraced the new faith and many
entered the Bhikku Order. Queen Anula with 500 ladies so devoted,
appealed to Thera Mahinda to grant them ordination.
As monks were not permitted to ordain females it could not be done to
their satisfaction. It was against this backdrop that Theri Sanghamitta
was invited to this island of Dhammadweepa turning a new chapter in the
religious history of this paradise isle - to establish the order of
nuns. It was on an Unduwap Full Moon day that she arrived here with a
sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi at Gaya under which Buddha attained
enlightenment.
The two sacred events
With the ordination of Anula and her retinue, both Bhikku and
Bhikkuni Orders were established. Amidst much grandeur it was planted in
the Maha Meghavanna gardens. Mahavihara was later constructed and it
became the centre of Theravada doctrine with the three great symbols of
the Triple Gem Chetiya enshrining Buddha relics. Vihara Gey with the
Buddha image and the sacred Bo tree symbolising the enlightenment.
Ruwanmeliseya, Mahavihara and the Sri Maha Bodhi became the associated
places of worship as mentioned in Mahavamsa by its author, Thera
Mahanama. This remains a precious heritage for Buddhists. All these
events in the early history of Buddhism still evoke overflowing shraddah
among millions of Buddhists even to this day. Hence Unduwap Poya stands
out from the rest as the most significant influencing the sasanic
history to date.
Above all Bodhiya became an important segment of Buddhism and today
it is hailed as the most Sacred Bo tree held in veneration by all
Buddhists. In this context, the notable sacred religious events
associated with Theri Sanghamitta the month of Unduwap and the Full Moon
Day is a landmark day in the history of the Sasana.
Lucien de Zoysa in his stories from the Mahawamsa gives a vivid
description. He says- In anticipation of the arrival of this sacred
tree, king Devanampiyathissa had the entire length and breadth of
roadway from Anuradhapura to the landing place, Mantota, spotlessly
cleaned and gaily decorated. He himself had encamped by the seashore
awaiting its arrival. When the ship bearing this free which had been
placed in a golden vase filled with most fertile soil, was sighted, the
king ad waded into the sea, neck deep, and had requested those on the
ship to place the golden vase on his head. He had placed it in a
specially constructed shed which had been built to house it till it was
ready to be taken to the capital.
After ten days during which various religious rites and ceremonies
were performed, and villagers from far and wide came to pay homage, the
tree was taken with great pomp and ceremony to Anuradhapura. Here again
with due ceremonial, it was placed in the earth at the spot where it now
stands, venerated by all Buddhists and respected by all others as the
oldest historical tree known to this world”. This was how the sapling
was welcomed by the royalty to the greater glory of the religion. The
king had proclaimed that henceforth, every monarch should look after it
to the best of their ability and due honour should be bestowed on it.
Unduwap full moon day is of utmost importance for yet another reason
as this last poya day in the calendar led to the emergence of a social
and cultural Renaissance. Along with their Sanghamitta people of 18
castes arrived in Sri Lanka to attend to the work and safeguard the Bo
tree planted on Lankan soil and it is said to have followed by a 14-day
festival to celebrate the event. This is mentioned in the Saddhammavamsa
and Deepavamsa. The arrival of skilled labour has had a tremendous
impact on the social strata and the Economic Development of the country.
Their service in the sphere of agriculture, architecture and industry
had brought about a new breed of life enriched by Buddhism. The
construction of temples sthupas and tanks that followed bear witness to
their creativity and prosperity that flourished during that era.
Still another major event was the unique achievement of unity and
harmony. According to Ven.
Diviyagaha Yasassi, an erudite scholar on Buddhism, in his Pohoya
Calender “Pohoya Asiriya” he says, a remarkable feature of the special
occasion was the participation of rulers of other denominations from all
parts of the island, in the chain of activities of the festival that
followed. Showing their loyalty and utmost reverence to the Bo sapling.
According to him it was nothing but unity and harmony which had a great
impact on the future welfare of the island
. There was also a remarkable change in the social and religious life
as well as moral conduct and moral values. Hence the arrival of
Sanghamitta is said to be of great historic, religious, cultural and
social significance in the annals of Buddhism in this Dharmadweepa. |