End of the Vas season

Vap Poya Day falls on October 25:

by Samangie Wettimuny

Vap Poya Day which falls on October 25 marks the end of the Vas season - bhikkus' three month's rain retreat. This is the month for offering new robes (cheewara) to the Bhikkus who observed Vas on the rainy retreat starting from the month of Esala to that of Vap.

About 2595 years ago the Buddha had observed his first Vas retreat in the month of Esala with the five ascetics to whom he preached his first sermon - Dhamma Chakka Pawathna Sutta (Wheel of truth) at Isipathana in Baranasi.

It is with great piety that Buddhists await this great occasion as it is considered the most strong wholesome act out of Ata Maha Kusal (eight powerful meritorious acts). The eight meritorious acts are offering a katina robe, offering 'Ata Pirikara' (eight Requisites of a Bhikku), offering 'senasana'- a place of residence for Bhikkus, offering alms to Bhikkus in the noble company of the Buddha, writing or compiling Buddhist books with the intention of disseminating the Buddha's teachings, offering land in the name of the Buddha, constructing Buddha statues and building toilets and accompanying facilities for the use of Bhikkus.

Also Vap Poya signifies the conclusion of the Buddha's preaching of the Abhidhamma to his mother (Mathru Divya Rajaya) in Thavuthisa heaven and his arrival at Sankassapura. In the following month, (the month of lI) the Buddha gave the permission (Niyatha Viwarana) to Siriwaddana (a wealthy land owner in Sankassapura) to become the next Buddha (Maithree Buddha).

Particularly Vap poya has a special significance in Sri Lanka's Buddhist calendar as it was on such a day that King Davanampiyatissa sent envoys to Emperor Asoka of India requesting him to send his daughter - Sanghamitta Therani to Sri Lanka to establish the Order of Nuns (Bhikkuni Sasana) here.

The king got a positive response from the Emperor and as a result Sangamitta Therani arrived in the country two months later with a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in India in the month of Unduwap.

In the past the usual custom of the Buddhist Bhikkus in India was to go on 'pindapatha' (go from house to house daily during the day time collecting alms). As the disciples of the Buddha they also travelled extensively in all parts of the country, spreading the teachings of the Buddha.

Buddhist Bhikkus started confining themselves to monasteries during the rainy season since the Buddha observed Vas retreat at Isipathana. Vas is divided into two sections - 'Pera Vas' (the period before the observance) and 'Pasu Vas'(the period after the observance.)

Starting from this Vap poya, within the next month (before Il Poya) this year's 'Katina Pinkama' will be held in temples around the country on a designated day.

Since the event is unique to Buddhists and is considered as the most powerful meritorious deed, each year devout Buddhists look forward to participate in this noble event. Specially sewn Katina Cheewara (robes) are offered to the Buddhist Bhikkus with great devotion.

Traditionally buddhist Bhikkus observe Vas confining themselves to temples or monasteries on the invitation of the Buddhist laity. They offer heel dahna (alms offered in the morning), Dawal Dhana (alms offered in the afternoon) to the Bhikkus.

Such offerings are called Vas Dhana. During this season, Bhikkus are committed to the observance of religious practises and preach to the laity. This is the ideal time for devout buddhists engage in religious activities, particularly in meditation.

The Buddha himself has mentioned in his 'suttas' the great merit of offering a Katina robe. As mentioned in many a Buddhist text, the effect of offering a single Katina is sixteen times greater than the combined effect of the other offerings.

Also even the combined effect of performing every type of offering continuously through 100 years is not worth one sixteenth portion of the effect of offering just one Katina robe.

Neither a king nor any natural hazard can destroy it.

Sri Lankan Buddhists eagerly await this year's 'Katina Pinkama' which will commence with the fall of Vap Full Moon Poya Day on the 25th. The Buddha's teachings have come down from generation to generation as a result of the great service rendered by the Sangha Sasana and even in the future it will be the same.

The Buddhist Bhikkus who are engaged in disseminating the teachings of the Buddha should be thus treated with reverence. As believed by thousands of Buddhists across the world, the Budda's moral code is the most perfect the world has ever known as it is nothing but the Noble truth.

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