History of the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day

Today is Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day, the first Poya of the year.

The importance of Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day marks Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. During the sixth century B.C. in the ninth month after his enlightenment.

According to the ancient texts of Sri Lanka, the Mahavansa and Dipavansa, the Buddha visited to bring an end to fighting between the two main tribes in the island. 

There is a belief that God Sumana Saman had invited the Buddha to put an end to the hostilities. It was on this invitation that the Enlightened One visited the Mahanaga Grove in Mahiyangana at a time when the Yakkhas had gathered there for a meeting.

Lord Buddha stood in the Mahanaga Grove radiating light that made the atmosphere pleasant, clear, calm, and gentle than the moonlight. Buddha laid a  Pathkada on the ground and after sitting on it he called the Yakkha and Naga leaders and admonished them. 

According to legends, Devas and Nagas assembled at the Maha Naga Grove in large numbers and took refuge in the Triple Gem. Among them was God Sumana Saman, a member of the Deva tribe from the central hills of Sri Lanka. This god had attained “Sowan” or the first of the four stages leading to Nirvana. God Sumana Saman begged for a relic for worshiping and the Buddha gave him a lock of his hair which God Sumana Saman received in a golden casket. 

He had enshrined it in Mahiyangana Chetiya which he built at the place where the Lord Buddha sat to preach Dhamma. This is the first dagoba in Sri Lanka and one of the shrines built during the time of the Buddha. Forty-five years later, the “Greeva Dhathu “the collar bone relic of the Buddha was enshrined in this Dagaba by Arahant Sarabha, a disciple of Arahant Sariputra Maha Thera. The dagoba constructed by the god Sumana Saman was reconstructed by Arahant Saraba Thera to the height of twelve cubits. 

King Devanampiyatissa’s brother, Uddha Chulabhaya constructed a thirty cubits tall Kanchuka cetiya over the earlier twelve cubits tall dagoba. After the unification of Lanka King Dutugemunu appreciated the sacredness of Mahiyangana and built an eighty cubits tall dagoba covering the thirty cubits tall one. This Miyuguna Seya has been renovated from time to time by various kings such as Dhatusena, Sirisangabo, and Agbo. 

Mahiyangana Chetiya has given much significance not only because it is the first stupa built in Sri Lanka, but also it is the first one built by a divine being on the spot where the Buddha made his first visit to the island.

The teachings of Lord Buddha are deeply imbued with terms of peace, Lord Buddha expounded at Mahiyanganaya on Duruthu Poya which included calmness (Sama). Tranquility (Samatha), contentment (Santutthi) Harmlessness (Ahimsa) non-violence (Avihimsa) and peacefulness (Vupasama).

Marking the beginning of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist Calendar, the Duruthu Perahera is one of the most culturally glorious processions celebrated by devotees. The main festivities are organized at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya during the Durithu Poya in January. 

The Annual Aluth Sahal Festival is also held on Duruthu Poya day, at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy. Also, many religious activities, Sil programs, Dhamma sermons, Bodhi puja are conducted in temples across the country on Duruthu Poya day.

Jeevananda Keerthisena