The significance of Duruthu Poya:

Buddha's first visit to Lankadeepa

Duruthu Full Moon Poya Poya day which fell on December 31 bears a special significance to Sri Lankan Buddhists as it was on such a day that the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka (Lankadeepa) had taken place, over 2595 years ago.

As historical records reveal the Enlightened One had visited Mahiyangana in the ninth month of his Buddhahood.

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 which is on the right bank of the Mahaweli River 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 nearby.

As mentioned in Mahavamsa, the Buddha's great personality, dignified conduct, refined manners and soft courteous speech had petrified both armies with awe and admiration.

"Some were frightened and ran away whilst others for the time being, forgot for what purpose they had gathered and listened to the Master's mature words of advice with great respect and veneration."

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

God Sumana Saman who was present at the site attained the state of Sothapanna after listening to the preachings of the Buddha.

As ancient chronicles further reveal the Buddha had given him a hair relic when he appealed to the Enlightened One to give him something as a token of symbolic worship, in the absence of the Buddha.

It was not only the Yakkhas who benefited by his visit, but also the Nagas. Naga Maniakkitha, 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 Thera 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 Uruvel 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 Perahera

Though the Buddha did not arrive in Kelaniya during his first visit to Sri Lanka ,the main event to celebrate Duruthu Poya is usually held in Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. The colourful Kelani Procession parades thorough the streets for three days .

SW