Buddhist Spectrum

Thursday, 17 January 2013

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Lanka blessed by the living Buddha

Rupa BANDUWARDENA

Supreme enlightened one, Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gauthama delivered his supreme gift of Dhamma to one and all. His words of compassion comforted thousands who listened to his Dhamma. Wherever the Buddha’s feet touched the soil of India, Buddhism gained ground rapidly. To propagate the Dhamma, Buddha walked through the streets and enlightened millions of his ardent devotees.

In early days, the Buddha and his disciples had no fixed abode but lived in parks and forests or caves. Later, when the Veluwanarama was built and offered by the royalty, the Buddha and his disciples lived more in them. Veluvanarama is believed to be the first monastery in the history of Buddhism that was donated exactly on the Duruthu Poya day. On the ninth month of his enlightenment, the Buddha turned his attention to Sri Lanka which made it to be identified as Dharmadweepa.

When and where and how was the Great Master Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gauthama appear in Sri Lanka? Early chronicles throw light on Buddha’s first visit to Mahiyangana and it remains the greatest sacred monument of the Buddhist.

The earliest chronicles, Deepawamsa, Mahawamsa and Samanthapasadica give a vivid description of the sacred visits of Thathagatha. History records that sakyamuni arrived at Mahiyangana, where the inhabitants belonged to various types such as Yakka and Naga.

They were not at all happy to see a saintly figure like the Buddha who with his Metta and Dhamma was able to win them over for their own good. Having listened to his Dhamma, they worshiped the Buddha with great love. Since his only wish was the happiness and welfare of all beings in their upward path, they were well subdued.

Here the Buddha established the idea of brotherhood of all living beings and its aim of peaceful coexistence and the newly converted tribes showed profound devotion and respect. It is said that they were later driven away to Girideepa.

First Chetiya

This is not all. Listening to his sermons Dewamahasumana appeared on the scene. History reveals that Sakyamuni on his first visit to Mahiyangana had given a handful of hair to Devamahasumana at his request.

The overjoyed Deva placed it in a golden casket and later enshrined it in the Stupa which later came to be called Mahiyangana Chaitya – the greatest event of great historical importance in Sri Lankan Buddha Sasana.

Hence the honour of laying the foundation for the first Chaitya in Dharmadweepa goes to Dewamahasumana. This is given much significance because it was the first built here in Sri Lanka. Moreover, it was built by a divine being on the spot where the Buddha made his first visit to the island.

It is believed that the royalty gave their support and patronage at various times to build up this sacred spot blessed by the Buddha. After the Parinibbana of the Buddha and the distribution of the sacred relics, Greevadathu (neck relic) had been brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Sarabhu, a pupil of Ven. Sariputta and enshrined in the same Stupa. It is said to have been completed in several stages. The original Stupa begun by Dewamahasumana was later improved by king Uddachulabhaya, king Dutugemunu which stands as a testimony to his lasting contribution to Buddhism.

New Phase

History of Buddhism is said to go back to the time of the Buddha visiting the island long before the introduction of Buddhism by Venerable Arahath Mahinda even before the arrival of Vijaya who is said to have landed here on the day of the Parinibbana. A new phase begins in our tradition with the visit of the Buddha. Our heritage rests firmly on the foundation of Buddhism which has been preserved and practiced.

Buddha’s visits are considered as a precious gift to Buddhist heritage adding wonderful events, happened during the time of living Buddha which could be considered even more important than Mahindagamanaya.

The foundation was then laid for our ancient culture based on Buddhism inspired by Buddhist ideals. What more? Thus, Sri Lanka had the good fortune of being blessed with the presence of the living Buddha.

Sixteen places had been blessed by him as he was well aware that Buddhism was to flourish in this Dharmadweepa – the most sacred event in human history.

Jaffna’s Buddhist revival

Priyanka Kurugala

Various activities have commenced in Naga Vihara, Jaffna. Since 1996, which was when Jaffna was liberated from the LTTE clutches, the temple has been a hive of religious activities.

Offering alms Pictures by Ruwan de Silva

Religious harmony

Naga Vihara could commence Katina Pooja in 1999. Roads were open to the public following the humanitarian victory in 2009. The Nagavihara Katina Perahera commenced, opening a peaceful environment.

In 3rd BC Arahath Sangamiththa Therani brought the sapling of the Sacred Jaya Srimaha Bodi to the country through harbor -Dambakolapatuna which is situated in the Northern part of the country. At that time, King Devanampiya Tissa ruled the country. According to chronicle in the country King Devanampiya Thissa warmly welcomed the sapling of the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and worshiped with his officers and civilians paying state honors to the sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

Sacred temple

During this period, the Nagas lived in the northern region. Thus the region was called ‘nagadeepa’. According to Nagas’ request, it is recorded, King Devanampiyatissa supplied facilities to worship the sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi for one week.

Usual Jaffna life

The people had then built a sacred temple and named it Naga Vihara. Buddhist monks started performing various rituals under the sponsorship of the king. This came to a halt during the LTTE reign.

Following the 2009 victory, Naga Vihara monks could come forward to protect the Buddhist site. The Katina ritual had the participation of Tamils and Sinhala alike along with armed forces even amid heavy rains.

Thousands of people are now paying homage to this ancient temple. The religious harmony is present as the crowds revere Nalloor Kovil activities as well. There could not be a better process to establish religious harmony than this.

According to Naga Vihara’s Chief Incumbent Ven Siri Wimala Thera, 48 dancing troops participated in the Perahera programme with 62 cultural events included in the programme. The dancing was both Kandyan as well as Tamil.

Young devotees

Jaffna Ranga Arts Centre played an instrumental role in contributing to the perahera ceremony with its student. Gangarama Chief Incumbent Ven Galaboda Ghanessara Thera supplied an elephant for the Perahera ceremony.

The Nagavihara temple Katina religious activities were held under the patronage of the Nagavihara Chief Incumbent Ven Meegahajandure Ghanarathane Thera, while a number of monks participated from many areas of the country.

Brigadier Chandana Gunawardana and Brigadier D B Randeniya also took a part in this religious ceremonial event. The Katina religious programme consisted of many religious activities. Perahera programme, Kathina Cheewara Pooja, Bodhi Pooja, all night Pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving religious activities have been included.

All religious activities were conducted by the Sri Nagavihara Development Foundation – Jaffna and the Tamil Buddhist Association with the assistance of three forces.

Tamil Buddhist Association President A Ravi Kumar directed children in Nandarama Tamil Dhamma School towards Perahera programme. Jaffna Mayor Yogeshwari Pathgunaraja Northen Province Governor G A Chandrasiri supported the Nagavihara programme.

Pleased with the greatest thing in the World

Venerable Nawalapitiye Ariyawansa Thera

The Buddha teaches us that if somebody expects the greatest result, he must be pleased with the greatest thing. If one is pleased with the greatest thing in the world, he can enjoy the greatest result. The Buddha shows four sublime facts for us to be pleased with. (The greatest thing in the world).

The Buddha shows us that the Buddha is the greatest among all beings in the world. If somebody is pleased with the Buddha who is the greatest among all beings, he can acquire the greatest results. Greatest results mean, he can enjoy the greatest happiness.

If there is any Sankatha Dhamma (something that arises due to a certain cause and when the cause disappears, the result or effect also disappears) in the world, among such things the way to Nibbana is the greatest.

That is the eight noble path. If anybody is pleased with the eight noble path, he has the opportunity to acquire the greatest results. The greatest results mean the greatest happiness.

At the same time, the Buddha shows that if there is any Asankatha things among Sankatha Dhamma, Nibbana is the greatest. If somebody is pleased with the Nibbana, the greatest among Asankatha Dhamma, he also can acquire the greatest results. The greatest result means the opportunity to enjoy happiness.

At the same time, The Buddha shows that among all groups, Buddha’s disciples are the greatest. The Buddha shows us that if anyone can be pleased with Buddha’s disciples, he can acquire the greatest results.

If somebody is pleased with the greatest thing in the world, he has definitely the chance to be happy.

If somebody is pleased with the Buddha, he is pleased with the noble person who is endowed with the greatest virtues. One who is pleased with such a noble person, begins to purify his mind. That is the beginning of purification of the mind.

If somebody is pleased to follow the path to Nibbana, he has the ability to practice the path to Nibbana. If someone keeps on following the path to Nibbana, he will be rewarded with happiness. If someone is pleased with Nibbana, he develops a liking to do away with demerits (Akusal) and develop merits (Kusal). In this way, he will be rewarded with happiness.

If he is pleased with the disciples of the Buddha, he has the chance to listen to Dhamma, offer alms and know about virtues (Seela). By being pleased with the Sanga, he develops the opportunity to know the ways and means to enjoy pleasure.

If somebody is pleased with the most noble thing of the world, he is sure to get the chance of enjoying the happiness of the world. So, we must be well aware of the Dhamma in the world in order to be pleased with the noble Dhamma. Then only we will understand that it is the most noble Dhamma in the world. If we could understand the greatness of Dhamma, we will be able to be pleased with it. Let’s be fortunate enough to learn the Dhamma preached by the Buddha, and be pleased with the Dhamma and enjoy the greatest happiness.

Translated by M.A Samarsinghe