The significance of the seven weeks after Enlightenment
View(s):Vesak Full Moon Poya Day signifies three important events for Buddhists. They are the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gauthama, where at his birth, as legends in Buddhism record, he walked on seven lotus flowers and proclaimed to the world
Aggo hamasmin lokassa,
Setto hamasming lokassa,
Jetto hamasmin lokassa,
Ayamanthi majathi, nachchi dathi punabbhavo
(I am the greatest in the world and I will not be born again) and attaining enlightenment, spent seven weeks enjoying the supreme bliss of enlightenment.)
First week – under the Bo- tree
During the first week after enlightenment Buddha Gauthama sat under the Bo-tree experiencing, enjoying the happiness of freedom and peace. He was free from disturbing thoughts, calm and blissful.
Second week – Gazing at the tree
During this week, in gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during the struggle to reach enlightenment, he stood gazing and meditating. It is gratitude Buddha Gauthama paid, which Buddhists too pay respects to, not only the original Bodhi tree but also to other Bo-trees, believed to be saplings of the original Bodhi-Tree.
Third week – Golden Bridge
This week, Buddha Gauthama with his supernatural powers saw that Devas in heavens were not convinced of his attaining Buddhahood and to prove his enlightenment, he created a Golden Bridge in the air and walked up and down for a week, which convinced the Devas.
Fourth Week – The Jewelled Chamber
During this week, he created a beautiful Jewelled Chamber and sitting inside, he meditated on what was later known as ‘ Abidhamma ‘ (detailed teachings). His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays flashed from his body — Blue, Yellow, White, Red, Orange and a mixture of all these five – Blue for confidence, loving kindness, peace and compassion; Yellow for holiness, middle path, avoiding extremes; White for purity leading to liberation outside of time or space; Red – The blessings of practice, achievements, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity; Orange for desirelessness. Buddha’s teaching –wisdom. The mixture of all the five colours represent all these noble qualities. The Buddhist flag denotes these noble virtues.
Fifth Week – Charming Three Girls
This week, while Buddha Gauthama was meditating under a Banyan Tree, three most charming, seductive girls named – Thanha, Rathi, Ranga came to disturb his meditation. They danced in a most seductive manner and did everything possible to tempt Buddha Gauthama. It was a total failure as Buddha Gauthama continued unperturbed. In defeat the three girls left.
Sixth Week
– Under the Mucalinda Tree
On this sixth week, Buddha Gauthama meditated at the foot of Mucalanda Tree, when it began to rain heavily. A huge cobra is said to have come out and coiled his body seven times around Buddha Gauthama to keep him warm and placed its hood over Buddha Gauthama’s head to protect him from the rain. After seven days, the King Cobra changed into a young man who paid his respects and reverence to Buddha Gauthama. It is then he preached ‘ Happy are they who are contented. Happiness is for those who hear and know the truth (Dhamma). Happy are they who have goodwill in this world towards all sentient beings. Happy are they who have no attachment and have passed beyond sense-desires. The disappearance of the word or feeling “ I AM “ is indeed the highest happiness.
Seventh Week – Rajayatana Tree
This last week, the seventh, Buddha Gauthama, meditated under Rajayatana Tree. On the fifth morning after seven weeks of fasting, two merchants came into his presence. They were –Tarpussa and Bhallika. They offered rice cakes to terminate the fast and Buddha Gauthama preached some of what he had found during his course for enlightenment. The two merchants by taking refuge in Buddha Gauthama and his Dhamma (teachings of Buddha Gauthama), became the first lay followers. There was no Sangha – order of monks and nuns – then. The two merchants begged for something sacred to keep with them. To satisfy Buddha Gauthama wiped his head with his right hand and pulled out some hair and gave them. These hair relics – “Kesa Dathu” are reported to have been enshrined by the merchants on their return home in what is now called and known in Burma – the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.
The third event on this Vesak Poya Day is the Para Nibbana of Buddha Gauthama.
On this Vesak Full moon day let us pray and pay homage by offering beautiful scented flowers, to Buddha Gauthama, for his Dhamma to live a life of rightousness
Sabba papassa akaranan,
Kusa lassa upa sampatha
Sachitta pari yodapanan
Ethan Buddhanu sasanan
(Do no evil, do meritorious acts and purify yourself. That is Buddha’s advice)
Sabbe satha bhavanthu sukithathva (May all beings be happy)
G.A.D.Sirimal