Full Moon Poya Day on Thursday:

The climax of theVas season

by K.K.S. Perera

The Il Full Moon Poya is significant for all Buddhists for many occurrences. It was on this day that Arhat Sariputta passed away; he was one of the two Chief Disciples of the Buddha.

The announcement of Maitriya Bodhisattva as the next Buddha; and the three Jatila Brothers, Uruwela, Nadi and Gaya Kassapa entering the Buddhist Order; also the festival of ‘Devahaona’ or ascendency to heaven by Buddha; the acceptance of two cheewara from the future Buddha [Maitriya]; and first Buddhist Missionary, the 60 bhikkhus who also became first Arahats of the Sasana commencing their journey to different parts of Jambudveepa carrying the great message are some of the important events that took place on this ll Poya the last of the rainy season, Vassana.

The laying of the foundation stone for famously known first Dagoba, Thuparama in our island where the Buddha’s Aku Dhatu is treasured is of special significance to us in Sri Lanka. It took place during the reign of king Devanampiyatissa in Anuradhapura, which is also considered an important event that happened on an Il poya day.

End of Vassana

Often referred to as the Cheevara month, the day marks the end of the Rainy Retreat Period or ‘Vassana-Samaya’; Il Poya is the climax of the Vas Season. The Bhikkhus who performed Pasuvas, terminate the retreat of Vassana Samaya on this day. The offering of Katina Cheevara, the highest meritorious act that an Upasaka can perform was considered the most significant event of the Vas period.

The Buddha who observed Vas season at Isipatanarama in Benares, addressing the 60 arhats said, for the welfare of the many. Charata Bhikkave, Charikan, Bahujana Hittaya…’

Oh! Bhikkhus, for the happiness of the many, through compassion to the world, welfare of the many, go and spread Dhamma for the benefit of all beings. Another significant event that took place on Il Poya Day was Maitriya Bodhisatva receiving Niyatha Vivarana (credentials) to be the next Buddha. The Buddha predicted that Bodhisatva will be born in the kingdom of Kethumati and attain Buddhahood under a Banyan tree.

Out of so many many religious leaders, philosophers and their followers in India during the time of Buddha, there were a number of hermits such as the three Kassapa brothers, Uruwela, Nadi and Gaya, who lived on the banks of river ‘Neramja’. The Buddha visited Uruwela Kasyapa and initially performed his spiritual or psychic power to convince them, and followed it with a sermon on Adithya Pariyaya Sutta. As a result all the Jatila brothers along with thousands of their followers joined the Buddhist order. This happened on an Il Full Moon Day.

Arhat Sariputta was considered the most erudite of the Buddha’s disciples. He was one of the two venerated chief disciples of the Buddha who wanted to preach Dhamma to his mother, who was a believer in another faith. He observed her mind and reflected if she had the likelihood and ability to understand the profound Dhamma to attain Sovan, the first stage in the development of mind; thus ensuring a limit of seven more births in the worldly realm. As she did have the capacity he also speculated whether she might well learn this from anybody else. On realising that it is only he who could do it; he disclosed his intentions to the Buddha on this aspect and on his decision to attain Parinibbana or passing away as well.

Arhat Sariputta, as he explained his intentions to the Buddha, left for his home in Nalaka where he was born, and to attain Parinirvana; another significant event of Il Poya.

Sariputta means ‘Son of Sari’. Ascetic Upatissa, was destined to sasana personally by the Buddha uttering the renowned procedure, “Come O Bhikkhu!, along with his companion Kolitha, who became Arhat Moggallana. Within a couple of weeks of his installation, Ven. Sariputta, grasped the pinnacle of understanding and achieved Arahatship. He was conferred the rank of one of the main disciples by the Buddha which, he had aimed for many births ago.

Modesty was another exceptional feature of his personality. When a seven-year-old novice Bhikkhu noticing Sariputta's robe touching the ground and drew his attention, Ven. Sariputta stood before the Samanera but turned towards the temple where the Buddha was residing and with linked palms, said: “Sadhu, Sadhu” in appreciation of the little one's deed.

Responding to the request of the Arhat, The Buddha said: “Sariputta, please do what is opportune”. Arhat Sariputta knelt down at the feet of the Master and pleaded the Buddha clemency for any deed of his that would have annoyed or displeased him. He left Jethavanarama, travelled for six days and arrived at his home in the village of Nalake, where he fell seriously ill lying on the same bed where he was born.

The mother, the Brahmin woman speculated after seeing a few spiritual bodies arriving and worshipping her son, as to who that came, venerated him and left. Ven Sariputta explained to the mother who they were. Then he taught her this profound Dhamma; a sermon on the merits of the Buddha, at the end of which, mother of Arhat Sariputta, a devoted follower of Brahma as the originator of the world, attained the first stage of sainthood. After his sermon, as she grasped the essence of it understanding every word of the pristine preaching, the mother, a Brahmin named Sari was not only instantly converted, but she found fault with the son blaming him, “Why didn't you teach me this great Dhamma previously, it is of such amazing command and magnificence!”.

With content that he has fulfilled all obligations and debts, straight away the Ven. Sariputta congregated his robe around his body and covering his face, laid on the right side and attained Parinibbana on that Il full moon poya.

Let’s begin the practice of Dhamma for life, the right of every living thing to live, without any threat to its continuance. This refers both to humans and animals, equally well.

“May all beings be happy.”

[email protected]