Poya is the full-moon of Poson (June), which is
specially noteworthy to the Sri Lankan
Buddhists as the day on which Emperor
Asoka's son, the
Arahat
Mahinda, officially
introduced Buddhism to the island in the 3rd century B.C. Accordingly, in
addition to
the normal ritualistic observances undertaken on a Poya day, on Poson day
devotees
flock to Mihintale &
Anurādhapura, the ancient holy capital city of the country, for
it
was there
that
Arahat
Mahinda converted the then ruler, King
Devanampiya Tissa,
and his court
to Buddhism, thereby setting in motion a series of events that finally
made
Sri Lanka
the stronghold home of Theravada Buddhism.
Arahat Mahinda arrives
and tests the king's intelligence.
Mihintale, Sri Lanka.
Mahinda Thera's cave there.
Essays about the significance of Poson Poya Days in Theravada Buddhism:
An
Arahat meets a King.
The cultural dimension of Poson.
The birth of a new civilization.
The induction of the Triple Gem to Sri
Lanka.
On such Uposatha
Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist
simply joins the
Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five
Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:
|
As long
as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.
I hereby
seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time. |
 |
|
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these
Three Jewels the rest of my life! |
 |
I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...
Then, one keeps
and protects these sacred vows better than one's own
eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much better
than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to this world!
This is the very start on the path towards Nibbāna -the Deathless Element-
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Bliss, initiated by
Morality,
developed further by
Dhamma-Study
and fulfilled by training of
Meditation...
Today indeed is
Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay Buddhist
normally keeps the
Eight Precepts
from sunrise until the next dawn...
If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha, they may simply
forward the lines starting with "I..." signed with name, date, town &
country
to me or join
here. A
public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is
here!
The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm
Join Here:
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm
May your journey
hereby be eased, light, swift and sweet. Never give up!!!
Bhikkhu Samahita:
what.buddha.said@gmail.com
For
Details on Uposatha Observance Days
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html
