Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day:

First visit of the Buddha

by Samangie Wettimuny

With much piety and reverence, the Sri Lankan Buddhists look forward to celebrate the Duruthu Full Moon Poya day which falls on January 22nd. The first poya day for the year, Duruthu Poya bears a special significance to Sri Lankans as it was on such a day that the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka (Lankadeepa) had taken place, over 2595 years ago, nine months after his Enlightenment.

The Buddha who was full of compassion and wisdom knew exactly how and what to teach each individual for that person's benefit according to his/her level and capabilities.
 

For nearly half a century the Buddha walked on the paths of India so that those who listened to him could be ennobled and free. He was known to have travelled long distances to help one single person.

Mahavamsa reveals how the Buddha arrived in Mahiyangana on a Duruthu Full Moon Poya day, by air in order to restore peace among Yakkha tribes, the ancient inhabitants at the time, who were at war with each other.

According to Mahavamsa the Buddha had arrived in Mahanaga park on the right bank of the River Mahaweli when one set of the Yakkhas were about to declare war against another set of Yakkhas. There had been a great gathering of the Yakkhas.

The sudden appearance of a stranger clad in yellow robes had scared them and many of them had fled to the jungle that was near by.

But later, firstly a few, gradually almost all have returned leaving aside their battle axes and other tools. Then the Enlightened one had preached to them thus restoring peace among the Yakkhas.

It was not only the Yakkhas who benefitted by his visit, but also the Nagas. Naga Maniakkika, the ruler of Kelaniya at that time too had accepted the teachings of the Buddha.

Mahavamsa emphasizes that the Mahiyangana Dagaba which was constructed at the place where the Buddha preached to the yakkhas had been in existence long before the official introduction of Buddhism to the country by Arhat Mahinda in the 3rd century B.C.

The Jatila brothers

After restoring peace among the Yakkhas, the Buddha returned to Uruvel Danawwa on the same day, states Most Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maithree Thero in his "Buddha Charithaya".

The Jatila brothers became the disciples of the Buddha during the Buddha's visit to uruvel Janapada in the month of Il. The Buddha returned there in the month of Duruthu and was residing under a Banyan tree, a few miles away from Raja Gaha Nuwara, when King Bimbisara paid him a visit.

The king who was pleased to know that the Buddha had arrived, came there with over 120,000 citizens.

The king was extremely happy to see Uruval Kassapa as a disciple of the Buddha. But some of them in the crowd were a bit sceptical of that. The Buddha who was aware of that( through his psychic power) could discard their suspicions soon.

Narrating them 'Maha Narada Kassapa Jathakaya', the Buddha revealed how he had subdued Uruvel Kassapa's power even as Bodisatta.

The Kelani Perehara

Though the Buddha did not arrive in Kelaniya during his first visit to Sri Lanka ,the focus of the Duruthu festival is kelaniya with a procession which parades through the streets for three nights. It is a colourful procession with elephants, dancers, and drummers and thousands of spectators annually line the streets to get a glimpse of it.

The Perehara which commences on Duruthu poya day will parade through the streets shortly in commemoration of the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka whose noble teachings shines like a radiant sun.

[email protected]