NAVAM PULL MOON PAYA DAY

First guardians of Buddhism

Premasara Epasinghe

The most important event that took place on this Poya Day was the appointment of the two chief disciples - Sariputta and Moggallana. Ven Sariputta was given the title of Dharmasenadhipathi and Moggallana Dharmapurohita. These two were major or chief disciples of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha.

Sariputta was considered as the msot brilliant and foremost in wisdom, among the Arahats of Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha. He was born in a village to the North of Rajagaha in Magadha, India.

Moggallana, the other chief disciple was foremost in the Noble Order of Bhikkhus for the performance of Psychic and spiritual powers and feats. He too was born in Magadha and both of them grew up together and they were insperable. They were known as Upatissa and Kolitha. One day, these two friends Upatissa and Kolitha, went to witness a Gala Sports Festival known as "Giraggasamajja". There were about hundred thousand spectators who witnessed this fabulous, magnificent festival of sports. When the entire crowd left, these two realised all these spectators who enjoyed the games today will not be there tomorrow or definitely in another hundred years time. Realising this nature of impermanence these they went in search of find out a Deathless State.

During the Era, there were many religious leaders and Ascetics in India, following their own Philosophies. Femous among the religious leaders in India, at that time were Nigantanatha Putta or Mahavira, the Naked Ascetic and Sanjaya Bellattiputta, Ajithakesakambala etc.

Upatissa and Kolitha became the followers of Sanjayabellattiputta. After sometime, they realised His Master was uanble to achieve the Deathless state or Liberation. The two of them left and became the followers of Gautama Buddha.

It was on a Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, the First Dhamramasangayanawa or congregation of Bhikkus took place, three months after the demise of Buddha. It was held at Rajagaha. This assembly was held under the patronage of Arahat Maha Kassapa one of the most senior monks. On the eve of Duruthu Poya, the Buddha's Attendent, Dharmabhandagarika Ven Ananda attained the Bliss of Arahathood.

Buddhist philosophy is a disciplined Religion. The Blessed One insisted the monks and the Nuns to maintain discipline in the highest level and live a Righteous Life. According to Buddhist literature, there were incidents of indiscipline among the Buddhist monks during the dispensation of Buddha. To arrest these situations, the Blessed One introduced a set of Disciplinary code known as "Ovada Patimoksha", which came into effect on a Navam Poya Day.

The following stanzas sums up the meaning of Ovada Patimoksha:-

1. sabbapapassa Akaranam

Kusalassa Upasampada

Sacittapariyodapanam

Etam Buddhana Sasanam

(Not to do any Evil, To cultivate Good, To purify One's Mind, This is the Teaching of the Buddhas)

2. Khanti Paramam Tapo Titikkha;

Nibbanam Paramam Vadanti Buddha,

Nahi Pabbajito Parupaghati

Samano Hoti Parami Vihethayanto

(Forbearing Patience is the Highest Austerity, Nibbana is Supreme, say the Buddhas. He, verily, is not a Recluse who harms another nor is an Ascetic who oppose others)

3. Anupavado Anupaghato

Patimokkhe Ca Samvaro

Mattannuta Ca Bhattasmim

Panthan Ca Sayanasanam

Adhicitta Ca Ayogo

Etam Buddhana Sasanam

(Not insulting, not harming, restraint according to the Fundamental Moral Code, moderation in Food, secluded abode, intent on Higher Thoughts. This is the Teaching of the Buddhas)

(These three stanzas are from Dhammapada - Buddha Vagga stanzas 183, 184, 185)

It was on a Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day. Buddha at the Chapala Cetiya premises, announced to Venerable Ananda Thera that the Enlightened One will Pass Away and attain Paranibbana, at the end of three months, on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. The Blessed One used to deliver Ovada Patimoksha to the congregation of Bhikkhu Order, once a month, or after three months or once in six months traditionally. On this Navam Full Moon Poya Day, most of the temples in Sri Lanka will be filled to the capacity and many lay devotees observe Eight Precepts. There will also be Cultural Pageants on this Poya Day.

May the Triple Gem Bless You'll!

The Blessed One

Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama the Great Master

Relieved the entire humanity from sansaric disaster

The overwhelming fountain of love and compassion

Gifted the world the outcome of his unique mission

Wesak signifies a number of events in the life of the perfect one

Birth, Enlightenment and Passing away all in one

The above world renowned thrice blessed day

Falls every year in the flowery Month of May

Prophesy of the Astrologers working in the father's mind

Compelled him to keep the son away from disgust of any kind

Despite all precautions to keep him away

From the truth of death, decease and decay

He embarked on the journey in search of bliss

Which he was determined never ever to miss

Due to the strong bond they had in a previous life

Regardless of the true love and devotion of a faithful wife

Abandoning all acts leading to mischief and fun

Taking a glimpse of his new born infant son

With whom he thought there emerged another barrier

To hinder his long awaited sacred career

His luxury homely life enjoyed very high

Was given up most willingly with no sigh

He left the royal palace in the dead of the night

Beco's he thought it was perfectly right

Going to early sages for solace was of no avail

Totally isolated Along Neranjana he took a stroll

There under the shade of the Holy Asatu tree

He put an end to his lengthy searching spree

His search for the eternal truth commenced

Beco's of Jaathi Jara Vyadi he was fully convinced

He then started his endless meditation

And continued every form of self mortification

Bosath was utterly reduced to skin and bone

Yet he was fully determined to achieve it alone

Enlightenment the gratest bliss dawned upon Him

At the height of his struggle for bliss supreme

He saw His own existence as well as those of others

Finding a way to relieve humanity from all the bothers

From eternal truth nothing could be concealed

The four Noble Truths and the Eight Fold Path were revealed

Deeply involved in propagating the doctrine of Dhamma

Paved the path to humanity to delve in Kusala Kamma

Developing the super human powers of devine vision

Fulfilled the sacred task of his universal Mission

Rupa Banduwardena