Today is Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day:

Buddha’s first visit to Lanka

by Premasara EPASINGHE

On Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, the Buddha paid His first visit to Sri Lanka and it is considered a significant event in our history. Buddhist believe, that it was on Duruthu Full Moon Day, the Buddha despatched the Yakkhas (demons), who had assembled in the war-torn area at Mahanagavana in Mahiyangana, where the Great Mahiyangana Dagoba stands today.

The Blessed One, through the power of compassion, sent the Yakkahs to Giridveepa and preached the Dhamma to the people and deities gathered at the premises of Mahiyangana.

A view of the Mahiyangana Dagoba.

God Sumana Saman, who attained the first stage of the Bliss of Nibbana - Sotapanna, on meeting the Blessed One, very respectfully and kindly requested from the Buddha, a souvenir, an object for them to worship in His absence.

Gautama Buddha gave God Sumana a lock of His hair before His departure to Uruvela, Jambudeepa (Island of Rose-Apple) or modern India.

Cordial relations

Sri Lanka and India maintained very cordial relationships from time immemorial. It runs to the Buddha Era, and Buddhists believe that the Blessed One visited Sri Lanka thrice.

On the other two occasions, they believe that the Blessed One visited Kelaniya and Nagadeepa. Today, Sri Lanka is an epic centre of Theravada Buddhism in the world.

The official introduction of Buddhism took place during Devanampiyatissa’s reign. When Emperor Asoka sent his son Arahat Mahinda Thera and Theri Sangamitta who was responsible in starting the Bhikkhuni. Sasanaya or the Order of the Nuns.

The Budaha’s first mission to Sri Lanka on Duruthu Poya Day was to restore peace, to create a State of freedom from war and violence. After a successful mission, through compassion to Sumana, an Incumbent deity of Siri Pada who is a titular god or deity who possessed a certain title or position, but, no authority of the region Bintenna in Mahiyangana.

He very gladly accepted the Lock of Hair or the Hair Relic. He placed it on a golden casket and was instrumental in constructing the Mahiyangana Stupa.

It was considered as the living Buddha. Today millions worship this Great Stupa.

There are important Buddhist Shrines in Sri Lanka. Mahiyangana occupies centre stage. Today thousands of devotees will flock to temples, all over the island.

Many devotees travel all the way to Mahiyangana to worship the Mahiyangana Stupa where the Buddha’s Hair Relic was enshrined. All temples will be filled to capacity, the chief place of worship is Mahiyangana.

Lankayam Yatha Pataman

Sugata Nissajja
Yakkhe Dhamesi Nija
Sasana Palanya
Tine Thahi Nihithi
Kuntala Geevadhatu
Vandami Sadhu Mahiyangana Thuparaja

Buddhist centres

On this Durutu Full Moon Day, the above stanza will be recited by millions of devotees at Mahiyangana Stupa. Many will observe Ata-Sil. (Eight Precepts). Out of the 16 holy Buddhist centres, number one is occupied by Mahiyangana Stupa. Buddhist devotees chant the popular stanza to gain merit.

Mahiyanganam – Nagadipam – Kalyanam, Padalanchanam, Divaguham – Digavapi, Chetiya Muthiyanganam, Tissamaha Viharamcha, Bodhi Marichavattiyam, Thuparama – Bhayagirin, Jetavanam, Sela Chaittyan, Thatha Kachara Gamakam, Ethe Solar Attani – Ahan Vandami Sabbada. The stanzas mentioned above shows the importance of Mahiyangana Stupa for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

An in-depth study of the Great Chronicle Mahavamsa, records another story when the Buddha passed away, a disciple of Sariputta, namely Saredhu, by his miraculous powers, received from remains of the funeral pyre of the Buddha. The collar bone and brought it to Sri Lanka and enshrined it in the Mahiyangana Stupa.

Later, the son of Devanampiyatissa’s brother, Prince Uddhachulabhaya improved it and raised the height of the Chettiya. After about 100 years it is stated that King Dutugemunu improved the Mahiyangana Stupa. King Voharaka Tissa (204-225 AD) built a parasol over Mahiyangana.

The great chronicle records that on Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day Sri Lankan Kings, Sena II (885-896AD), Kassapa IV (896-918 AD), Vijeyabahu (1059-1114 AD) and Parakramabahu I (1410-1468 AD) were some of the rulers who gave royal patronage to improve the development of Mahiyangana Mahaseya.

Buddhist believe that the Mahiyangana Stupa is a very special Buddhist edifice as both the Hair Relic and the Collar Bone Relic were enshrined in this Great Stupa.

There is a belief that the first Buddhist Chetiya in the world was Girihanduseya in Tiriyagam in Kaddakulam Pattu in the Trincomalee district.

According to the Mahavamsa, Thuparamaya, was built after the official introduction of Buddhism during Devanampiyatissa’s reign during the Anuradhapura period. The Girihanduseya story was woven round two Indian traders Thappassu and Balluka.

These two North Indian traders lived in a city called Pushkarvali and they offered gee and honey porridge to the Blessed One before they left for Sri Lanka for trading.

They requested a souvenir from the Buddha to worship Him when they were away in Sri Lanka while on their trade mission. The Blessed One offered the two of them a lock of hair from His head to worship. These Khesa Datu were hidden in a place in the mountain Girihandu.

After their trade mission was over in Nithupathpana in Trincomalee district, they wanted to take home their precious Relics, but they could not remove it from the place, as it was stuck to the rock. History says that they constructed the Girihanduseya.

Enshrining the relics

This story is very similar to that of the Mahiyangana Stupa. On this Duruthupura Poya Day many devotees will worship Girihanduseya Stupa too. Duruthu Poya Day is the first important religious event for Buddhists. Many devotees will take part in Sil campaigns, offer alms to Bhikkhus and engage in many social activities helping the poor.