Arrival of Arhat Sanghamitta in Sri Lanka

Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day falls on December 12:

By Samangie WETTIMUNY

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Being ordained by Arhat Sanghamitta, Queen Anula became the first to enter the Order of Bikkhunis. In fact it was Queen Anula along with 500 attendant women who expressed her willingness to enter the Order of Nuns. Arhat Mahinda who was of the opinion that it was not proper for him to inaugurate that task, advised the King to send envoys to Emperor Asoka. It was as a result of this that the king's nephew Aritta was sent. Queen Anula and the group who had attained the first of the four stages that leads to Arhathood (After listening to Dhamma discourses of Arhat Mahinda Thera), could enter the Order successfully.

Two significant incidents that took place in the 3rd Century B.C. stand out in Sri Lanka's more than 2550 year old history as the ones which brought about a social, religious and a cultural revolution in the country. As a messenger of Emperor Dharmashoka of India, Arhat Mahinda arrived in Lankadeepa on a Poson Full Moon Poya Day with the gift of the Dhamma which was soon embraced by King Devanampiyatissa and his citizens. Arhat Mahinda's historic visit was soon followed by the arrival of Arhat Sanghamitta on an Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day with a sapling of the Southern bough of India's Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment. It was Arhat Sangamitta who pioneered the Order of Bhikkhuni (Bhikkhuni Sasana) in Sri Lanka. Thus Unduwap poya which falls on December 12 is a day of great significance to Sri Lankan Buddhists.

Upon the request of King Devanampiyatissa, his nephew Aritta gave his consent to undertake the tour to India in order to meet Emperor Asoka and make arrangements to bring a Bo Sapling from Sri Maha Bodhi, provided he was permitted to enter the Order on his return. As the mission was a success Arhat Sangamitta and retinue arrived in Dambakola Patuna Port with the Bo Sapling placed in a golden bowl. As the Bo Sapling reached the shores of Sri Lanka, Arhat Mahinda had preached Naga Damana to King Devanampiyatissa who arrived in Dambakola Patuna to receive Arhat Sangamitta and the Bo Sapling.

After performing the necessary rituals, the Bo Sapling was ceremoniously carried to Mahamevuna Uyana in Anuradhapura and was planted at an auspicious time during Rehena Nekatha. Over a thousand men entered the Order on that historic day, reveals Mahavamsa. Maha Mahendra Thera, King Devanampiyatissa, and Arhat Sanghamitta participated in the historic ceremony along with Kshatriyas of Kataragama, Chandana Grama and Thiwakka, and Brahmins. The seeds of the tree which was given to the King by Maha Mahendra Thera was sown on his advice. Later the eight saplings were planted in areas like Thawakka Bamunugama, Kataragama, Chandanagrama, Thuparama, Isurumuni Vihara, Palamu Sa Maluwa and Sagiri Aramage. Thirty two saplings from those trees were planted all over. The Sacred Bo Tree remains there to this day not only as the oldest tree in the world, but also as the only tree in the world which has an authentic history, attracting thousands of devout Buddhists.

Along with Arhat Sanghamitta, eleven Bhikkunis and people of higher castes who are skilled in eighteen different working spheres such as architecture, masonry, jewellery industry, irrigation, engineering also arrived in the country, pushing the country forward in every respect. The people who came to the country for the protection of the Bo Tree performed necessary rituals to the tree inspired the citizens, directing the country in a new path. Literary activities too developed. In short the cultural practices and skilled labour brought about a remarkable change in the social and religious life of the country. Massive constructions such as Mahavihara, Chethiyagiri, Thuparama, Isurumuni, Vessagiri bespeak the creativity of that era.

Rituals associated with the Bo Tree were initially performed by the various categories of people who arrived in the country with Sanghamitta Theri. In fact each of those rituals were performed by the people of eight villages who settled down in Anuradhapura. The names of these villages usually started with the word 'Vihara'. The bathing of the Bodhi with milk, making offerings of robes and special ceremonies were often conducted by Bikkhus and Bhikkunis.

The Order of Nuns

Under the auspices of the King, twelve palaces were constructed, three of which were used to keep parts of the Ship which carried Arhat Sangamitta and the Bo Sapling. Arhat Sangamitta dwelled in Haththalhaka Vihara along with other Bhikkunis who entered the Order as the Bhikkuni sasana was established.

Being ordained by Arhat Sangamitta, Queen Anula became the first to enter the Order of Bhikkunis. In fact it was Queen Anula along with 500 attendant ladies who expressed her willingness to enter the Order of Nuns.

Arhat Mahinda who was of the opinion that it was not proper for him to inaugurate that task, advised the King to send envoys to Emperor Asoka. It was as a result of this that the king's nephew Aritta was sent. Queen Anula and the group who had attained the first of the four stages that leads to Arhathood (After listening to Dhamma discourses of Arhat Mahinda Thera), could enter the Order successfully.

Gradually women from all walks of life began to enter the Order. After working hard for the emancipation of women in the country, Arhat Sanghamitta passed away at the age of 79.

It was only after her arrival that the women of the country got entire freedom to engage in socio-cultural activities.

Every year Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day will be celebrated with much piety country wide, performing religious activities, also conducting processions and carrying the statues of Arhat Sangamitta.