Poson Poya day

[Guest guest]

June 22 Anuradhapura Sri lanka

Horupathana police arrested 4 persons involved in the sale of monkey flesh

as venison to hotels serving illicit meat in Anuradhapura and surounding

areas.Two live baby monkeys were found at the spot.The hunters had explained

to the police that the two baby monkeys were being carried by two femele

monkeys who were among the five monkeys shot by them.

 

Today the Poson Poya day Monday 24th June,marks the 2310th anniversary of

the visit of Thera Mahinda the son of King Asoka of Jambudeepa having met

King Devanam piyatissa who with his retinue was engaged in a ceremonial deer

hunt at Mihintale introduced Buddhism to Sri lanka.

 

Thera Mahinda knew that king would climb the rock Mihintale for pleasure

hunting on that festival day.When the king was about to shoot his arrow on

the passing deer Thera mahinda called him 'Tisa Tissa'.

Taken aback the king stood motionless queering who the mightier being who

could call him by his name.

The words of Arahath mahinda to King Devanam piyatissa illustrate best the

Buddhist attititude towards life particularly towards animals.

'Oh Great king the birds of the air and the beasts have equal right to live

and move about in any part of this land as thou.The land belongs to the

people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it'~

 

The King and all his court (about40,ooo) were converted to Buddhism that day

and the religion was established here and is the religion of the most of the

people of the country even today.

 

Mahinda soon sent sent for his sister Sangamitta Theri.She was a bikkuni and

she came bringing with her a branch of the Bo tree under which lord Buddha

meditated as he attained enlightenment.They planted that Bo sapling in

Anuradhapura and it is called Jaya Sri Maha Bodi .It is venerated as a

symbol of lord Buddha.

The Buddhist Priests offer Breakfast and lunch and gilanpasa (drinks ) to

respect Lord Buddha.