Navam Poya falls tomorrow:

Sariyuth and Mugalan become Buddha's Chief Disciples

Buddha's first set of disciples were the five ascetics to whom he preached the Dhamma Chakka Pawaththna Sutta. From that day onwards for nearly forty five years, the Buddha continued to preach the Dhamma to all classes of men and women equally- kings and ordinary people, Brahmins and outcastes, the wealthy and beggars, holy men and robbers.

Today, more than 2550 years after His Parinirvana we continue to follow his teachings. Buddha's teachings have come down generation to generation as a result of the great service rendered by the Sangha. It is mainly in this context that the month of Navam bears significance to Buddhists across the world.

The Buddha observed His first three-month Vas retreat at Isipathana after delivering His first sermon to the five ascetics. His number of disciples soon increased upto sixty during that period.

At the end of the Vas season the Buddha despatched His first set of disciples to disseminate the Dhamma, setting in motion His sublime mission.

Assaji Thera too was among the first set of disciples. It was in the month of Navam that Upatissa of Upatissagrama came across Assaji Thera who was propagating the Buddha's teachings.

Kolitha and Upatissa

Assaji Thera arrived in Rajagahanuwara at a period when many a Brahmin youth had developed an interest in investigating the truth.

There were several Paribrajakas who had the same interest and they spent time in temples (paribrachakarama) with their disciples.

Sanjaya was one such paribrachaka who had Kolitha and Upatissa of Kolithagrama and Upatissagrama respectively as his disciples along with another two hundred and fifty. Kolitha and Upatissa soon realised that they would never be able to find the truth if they continue to follow Sanjaya's teachings.

So the two friends decided to go on two routes in search of truth promising each other that if one of the two could find a way out of suffering first, he would inform the other about it.

Young Upatissa who arrived in Rajagaha Nuwara saw Assaji Thera walking on the street in a serene manner with his bowl of alms. Pleased with the Thera's way of conduct, Upatissa waited till the Thera finished having his Dana, then offered him water to drink, from his own bowl. Upatissa knew for sure that Assaji Thera was an Arhat. So he questioned him about his teacher and his teachings.

"I'm a disciple of the Buddha, but still I'm a beginner," said the Thera. Upon the invitation of Upatissa, Assaji Thera summed up the Buddha's teachings:

"Ye Dhamma Hethuppabawa,

Thesan hethu thathagatho Aha,

Thesan thaya Nirodo,

Evanvadhi Maha samano"

("If there is a particular nature of a thing causing from a reason, the Buddha preaches what that reason is. If there is a way out he teaches that as well.")

After listening to this discourse Upatissa could attain the first stage of the path to Nibbana. Kolitha was willing to join Upatissa, but Sanjaya Paribrachaka was reluctant to meet the Buddha.

Two friends headed their way towards Veluwanarama together with Sanjaya Paribrachaka's two hundred and fifty disciples.Seeing Upatissa and Kolitha reaching towards Him the Buddha had thus addressed His set of monks.

"O, Bhikkus, those two will become the two Chief disciples of the Thathagatha." They were soon ordained and came to be known as the Sariyuth and Mugalan. Mugalan Thera became an arhat on Navam Pura Atawaka poya day.

Sariyuth Thera entered Arhathood after listening to 'Vedana Pariggaha sutta' which was preached to Deega Nakha on Gijukulu mountain. During the first council of bhikkus which took place in the month of Navam at Veluwanarama, the Buddha appointed them as His chief disciples

(Agasavu) and told the Bhikkus how both Sariyuth and Mugalan engaged in meritorious deeds throughout their past births in order to become the Chief disciples of the Gauthama Buddha.

The first Council of Bhikkus

The first Council of Bhikkus consisted of 1250 Bhikkus. It was during this Council that the Buddha proclaimed a code of fundamental ethical precepts (Owada Prathimoksha) for the monks.

During the first twenty years it was this set of advice that the bhikkus had to abide by. In fact it was a mere set of advice:

"Sabba Pa Passa akaranan,

Kusalassa Upasampada,

Sachiththa pariyo dapanan,

Ethan Buddhanu sasanan"

(Refraining from all evil, attainment of what is good, cleansing of one's thoughts- this is the advice of the awakened one.)

During the first twenty years, the Buddha never felt the necessity of enforcing a set of rules other than this type of advice. People who entered the Order at the beginning, did so out of genuine faith.

But later people began entering the Order for their personal benefits and for security. As a result the Buddha had to impose a set of

'vinaya rules' to the Bhikkus. Also it was on a Navam poya day that the Buddha declared that he would attain parinirvana in another three months of time. (Giving up ayu sanskara). While observing his last Vas retreat at Veluwagrama the Buddha was suffering from Lohitha Pakkandhika. So the Buddha decided to pass away in another ten months of time.

But He did not reveal it. But seven months later at Chapala Chethi in Visal Pura the Buddha told Ananda Thera that if a Buddha wishes to live the full term of life (120 years), he can do so.

But Ananda Thera could not understand what the Enlightened one implied, so he remained quiet, not inviting him to live his full term.

(It is also said that it was Vasawarthi Mara who influenced Ananda Thera at that moment).

So on Navam Poya day the Buddha declared "Itho thinnanmasana chchayena thathagatho parinibbayissathi. (Maha Parinibbana Sutta) So Navam Full Moon poya day which falls on February 9th is of utmost importance to the Buddhists. Among various religious deeds of the day, Navam perahera of Gangarama temple is the most outstanding celebration.

SW