Ven. Dr.
BellanwilaWimalaratana Anunayaka of Kotte Chapter
Chancellor - University of Sri Jayewardenepura
The 2600th anniversary of Sambuddhathva
Jayanthi falls on May 17. It is a very significant
event, and a landmark, in the history of Buddhism. It is
celebrated by more than 600 million Buddhists all over
the world. It was on this Vesak Full Moon Poya Day, the
greatest son of India, Siddhartha Gauthama Buddha,
attained the Bliss of Nibbana of Enlightenment Samma
Sambodhi Under the Bodhi Tree, near the banks of
Neranjana at Gaya, presently known as Buddhagaya.
The other two important events that occurred on the
Vesak Full Moon Day were the Birth of Prince Siddhartha
Gautama and the Passing Away or the demise of the
Thathagatha Gautama Buddha, at the age of 80 years.
Out of these three notable events, the attainment of
Enlightenment - the state in which the “Mind is
Awakened” to its true nature, which is omniscient and
blissful, is of utmost importance.
It was a birth of a new philosophy. In fact, it has a
massive impact, and the humanity followed the principles
- refraining from doing evil: indulging in doing good;
learning to cleanse their minds - by following the
teachings of The Buddha. In achieving the Enlightenment
2600 years ago, “Mahapurisa”, the “Awakened One”
destroyed the process of Birth and Death, which is
called Samsara and achieved more continuity of Mind and
Body and no - Rebirth. The achievement in known as
Tevijja - Three - fold knowledge, Sammasambudha taught
the people to live a life free of violence, fear and
hatred. Therefore, The Buddha is known as a Sage at
Peace (Muni, Santa) and Nibbana as “The Peaceful State (Santam
Padam).
Pious life
Throughout his Sansaric journey, as Bodhisattva, he
lived a pious life, full of compassion forwards others.
He gave alms - sacrificing his life, wife and even
children so dear and near to Him, more than thousand
million of - aeons - (Kalpas) to achieve the
highest-state of Samadhi (Bodhi) in which the “Mind is
Awakened and Illuminated”. Once you go through the
Jataka tales numbering 548, It clearly shows the
indefatigable effort make by Him to reach 415 ultimate
goal Bliss of Nibbana. It was achieved with unbelievable
sacrifices and commitment.
After partaking His last meal before Enlightment,
offered by Sujatha, He achieved His final triumph. Cross
- legged he sat under a tree, which became known as
Bodhi Tree - unflagging in His devotion, cleansing the
mind of impurities, recollecting the past births - (Pubbenivasanussa
atinaha). This was the first knowledge attained by Him
in the first watch of the night Bodisattva, Prince
Siddhartha, directed His mind, to the knowledge of the
disappearing and reappearing of being to varied forms,
faring according to His deeds (cutuapatanana). In the
riddle which, He attained knowledge. What next - ! He
directed his mind to the eradication of the taints - (asavakkayanana).
The Bodhisattva Siddhartha understood - This is
suffering (dukkha). This is the arising of suffering -
this is the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
This is the path leadind to the cessation of
defilements. Knowing and seen thus, His mind was
liberated from the defilements (klesa) - (a) sense
pleasures (b) of becoming (bhavasava) and (c) Ignorance
(avijjasava). When His mind “liberated”, there came the
knowledge. Then he destroyed birth and noble life.
Words of victory
After Prince Siddhartha attained Buddhahood -
Enlightenment he was overjoyed and uttered the stanza
given below (English translation below) these were the
words of victory: It gives an account in a nutshell
about what the Buddha achieved. This was his joyful
feelings. Seeking but not finding the house builder,
I hurried through the round of many births:
Painful is birth ever and again,
O! Architect, you have seen;
You shall not build house again,
Your rafters have been broken up,
Your ridge pole is demolished too,
My mind has now attained the uniformed Nibbana,
And reach the end of every sort of craving.
The Buddha compares Sansara to a house builder. In his
quest for achieving Nibbana the Rafters of the house
were broken. Then Buddha was a great communicator.
Siddhartha Gauthama, at the age (35) years on another
Full Moon of May Vesak in 578 B.C. attained Supreme
Enlightenment comprehending in all their fullness. The
Four Noble Truths and became a Buddha. If you ask me a
question, what is the priceless message the Buddha gave
to suffering humanity to get rid of the bondage of
Dukkha, it is the Four Noble Truths.
Mahapurisa
On this red letter day - when we celebrated the 2600th
year of the attainment of Buddhahood, we most remember
the Awakened One, the Blessed One as a Mahapurisa, who
belongs to the whole mankind. His teaching appeals to
everybody. Every religion which came into existence
after the Gauthama Buddha has borrowed many meaningful
and good ideas from the Blessed One. We are ever
grateful to the Blessed One. On this Vesak Full Moon
Poya Day, we must strive hard to follow the Eight Fold
Path - right understanding, right thought, right speech,
right action, right speech, right livelihood, right
effort, right mindfulness, right concentration and the
Four Noble Truths of the Buddha, which will shape over
lives accordingly. Let us all get together and shower
the blessing of kindness and compassion to all beings.
The need of the hour is to follow the message of the
Buddha Dhamma, The knowledge, in the Dhamma is the key
to the Higher Path, which brings calmness and peace to
our lives. In short, Buddhism is a way of living.
පසෙලාස්වක
අව
අටවක
අමාවක
පුර
අටවක