Buddha's first visit to Kimbulwathpura

Medin Poya falls on March 10:

In his attempt to find the truth, prince Siddartha underwent a lot of troubles for six long years. Taking the boldest decision one could ever take the young prince decided to renunciate leaving behind all the comforts.Once he realised that self-mortification is not the correct path, he decided to practise the middle path. So at the age of 35 Siddartha Gauthama could attain Enlightenment on a Vesak Full Moon Poya day.

Though people from all walks of life were lucky to listen to the Buddha's preaching, King Suddhodana, father of Prince Siddartha could not see him until the month of Vesak - one year later since the Buddha's Enlightenment. The month of Medin is important in that context as it was on a Medin Full Moon poya day the Buddha started his journey to Kimbulwathpura to preach to his father and the Sakya clan on the invitation of minister Kaludai. Also Medin Full Moon Poya day marks the peak of the Sri Pada pilgrim season which normally begins with Unduwap poya in December.

For over six years, King Suddhodana was in great distress worrying over his son's renunciation. As the King got to know that the Buddha was residing at Veluwanarama he could not wait any longer without seeing his beloved son. So he decided to invite the Buddha to his kingdom and sent a minister accompanied by thousand men to Veluwanarama.

As they reached the venue they found the Buddha preaching to a large audience and had to wait till he finishes his sermon. But while waiting they got attracted to its content and soon realized that they have been groping in the dark through-out not knowing the truth. Soon they all became the disciples of the Buddha.Determined to see his son somehow the king sent similar messengers for eight more times, but to no avail as all of them entered the Order. None of them could pass on the invitation of the King to the Buddha.

Having failed in all his nine attempts, the king addressed his most faithful minister Kaludai, who is said to have been a playmate of Prince Siddartha and told him how much he yearns to have a glimpse of his son!

Minister Kaludai told the king that he could carry out the order provided he too would be given permission to enter the order. Since the king gave his consent, the minister and the group headed towards Veluwanarama. Having listened to the Buddha's preaching, soon all of them became his disciples. Few days after his ordination, Kaludai thera presented the king's invitation to the Buddha.

"O, Thathagatha, King Suddhodana has got to know that the Thathagatha have attained Enlightenment. He is eagerly waiting to see you. "

The Buddha remained silent without making any objection and his silence indicated that the Enlightened One had accepted the offer. He decided to go by foot the entire distance of `sixty yajanas' (yodun) as it would be beneficial to the inhabitants of those areas as well.

Thus the Buddha and his twenty thousand disciples started their journey towards Kimbulwathpura on a Medin Full Moon poya day. A colourful procession awaited his arrival in Kimbulwathpura.

They escorted the Enlightened One to Nigrodarama which had been specially prepared for the Buddha and the other Bhikkhus during their stay in Kimbulwathpura. Anyway though well dressed children of the Sakya Clan came forward to worship the Buddha the elderly Sakyans kept their distance overwhelmed with pride. The Buddha who saw all this in his divine eye, decided to perform the `twin miracle' (Yamaka Prathihara) in order to make them discard their petty prejudices.

Amazed with the performance the king could no longer wait without worshipping the Buddha. So he worshipped the Buddha uttering thus: "O the Enlightened One, for the first time I worshipped you when you were only an infant. The second time at the ploughing ceremony and now after seeing you performing "twin miracle" I worship you for the third time. Soon all the Sakyans followed him.

Yasodara, the wife of Prince Siddartha, however restrained from meeting the Buddha, assuming that the Buddha would pay her a visit if her virtues were sincere enough. Throughout Sansara, Yasodhara had always been faithful to the Bodisatta. The Buddha knowing her wishes paid her a visit and the princess wept profoundly clinging to his feet. Then King Suddhodana started praising the princess for her exemplary behaviour and it was on that occasion that the Buddha narrated "Sanda Kinduru" jathakaya to show she has been like that throughout Sansara.

Prince Rahula and Nanda too were ordained during this visit. Accepting the King's request as not to ordain small children without the consent of their parents, the Buddha enacted a rule regarding that.Though Queen Prajapathi, foster mother of Prince Siddartha, requested the Buddha to establish the Order of Nuns, the Buddha dismissed the offer with compassion saying that it was not the right time. The Order of Nuns was established five years later.

(SW)