TIME TO REFLECT UPON THE PROFOUND HISTORIC MESSAGE
Poson Poya marks the arrival of Arahat Maha Mahinda Maha Thera in Sri Lanka along with the message of the Sakya clan’s Great Son Gotama Buddha. By admiring with respect and following the Buddha’s impeccable words, Emperor Asoka who governed Maha Bharata -- ancient India, profoundly launched a Dhamma missionary programme in many countries.
After the successful accomplishment of by his considerable numbers of enlightened disciples, the Blessed One, the Buddha compassionately advised and guided thus:
“Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit and happiness of divine beings and human beings. Let not two go by one way: Preach, O Bhikkhus, the Dhamma, excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, excellent in the end, both in the spirit and in the letter. Proclaim the Holy life, altogether perfect and pure.”
The Son of Emperor Asoka – the great disciple of the Fully Enlightened One, Arahant Maha Mahinda Maha Thera was requested by his preceptor the Ven. Moggaliputta Tissa Mahathera to visit Sri Lanka to introduce and establish the incomparable message of the Gotama Buddha.
Poson Poya or the Full Moon Day in June is a very significant event for Sri Lankan Buddhists who vibrantly commemorate it with many colourful, spiritual and cultural activities.
Some 2,325 years ago, King Devanampiyatissa was a Head of State. There was a national festival attended by the people and the king at Mihintale
which is situated in the vicinity of Anuradhapura.
In the present, all ruins around Mihintale and Anuradhapura witness and testify, how the people of that era were prosperous and united. It was called and named the, ‘State of Reservoirs and Island of the Dhamma’
After meeting and listening to Arahant Mahinda Maha Thera, King Devanampiyatissa placed unwavering confidence in the refuge of the Triple Gem. He was a very pious and devout Buddhist leader who governed our country without hatred and prejudice. Not by words and lip service but genuinely by deeds, he helped establish and safeguard the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka.
Above mentioned facts were very visible and evident in our history, but in the present, most of them have dramatically eroded and turned topsy-turvy because most people have embraced and obsessively follow so called “Party Politics” which dangerously and atrociously have changed the whole atmosphere in our human society. Human values and value of human life are degraded. Antagonism and animosity are vivaciously and lively visible. The Dhamma State or Dharmarajya has perilously become a state of injustice. The paramount part of the Buddha’s teaching merely has become only a lip service. Corruption and injustice are the driving and governing forces in our society today. However, it is not too late to re-establish the righteous way to lead our society to be united in peace and harmony.
Unfortunately those who do not understand the benefit of wholesome kamma and repercussion of unwholesome kamma will never refrain from wrongdoing and immoral activities.
Whether one believes it or not, the Law of Kamma will pave the way to one’s own destination which one designs by oneself
When mental impurities such as anger, jealousy, craving and so on are conceived in the mind one can feel and experience dissatisfaction, suffering, misery, pain, and discomfort, etc. When kindness, compassion, generous or pure thoughts are conceived in the mind one can feel, perceive and experience innermost tranquility, calmness, peace, serenity and inner silence.
The Dhamma says that if it is to be immediately effective it has to be experienced by the wise by themselves.
Whether one believes it or not, the Law of Kamma will pave the way to one’s own destination which one designs by oneself.
The Teaching of the Buddha is completely based on the mind. In his first and foremost discourse he clearly and explicitly explains about suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering and the way to cessation of suffering. No one can understand this till one treads this path. Where words are concerned, anyone can endlessly argue with the various information and numerous facts but in reality till one eradicat one’s own defilement he or she won’t be free from suffering. One should be a genuine human being, not in form but with innermost qualities.
This is the great message that we received 2,325 years ago and the compassionatel Ven. Maha Mahinda Maha Thera delivered to us.
The Ven. Maha Thera introduced the culture of inner peace and remarkably revealed the true danger in the culture of violence.
The great Master the Buddha is our impeccable and incomparable role model. As Sri Lankan Buddhists, Arahant Mahinda Maha Thera is our leader. Specially all monks should reflect upon this remarkable character. Unfortunately most so called monks disgracefully involve in party politics.
Some so called politicians have donated and contributed millions of rupees and other materials, now some monks work for them. Monks are not able to escape from it. They are very partial to donors and create violent atmosphere with their blind followers.
Unfortunately in order to preserve and secure their political hidden agendas our politicians have influenced and manipulated Buddhist monks to engage in politics after we won our independence. From the beginning of becoming independent from Great Britain we began to divide and separate.
The Dhamma State or Dharmarajya has perilously become a state of injustice
What is the purpose of being a Buddhist monk? What is the prime role and responsibility as a monk? If someone examines though the whole teaching of the Buddha no one can find any advice or word that he has asked monks to engage in party politics. Now they have completely changed the Buddha’s words as they wish. This is the disaster in our country now.
The following is how monks should behave if they are to be true disciples of the Buddha:
“Good is restraint in the body; good is restraint in speech; good is restraint in thought. Restraint everywhere is good. The monk restrained in every way is freed from all suffering”(the Buddha)
“He who is friendly amid the hostile, peaceful amid the violent, and unattached amid the attached – him do I call a holy man.” (The Buddha)