Medin Poya and three important events in the life of the Buddha
Today is Medin Full Moon Poya, which is of great significance to Buddhists as it commemorates three important events in the life of the Buddha.
The Buddha visited Kapilawasthu also known as Kimbulwathpura - his father Suddhodhana’s kingdom and his ancestral home, seven years after attaining Supreme Enlightenment. Anxious to see his son, the King had sent several messages through various emissaries, requesting him to visit him. But all those who went, listened to the Buddha Dhamma, entered the Order of the Sangha, and never returned. On the tenth occasion, he sent Kaludai, a minister who conveyed the message and the Buddha decided to visit his birthplace and meet his Sakyan relatives.
Walking all the way from Veluvanarama in Rajagaha with a retinue of arahants, the Buddha reached Kapilawasthu on a Medin Poya. However, the proud Sakyans did not come to pay obeisance to him. The Buddha in order to bring them down to earth, performed the yama maha pelahera, the twin miracles where a stream of water and fire from either side of his body was shown to appear at the same time. Seeing this miraculous occurrence, the Sakyans paid obeisance to the Buddha. He discoursed the Vessantara Jataka to them to show that he had on an earlier occasion too, left the lay life. At this moment, King Suddhodhana paid obeisance to the Buddha, worshipping at his feet. This was the third occasion that the king worshipped his son.
The following day, the Buddha and the arahants went on their alms round in the city. When the King was informed of this, he said it was a shameful act for a Sakyan to go begging for food and invited them to the palace and offered alms.
Princess Yashodhara, mother of Prince Rahula and wife of the Buddha during his lay life, did not present herself at the gathering. The King informed that she was lamenting his departure and was emulating the Buddha giving up her luxuries and leading a very frugal and simple life, showing her devotion and respect to her former husband. The Buddha went to meet her and Yashodhara fell at his feet and wept inconsolably.
The Buddha said that this was not the only time that Yashodhara was faithful of heart and showed her devotion to him. He explained the Sanda Kinduru Jataka or Canda Kinnara Jataka, a previous birth where she had shown her love and devotion to her husband. Once, the Bodhisatva was born as a kinnara named Canda and lived with his mate Candã in the Himalayan mountain of Canda. It was an idyllic life surrounded by nature’s beauty. Into this came the king of Banares on a hunting trip. He saw Candã and fell in love with her. He shot Canda with an arrow and when Candã was lamenting her partner’s death, the king stepped out to reveal himself and offered his love to her. She rushed away from him higher up the mountain. When the king realized that he could not possess her, he went away.
As soon as he had gone Candã went back to Canda and cried aloud in pain, beseeching the gods in a passionate expression of grief. Owing to her great loyalty, God Sakka’s throne was heated and he came down disguised as a Brahmin and offered to help. When he sprinkled water on Canda’s wound it healed and Canda rose. The Brahmin advised them not to come down but to keep to the mountains to avoid any danger.
On this same visit, Buddha ordained Nanda, son of Maha Prajapathi. When Prince Rahula went behind Him asking for his inheritance as prompted by Yashodhara, the Buddha requested Arahant Sariputtha Maha Thera to ordain him, saying that it is the greatest inheritance that he can give. When King Suddhodhana learnt that Rahula was ordained he was very sad and requested the Buddha not to ordain children without the consent of their parents or guardian. The Buddha agreed and even at present, children cannot be ordained without their parents’ consent.
In Sri Lanka, the Sripada (Adam’s Peak) pilgrim season is from Unduvap poya in December to Vesak poya in May. Many pilgrims ascend Sripada on Medin poya to pay homage to the Buddha’s Sripada (footprint) at the summit.