Navam Poya was on January 29:
Focus on the service of Sangha
The
teachings of the Buddha have passed down from generation to generation
as a result of the great service rendered by the Sangha.
The month of Navam bears special significance in this context as many
important events related to the Sangha Sasana had taken place on this
day apart from those related to the life of the Buddha.
After attaining Enlightenment at the age of thirty- five the Buddha
delivered his first sermon-Dhamma Chakka Pawaththana Sutta to the five
ascetics- Kondangna, Vappa, Baddiya, Assaji and Mahanama in the Deer
Park at Isipathana near Benares.
Since that day, the Buddha continued to preach the Dhamma to all
classes of men and women equally- kings and ordinary people, Brahmins
and outcasts, the wealthy and beggars, holy men and robbers until His
Parinirvana.
It is through one’s own behaviour that a person becomes either a
Brahmin or an outcast, not by his/her birth, the Buddha taught the world
about 2585 years ago. The path he showed was open to all men and women
and they soon became His followers.
The Buddha spent His first three month Vas retreat at Isipathana
after delivering His first sermon to the five ascetics. His number of
disciples soon increased up to sixty during that period. At the end of
the Vas season the Buddha despatched his first set of disciples to
disseminate the Dhamma, setting in motion His sublime mission.
Assaji
Thera (one of the five ascetics before he entered the Order) too was
among this group. It was in the month of Navam that Upatissa of
Upatissagrama came across Assaji thera who was preaching the Buddha’s
teachings. This historic event has a great significance in the history
of the Buddha Sasana and it is worth reading how Buddhist literature
elaborates on this great event.
Kolitha and Upatissa Assaji Theras arrived in Rajagahanuwara at a
time when many a Brahmin youth had developed an interest in
investigating the existence of Truth.
There were several Paribrajak who also had the same interest and they
spent time in temples (paribrachakarama) with their disciples.
Sanjaya was one such paribrachaka who had Kolitha and Upatissa of
Kolithagrama and Upatissagrama as his disciples along with another two
hundred and fifty. Kolitha and Upatissa soon realised that they were on
the wrong track.
So the two friends decided to go on two routes in search of truth
promising each other that if one of the two could find a way out of
suffering first, he would inform the other about it.
So young Upatissa arrived in Rajagaha Nuwara to see Assaji thera
walking on the street in a serene manner with his bowl of alms. So
pleased with the Thera’s way of conduct, Upatissa waited till the Thera
finished his Dana and offered him water to drink, from his own bowl.
Knowing for sure that the thero is an Arhant, Upatissa then inquired
from him about his Teacher and His teachings.
“I’am a disciple of the Buddha, but still I’am a novice monk”, said
the thera. Further, on the invitation of Upatissa, Assaji thera summed
up the Buddha’s teachings as follows: “Ye Dhamma Hethuppabawa,/Thesan
hethu thathagatho Aha,/Thesan thaya Nirodo,/Evanvadhi Maha samano” (“If
there is a particular nature of a thing causing from a reason, the
Buddha preaches what that reason is. If there is a way out he teaches
that as well.”) After listening to this discourse, Upatissa reached the
first stage of the path to Nibbana. Then together with Kolitha he went
to meet Sanjaya paribrachaka.
Since he was not willing to join them, the two friends headed their
way towards Veluwanarama together with Sanjaya Paribrachaka’s two
hundred and fifty disciples.
Seeing Upatissa and Kolitha reaching towards Him, the Buddha thus
addressed the Bhikkhus.
“O, Bhikkhus, those two will become the two Chief disciples of the
Thathagatha.” They were soon ordained and came to be known as the
Sariyuth and Mugalan. Mugalan thera became an arhant on Navam Pura
Atawaka poya day.
Sariyuth
thera entered Arhathood after listening to ‘Vedana Pariggaha Sutta’
which was preached to Deega Nakha on Gijukulu mountain. During the first
council of bhikkus which took place in the month of Navam at
Veluwanarama, the Buddha appointed them as his chief disciples (Agasavu)
and told the Bhikkhus how both Sariyuth and Mugalan engaged in
meritorious deeds throughout their previous births in order to become
the chief disciples of Gauthama Buddha.
The first Bhikkhu Council
The first Council of Bhikkus consisted of 1250 bhikkus. There the
Buddha laid down a code of fundamental ethical precepts (Owada
Prathimoksha) for the monks.
During the first twenty years, the bhikkus had to abide by Owada
Prathimoksha. In fact, it was only a set of advice: “Sabba Pa Passa
akaranan,/Kusalassa Upasampada,/Sachiththa pariyo dapanan,/Ehan Buddhanu
sasanan” (Refraining from all evil, attainment of what is good,
cleansing of one’s thoughts- this is the advice of the Awakened One.) In
the first twenty years, the Buddha did not find the need to enforce a
set of rules other than this type of advice to the Bhikkhus. It was
mainly because those who entered the Order during this time did it out
of genuine faith.
But later the aspirants began entering the Order for their personal
benefits and also for security. As a result the Buddha had to impose a
set of vinaya rules to the Bikkhus. Also it was on a Navam poya day that
the Buddha declared that he would be passing away three months
later(Giving up ayu sanskara).
In fact, while spending his last Vas retreat at Veluwagrama the
Buddha was suffering from the disease called, Lohitha Pakkandhika. So
the Buddha decided to pass away in another ten months of time.
But He however did not reveal it. But seven months later at the
Chapala Chethi in Visal Pura, the Buddha told Ananda thero that if a
Buddha wishes to live the full term of life (120 years), he can do so!
But Ananda thero could not understand what the Enlightened One
implied, So he remained quiet, not inviting Him to live his full term.
(It is said that it was the Vasawarthi Mara who had exerted his
influence on Ananda thero at that moment).
So on Navam Poya day the Buddha declared “Itho thinnanmasana
achchayena thathagatho parinibbayissathi. (Maha Parinibbana Sutta) So
Navam Full moon poya day which fell on January 29 is of utmost
importance to the Buddhists. Among various religious ceremonies of the
day. The Navam Perahara of the Gangarama temple, Colombo stands out as
the most important one in Sri Lanka.
On this Navam poya day the Buddhists should concentrate on and
practise the teachings of the Buddha.
A thorough understanding of the Dhamma enables people to stand in
good stead through the recurrent ups and downs’ of their lives, making
them refrain from all evil deeds and encouraging them to engage in good,
meritorious acts. As the Buddha preached it is always better to adhere
to the Middle Path, avoiding extremes. SW
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