Buddha Jayanthi celebration: Wrong date

Mahanayaka Thera of Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Udugama Buddharakkitha has correctly said that the Buddha Jayanthi celebration should have been held to mark Prince Siddhartha Gauthama Buddha’s attainment of Buddhahood – enlightenment - and not the date of his death – Paranibbana. According to Buddhist history, he attained Buddhahood – enlightenment - when he was 35 years of age and died when he was 84 years, which means, the Buddha Jayanthi celebration, in fact, should have been held 49 years ago.

There is also another historical event which took place on this date, coinciding with the birth, attaining Buddhahood and death and that is the arrival of Vijaya and his 700 men on this resplendent isle and beginning the lion race-Sinhalayas.

It is also recorded in the Mahawamsa that Gauthama Buddha on his death bed summoned Sakka and requested him to protect Vijaya, his men and Lanka for Buddhism to flourish.

Since these three events–– birth, attaining Buddha-hood and death––took place on Wesak full moon day and also marked the arrival of Vijaya with his men, beginning the lion race – Sinhala, it is fitting to celebrate them s on a grand scale.

Hope this will receive due consideration of the committee headed by Rev. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera of the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya.

G. A. D. Sirimal

Boralesgamuwa

Courtesy - The Island