The radiant Poson festival

Buddha’s teachings are not a mere religion, but a way of life to be individually practised to achieve self-realisation

 “Sabba Papassa Akaranan – Kusalassa Upasampada
Sachitta Pariyo Dapanan  - Etam Buddha Sasanan”
(To cease from all evil, to cultivate good.  To purify one’s mind is the advice of the Buddha)
Sri Lankan Buddhists celebrate the annual Poson Festival to signify the arrival of Arahant Maha Samana Mahinda, from Jambudeepa, 2332 years ago. 
When Devanampiyatissa was the king of Sri Lanka, emperor Dharmasoka, was the Ruler of Maha Bharatha.  The duo were close friends. 

Following the 3rd Buddhist convention under the patronage of Arahant Maha Moggallana, emperor Dharmasoka resolved to send nine Buddhist Missionaries to his neighbouring nations to establish Buddha the Dhamma.
Under this “Dharma Vijaya programme”, the Emperor specially preferred to send his own son Arahant Maha Mahendra (Mihindu), with a seven member sage delegation to establish Buddha’s teachings in Sri Lanka.  Thus Arahant Maha Samana and Royal Missionaries arrived at the sacred Mihintala Pawwa on a radiant Poson Poya Day; 2332 years ago. 
According to the practice of the day, King Devanampiyatissa was engaged in a preplanned deer hunting session on that day.
At the crucial moment, when the King was aiming his arrow at an innocent animal, the Mahasamana, addressed the King by his name “Tissa! Tissa” and disrupted the aim.  
The King and his guards stood stunned, seeing the miraculous guests.  
Then, the Maha Samana compassionately declared;
“Oh great King – Samanas are we, the disciples of the King of Truth, with compassion towards thee, we come from Jambudeepa”.
The King recollecting the emperor Asoka’s, offer, instantly advanced to pay his obeisance to the Maha Samana and to receive the Royal Missionary.

Following a peaceful dialog with the King, the Maha Samana became confident of the intellectual capacity of the King and was hopeful of introducing the Dhamma.
There upon following amicable discussions, the King and his men, with unshakable and unwavering confidence, embraced Buddha’s teachings; taking refuge in the sacred ‘Triple Gem’.
The Maha Samana’s visit and the group permanently remaining in Sri Lanka, ensured the dawn of a Buddhist nation and also a national renaissance.
Buddha’s teachings are not a mere religion, but a way of life to be individually practised to achieve self-realisation.  
We are fortunate to be born as Buddhists or learn the sublime Buddhist teachings. However, unless the Dhamma is practised the mere knowledge alone, is like a flower without fragrance.  
As a stepping stone to cultivate loving kindness and compassion one should establish love and friendliness towards oneself.
One should mindfully ignore jealousy, ill will, anger and resentment, animosity, craving courteousness, mental toxics.  Let’s be watchful of our speech and have a peaceful mind and refrain from committing bodily evil.  
The Buddha admonished, “He who is friendly amidst the hostile, peaceful amidst the violent and unattached amidst the attached is the Upasaka.
The Thathagata in his maiden discourse to the five great ascetics at Isipathana Migadhaya, clearly and explicitly explained the Four Nobel Truths.
“Oh Bikkhus whether a Tathagata appears or not, it remains a fact, as an established principal that natural law that  -    All conditioned things are transient, (Anicca), sorrowful (Dukkha), and everything else is soulless (Anotta)”.      
This phenomenon, the Tathagata realises and understands.

When a person realises and understands it, he announces, teaches, proclaims establishes, discloses, analyses and makes the lessons clear. The enlightened one taught that all conditioned things are transient and bring sorrow. He added that ever things are soulless.  
Ever since Arahant Maha Mahendra set foot at Ambastala, the sacred rock, the majority of Sri Lankans observe ‘Sil’ in an attempt to condition the mind.
Sambuddha Dhamma, is immediately effective and is to be experienced by the wise; themselves.  Unfortunately Buddhism, for some people has presently become a lip service.
The teachings of the Buddha are totally based on the mind.  Ones actions cause reactions and whether knowingly or unknowingly our actions (Kamma), will pave the way to one’s own destiny; the latter which will be designed by himself.  In reality, till one eradicates one’s own defilements none can be free from suffering.   
In unlimited gratitude to the Maha Samana Mahinda, let us resolve to follow and practice the Dhamma and May all beings be peaceful and happy.  
“Bawatu Sabba Mangalam – Rakkantu Sabba Devata
Sabba Buddhanu Bhawena – Sabba Dhammanu Bhawena
Sabba Sanghnu Bhawena – Sada Sotti Bhawantute”!
(The writer can be reached [email protected])