The first Dhamma Sanghayana

The significance of Nikini Poya:

by Samangie Wettemuny

[email protected]

Three months after the great Parinirvana of the Buddha, more than two thousand five hundred and fifty years ago, the first Dhamma Sangayana commenced at Sattapanni cave in Rajagahanuwara on a Nikini Full Moon Poya day in order to settle the Buddhist canon.

Buddha’s chief Attendant, ‘Dhamma Bhandagarika’ Ananda Thera attained arhathood on the same Nikini poya day. Also Nikini poya marks the commencement of “Pasu Vas”; the Bhikkhus who failed to commence the normal Vassa on the day following Esala poya are allowed to observe “Pasu vas”.

Moreover Nikini poya is significant to Sri Lankan Buddhists as the Kandy Esala Perehara, normally ends on this poya day.

Immediate cause

The immediate cause for conducting the first Dhamma Sangayana was the unruly behaviour of a Bhikku named Subaddha. After the Parinibbana of the Buddha all the Bhikkus who had not attained arhathood lamented profusely. But Subadda though he was not an Arhat, was extremely happy over the Parinirvana of the Buddha.

On top of that he even requested the weeping Bhikkus not to do so as there was nothing to worry about. Since there was no one to instruct them he believed that he could lead a peaceful life on his own.

The arhats headed by Maha Kashshapa thera soon felt that Subaddha’s behaviour was an indication of probable problems among other bhikkus as well which may lead to divisions among them. So they thought that it is quite probable to hold a Dhamma Sangayana in order to settle the teachings of the Buddha.

Though such problems arose even during the time of the Buddha they were settled amicably. The first Dhamma Sangaya is known as Pancha Sathika Sangikthi as it was held with the participation of 500 Theras who had attained Arahatship.

Maha Kassapa Thera

It was Maha Kassapa thera who organized this great convocation. The thera very well knew that the Dhamma Sanghayana would be useless if Ananda thera does not participate in it as he was the “Dhamma Bandagarika”. But Ananda thera had not attained arhathood by then.

So Maha Kassapa thera selected only 499 arhats for the convocation knowing that Ananda thera would be able to attain arhathood before the commencement of the Dhamma Sanghayana. Ananda thera could fulfil the aspiration of Maha Kassapa thera by attaining arhathood on the previous night.

Ananda Thera

The role Ananda thera played as the chief attendant of the Buddha is exemplary. Though he could not attain nibbana by the time of the parinirvana of the Buddha he had gained eminence in eradication and possessed a lot of knowledge in Dhamma and was second only to Buddha in preaching. He was even appreciated by the Buddha after listening to the preaching he made to a group led by Mahanama Sakya king.

Having heard almost all the discourses of the Buddha, his knowledge of Dhamma was only second to the Buddha. He was known for his intelligence, good sense, prudence and circumspection.

He attended to the Buddha with great devotion. Yet for all such noble qualities, he could not attain arhathood until the parinirvana of the Buddha. It was said that it was not proper for an arhat to attend to anyone even to a Buddha. That may be the reason why Ananda thera could not attain Nibbana while the Buddha was living.

As the Buddha informed Ananda thera of his decision to attain parinirvana in another three months, Ananda thera had lamented profusely. Then the Buddha had explained to him the transitory nature of all existing things from which even a Buddha cannot deviate.

The Buddha who knew that Ananda thera had collected enough merits to attan arhathood ,advised him to be mindful and courageous.

Third Dhamma Sanghayana

The convocation was held for seven months under the patronage of King Ajasatta. Dhamma Pitaka and Vinaya Pitaka were classified into Digha Nikaya, Majima Nikaya, Sanyutha Nikaya, Anguttara Nikaya and Kuddaka Nikaya.

They were learnt by heart. The responsibility for each part was entrusted to leading participants of the convocation. Arahat Ananda Thera and his followers were assigned with the responsibility for Digha Nikaya.

The followers of Arahat Sariputta Thera were entrusted with Majjima Nikaya. Sanyutta Nikaya was entrusted to Arahat Maha Kassapa Thera and his followers. Anguttara Nikaya was the responsibility of Arahat Anuruddha Thera and his followers. All the Theras were made responsible for the Kuddaka Nikaya. Vinaya Pitaka was entrusted to Arahat Upali Thera.

The first Dhamma Sanghayana which was held under the patronage of Maha Kassapa thera is thus considered as the most outstanding incident that took place since the Parinirvana of the Buddha.