The origin of Esala Poya
Rupa BANDUWARDANA
Esala Full Moon day is of great significance for a variety of reasons. This revered month of religious festivals is celebrated with much grandeur and splendour, as it signifies a number of events in the life of the Buddha as well as in the history of Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. The first sacred event of great historical and cultural importance starts with the birth of the Buddha.
Queen Mahamaya, the wife of King Suddodana leading a very righteous life, having given alms to the poor, while in her sleep that night on Esala Full Moon Day, had an unusual dream in which she saw the four guardian Devas carrying encircling her thrice entered her abdomen.
Bosath Siddhartha
This signified the conception of Bosath Siddhartha arising from Thusitha heaven, to the anxious couple who were without children for twenty long years. Ten months later this future Thathagatha to be was born.
He grew up as a royal prince and mastered all arts including warfare and married his cousin princess Yasodhara and lived happily. Prophesy of the astrologers always working in his mind, King Suddhaodana tried his best to keep the prince away from the truths in life. He was determined that the son should never be made aware of Jara, Vyadhi and Marana (decay, sick and dead).
Four portends
Despite all his precautions, the emergence of the four portends made him give up the worldly life and embark in the journey of search of bliss and Kin Kusala Gaveshi, was his motive. The same day with his new born son Rahula, he thought he would further get entangled in lay life; Rahulan Jathan Bandanan (Another barrier is born).
Great Renunciation
Taking a glimpse of his son, amidst numerous festivities in the palace, with pretty girls performing, he left the palace at midnight and the actual event of renunciation took place on the same Esela Full Moon Day.
His search for the truth commenced. His first step was to go to early saints. Realising that their teachings in no way leads to detachment he continued every form of self mortification, Dushkara Kriya, through deep meditation, supreme enlightenment dawned upon him.
The four noble truths and the eight fold path was revealed - the greatest truth the ever occurred in human history. He was now the Thathagatha - the Perfect one. He was the all wise, all compassionate universal teacher, Saththa Deva Manussanang.
It was also on the Esala Full Moon Day, two months after his enlightenment, he delivered his first sermon to the five ascetics in the Deer Pond at Isipathana, Benares and set in motion the wheel of the Dhamma.
Priceless Dhamma
His doctrine, the priceless Dhamma, was brought into focus. The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts, Sabba Danam Dhamma Jinathi, so said Sakyamuni Gautama displaying the distinctive message to mankind. Disciples rallied round him. He said, go forth Bhikkus into the world taking the sacred message to them of heavy rains Monsson.
Hence Esela Poya marks the beginning of the Vas season when Bhikkhus had been advised to stay in their own temples without going for alms. According to ancient chronicles, the first Vassana was observed by Sakyamuni and his five disciples at Isipatana on Esala Full Moon Day. This tradtition is continued to date, culminating in the Katina Puja.
Esala Poya day is of great significance for yet another reason. A very important historic event of the Sasana was the emergence of the supreme objects of Buddhist reverence - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in the world with the attainment of Sotapanna by Thera Kondanna.
Even though numerous Devas and Brahmas who had gathered to listen to the first sermon ‘Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’, Ven. Kondanna was the first and the only disciple of the Buddha from among human beings to obtain the eye of the Dhamma.
Another major event of this Poya day is the widespread acceptance of the greatness of the Buddha with the miraculous performance of Yama Maha Pelahara (psychic powers) at the foot of the tree named ‘Gandhabba’ to diminish the pride of the Theerthaka (heretics).
Seventh year of Buddhahood
It is said that in the seventh year of Buddhahood Sakyamuni preached Abhidamma to Maathru Divyaraja in Tautisa heaven on an Esela Poya day.
Esela full moon day bears special significance to Sri Lanka too. It ranks very high in its history, because a series of incidents connected to Buddha Sasana has taken place on this day.
The most magnanimous event - the establishment of Buddha Sasana itself occupies the highest position. Arahath Mahinda preached Wassupanayakiandaya’ to the King and his retinue before he observed Vas in the 68 caves prepared by King Devanampiyatissa and on the same day the nephew of the King - Aritta and 55 other children entered the order, thereby inaugurating Buddha Sasana in this Dharmadweepa.
History reveals that it was on Esala Poya day that Sri Lanka was blessed with the most venerated sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It was brought to the island by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala from Kalinga during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghawanna and the first exposition of the most precious relic was held at Anuradhapura followed by the first ever Dalada Perahera.
Foreign domination
This had a great influence for the subsequent political history of the island as the rightful heir to the throne was associated with the possession of the sacred tooth relic. Its exact location was kept in utmost secrecy during the critical times of foreign domination, the tradition down the years of foreign domination.
The tradition down the years continues to this day with pomp and grandeur when Buddhists island wide commemorate the Kandy Esela Perahera in August, every year.
Another event of historic importance is the foundation laying ceremony of Ruwanweliseya the longest Chethiya built by King Dutugemunu, the national hero of Sri Lanka as mentioned in the Mahavamsa. Historically a similar event of importance was the drastic deterioration noticed in Upasampada or the Higher Ordination with alien rule.
Decline in Vinaya and discipline amidst wars had to be rectified. According to Mahavamsa, King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe who showed a keen interest in stabilising higher ordination, invited 18 monks from Siam to revive the above, and the novice monks including the most erudite Ven. Saranankara received the Upasmpada at Getabme Sima Malaka, from Siamese Maha Thera Upali; Shyamopali Maha Nikaya was founded by the Bhikkhus of the Siamese Chapter. After a great religious revival Ven. Saranankara passed away in Kandy on the Esela Poya day in 1778. Sri Lankan Buddhists owe their respect and gratitude on the preservation of the Triple Gem to this Sangharaja Thera.
Rupa BANDUWARDANA
Esala Full Moon day is of great significance for a variety of reasons. This revered month of religious festivals is celebrated with much grandeur and splendour, as it signifies a number of events in the life of the Buddha as well as in the history of Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka. The first sacred event of great historical and cultural importance starts with the birth of the Buddha.
Queen Mahamaya, the wife of King Suddodana leading a very righteous life, having given alms to the poor, while in her sleep that night on Esala Full Moon Day, had an unusual dream in which she saw the four guardian Devas carrying encircling her thrice entered her abdomen.
Bosath Siddhartha
This signified the conception of Bosath Siddhartha arising from Thusitha heaven, to the anxious couple who were without children for twenty long years. Ten months later this future Thathagatha to be was born.
He grew up as a royal prince and mastered all arts including warfare and married his cousin princess Yasodhara and lived happily. Prophesy of the astrologers always working in his mind, King Suddhaodana tried his best to keep the prince away from the truths in life. He was determined that the son should never be made aware of Jara, Vyadhi and Marana (decay, sick and dead).
Four portends
Despite all his precautions, the emergence of the four portends made him give up the worldly life and embark in the journey of search of bliss and Kin Kusala Gaveshi, was his motive. The same day with his new born son Rahula, he thought he would further get entangled in lay life; Rahulan Jathan Bandanan (Another barrier is born).
Great Renunciation
His search for the truth commenced. His first step was to go to early saints. Realising that their teachings in no way leads to detachment he continued every form of self mortification, Dushkara Kriya, through deep meditation, supreme enlightenment dawned upon him.
The four noble truths and the eight fold path was revealed - the greatest truth the ever occurred in human history. He was now the Thathagatha - the Perfect one. He was the all wise, all compassionate universal teacher, Saththa Deva Manussanang.
It was also on the Esala Full Moon Day, two months after his enlightenment, he delivered his first sermon to the five ascetics in the Deer Pond at Isipathana, Benares and set in motion the wheel of the Dhamma.
Priceless Dhamma
His doctrine, the priceless Dhamma, was brought into focus. The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts, Sabba Danam Dhamma Jinathi, so said Sakyamuni Gautama displaying the distinctive message to mankind. Disciples rallied round him. He said, go forth Bhikkus into the world taking the sacred message to them of heavy rains Monsson.
Hence Esela Poya marks the beginning of the Vas season when Bhikkhus had been advised to stay in their own temples without going for alms. According to ancient chronicles, the first Vassana was observed by Sakyamuni and his five disciples at Isipatana on Esala Full Moon Day. This tradtition is continued to date, culminating in the Katina Puja.
Esala Poya day is of great significance for yet another reason. A very important historic event of the Sasana was the emergence of the supreme objects of Buddhist reverence - Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in the world with the attainment of Sotapanna by Thera Kondanna.
Even though numerous Devas and Brahmas who had gathered to listen to the first sermon ‘Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta’, Ven. Kondanna was the first and the only disciple of the Buddha from among human beings to obtain the eye of the Dhamma.
Another major event of this Poya day is the widespread acceptance of the greatness of the Buddha with the miraculous performance of Yama Maha Pelahara (psychic powers) at the foot of the tree named ‘Gandhabba’ to diminish the pride of the Theerthaka (heretics).
Seventh year of Buddhahood
It is said that in the seventh year of Buddhahood Sakyamuni preached Abhidamma to Maathru Divyaraja in Tautisa heaven on an Esela Poya day.
Esela full moon day bears special significance to Sri Lanka too. It ranks very high in its history, because a series of incidents connected to Buddha Sasana has taken place on this day.
The most magnanimous event - the establishment of Buddha Sasana itself occupies the highest position. Arahath Mahinda preached Wassupanayakiandaya’ to the King and his retinue before he observed Vas in the 68 caves prepared by King Devanampiyatissa and on the same day the nephew of the King - Aritta and 55 other children entered the order, thereby inaugurating Buddha Sasana in this Dharmadweepa.
History reveals that it was on Esala Poya day that Sri Lanka was blessed with the most venerated sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It was brought to the island by Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala from Kalinga during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghawanna and the first exposition of the most precious relic was held at Anuradhapura followed by the first ever Dalada Perahera.
Foreign domination
This had a great influence for the subsequent political history of the island as the rightful heir to the throne was associated with the possession of the sacred tooth relic. Its exact location was kept in utmost secrecy during the critical times of foreign domination, the tradition down the years of foreign domination.
The tradition down the years continues to this day with pomp and grandeur when Buddhists island wide commemorate the Kandy Esela Perahera in August, every year.
Another event of historic importance is the foundation laying ceremony of Ruwanweliseya the longest Chethiya built by King Dutugemunu, the national hero of Sri Lanka as mentioned in the Mahavamsa. Historically a similar event of importance was the drastic deterioration noticed in Upasampada or the Higher Ordination with alien rule.
Decline in Vinaya and discipline amidst wars had to be rectified. According to Mahavamsa, King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe who showed a keen interest in stabilising higher ordination, invited 18 monks from Siam to revive the above, and the novice monks including the most erudite Ven. Saranankara received the Upasmpada at Getabme Sima Malaka, from Siamese Maha Thera Upali; Shyamopali Maha Nikaya was founded by the Bhikkhus of the Siamese Chapter. After a great religious revival Ven. Saranankara passed away in Kandy on the Esela Poya day in 1778. Sri Lankan Buddhists owe their respect and gratitude on the preservation of the Triple Gem to this Sangharaja Thera.
