Falling on August 27 this year, Nikini Full Moon Poya sees Buddhist devotees visit local temples for religious observations. This Poya marks two major milestones: the First Dhamma Sangayana (Buddhist Council) after the Buddha’s parinirvana (passing away), and Venerable Ananda’s attainment of Arahantship. Nikini Poya is known as Daramiti Poya in the Rajarata region, commemorating [...]
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Falling on August 27 this year, Nikini Full Moon Poya sees Buddhist devotees visit local temples for religious observations. This Poya marks two major milestones: the First Dhamma Sangayana (Buddhist Council) after the Buddha’s parinirvana (passing away), and Venerable Ananda’s attainment of Arahantship.
Nikini Poya is known as Daramiti Poya in the Rajarata region, commemorating the ancient peasants who guarded the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura against wild elephants, using bundles of firewood.
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa in 288 BC. Generations of kings protected it. But later South Indian invasions forced the capital to be shifted to Polonnaruwa and the abandoned Anuradhapura was covered by thick jungle.
However, a handful of devoted villagers stayed behind to protect the sacred tree – a difficult task against invading elephants. They took daramiti (bundles of firewood) to light bonfires around the perimeter to keep the elephants away.
Ven. Bomaluwe Viharawasi Shastrapathi Kirinde Gnanadarshana Thera
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Ven. Bomaluwe Viharawasi Shastrapathi Kirinde Gnanadarshana Thera, explained how villagers of Rajarata and Nuwara Kalaviya protected the Sri Maha Bodhiya from wild elephants. He mentioned that back then it was known as Sirima Bodhinwahansa (not Sri Maha Bodhiya).
“Despite leading a hard life, the Nuwarakalaviya peasants remained deeply devoted to their religious beliefs and the Sri Maha Bodhiya,” he said. “During the month of Nikini the villagers completed their cultivation and harvested their crops. But they kept one or two liyadda (fields) for wild animals and birds who came in search of food.”
“In the month of Nikini, as there is no work, the villagers from viharagam organised a traditional pilgrimage to Sri Maha Bodhi. Taking turns, they organised themselves to visit the Sri Maha Bodiya with bullock carts carrying the women and children while the men walked behind. They carried daramiti (bundles of firewood) to light bonfires around the premises of the Bo tree, to drive away the wild elephants who came seeking its tender leaves.”
The Ven Thera said, “Poojakaranta, karatthawala kolapothaka puwak malak bendala genichcha. Weuw hindila watura nethi nisa mal thibbe nae. ” (The bullock carts were decorated with arecanut flowers in a sheath as the lakes were dry and there were no other flowers).
Buddhist worshippers conduct the annual Daramiti perahera (firewood procession) traditionally on Nikini Full Moon Poya by carrying bundles of firewood to the vicinity of the tree, in procession to honour the devotees of centuries past who cared for the Sacred Bodhi tree and protected it from wild elephants.
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Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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