Unduwap - last Poya of the year

By Ananda Kannangara

Unduwap is the last of the 12 full moon Poya days according to the Buddhist calendar. This Poya is important to Buddhists, especially Sri Lankan Buddhists, due to three reasons. The arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a Bo sapling from the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India was the main incident that took place on Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day. The Bhikkhuni Sasana was established in Sri Lanka with the blessings of Theri Sangamitta during the month of Unduwap.

The Buddha, also arrived on the Adams Peak (Sri Pada) on an Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day on an invitation of God Sumana Saman.

Similar to Vesak, Poson and Esala, Buddhists celebrate the Unduwap Full Moon Poya on a grand scale. Theri Sangamitta who brought the Sacred Bo sapling from India was the sister of Arahat Mahinda and the daughter of Emperor Dharmasoka in India.

Emperor Dharmasoka had two children; Ven. Mahinda Thera and Sangamitta Theri. Their mother was queen Videesa, who belonged to the `Murunda' clan.

Before the arrival of Theri Sangamitta, her brother Arahat Mahinda had arrived in Lankadeepa on a Poson Full Moon Poya Day with the gift of the Dhamma. The then Lankan ruler, King Devanampiyatissa realised the truth of Buddhism and embraced it with his citizens. Lankadeepa was then called 'Thambapanni' and 'Taprobane'.

Buddhist history reveals that at the time of Arahat Mahinda's arrival in the country, King Devanampiyatissa was hunting deer. He had no particular religion at the time. He didn't even know the difference between sins and merits.

Hunting deer was his favourite pastime. The king as well as the citizens venerated trees, rocks, the sun and the moon as gods. However, when the king met Arahat Mahinda, he realised and understood everything the Venerable Thera said. As a result, not only the king, but also his clan embraced Buddhism.

As soon as the king became a Buddhist, he realised the value of human and animal lives. He realised the nature of the world and threw his bow and arrow aside.

Arahat Mahinda's historic visit to the island was followed by that of his sister, Sangamitta Theri. She visited the island on Unduwap Poya day with a sapling of the Southern bough of the `Jaya Siri Maha Bohdi' under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment.

Bhikkhuni Order

Sangamitta Theri pioneered the setting up of the Order of Bhikkhuni (Bhikkuni Sasana) in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the forthcoming Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day, on December 10 (Saturday) is a day of great significance to Buddhists all over the world.

Queen Anula became the first to enter the Order of Bhikkhunis and was followed by 500 women. Gradually, women from all parts of the country entered the Bhikkhuni Order. After working hard for the welfare of Bhikkunis in the country, Arahat Sangamitta passed away at the age of 79.

It was only after Sangamitta Theri's arrival in the country that women received full freedom to engage in social activities. Like men, women actively took part in religious activities from then on.

Sri Lanka's history also reveals that on the request of King Devanampiyatissa, his nephew Aritta consented to undertake the tour to India to meet Emperor Asoka. This tour helped bring the Bo sapling from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to Sri Lanka.

As the Lankan mission to India was a success, Sangamitta arrived in the country with the sapling. She arrived in Dambakolapatuna, north of Sri Lanka, and established the Bhikkhuni Sasana at the request of her brother Arahat Mahinda.

It was on Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day that the sapling was received by King Devanampiyatissa with great devotion. Sangamitta Theri came to Sri Lanka with some of her close relatives including Princes Bodhigupta, Chandragupta and Devagupta.

The sapling was placed in a golden bowl. When the king arrived in Dambakolapatuna to receive the Bo sapling, Arahat Mahinda who was also there preached the Naga Damana Sutta to the king.

The sapling was planted at an auspicious time in the presence of a large number of people from all parts of the country, at Mahameghawana Park, Anuradhapura. Over a thousand men entered the Order on that historic day.

King Devanampiyatissa entrusted the responsibility and custody of this sacred tree to Prince Bodhigupta. The prince was given a palace near the Sri Maha Bodhi, and entrusted with the task of looking after the Bodhi.

Sacred city

The city of Anuradhapura thus became a sacred city. Even the kings who ruled the country thereafter started constructing dagobas and temples there.

Palaces, bathing wells, houses and lakes for agricultural purposes were built in the city.

The great King Dutugemunu also ruled from this city and built the Ruwanweliseya.

He protected the Bo sapling. A special team was deployed by the king to look after the sapling.

According to Buddhist history, eight saplings from the Bo tree were planted in Thawakka, Bamunugama, Kataragama, Chandanagrama, Thuparama, Isurumuni Vihara, Plamusa Maluwa and Sagiri Aramage. Thereafter, 32 saplings from those trees were planted at various other places.

The sacred Bo tree at Anuradhapura is considered to be the oldest tree in the world and has a recorded history.

The tree is venerated not only by Buddhists all over the world, but also by people of other religions.

In addition to the historic arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka, Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day is also important to Sri Lankan Buddhists as well as non-Buddhists. The historic Sri Pada pilgrimage season commences on Unduwap Full Moon Poya day.

Devotees carry the statue of God Sumana Saman to the top of the Sri Pada rock in a procession from Galpottawala Sri Padastana Vihara at Pelmadulla. The statue is taken back to the temple when the season ends on Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.

It is believed that Gauthama Buddha placed His footprint on the top of the Sri Pada rock during His third visit to Sri Lanka .

Unduwap Poya is commemorated by Buddhists with Dhamma sermons, Bodhi poojas and Pahan poojas in temples. In Sri Lanka many temples conduct peraharas during the month of Unduwap and carry statues of Sangamitta Theri. Many temples conduct Dhamma Desana and Sil campaigns under the patronage of prominent Bhikkhus.