Medin Poya and Ananda Thera’s role in strengthening the Buddha Sasana
The Buddha’s first visit to His hometown Kimbulwathpura or Kapilavasthu, made on a Medin Full Moon Poya Day seven days after Enlightenment, was one of the most significant events in the life of the Buddha. It marked Buddha’s poignant meeting with Yasodhara and her sending seven-year-old prince Rahula to the Buddha to ask for his inheritance followed by his ordination – events which touched a chord of great emotion among ancient artistes and inspired sculptures, carvings, mouldings, paintings and an effusion of literature of all forms.
It was however, the ordination of Buddha’s younger half brother Nanda, which took place during the same visit and which proved to be less impressive that had a lasting impact on the Buddha Sasana.
The Royal Palace, at the time of the Buddha’s arrival in Kapilavasthu, was a hive of activity as the marriage of Prince Nanda to the beautiful Janapada Kalyani Nanda was taking place on the same day. With the Renunciation of Prince Siddhartha, Prince Nanda, the son of Queen Mahaprajapathi Gothami and King Suddhodana, became the next heir to the throne of the kingdom of Kapilavasthu. And King Suddhodana, advancing in years, had arranged the dual event – the coronation and the marriage of Prince Nanda who was by this time, in the prime of his life.
Buddha, during this visit, following the partaking of alms at the Palace and having spoken of the essence of His Teachings to the Royals, while on His way out, handed over His begging bowl to Prince Nanda uttering a blessing. The Buddha, without taking the begging bowl back, proceeded to walk to Negrodharama – the park of Nuga trees, where the Buddha and the 20,000 monks who accompanied the Buddha, stayed over.
Janapada Kalyani Nanda, who was betrothed to Prince Nanda, fearing the turn of events, ran after him urging him to return as fast as he could. Prince Nanda however, out of reverence for the Buddha, carried the bowl and followed the Buddha to the Negrodharama Park where the Buddha asked Nanda whether he wished to take leave of domestic life. Nanda out of respect for Him, reluctantly spoke in the affirmative and the Buddha asked the monks to ordain the youthful prince under the name Ananda.
However, Janapada Kalyani Nanda’s words “return soon o noble Lord” kept haunting him. When Ananda Thera’s expressions of dissatisfaction of leading the life of a monk reached the ears of the Buddha, the Enlightened One spoke to him about the impermanence and futility of exterior beauty of the body and the need to shorten the journey in the Samsara. Ananda Thera, eventually was chosen as Buddha’s Chief Attendant and he went on to be appointed as Dharmabandagarika – the guardian of the Dhamma – a revered position in the Buddha Sasana.
And Ananda Thera, there upon, remained with the Buddha, following Him from place to place as he roamed teaching the Dhamma and liberating the people from the bonds of Samsara until His Parinibbana in the 80th year.
It was also Ananda Thera’s intervention that convinced the Buddha to allow the establishment of the Bhikkuni Sasana – an issue which the Buddha strongly stood against. Ananda Thera’s continuous requests made the Buddha change His stand which allowed women to enter the Bhikkuni Sasana when Queen Mahaprajapathi Gothami– Ananda Thera’s mother, along with the 500 wives of royal princes wearing yellow robes and with shaven heads arrived in Vesalipura where the Buddha was at the time, and made the plea for the fourth time.
At the time of the Buddha’s Parinibbana, Ananda Thera had not yet reached Arahantship. With his time being devoted to attend to the Buddha being His Chief Attendant, he remained a Sothapaana (a first stream winner.) Three months following the Parinibbana of the Buddha, the need arose to hold a Buddhist Council. King Ajasathha, the king of Magadha, on being informed of the need, arranged to hold the First Buddhist Council at the entrance to the Saptaparni Cave in Rajagaha.
Five hundred seats were set out in the spacious Hall to sit in the Council. But as Ananda Thera was yet a Sothapana, only 499 Arahants qualified to conduct the event. The 500th seat was kept open in case Ananda Thera reached Arahantship. Ananda Thera, who strove hard and went into deep concentration contemplating on the Dhamma, attained Arahantship and took his place at the Council in time to conduct all aspects of the Dhamma. He recited all the Suttas and answered queries made on the subject. As he constantly remained with the Buddha and listened to His preachings and as he had a retentive memory, Ananda Thera was found to be the most knowledgeable on the Dhamma.
The First Buddhist Council which lasted for seven months, was presided by Maha Kassapa Thera. Upali Thera who was thorough in the subject of Vinaya, was required to explain and answer all questions concerning Vinaya. The Tripitaka, consisting of Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline) the Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourses) and the Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of the Ultimate Doctrine) which contained the profound philosophy of the Buddha’s Teachings, was thus established and maintained in oral tradition until it was committed to writing at Aluvihara in Sri Lanka almost 500 years later in the Pali language – the language spoken by the Buddha.