Embracing Poson and its Significance

In the month of June all Buddhists in Sri Lanka and in foreign countries celebrate the Poson Full Moon Day to commemorate the arrival of Arahat Maha Mahinda Thera to Sri Lanka and introducing Buddhism during the reign of King Dewananpiyatissa of Anuradhapura era in the year 236 B. E.

Under the patronage of Emperor Dharmashoka, the third Buddhist Council was held in Pataliputhra, in India. As a result of it his son Arahat Maha Mahinda Thera arrived in Mihintale (Missaka Pauva) accompanied by his attendant Aarahat Theras namely, Ittiya, Uttiya, Sambala, Bhaddasala, Sumana Samanera and Bhanduka Upasaka (a lay disciple) on this auspicious day.

At that time, King Dewanampiyatissa was out hunting with his retinue in Mihintale and he happened to come into the deep wild chasing after a deer. While the King was trying to shoot the deer that was browsing on the grass, he heard a great and a calm voice calling out by his name “Tissa.” He was surprised and looked around, then he saw a pleasant and a gracious figure standing on the top of the rock in yellow robe as well as he saw immediately other similar figures who appeared in sequence one after the other at the same time.

The King was greatly surprised, and he respectfully kept his bow and arrows down and questioned Arahat Mahinda Thero about his arrival to Sri Lanka. Then, Arahat Mahinda Thero gracefully replied to the King Tissa introducing them that they were the disciples of the Buddha and had arrived from India out of compassion for The King and the people of the country.

“Samanamayam maharaja – dhammarajassa savaka

Tavewa anukampaya – jambudeepa idhagata.”

Further, he described that he was the son of Emperor Ashoka and arrived from India to preach the doctrines of the Buddha to the people of the country. When the King listened those words, he at once remembered the message that he had received from his unseen friend of neighbouring country the great King Emperor Ashoka about Buddhism.

After exchanging the greetings, Arahat Mahinda Thero asked the following questions from the King to ascertain whether he would be able to comprehend the Dhamma and its Philosophy.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Oh King, what is this tree?

King: Most Venerable Sir, it is a mango tree.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Are there any mongo trees here?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir, there are a lot of mango trees here.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Are there trees other than this mango tree and those other mango trees?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir, there are. But those are not mango trees.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Are there any trees other than those mango trees and the other trees?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir, it is this mango tree.

Then, the Arahat Mahinda Thero asked other questions from the king regarding the king’s relatives to further observe his intelligence.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Oh King, have you any relatives?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir, I have a lot of relatives.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Are there any others who are not your relatives?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir. There are.

Arahat Mahinda Thero: Is there anyone else other than your relatives and those who are not related to you?

King: Yes, Most Venerable Sir, there is. It is me.

At the end of this friendly conversation, Arahat Mahinda Thero was so pleased with king Tissa’s intelligence, and he understood that the king was wise enough to embrace and follow the Buddhist doctrines of the Buddha. After that, Arahat Mahinda Thero preached the Discourse of Chulahatthipadopama at the King’s palace. Listening this great Dhamma discourse the King and the companions took refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Maha Sangha. From this noble day onwards, Buddhism gradually spread across the country and the people of this country embraced the Dhamma putting aside their traditional and meaningless beliefs to follow the correct path.

After having listened to the Dhamma discourse preached by Arahat Mahinda Thero, King Tissa’s sister-in-law, Queen Anula and her five hundred (500) attendant women attained the Sotapanna (the first step leading to Arahat). And then she requested Arahat Thero to grant Bhikkhuni ordination to enter the Order of the Nuns.

He said to her that he was not permitted to grant the ordination for women and enter the Order of the Bhikkhuni. Upon this matter, Arahat Maha Mahinda Thero sent a message along with an invitation to his father through King Dewananpiyatissa to send his sister, Arahat Sanghamitta Maha Therani to establish the Order of the Bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka. On his invitation, she arrived in Sri Lanka with a group of people who belonged to eighteen clans with diverse skills. Also, Arahat Maha Therani brought the southern branch of the Maha Bodhi Tree from India with a great respect.

In the course of time, Aritta was ordained by Arahat Maha Mahinda Thero and his companions under the patronage of King Dewanampiyatissa to establish the Order of the Sangha in the country. As it says it was needed to ordain someone who was born in Sri Lanka in order to establish the Bhikkhu order in the country. Thus, the first Buddhist monk of the country was ordained.

Sri Lankans commemorate Poson each year to mark its enormous importance because of the arrival of Buddhism and the introduction of the teachings of the Buddha to the people of the country to live with kindness, compassion, cooperation, tolerance, mutual understanding, giving and helping others and so on. Also, the Poson day reminds the people of the country, the rich diplomatic relations between the two rulers and their close relationship and unity. Not only that, but it also provides us an immense worth regarding the country’s historical, religious, cultural, educational, political and economic developments etc. Furthermore, it boosted the social and spiritual revolution among the people of the country in large. Hence, the country has been recognized as the greatest Buddhist State that exists in the world.

In conclusion, we are very proud to declare that we have embraced the teachings of the Buddha over Arahat Maha Mahinda Thera to live in advance according to the Buddhist Philosophical principles in our way of life. As Buddhists, Furthermore, it is more important to commit to uphold Buddhism as well as protect and preserve the rare Buddhist heritage gifted to Sri Lankans by the arrival of Arahat Maha Mahinda Thera on this grand day.