Advent of Buddhism

Premasara Epasinghe

Unduvap is the last full moon Poya day according to the Sinhala Buddhist calendar.

The unique event of bringing the Bo-sapling of the Sacred Jayasiri Maha Bodhi from India to Anuradhapura, took place 2552 years ago on an Uduvap Full Moon Poya Day.

During the reign of Devampiyatissa (250-210 BC), Arahat Mahinda, brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Mahinda Thera, the son of the Great Emperor Asoka, was totally responsible in bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Later, it was Arahat Mahinda Thera’s sister, young beautiful, charming Sangamitta, who entered the Bhikkuni Sasana at the age of 18 years, who visited Sri Lanka, was responsible for the establishment of Bhikkuni Sasanaya or Buddhist Order for womanhood, in Sri Lanka.

Renaissance

The brother-sister combination, made a great political, social, cultural, economic and religious renaissance in Sri Lanka. No foreigner has created such a cultural and spiritual impact in a country than Emperor Asoka’s son, Arahat Mahinda and his daughter Bhikkuni Sangamitta. Therefore, we, Sri Lankans are indebted to them.

As the Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day dawns, our thoughts and sentiments are woven round the pious and noble Sangamitta Theri.

She was like an evening star among the Buddhist womanhood. Her arrival on Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day, along with the sacred Bo-sapling, under which our Blessed One, The Enlightened One, attained the supreme bliss of Buddhahood. This is an event of supreme importance in the annals of Buddhist history.

This is second only to the arrival of her brother, Arahat Mahinda to Missakapabbata or Mihintala, on the historic Poson Poya Day.

After entering the Order, Sangamitta was residing in the capital city - Pataliputra, when King Devanampiyatissa, cordially invited her to Sri Lanka to promote Buddhism in Sri Lanka among the womanhood.

Queen Anula and her companions were keen to enter the Buddhist Order. Arahat Mahinda, informed the royalty that it was not possible. Acting on the advise of Arahat Mahinda, the King Devanampiyatissa, sent, I presume, his Foreign Minister Aritta, to meet Emperor Asoka, and through his good office, to persuade his daughter Sangamitta Theri to come to Sri Lanka and established Bhikkuni Sasanaya (the order of the nuns).

Sangamitta Theri, after seven days of sea journey, accompanied by eleven other Bhikkunis (Buddhist nuns) arrived at Jambukola Port in the North. She brought along with her, one of the greatest gift that India could provide to Sri Lanka, Jayasri Maha Bo-tree sapling, to be planted in Sri Lanka soil. Jayasri Maha Bo-tree is supposed to be one of the oldest trees in the world, where the Great Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment.

According to Mahavamsa, the King Devanampiyatissa, with all pomp and glory and glamour, paying the highest respect and honour, wading neck deep into the sea, received the bowl containing the Jayasiri Maha Bodhi sapling, which is respected and honoured as to living Gautama Buddha.

This Bo-sapling was planted in the ‘Mahamevuna Uyana’ the headquarters of Buddhism in ancient Sri Lanka.

This event symbolises that Buddhism took deep root throughout the length and breadth of Sri Lanka. Later, there were many saplings planted in Sri Lanka, from the main Jaya Sri Maha Bo-tree. A disciplined system of worshipping, rituals connected to this great religion began. Today, the Buddhists all over the world, consider the Jayasri Maha Bodhiya at Anuradhapura and the Dalada Maligawa, the Tooth Relic Chamber in the hill capital Kandy, as two important places of worship.

Establishment

The second most important mission or the purpose of Sangamitta’s arrival, was the establishment of Bhikkuni Sasanaya or Order of the Buddhist Nuns. Queen Anula, was the first to be ordained.

Later, thousands of ladies from all walks of life entered the Buddhist Order as Bhikkunis.

The advent of Arahat Mahinda on Poson Full Moon Day marked men entering the Buddhist Order, as Bhikkus and the arrival of Sangamitta signalled the establishment of Bhikkuni Sasanaya for females. Therefore, Uduvap Full Moon can be considered as the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Buddhism, and Sri Lankan womanhood. It paved the way to a disciplined and a peaceful, serene society.

Architecture

The Buddhist learning, art, and architecture, construction of gigantic stupas and tanks began. The agricultural economy flourished. It was the duty of all Buddhists to pay homage for the Great Mahapurisha - Gautama Buddha, Dhamma, Sanga, the Noble Triple Gem became the order of the day, before the commencement of any auspicious Buddhist activity which we follow upto date. They recite Vandana Gathas,” took refuse in the Triple Gem (Tisarana). The mark of respect for the great virtues and wisdom of the Buddha helped the Buddhist to gain confidence, and inspiration in their day to day life.

The Buddha was the holiest, most virtuous, wisest and spiritually perfect personality, who had ever lived. His Dhamma is the ultimate truth about universe, which explains the real nature of the world and of life as well.

The Sangha refers to all disciples of the Buddha who attained sainthood. Everyone must have some guidance for his spiritual development. One must never give up one’s right to think freely, intelligently and respectfully in response to whatever is taught in the name of the religion.

On Unduvap Full Moon Poya day, the centre of Buddhist attraction will be Anuradhapura and Mihintale.

The city of Anuradhapura, nestling in the banks of Malwatu Oya was founded in the 4th century. It is believed that the Sinhala culture and civilisation in this country began at Mihintale during the reign of Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC).

On Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day, there will be many thousands who will be engaged in Buddhist religious activities Dana, Seela, Bhavana in the vicinity of Jayasri Maha Bodhi and in various temples throughout the country.

Devotees flock to pay homage to the Bodhi very specially on the Full Moon Day of Unduwap (December) in Anuradhapura, as it was on Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day, Sangamitta Theri brought the Sacred Bodhi to Sri Lanka from India.