Theravada doctrine

The message of Sambuddhathva Jayanthi:

by Rupa Banduwardana

Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama blossomed forth into the universe to relieve humanity from the miseries of existence. With his Supreme gift of eternal truth He found a solution for suffering mankind with His boundless compassion.

He led the people to enjoy and experience the joy of Vimukthi through His supreme Dhamma and it became the common light of the Buddhist world. One could read in ancient chronicles of Buddhism being the greatest achievement in the annals of Sri Lankan history.

Abhayagiri

Buddhism had it’s firm and unshakable place in its land of origin as a great faith, a fine philosophy and a unique doctrine, upon which one of the world’s most remarkable civilisations were built. Similarly in Sri Lanka one could call the message of the Buddha the greatest civilising force in the history of the island.

With the gem of truth embodied in Buddhism, in due course the original Sinhala dweepa emerged into a place of spiritual learning of the Theravada doctrine. There is an unbroken record of reference that the Dhamma propagated was none other than Theravada Buddhism. Archaeological, historic as well as literary evidence confirm the above mentioned view.

Chronicles

Mahanama, the traditionally accepted author monk of Mahavamsa who lived in Mahavihara uses the history of the three councils to prove that the doctrine put forward by the Mahavihara is the one and only true doctrine of the Buddha. How does He accomplish His task? He traces the history of the three councils with their superior performance.

After the Parinibbana of the Buddha the first Buddhist council or the Dhamma Sangayana was held at the Saptapanni cave in Rajagaha due to the unruly behaviour of a Bhikkhu named Subaddha who attempted to relax the discipline which The Buddha had laid down.

Realising the threat to the sasana, Thera Upali held the first council and renewed the rules of discipline. the second council was held a century later, under the leadership of Ven. Sabbakami to condemn the violation of disciplinary rules by the Vajjian monks from the city of Vaisali. Finally, the Vajjian heresay was done away with and the doctrine of the Sthaviras was upheld.

Third Council and beyond

The Third Council summoned 218 years after the Mahaparinibbana was the most significant out of the three councils and above all the most important to Sri Lanka for having laid the foundation for the Supreme gift which changed the destiny and future of the island.

As it was launched during the regime of Emperor Asoka at Pataliputra, it paved the way for the sending of the gift of Dhamma to nine different countries. History records that Lanka was the first place to attract his attention. Special importance had been attached to Sinhaladeepa.

The kings of the two countries had developed a special friendship which lead to this immortal gift to be established in Lanka. It was in the form of a precious gift that the Dhammadutha mission was sent here through his son Arahat Mahinda in 247BC.

According to Mahavamsa Mahinda brought here the doctrine of the Third Council i.e. the Theravada doctrine - “the one and only true doctrine of the Buddha” declared to be perfectly true by the council presided over by Moggaliputta Tissa Thera.

Arahat Mahinda was closely associated with Mahavihara which upheld the Theravada doctrine. Not only did Arahat Mahinda bring the Theravada doctrine, but also the valid ordination (Upasampada) for Mahinda was the sixth in direct line of succession, from Upali of the first council. They are - Upali, Dasaka, Sonaka, Siggava, Moggaliputta Tissa and Mahinda. Hence Mahavamsa proves that Mahavihara was the centre of both orthodox Buddhism and valid ordination.

By the time of the Third Council, Buddhism in India had faced many a confusion with a number of sects as much as 18. Here in Lankadeepa Theravada Buddhism reigned Supreme. Mahavamsa as well as Sumangalavilasini records that all monks in Rajarata accepted the authority of Mahavihara. But before long there were centres of Mahayanism as well .

Pure doctrine amidst obstacles

There was the rise of Mahayanism under certain kings like Kanishka. Mahayanist scriptures were being given their final form by Asvagosha Visvamitra and Nagarjuna.

This had it’s repercussions in the island. Mahayanism along with Hindu influence began to be felt in the religious sphere. Samantapasadika records that there was dissension among the Sangha during the reign of king Bahtiya over the rules of Vinaya. History reveals that there were similar incidents during the reign of kings Voharikatissa, Mahasen and Valagamba. The last is said to have built Abhayagiri Vihara for a different sect (Dhammaruci).

There had been three monasteries associated with three different sects, Abhayagiri and Jetavana being the most prominent centres of Mahayanisam. However, according to chronicles, Mahavihara as the seat the Theravada doctrine is said to have received the special attention and favour of the kings.

This is very well supported by Thera Mahanama in the great chronicle Mahavamsa. More modern scholars such as Ven. Walpola Rahula Thera and Dr. E.W. Adikaram and Prof. G.P. Malalasekera who had done much research on the subject are holding the same view.

According to them Lankadweepa was the only country to preserve the Theravada doctrine - the original form of Buddhism coming direct from the Buddha’s time.

Overcoming all obstacles Sri Lanka has had the good fortune of preserving and maintaining the Supreme gift of the Buddha, his doctrine and the message of the Dhamma in it’s pristine purity and glory - the pure Theravada doctrine.

This is something to be proud of, for Sri Lankan Buddhists on the eve of Sambuddhathva Jayanthi. The original form of Buddhism, the Theravada doctrine coming direct from Buddha’s time has been occupying a unique position in the sasanic history of the island.

It has been continuously upheld throughout and will be upheld in this Sambuddhathva Jayanthi era and beyond. Ever since the introduction of Buddhism our Dharmadweepa has played a leading role in preserving and disseminating the Theravada version of Buddhism.