When Sakyans took refuge in the Triple Gem

On the first Medin Full Moon Poya day after the Enlightenment and Seven years after Abhiniskramanaya or leaving the royal palace and seeking emancipation Gautama Buddha visited His relatives in Kapilawastupura, the capital of the Sakyan kingdom. The city of Kapilawastu was also known as Kimbulwatpura.

In search of truth

From the time of Abhiniskramanaya, in search of truth, Mokshaya, total liberation or the freedom from transmigration, the state of Nirvana, His father, King Suddhodhana kept himself informed of the developments of his beloved son.  During a period of six long years he received various news of his son; some of which were heartbreaking. 

Attaining Buddhahood

To his consolation the happy news that his son had attained Buddhahood was brought to the king after six years. The King was rejoiced that his son had attained Enlightenment and was preaching His doctrine at Rajagahanuwara and Veluwanaramaya. The king who was longing to hear about his son was overcome with happiness. 

An invitation to Gautama Buddha 

Enraptured by the latest news about his son the king immediately sent one of his ministers as an envoy to invite the Enlightened One to Kimbulwatpura. The envoy was accompanied by more than one thousand followers. Relatives too were anxious to see the Buddha. The King got his people to construct Nigrodharamaya for the Buddha and His disciples. However, to the disappointment of the king and his relatives the envoy did not return. He and his followers had entered priesthood having heard the Dharma from the Buddha; hence they had not conveyed the King’s message. On nine successive occasions the king sent envoys to invite the Buddha to Kimbulwatpura. Contrary to the king’s expectations all the nine envoys entered the Order with the followers and attained Arahantship..

King sends minister Kaludai

The disappointed king finally sent Kaludai who was a playmate of Prince Siddhartha as the envoy. Kaludai agreed to go on condition that he would be allowed to enter the Order. He too on hearing the Dharma entered the Order and attained Arahantship. However unlike the other envoys he conveyed the message to the Buddha and urged Him to visit His aged father.

Invitation accepted 

Arahant Kaludai told the Enlightened One that the rainy season was over and the time was ideal to visit Kimbulwatpura. The Blessed One accepted the invitation and along with a large retinue of disciples journeyed the whole distance preaching Dharma on the way and arrived at Kimbulwatpura. The Buddha and His retinue stayed at the park of Sakyans named Nigrodha.

Sakyans’ reluctance to revere the Enlightened One 

Sakyans who went forward to receive the Exalted One proceeded in a procession. Young Sakyans worshipped the Omniscient One,  but the elders did not as they thought that it was not proper when considering the age factor. Buddha with His divine eye realised what the Sakyans were thinking of.

Yamakamaha Perahera 

In order to dispel the arrogance of Sakyans the Enlightened One performed the Yamakamaha Perahera - the twin or double miracle. It is a power said to have been possessed by the Blessed One to cause a stream of fire to issue from, one part of the body and a stream of water from the other simultaneously. This power was exhibited through the issue of streams of fire and water from the eyes and nostrils the result of having accomplished.  “Thejo Kasina” and “Apo Kasina”. The Buddha used the twin miracle only when it was essential. It was the second occasion He has performed this miracle.

Father salutes son

Having observed this wander the king saluted the Buddha saying that it was his third salutation. Then all the Sakyans worshipped the Enlightened One and took refuge in the Triple Gem, Buddha, His doctrine Dhamma and His disciples, Sangha. thereupon, the Buddha descended and sat on the seat prepared for Him. Then a strange phenomenon occurred. Rain broke down wetting only those who wished to get wet and not the others. When the Sakyans were marveled at this phenomenon the Buddha preached Vessantara jatakaya to show that in a previous birth too he had renounced the worldly life.

Buddha goes begging for alms

Since no one had invited Him for alms or a noon meal on the following day the Blessed One went from house to house in the street of Kimbulwatpura with a bowl in His hand seeking alms together with His disciples. This was reported to the king and having seen the Enlightened One, his son begging food in the streets, he was deeply moved. King Suddhodana rushed to the place and most humbly inquired from the Buddha why He was disgracing his royal family

“Members of royal families never beg for food” the king said.   

“This is the custom of our lineage” the Buddha replied to the king’s astonishment  
“Surely lord, ours is the warrior lineage of Mahasammata and not a single warrior had gone seeking alms” the king said.

“This royal lineage is yours. Mine is the Buddha lineage.

Standing on the street the Buddha then advised the king thus.

“Be alert, be not heedless, lead a righteous life. Lead the righteous live happily in this world and in the next” The king realised the truth and attained “Sowan”first of the four paths or stages leading to Nirvana. Soon the king took the bowl from the Buddha and conducted Him and His disciples to the palace and served them food. After the meals the Exalted One preached”Anumewani Bana”.  

Hearing Anumevani Bana the king attained Sakurdagami, the second stage of saint hood and his queeen, Maha Prajapati Gotami attained”Sowan”, the first stage of saint hood.  On the death bed king Suddhodana heard Dharma from the Buddha and attained Arahantship. 

Absence of princess Yasodhara   

When the Exalted One preached Anumevani Bana all but princess Yasodhara came to pay their reverence to Him. Princess Yasodhara remained in her apartment assuming that the Buddha would pay her a visit if he was sincere and virtuous enough. The Buddha handed over the bowl to the king and accompanied by His two chief disciples entered the chamber of princess Yasodhara and sat on the seat prepared for Him. 

“Let the king’s daughter pay her reverence as she likes” the Blessed One said and she came swiftly, clasped His ankles and placing her head on His feet and worshipped Him.  King Suddhodana commended her saying that she had given up garlands, comfortable seats and beddings and wore yellow robes hearing that the Buddha was doing so.

The love and affection of Princess Yasodhara  

The Buddha cited Chanda Kindara Jatakaya to illustrate how much love she had towards Him not only in this birth, but also in previous births. With these words He consorted her and left her apartment. After the death of king Suddhodana princess Yasodhara entered the Order with queen Maha Prajapathie Gotami and later both attained Arahantship.

Prince Nanda

The second day after the visit of the Buddha to Kimbulwatpura was an auspicious day for His step brother, prince Nanda.  It was the day of his consecration ceremony, marriage ceremony and the house warming ceremony. However, having observed that Prince Nanda possessed the virtues of putting an end to the sufferings of transmigration. The Buddha visited his palace where the prince received Him most respectfully and with devotion and offered Him Dana. After the alms giving the Blessed One handed over His bowl to prince Nanda and proceeded to the viharaya (Temple). Due to respect and brotherly affection Prince Nanda had towards Buddha, he followed the Buddha not being able to hand over the bowl back to The Buddha. On their way The Buddha made Prince Nanda to realise that all the worldly pleasures are temporary and subject to change, decay and death.  Although the prince had in his mind the words of his fiancée, Janapada Kalyani, who requested him to get back soon, he could not ask The Buddha for permission to return to the palace. Later he realised the Truth and attained Nibbana.  

As a result of The Buddha’s visit to Kimbulwatpura most of the Sakyans including Prince Siddhartha’s lay time son prince Rahula entered the Order and later attained Nibbana.

Sri Pada pilgrimage season

Medin Full Moon Poya day is of special significance to Sri Lankans irrespective of religious and racial differences because it is the Peak of Sri Pada pilgrimage season which concludes after two months on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. Annually, the most number of pilgrims and those who wish to enjoy the scenic beauty of the country climb Sri Pada or Samanala Kanda specially because it is the Full Moon Poya Day.