May this Ill Full Moon Poya be the day of radiating religious fervor of light of Dhamma !
In astrological sense, the sun moves along the cluster of Scorpion during the month of Ill. Month of Ill is well-known for those inclined to religious deeds. It was in a month of Ill since the propagation of Dhamma had begun as a great noble mission throughout the island and all over the world.
For intelligent people saturated by wisdom, the month of Ill has become the most important season when viewed in terms of the present prevalence of Buddhism and development at the international level. It was due to the fact that the task of reawakening of wisdom of the mankind has initially begun on a day of Ill poya like today. The ancient people have considered this month to be the month with extreme cold and heavy showers and this resulted in overflowing the tanks and ponds on some occasions.
Importance of the Ill (November) Poya day
According to the historical accounts of Buddhist history, today is the day when the first sixty disciples of the Lord Buddha have launched on the noble mission of disseminating Dhamma for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many. The first missioners consisted of great Arahants, namely Bhaddiya, Mahanama, Assaji, Angnakondanna, Yasakula puthra together with his fifty four friends.
The Buddha dispatched his His first sixty disciples in various directions and thereafter the Buddha too has left for Uruvela in order to preach the Dhamma.
On that journey the Lord Buddha met with the young princes of Bhaddavaggiya and preached them Dhamma and after attentively listened to Him, the “Eye of Truth” arose in them.
The significance of the Poya according to the history of Buddhism are given below :
On a day like this, the ascetic Maithree the future Buddha was given the maiden blessings of the Lord Buddha as a definite indication that the ascetic Maithree would attain Buddhahood in future (Niyatha Vivarana). The Lord Buddha in seeing through the divine eye proclaimed that Subrahma, the chief advisor of King Sankha of Kethumathi Nuwara in Baranas, and Subrahma’s wife Brahmawathi would be the parents of the future Buddha. It was also predicted in the divine eye of the Lord Buddha on a day of like this (Ill Poya) that ascetic Maithree, the future Buddha would attain enlightenment at the foot of a Nuga tree
It was mention that the Lord Buddha has subdued the Jatilas, which was occurred in a Ill Poya like today.
The passing away of Arahant Seriyuth was occurred on the noble full moon day of Ill Poya.
The ending of the post rainy season observance (Pasuwas Pavaranaya), the most significant event of the Buddhist devotees, coincides with the Ill Full Moon Poya day,
It is mentioned that Ill Poya is the last Poya day that the offering of Katina could be performed by the devotees.
Ill Poya Day, entrenched with a lot of pious thoughts and devotion, will be ideal day for the world Buddhists who are awakened to see the light of wisdom.
These wishes of sanctity with full of wisdom comes to you on the blessed Ill full moon poya in our deepest bond of brotherhood!
Written by Vipul Pathiranage in conversation with Dr. Damenda Porage, Chairman, The Buddhist Brotherhood
Photo: Young Samanera (Novice) Monks at Dhamma Dipa International Buddhist Academy, Tripura, India
© Buddhist Brotherhood
