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Friday, August 7, 2009

Sacred Tooth Relic and the Esala Perahera

Sacred Tooth Relic and the Esala Perahera

The most spectacular Buddhist festival of the year, the historic Kandy Esala Perahera of the Sri Dalada Maligawa commenced on 27th July 09, with the Kumbal Perahera and comes to a conclusion on the August 05th with the final Randoli Perahera. The day Perahera will be on the 6th with the water cutting ceremony (Diya Kepeeme Mangalya) at the Gatembe ferry.

This year, the route of the Kumbal Perahera was extended. It started from the Maligawa Square and proceeded along Dalada Veediya. D. S. Senanayake Veediya (Trincomalee street), Pansala Para, Deva Veediya, Srimath Bennet Soysa Veediya, Kotugodella Veediya, Raja Veediya and back to Maligawa Square.

With the planting of the Kap, the inner Perahera commenced on the 22nd by parading within the Sri Dalada Maligawa Complex and continued till 26th before it took to the streets with the Kumbal Perahera.

The perahera festival - an event of great historical and cultural significance - takes place annually in the charming hill capital of the country in the month of July/August. This event, known the world over as the Kandy Esala perahera, is not only a religious ritual but also a folk festival which provides an occasion for local artistes and multi-racial populace to exhibit their reverence and devotion to the Buddha and Gods and Goddesses such as Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini who with their divine blessings protect this country.

The Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to this island in the reign of King Kirthi Sri Meghavanna (303-331), as an invaluable gift of the King of Kalinga (Orissa in India). Since the day it was brought here, it has been the custom of the devotees to celebrate this great event with the highest esteem and reverence.

However, the Sacred Tooth Relic was never enshrined in a Dagaba, unlike other relics, but always remained a movable revered object devoutly venerated by the Buddhists all over the world. Whatever it is, it had to be buried in the earth once at Kotmale to save it from the enemies.

The King enshrined the Sacred Tooth Relic in a pure crystal bowl and placed it at Abhayagiriya Viharaya in Anuradhapura, the Kingdom of King Kirthi Sri Moghawanna, embellished with costal jewels for public worship. It is recorded in the history that the Dalada Perahera came into being during this King in his kingdom. Furthermore, the Abhayagiri Viharaya undertook to conduct annually the Perahera.

The Maha Viharaya, Abhayagiri Viharaya and Jethavanarama Maha Viharaya were the three main places of worship when King Kirthi Sri Megavanna was reigning Anuradhapura. The three places were known as thun nikaya (three nikayas).

Fa Hien, the Chinese traveller who visited Anuradhapura, in his writings has described the ceremony of the Sacred Tooth Relic which was conducted with great splendour.

When Cholians conquered Anuradhapura in 1017 the devout Buddhist Bhikkus had to shift the Sacred Tooth Relic to Rahula for safety. Again it was brought to Polonnaruwa. However, the Sacred Tooth Relic was shifted to so many places like Beligala, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Kotte, Kuruwitha, Kothmale, and after seventeen centuries to Senkadagala - Kandy.

When once the loaders of the Uva Rebellion were captured in 1818, Rev. Wariyapola Sumangala Thera hid the Sacred Dhantha Dhatuwa in a bubble of robes, but the Britishs soldiers captured him and the Sacred Tooth Relic fell into the hands of the British for the second time and their rule was firmly established.

The Sacred Tooth Relic is now under the three custodians - two Maha Nayake Theras of Asgiri and Malwathu socets of Siam Maha Nikaya and Diyawadana Nilame of the Kandy Dalada Maligawa safely secured under the Sri Lankan government.

Whatever the reasons attributed to the origin of the Kandy Esala Perahera are, the general belief is that the pageant in Kandy commenced during the reign of Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 - 1781). This belief has probably come about because it was during the reign of Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe that the Perahera, as it exists today took form, with the amalgamation of the four Devale Peraheras with the Dalada Perahera. There is sufficient evidence, both historical and literary, to effect that the annual celebrations in connection with the Sacred Tooth Relic originated since its arrival.

Fa-Hien describes that this annual festival has been performed every year in the middle of the third month, and the Sacred Tooth Relic was taken in procession from the shrine in the centre of the city to the Abhayagiri monastery. It was kept there for three months and the exposition of the Tooth Relic held, after which the Relic was brought back to the city. The doors of the Relic house were kept open for the devotees to pay their reverence to the Relic on every Uposatha (Poya) day. Fa-Hsien further observes that as a result of the regular performance of these rites in honour of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Kingdom suffered neither from famine, calamity nor revolution.

Formerly the King himself in person used to ride on horseback with all his train before him in this solemnity, but now he delights not in these shows.

Three very interesting points emerge from Robert Knox’s observations:

1. In earlier times the King himself participated in the procession.

2. The Natha Devala Perahera which is seen today as an integral part of the procession was absent earlier.

3. Instead of the present Vishnu Devala Perahera, there was the Aluthnuwara Devala Perahera which is no longer held.

The next account of the Perahera belongs to the era of King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe. It was during his reign that the Dalada Perahera amalgamated with the four Devala Peraheras, thereby making the whole pageant more Buddhistic.

As per the contents in the book ‘The Kandy Esala Perahera’ authored by Anuradha Seneviratne:

John Davy who spent four years in Sri Lanka from 1816 - 1820 has given in this work an Account of the interior of Ceylon (1969: 128-130) a graphic description of the Perahera. Davy’s description though lengthy is very fascinating. His account reveals the following features:

1. The High officials who performed administrative functions in the temples and the government participated in the procession.

2. The Perahera was held twice a day, in the afternoon and night.

3. The Natha Devala Perahera was incorporated into the Kandy Esala Pageant.

4. The Vishnu Devale Perahera took the place of the Aluthnuwara Devala Perahera.

5. The Dalada Perahera for the first time was associated with the Devale Perahera, thereby giving the whole pageant a Buddhist complexion.

6. The ruling king participated personally in the grand procession.

7. On the final night of this pageant the relic casket of the Buddha was taken in procession to Asgiri Vharaya where it was deposited until the conclusion of the Perahera. Records reveal that this is done to honour the mother of Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe who was cremated there.

In respect of the reliability, the account of the perahera held on the August 19, 1817 given to the British Governor of Ceylon by Millawa Disawe (chieftain) of Vellassa region and appearing in the Government Gazette of the September 13, 1817 is more authentic. This account begins with reference to the preliminary ritualistic practice-erection of sacred poles (Kap) - and is followed by a description of the whole procession.

‘É the Buddhist priests of the Maligawa bring to the gate of their temple the dhatukaranduwa and place it in the ranhilige on the back of an elephant, who remains at the gate. In the meantime the procession moves from the gate of the Maligawa, where the Relic of the Buddha is waiting.

The procession is as follows:

1. The King’s elephants with gajanayake.

2. Gingals with Kodituwakku Lekam.

3. The people of the Four Korales, Disavane, carrying gingals, muskets and flags with the disava and petty chiefs of that Disavane.

4. The people of the Seven Korales.

5. These of Uva.

6. Of Matale.

7. Of Sabaragamuwa.

8. Of Valapane.

9. Of Udapalatha.

10. The bamboos or images representing devils covered with cloths.

11. The elephant of the Maligawa bearing the shrine followed by other elephants and the people of the Maligawa who precede the Diyavadana Nilame and Nanayakkara Lekam With umbrellas, talipat, flags, fans, shields, tom-toms, drums, flutes, etc. accompanied by dancers.

12. The elephant of the Natha Devale bearing the bow and arrow of the God, attended by the women of the temple, and followed by the Basnayake Nilame with the same pomp of attendants as the former.

13. The elephants, bow and arrows, and people of the maha Vishnu Devala.

14. Of the Katharagama Devala.

15. Of the Pattini Devala.

16. the people of the Maha Lekam Departments carrying muskets and flags and proceeding their chiefs.

17. The people of the Atapattu department, similarly equipped, followed by the Atapattu Lekam, and the Ratemahatmayas of Udunuwara, yatinuwara, Tumpane, Harispattu, Dumbara, Hewaheta.

18. The people of Vedikkara Department, followed by their Lekam.

19. The people of the Vadanatuvakku department with their Lekam.

20. The people of the Padikara department and their Lekam.

The procession was very grand.

1. Maha Lekam Mahatmaya with the Lekam mitiya and writing style.

2. Gajanayake Nilame with the Hastiya (elephant) Maha Kodiya (flag).

3. Kodituwakku Nilame with the Kodituvakku (gun flag) Maha Kodiya.

4. Ketara Korale Disave with the Ira-sanda (sun and moon) Maha Kodiya.

5. Sat Korale Disave with the Sinha (lion) Maha Kodiya.

6. Uva Disave with the Hansaya (sacred goose) Maha Kodiya.

7. Matale Disave with the Sudu (White) Maha Kodiya.

8. Sabaragamuwa Disave with the Pataredi (Yellow Silk) Maha Kodiya.

9. Tun Korale disave with the Bheru (Double headed eagle) Maha Kodiya.

10. Valapane Disave with the Mayura (Peacock) Maha Kodiya.

11. Uda Palata Disave with the Nelum Mal (Lotus flower) Maha Kodiya.

12. Nuwara Kalaviya Disave with the Gajasinghe (elephant trunk lion) Maha Kodiya.

13. Vellasse Disave with the Kotiya (Leopard) Maha Kodiya.

14. Bintenne Disave with the Girava (Parrot) Maha Kodya.

15. Tamankaduwe Disave with the Valaha (Bear) Maha Kodiya.

16. Elephant of the Maligawa, bearing the shrine and Tooth Relic attended by other elephants and the people of the Maligawa.

17. - 20 Elephant and people of the four devales:

Natha, Vishnu, Kataragama and Pattini.

21. Ratemahatemayas and their flags.

22. Maha Lekam Department - Atkanda Lihiniya Kodiya.

23. Nanayakkara Lekam - Nil pata (blue silk) Kodiya.

24. Atapattu Lakam.

25. Vedikkara Lekam - Ratu pata (Red silk) Kodiya.

26. Vadana Ruvakkukara Lekam - Sudu pata (White silk) Kodiya.

27. Panidakara Lekam - Ratu pata (Red silk) Kodiya. The two Adigars brought up the rear.

Walter Wijenayake.

**********The Island

The Significance of Nikini Poya Day

The Significance of Nikini Poya Day

Nikini is the eighth Full Moon Poya of the year. In ancient India, even before the time of Buddha, all Poya Days had been kept as holy. The Buddhist adopted all religious activities and observances that were there earlier and followed on Poya Days. The Nikini Full Moon Poya Day is important as far as the Buddhist Order is concerned. Buddhist Monks and lay devotees perform an act, according to certain rules and regulations laid down by Gautama Buddha the "Great Mahapurisha". The close association and the link that bind the Devotees and the Sangha, can be clearly seen on Poya Days.

After the Enlightened One preached his first sermon, DHAMMA CHAKKA PAVATTANA SUTRA the Wheel of Dhamma, to the five disciples, Kondanna, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanama, Assaji, in the Deer Park , Isipathana, in Banares, he advised his disciples to spread the Buddhist Doctrine and the Message of Noble Dhamma to Mankind. Nikini Poya is connected with VAS- Rainy Season - which commence from Esala Poya. During the "VAS" season, Buddhist monks are assigned themselves to be stationed in one place, under one roof during.

According to the principles and rules laid down by the Blessed One, Buddhist monks are not expected to live outdoors, under the trees, in cemetries or open - air, commencing from Esala Poya, for four months.

VAS can be divided into two segments. "PERA – VAS" and "PASU – VAS" – namely Pre – Retreat and Post - Retreat. The period beginning with VASSANA is a colourful and eventful period. The dawn of the VAS season in the month of Nikini records a religious awakening among the lay devotees and it has a tremendous impact on their moral thinking.

After delivering the "Dhamma chaka pavattana sutta", Gautama Buddha, observed the first recorded VAS – Rainy Retreat at Migadaya Deer Park Isipathanaramaya.

According to the climatic and weather conditions globally, there are four recorded seasons. The first season of the year, Autumn, when plants begin to grow, coming between Winter and Summer, is from March to May in the Northern Hemisphere. The Summer, the warmer season of the year outside topic comes between Spring and Autumn from June to August in the Northern Hemisphere. The third season of the year, coming between Summer and Winter, falls between September to November in the Northern Hemisphere. The last and the coldest season of the year, winter comes between Autumn and Spring, is from December to February in the Northern Hemisphere.

The month of Nikini comes with the South West Monsoon. If you analyze the seasonal wind in South Asia, especially in the Indian Ocean, blowing from South West from April to October and from North East from October to April, brings Rainfall.

The Thathagatha Gautama Buddha always appreciated constructive criticism. As the Buddhist Monks were earlier involved in religious activities and missionary during Rainy Season, there was a public cry against them in some quarters. The Thirthakas, followers of Jainism, protested, stating that the Buddhist Monks are not assigned to indoors during the Rainy Season and violating the age old rule. Buddha, then advised the Buddhist Monks to assign themselves to indoors. With this began the Vas season or period of Rainy Retreat.

Another important significant event that took palace on Nikini Full Moon Day was the holding of the First Sanga Council, led by Maha Kassapa, under the patronage of Ajasatta, at Rajagaha.

This important council was a landmark in history of Buddhism. Buddha in HIS eightieth year, on a Veask Full Moon Poya Day, attained Parinibbana. After the passing away of Buddha there were a large number of Bhikkus in the Sasana. There were some undesirable Monks, too, who joined the Buddhist Order, for worldly gains. With the exception of Arahats and those who achieved the state of Anagami, all others wept, cried in grief. There was one Bhikku by the name of Subaddha, a monk who joined the order in his old age. Bhikku Subaddha requested the mourners not to weep, but, be happy and rejoice, because, they are now free to do anything they want as the Master is not there. Further, this Bhikku Subhadda stated that Buddha had been an obstacle for their freedom.

It was Maha Kassapa Thera , who boldly took steps of conducting the First Sangha Council. Maha Theras such as Upali, Ananda, and Anurudda provided the fullest support to Venerable Maha Kassapa, the "Dharmabhandagarika" – (The Treasurer of Dhamma).

Ananda Maha Thero, who possessed a powerful retentive memory, played a leading part in the First Council. He attained Arahatship free from postures of sitting, standing walking or sleeping. Ananda Thero attained Arahatship at the night on the day before the First Dhamma Sangayanawa or Council. This council was held to arrest the deterioration of the Sasanaya and to discipline the Buddhist Order.

The lay devotees or Dayakas, invite the Maha Sangha to observe "Vas", which can be considered as one of the most sacred events, (it is known as "Vas Aradhana Pinkama"), which ends with Katina Puja Pinkama. The lay devotees see to the comfort of the Buddhist monks with great respect and care. The Maha Sangha in return, shower their Blessings. The sight of Dhamma, undoubtedly excels all other sights. (Sabbha Dhanam Dhamma Dhanam Jinathi). They live indoors for nearly four months.

The advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka took place during the reign of Devanampiyatissa with the establishment of, the Buddhist Order in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Buddhist monk with a retinue of monks, observed the first Vas- Rainy Retreat in 68 rock caves at Mihintala Missaka Pabbhata. This took place during Nikini season.

On the Nikini Full Moon Day, lets’ recall that the Buddha, who was spending the 14th Rainy season, since His Enlightenement at "Devramvehera" in Sravastipura, giving advice on Meditation to the Reverend Rahula Thero- his son in his lay life, preached RAHULOVADA SUTTA to him and that the Reverend Thera, Rahula listening attentively attained Arahanthship at the end of the Discourse.

In the Buddhist Philosophy, transient are all conditioned things, when this, with wisdom, one discerns, then is one disgusted with ill; THIS IS THE PATH TO PURITY.

Sabbe Sankhara Anicca ti-

Yada Pannaya Passati-

Atha Nibbidati Dukkhe-

Esa Masso Visuddiya- Massa Vagga (Dhammapada- 277)

When with wisdom one discerns transience of conditioned things, one wearily from Dukkha turns Treading the Path to Purity.)

In Sri Lankan Buddhist history another important event that took place on a Nikini Full Moon Poya Day was the laying of the foundation stone for Seruwila Chaitya. Nikini Perehera at Seruwila Raja Maha Viharaya was also commenced on a Nikini Poya.

The Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya annual Perahera will be held during the month of Nikini, this year 2009. This will be one of the most important cultural pageants in Sri Lanka.

New LTTE leader KP arrested, being questioned in Colombo


New LTTE leader KP arrested

The new self appointed LTTE leader and chief arms dealer Kumaran Pathmanathan also known as KP, who was wanted by INTERPOL, has been arrested, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona told Daily Mirror online.

The LTTE last month announced that Kumaran Pathmanathan, will lead the struggle for Eelam now that its supreme leader V Prabhakaran has died in action without realizing his dream.

The LTTE executive committee has said KP, who was made head of the international division by Prabhakaran,”will lead us into the next stage of our freedom struggle”.

KP being questioned in Colombo

Kumaran Pathmanathan also known as KP is now being questioned in Colombo. The Hindustan Times today quotes MP Basil Rajapaksa as saying KP was flown down to Colombo following his arrest although details of how arrest was conducted was not revealed.

Meanwhile respected columnist D.B.S Jeyaraj, in a posting on his blog site said that according to informed sources KP was staying in Kuala Lumpur(KL) , Malaysia when taken into custody.

Pathmanathan had met with two visitors from London, England at a hotel room in KL in the afternoon of August 5th.

He had received a call on his cellular phone. KP had then signaled to his visitors that he was going out to the corridor and walked away while conversing on the phone.

He had not returned for a long time and the when the worried visitors from Britain went out in search there was no sign of the new global tiger chief.

Meanwhile the friend who had been talking to KP on the phone had heard a sudden thud and some noise while chatting. The phone went dead and repeated calls were not successful.

The friend then alerted some assistants of KP in Malaysia who went in search of KP to the place where he was staying in KL. The place was empty but KP’s insulin and syringes and other medical stuff was still there.

The visitors from London also got alarmed and contacted circles close to KP.

Meanwhile KP seized in Malaysia was taken to Bangkok in Thailand.

Sri Lankan authorities were contacted and a team from the Police Terrorist Investigation Department flew to Bangkok in the early hours of Thurasday August 6th.

The team returned with Pathmanathan alias KP on a special flight on the same day.

KP was handcuffed and had a mask covering his head and face when disembarking from the plane at Katunayake Airport.

He was whisked away in a vehicle with tinted glasses to a high-security , secret location run by the terrorism investigation dept personnel.

KP is to be interrogated intensively by Sri Lankan anti-terrorist sleuths.

It is widely believed that the arrest was made possible through “inside information” supplied by some members of the LTTE abroad who were opposed to KP donning the tiger leadership mantle after the demise of supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Dalada Perahera concludes successfully

Dalada Perahera concludes successfully

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday extended his profound thanks on behalf of the Government and people to all those involved in the conduct of the first Dalada Perahera since the unification of the country after 30 years, in such grand splendour and it's successful conclusion.

The President was speaking after receiving the traditional scroll from the Diyawadana Nilame declaring that the Esala Perahera has been successfully concluded, at a ceremony at the President's House in Kandy yesterday.

The perahera officially ended after the handing over of the scroll to the President by the Diyawadana Nilames accompanied by the Basnayake Nilames of the sathara devales who went in a perahera to the President's House. Gifts were also handed over to artistes who performed well at the Perahera. Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela paid special tribute in the Perahera scroll to the President, Defence Secretary and the Security Forces for dedicating themselves to the unification of the country after 30 years.

Of special note was the decision taken by the Diyawadana Nilame and the Basnayake Nilames to refrain from making any requests from the President through the Perahera scroll since the President had met all the requests contained in the scroll presented last year.

Dailymirror.

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