The first Buddhist Council was held on a Nikini Poya
Nikini Poya (August 11) is important for Buddhists as the first Sangayana (Buddhist Council) was held on a Nikini Poya, after the Buddha’s parinirvana (passing away). There were reasons for holding this Sangayana. Arahant Kasyapa Thera seeing the disharmony among the bhikkhus decided that the Buddha dhamma should be recollected and protected to be kept in memory and the importance of the Vinaya rules (discipline).
This sangayana was held under the patronage of King Ajasatta in the city of Rajagaha in India, in front of the Sapthaparni cave near the Vehara rock. Five hundred seats were made available for the arahants of which 499 were occupied as Ven Ananda Thera had not become an arahant. But that night before the sangayana, Ananda Thera achieved arahantship and took the seat.
Before his parinirvana, the Buddha addressed Ven. Ananda Thera and said “After the Buddha parinirvana, the teacher should be the Thathagatha dhamma and the vinaya.”
Even during the Buddha’s lifetime, some monks distorted the teachings of the Buddha. When it was informed of the Buddha’s impending parinirvana, monk Subodha said, “Do not be sad monks. After the Buddha’s parinirvana we have the freedom to live our lives the way we like. There will be no one to impose rules and regulations on us.”
Although now it is named the Tripitakaya (three baskets), the Buddha’s teachings were categorised only into two main sections – the sutta pitakaya and vinaya pitakaya at the first Buddhist council. It was very much later that the Abhidhamma was added and became known as Tripitakaya. The sutta pitakaya and vinaya pitakaya were discussed by the arahants as questions and answers. Arahant Upali Maha Thera was given in charge of the vinaya rules to be kept in memory and the discourses of the Buddha Dhamma, the sutta pitakaya was entrusted to Arahant Ananda.
In Sri Lanka, bhikkhus who were unable to retreat during the rainy season on Esala Poya are eligible to observe pasuvas the day after Nikini Poya. However, they will not be presented with the Katina civara (special robe). They will be offered only the vassavasika civara.
The Sri Dalada Perahera after parading the streets for ten days will end on the day after Nikini poya with the daval perahera (day perahera).
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