Change of Theva duty at the Maligawa on Esala Poya
Esala Full Moon Poya which falls on July 13 this year is very significant to Buddhists as many important events took place in the Buddhist world on this full moon day.
The Buddha’s first sermon Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to the five ascetics
It is believed that the conception of the Bodhisatva in the womb of Maha Maya Devi was on an Esala Poya. Prince Siddhartha Gautama’s Renunciation – leaving the lay life, his son Prince Rahula’s birth, the Buddha’s first sermon Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta to the five ascetics Kondagna, Baddhiya, Vappa, Mahanama and Assaji at the Deer Park in Isipathana, the twin miracles (yamakamaha prathihraya) by the Buddha and the sermon on Abhidamma in the Tavtisa heaven were also on an Esala Poya.
The laying of the foundation for the Ruwanveliseya in Anuradhapura by King Dutugemunu and the first Dalada Perahera by King Kithsiri Meghavanna are important events that took place in Sri Lanka on an Esala Poya.
The Most Ven. Dimbulkumbure Sri Sarankara Wimaladhamma Anunayake Maha Thera of the Malwatte Chapter spoke to the Sunday Times on the changing of the Tevava duties at the Sri Dalada Maligawa on Esala Poya. “For one year from last Esala Poya the Tevava duties were performed by the Malwatte Chapter. On this Esala Poya the duty will be handed over to the Asgiriya Chapter,” said the Anunayaka Thera.
Esala Perahera
The Maha Thera explained that the Asgiriya and Malwatte Viharas were in existence from the time of the early Kandyan Kings. “There were two groups of monks. The Asgiriya Chapter is the Aranyavasi (some monks meditating in forests) and the Malwatte Chapter monks were the Gramavasi (living in villages).” He explained further that the Tevava was divided among the two viharas and they take turns in performing the duties on Esala Poya in preparation for the Vassana season (rainy season), when the Upasampada bhikkhus had to be indoors for three months.
There are five bhikkhus appointed by the Mahanayaka Thera of the particular viharaya to perform the Tevava, residing in the Sri Dalada Maligawa from the day after the Esala Poya.
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