Buddha appoints two chief disciples

by Ganga H. Ratnayake

This year's Navam Poya falls on Tuesday, February 7. On the Poya day, devotees, clad in white, visit temples across the island. They observe the eight precepts (Atasil) and engage in various religious rituals, practising the teachings of the Buddha.

Navam Poya commemorates many significant events that occurred over 25 centuries ago in the land where Buddhism flourished. The significant events are as follows.

The appointment of the Buddha's two Chief Disciples - Upatissa and Kolitha, born on the same day to Brahmin families in two adjacent villages, grew up to be best friends. They both studied under a teacher called Sanjaya. One day Upatissa met a saffron- robed monk on the road. The monk - Assaji Thera - had a beaming face and a graceful demeanour.

Upatissa couldn’t resist following the bhikkhu out of curiosity. He inquired from Assaji Thera about his teacher and his doctrines.

The Thera then declared that his teacher is the Enlightened One, the Buddha. Assaji Thera was new to Buddhism, but he clearly expressed the essence of Dhamma in a nutshell as, Ye dhammä hetuppabhavä, tesam hetum tatagato äha; tesanca yo nirodho, evam vädhi mahasamano. (Of all those things that from a cause arise, Tathagata the cause thereof has told; And how they cease to be, that too he tells, This is the doctrine of the Great Recluse.)

Enlightenment

Upon hearing this, it took no time for the wise Upatissa to attain the state of Sotapanna – the first phase of Enlightenment. Upatissa then looked for his friend Kolitha and suggested that they should visit the Buddha and become His disciples. The compassionate Kolitha wanted to bring along their teacher, Sanjaya, on their journey of seeking the truth. But Sanjaya refused the offer and wished to stay back.

Upatissa and Kolitha, along with more than 200 disciples of Sanjaya, left the very next day to the Bamboo Grove in Rajagaha to meet the Buddha. Following their ordination, Upatissa became known as Sariputta (the son of Sari, his Brahmin mother) and Kolitha came to be known as Moggallana. A week from the ordination, Moggallana Thera attained arahantship. And on Navam Poya, two weeks from ordination, Sariputta Thera also attained arahantship.

On a Navam Full Moon Poya day the Buddha appointed Sariputta and Moggallana Theras as His two Chief Disciples (Agrasravaka).They were honoured with supreme titles - Sariputta Thera as Dharma Senadhipathi (Commander of the Dhamma) and Moggallana Thera as Dharma Purohitha (Mentor of the Dhamma).

First Buddhist Council

The disciples led by Maha Kassapa Thera discussed the need for a Buddhist Council following the Parinibbana (Passing Away) of the Buddha.

There were two reasons for holding a council. Previously the Dhamma was imparted verbally and through examples set by the Buddha. Hence there were no written records of the vast amount of discourses.

The second reason was the disturbance caused by a newly ordained bhikkhu. Following the Parinibbana of the Buddha, the new monk declared to others that they were free at last to do as they wished.

Among the leading disciples, Maha Kassapa Thera was second only to the two Chief Disciples who had passed away before the Buddha. Hence Maha Kassapa Thera took charge of organising the council. The Thera was supported by King Ajasatta, the son of the famous King Bimbisara. The venue was the Saptaparni cave in Rajagaha and about 499 Arahants including Maha Kassapa Thera were invited. But there was still one missing to complete the required number of 500 arahants.

And so on the eve of Navam Poya, three months from the Parinibbana of the Buddha, one Thera put forth his utmost effort to attain arahantship. He meditated for an entire night and attained the sublime state of Arahant at dawn. Thus, on the Navam Poya day he stepped into the first ever Buddhist Council as Arahant Ananda to complement the 500 arahants.

The Council was presided by Maha Kassapa Thera and continued with the assistance of Upali Thera who answered the questions concerning Vinaya. Ananda Thera who was renowned as Dharmabhandagarika (Treasurer of Dhamma) recited all the discourses of the Buddha from his unparalleled memory.

The Dhamma that had been passed on verbally for decades was finally arranged and documented as Buddhist scriptures. These scriptures were called the Pali Tripitaka.

Navam Perahera

To commemorate the significant events of Navam Poya, the Gangarama Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo holds a spectacular procession called the Navam Perahera. This year the procession will parade the streets on February 6 and 7. Every year thousands of spectators, local and foreign, swarm the roadsides to witness the spectacle.

The Navam Perahera, one of the main pageants in Sri Lanka apart from the Kandy Esala Perahera, features diverse cultural items. It is led by thundering whip-crackers and daring fireball-spinners. They are followed by thumping traditional drummers and vibrant dancers representing various dancing schools and styles. Elephants and tuskers ranging from small to gigantic march with dignity, clad in striking illuminated costumes.

A unique feature of the Navam Perahera is that hundreds of bhikkhus parade along the procession. Sacred relics housed in a golden casket is placed on a majestic tusker and paraded in the procession to bless the country and the citizens.

The Perahera is organised by the Gangarama Temple. Situated in the vicinity of the scenic Beira Lake, the temple was founded by the famous scholar, Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thera about 120 years ago.

While imparting the knowledge of the Dhamma to the world, the temple is also a hub for uplifting the lives of the local youth. Established by the temple, the Sri Jinaratana Vocational Technical Training Institute facilitates more than 50 free vocational courses for over 7,000 youth. Likewise, there are nearly 40 training institutes in outstation areas to carry out the noble service.

Apart from these courses prominence is also given for education on English and computer literacy. While remembering the significance of the Navam Poya, let us commemorate this event by practising moral excellence on this day and throughout our lives.