Duruthu Poya:

Commemorates Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka

By Ananda KANNANGARA

The Duruthu Full Moon Poya is observed on a grand scale by Buddhists in Sri Lanka and all over the world as the first Poya in the calendar. This Poya is important to Buddhists, especially Sri Lankan Buddhists, due to many events which had occurred on this day in the history of Sri Lanka's Buddhism.

Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha's first visit to Mahiyangana had taken place on a Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day. The arrival of the Buddha in Mahiyangana is an event of great historical importance, because this sacred event had preceded the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahant Mahinda Thera.

Although Buddhists do not celebrate this Poya on the same scale as Vesak, Poson and Esala Poyas, by conducting various festivities, temples in villages conduct bodhi poojas, bana preachings, pahan poojas and sil campaigns, considering its importance as the first poya in the new year.

Ancient chronicles reveal that the Buddha arrived at Mahiyangana, the splendid park in the vicinity of the Mahaweli Ganga, to settle a dispute of a Yakka tribe. The Yakkas behaved in a rough manner and opposed the arrival of the Buddha. However, they were miraculously won over by the Buddha who helped them to be good citizens.

During this period, the inhabitants of this country were Yakkas, who were humans and descendants of King Rawana and his brother, Vibhishana. Descendants of the Naga tribe also lived here. It is said that Yakkas and Nagas were in constant confrontation with each other.

The Mahiyangana Dagoba, which is also known as Miyuguna Seya, was built at the site of the Mahanaga grove in Minipe where the Buddha had subjugated the Yakkas.

One of the most significant aspects of the event was the presence of Deva Mahasumana, the guardian god of Mount Samanala, popularly known as Sri Pada. History reveals that Deva Mahasumana attained the State of Sothapanna after listening to the sermon delivered by the Buddha at Mahiyangana.

Diplomatic relations

According to the Mahavamsa, Deva Mahasumana begged the Thathagatha to give something to remember His first visit to the island.

The Buddha gave him a handful of hair from His head which Mahasumana placed in a golden casket and later enshrined in a Stupa embedded with blue stones.

The Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka also helped boost diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and India. The Mahawamsa speaks about three visits made by the Buddha to Sri Lanka.

The month of Duruthu is also significant for Buddhists due to a number of other incidents. The Buddha put the arrogant Kassapa brothers - Uruwel Kassapa, Gaya Kassapa and Nadi Kassapa - on the correct path on this day. It is also during the month of Duruthu (January) that the Duruthu Perahara of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara is held. According to ancient chronicles, the Buddha's second visit to Sri Lanka was to Nagadeepa, to settle a dispute between an uncle and nephew, Chulodara and Mahodara. They were at loggerheads over the ownership of a gem-studded throne.

The raging King Mahodara was about to wage war, when the Buddha saw it with His divine eyes. He appeared in Nagadeepa and settled the dispute. The chronicles also reveal that the Northern area had been ruled by several kings in Anuradhapura.

Neck relics

History also reveals that after the Parinibbana of the Buddha, some neck relics (Greeva Dathu) of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka by Arahant Sarabhu- a pupil of Arahant Sariputta and enshrined in the Mahiyangana Dagoba, raising it to 12 riyan. It was later extended to a height of 30 riyan by King Uddachulabhaya, the brother of King Devanampiyatissa .

It was also during the month of Duruthu that the Omniscient One proceeded to the Magadha Kingdom accompanied by Jatila Arahants.

The visit was made in keeping with an invitation extended by Magadha King Bimbisara to the Buddha before His Enlightenment.

Having seen the Buddha with Arahant Kassapa, King Bimbisara hesitated to believe that Uruwel Kassapa had become a disciple of the Buddha.

Realising the King's misconception, Arahant Uruwel Kassapa performed a pelahara (miracle) to indicate that all the Jatila Arahants, including himself, were now disciples of the Buddha. King Bimbisara and his people were very happy and devotedly embraced Buddhism.

The Buddha preached the Dhamma and all of them took refuge in the Triple Gem. King Bimbisara offered the Veluwanarama to the Buddha. He then made a proclamation allowing Bhikkhus to accept monasteries when offered by devotees.

King Bimbisara had dreamed that his deceased relatives were suffering, having been born as goblins. The Buddha preached the Dhamma to offer merit to those goblins on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day.