Unduwap Poya is a day of historic and cultural significance to Buddhists in Sri Lanka. This Poya tells us the most important and interesting facts of Buddhism. The Buddha said, “go forth Bhikkhus into the world taking the message to them, show how one could be of service when one is in need and anxiety.” Accordingly, Sri Lanka had the good fortune of being blessed with his supreme gift -his doctrine and the message of the Dhamma.
The earliest available documentary sources, Deepavamsa and Mahavamsa give an elaborate account of the immortal dowry and also the sacred visits of the Thathagatha himself, long before the introduction of his doctrine to Sri Lanka. This was the greatest blessing in the pre-Mahinda era, to the island.
Mutual friendship
As mentioned above Lanka’s links with Jambudweepa are known -to date back to the Buddhist era. Later, Emperor Asoka’s mission to propagate the Dhamma after the Maha-parinibbana, Lanka was the first place to attract his attention. The two kings in either country had developed a very special friendship which led to this celebrated religious event. The dedicated duo was responsible for this invaluable treasure, in which the rich Buddhist heritage was preserved.
Emperor’s son Arhath Mahinda led the Buddhist mission to Sri Lanka. The King Devanampiyatissa, greatly impressed, accepted Buddhism followed by the people at large. Thousands embraced the new faith and many entered the Bhikkhu Order. Queen Anula with 500 ladies so devoted, appealed to Thera Mahinda to grant them ordination.
As monks were not permitted to ordain females. It could not be done to their satisfaction. It was against this backdrop that Theri Sanghamitta was invited to this island of Dhammadweepa turning a new chapter in the religious history of this paradise isle - to establish the order of nuns. It was on an Unduwap Full Moon day that she arrived here with a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi at Gaya under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Two Sacred Events
With the ordination of Anula and her retinue, both Bhikku and Bhikkuni Orders were established. Amidst much grandeur, it was planted in the Maha Meghavanna gardens. Mahavihara was later constructed and it became the centre of Theravada doctrine with the three great symbols of the Triple Gem Chetiya enshrining Buddha relics. Vihara Gey with the Buddha image and the sacred Bo tree symbolising the enlightenment. Ruwanveliseya, Mahavihara and the Sri Maha Bodhi became the associated places of worship as mentioned in Mahavamsa by its author, Thera Mahanama. This remains a precious heritage for Buddhists. All these events in the early history of Buddhism still evoke overflowing shraddha (Devotion) among millions of Buddhists even to this day. Hence Unduwap Poya stands out from the rest as the most significant influencing the sasanic history to date.
Above all Bodiya became an important segment of Buddhism and today it is hailed as the most sacred Bo tree held in veneration by all Buddhists. In this context, the notable sacred religious events associated with Theri Sanghamitta the month of Unduwap and the Full Moon Day is a landmark day in the history of the Sasana.
Therini Sanghamitta Arrives
Lucien de Zoysa in his stories from the Mahawamsa gives a vivid description. He says – In anticipation of the arrival of this sacred tree, King Devanampiyatissa had the entire length and breadth of roadway from Anuradhapura to the landing-place, Mantota, spotlessly cleaned and gaily decorated. He encamped by the seashore awaiting its arrival. When the ship bearing this tree, which had been placed in a golden vase filled with most fertile soil, was sighted the king had waded into the sea, neck deep, and had requested those on the ship to place the golden vase on his head. He had placed it in a specially constructed shed which had been built to house it, till it was ready to be taken to the capital.
After ten days during which various religious rites and ceremonies were performed, and villagers from far and wide came to pay homage, the tree was taken with great pomp and ceremony to Anuradhapura. Here again, with due ceremonial, it was placed in the earth at the spot where it now stands, venerated by all Buddhists and respected by all others as the oldest historical tree known to this world. This was how the sapling was welcomed by the royalty to the greater glory of the religion. The king had proclaimed that henceforth, every monarch should look after it to the best of their ability and due honour should be bestowed on it.
Social and Cultural Renaissance
Unduwap full moon day is of utmost importance for yet another reason as this last poya day in the calendar led to the emergence of a social and cultural Renaissance. Along with theri Sanghamitta people of 18 castes arrived in Sri Lanka to attend to the work and safeguard the Bo tree planted on Lankan soil and it is said to have followed by a 14-day festival to celebrate the event. This is mentioned in the Saddhammavamsa and Deepavamsa. The arrival of skilled labour has had a tremendous impact on the social strata and the economic development of the country. Their service had in the sphere of agriculture, architecture and industry had brought about a new breed of life enriched by Buddhism. The construction of temples, stupas and tanks that flourished during that era.
Still another major event was the unique achievement of unity and harmony. According to Ven. Diviyagaha Yasassi Thera an erudite scholar on Buddhism, in his Pohoya Calendar “Pohoya Asiriya” says, a remarkable feature of the special occasion was the participation of rulers of other denominations from all parts of the island, in the chain of activities of the festival that followed, showing their loyalty and utmost reverence to the Bo sapling. According to him, it was nothing but unity and harmony which had a great impact on the future welfare of the island.
There was also a remarkable change in the social and religious life as well as moral conduct and moral values. Hence the arrival of Sanghamitta is said to be of great historic, religious, cultural and social significance in the annals of Buddhism in this Dharmadweepa.
