When the Buddha visited his birthplace 7 years after Enlightenment
Pilgrims visiting Adam’s Peak
Medin Full Moon Poya is very important for Buddhists. It was on such a poya that Siddhartha Gautama Buddha proceeded from Veluvanarama to visit his place of birth, the city of Kimbulwathpura. This was his first visit to the Sakyan Kingdom seven years after His Enlightenment as the Buddha.
From Rajagahanuwara traversing 60 yodun (a measure of distance) the Buddha with a large number of arahants (stream achievers) reached Kimbulwathpura after two months. It was on this occasion that his father King Suddhodhana paid obeisance at the feet of the Buddha.
On the second day, King Suddhodhana was informed that the Buddha and the arahants were going around the city begging for alms. The King was appalled and said that this was a shameful act as Sakyans never went from house to house begging for food and immediately arranged for them to visit the palace and offered alms. At first the senior Sakyans did not come to pay their obeisance to the Buddha due to their pride and arrogance. Reading their mind, the Buddha had to exhibit the Yama Maha Pelahara (the twin miracles in the sky – a stream of fire emanating from one side of His body and a stream of water from the other side). After seeing this miracle, all the Sakyans were in awe and came forward to pay their obeisance to the Buddha. At this stage the Buddha explained to them the Vesantara Jatakaya.
Princess Yasodhara did not arrive with the Sakyan clan. King Suddodhana informed the Buddha of the virtuous life Yasodhara had led from the time Prince Siddhartha Gautama left the palace. The Buddha went to meet her with King Suddhodhana and his two main disciples and explained her previous birth with a discourse on the Sandakinduru Jatakaya.
During this visit, the Buddha ordained Prince Nanda, son of Maha Prajapathi Gothami and King Suddhodhana. Princess Yasodhara pointed at the Buddha and told her son Rahula, “He is your father, go and ask for your inheritance.” The young prince who was only seven years of age went behind the Buddha and made the request. The Buddha informed Ven. Sariyuth Maha Rahatan Thera that the inheritance the Buddha could give Rahula was to ordain him.
When King Suddodhana learnt that his grandson too was ordained, he was greatly grieved and made a request to the Buddha not to ordain a child without the consent of his parents. The Buddha agreed to this. Even at present, children are ordained only if the parents give their consent.
In Sri Lanka, it is the practice for many pilgrims to visit Samanala kanda (Adam’s Peak) on Medin Poya to worship the sacred footprint of the Buddha.
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