Vap Poya marks the end of Vas season

By Samangie WETTIMUNY

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About 2590 years ago the Buddha observed his first Vas retreat in the month of Esala with his first five disciples- the five ascetics Kondangna, Vappa, Baddiya, Assaji and Mahanama after preaching them the Dhamma Chakka Pawattna Sutta at Isipathana in Baranasi. Since then observing Vas retreat by the bhikkhus during the Vas season has been taking place. Vap poya which falls on October 14 marks the end of the Vas season - bhikkhus' three months rain retreat. This is the month for offering new robes (cheewara) to the bhikkhus who observed Vas on the rainy retreat starting from the month of Esala to that of Vap.

Offering new cheewara to the bhikkhus is considered as the most strong wholesome act out of Ata Maha Kusal (eight powerful meritorious acts). So it is with great piety that Buddhists await this great occasion. The eight meritorious acts are offering a katina robe, offering 'Ata Pirikara' (eight Requisites of a bhikkhu), offering 'senasana'- a place of residence for bhikkhus, offering alms to bhikkhus in the noble company of the Buddha, writing or compiling Buddhist books with the intention of disseminating Buddha's teachings, offering land in the name of the Buddha, constructing Buddha statues and building toilets and accompanying facilities for the use of bhikkhus.

Vap Poya also marks the conclusion of the Buddha's preaching of the Abhidhamma to his mother (Mathru Divya Rajaya) in Thavuthisa heaven and his arrival at Sankassapura. In the following month, (the month of lI) the Buddha gave the permission (Niyatha Viwarana) to the son of Siriwaddana (a wealthy land owner in Sankassapura) to become the next Buddha (Maithree Buddha).

Historical records reveal that it was on a Vap poya day that King Devanampiyatissa sent envoys(prince Aritta and his group) to Emperor Asoka of India requesting him to send his daughter - Sanghamitta Therani to Sri Lanka to establish the Order of Nuns (Bhikkhuni Sasana) here. Two months later, in the month of Unduwap, Sanghamitta Therani arrived in the country with a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment in India. Hence Vap poya has a special significance in Sri Lanka's Buddhist Calendar.

In the past the usual custom of bhikkhus in India was to go on 'pindapatha' (go from house to house daily during the day time collecting alms). As the disciples of the Buddha they also travelled extensively in all parts of the country, spreading the teachings of the Buddha. During the rainy season they confined themselves to monasteries.

Vas is divided into two sections - 'Pera Vas' (the period before the observance) and 'Pasu Vas'(the period after the observance.)

Katina pooja

Every year Buddhists look forward to participate in the Katina pooja. Starting from this Vap poya, within the next month (before Il Poya) this year's 'Katina Pinkama' will be held in temples around the country on a chosen day. Specially sewn Katina Cheewara (robes) are offered to bhikkhus with great devotion.Traditionally bhikkhus observe Vas confining themselves to temples or monasteries on the invitation of the Buddhist laity. They offer heel dana (alms offered in the morning), Dawal Dana (alms offered in the afternoon) to bhikkhus. Such offerings are called Vas Dana. During this season, bhikkhus are committed to the observance of religious practices and to preach to the laity. This is the ideal time for devout Buddhists to engage in religious activities, particularly in meditation. By attending to bhikkhus, monks who observe the precepts during the rainy season, one could gain a lot of merit.

Merits

The Buddha himself has mentioned in his 'suttas' the great merit of offering a Katina robe. As mentioned in Buddhist texts, the effect of offering a single Katina is sixteen times greater than the combined effect of the other offerings.Also even the combined effect of performing every type of offering continuously through 100 years is not worth one sixteenth portion of the effect of offering just one Katina robe. Neither a king nor any natural hazard can destroy it. Sri Lankan Buddhists eagerly await this year's 'Katina Pinkama' which will commence with the fall of Vap Full Moon Poya Day on the 14th. Buddha's teachings have come down from generation to generation as a result of the great service rendered by the Sangha Sasana and even in the future it will be the same and the lay followers of the Buddha are ever so grateful to the bhikkhus who have been preserving the teachings of the Enlightened One throughout centuries.