In the month of Vesak, devotees offer alms to others and artistically display Vesak lanterns and Thorana. We Sri Lankans distribute a colossal amount of food to each other for free during Vesak. People listen to Dhamma more than usual, and roads are decorated with Buddhist flags. Thoughts during Vesak are different; many thoughts come to people’s minds during the Vesak season, and all that goodwill is an offering to the Buddha. I perceive Vesak as the Parinirvana of the Buddha. Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment, and great demise of the Buddha, but among these, I am particularly drawn to the Parinirvana aspect. It symbolizes the end of an unending journey of an unparalleled human being.
A Buddha manifests in the world only after eons. When he is born, within a span of forty years, he accomplishes an immense amount of work. Consider the extent of his contributions to the world, to the people, to you, and to me. Even before attaining Buddhahood, as a Bodhisattva, he undertakes tremendous efforts. Why does he do this? Does he gain any financial benefit, gold, or silver? Does he seek a good occupation, children, or a wife? No, he seeks none of these. The only aim of a Buddha is to save all beings from the suffering of Samsara and to relieve us all from that pain. His dedication is purely driven by compassion and the desire to guide others toward liberation.
He is a man who dedicated himself to others, creating a path to enlightenment through immense efforts known as Paramitha. Despite initially being unfamiliar with this path, he persevered and ultimately understood and taught this profound religion to others. Finally, he accomplished his goal and passed away. How fulfilled and happy must such a human being be? After tirelessly striving throughout countless cycles of Samsara and finally achieving his goal, does he need to remain in this Samsara any longer? No, he does not. Having attained enlightenment, he transcends the cycle of birth and death, achieving liberation and ultimate peace.
As Sri Lankans, we perceive the Buddha with deep piety. We visualize the Buddha through statues, pictures, and books. There is nothing wrong in that. However, if anyone delves deeper and investigates the true essence of the Buddha, they will gain a profound understanding of whether the Buddha they envision is the same as the one described in texts. To truly comprehend who the Buddha is, one should read the Maha Parinibbana Sutta. This text provides a detailed account of the Buddha’s final days and his teachings, offering valuable insights into his true nature and the essence of his enlightenment.
Imagine an old man undertaking a journey, thirsty, tired, and exhausted. It is a painful image. Similarly, we hear many stories about the Buddha, absorb them, and follow his teachings. However, to truly understand the Buddha, one must look beyond the colorful and vivid depictions often associated with him. Instead, delve deeper into his teachings and the essence of his life to grasp the true picture of who he was and what he represented.
We have heard that at the birth of the Buddha, thousands of men and deities gathered at the sacred place. When he attained Buddhahood, multitudes of men and deities surrounded him. The Panchawaggiya Theros, who had left the Bodhisattva before his enlightenment, returned to him after he achieved it on his own. Yet, only one remained with him until his Maha Parinibbana-Ananda Thero, the treasurer of the Dhamma. Here, I will share what the poet Alawathure Wijithawansa said about the Maha Parinibbana of the Buddha from Ananda Thero’s perspective.
In a firehouse, the world was found,
Rescued from flames, salvation unbound.
The Buddha’s demise, a sorrow so vast,
His loss cast a shadow, an echo that lasts.
Blind was the world, till he lit the way,
Now, in his absence, the night swallows day.
Lotus blooms withered, their colors turned pale,
Without him, our hearts bear a sorrowful tale.
Oh, why did you rest, leaving us in grief,
Our pain is immense, there’s no relief.
For twenty long years, like a shadow I stayed,
By your side day and night, never once swayed.
This pain is a burden, too heavy to bear,
In the silence of loss, I utter my prayer.
Why did you leave us, oh, beacon of light?
In mourning, I linger, through endless night.
Ananda Thero had not attained Arhanthood at the time of the Buddha’s great demise. I hold immense respect for him for his lamentation. I believe Ananda Thero expressed the grief on behalf of all lay and mundane people. The Buddha, in his final moments, lay between two Sala trees, succumbing to endless fatigue and suffering from Lohitha Pakkadhika illness. Picture an old man, frail and weakened by such an illness, and you might feel some empathy. But this was the Buddha-the one who received alms from kings, monarchs, emperors, and people of all castes, from the highest to the untouchables. As he was about to rest in peace, he turned to Ananda Thero and said, “Ananda, I’m thirsty. Can you give me some water?” It is said that the Buddha had to drink water from mud puddles. He was old and fatigued, having walked the paths of Jambudeepa for many years, relying solely on his spiritual energy. The thirty-three great features of the Buddha mention his legs, “Supathittitha,” which were now fatigued and tired from walking to reach people and preach his Dhamma.
When the Buddha was about to die, Bhikkus came to pay their last respects, but Ananda Thero prevented them. However, the Buddha said, “Ananda, let them come. Let them clear any doubts about my Dhamma.” Ananda Thero, being a mundane human, could not bear to let anyone in, knowing it would further tire the Buddha. He saw the excessively fatigued, physically ill, and exhausted old man about to die, and speaking to him would make him even more uncomfortable. The Buddha, in his compassion, insisted on dedicating his last moments for the benefit of others. How remarkable it is for someone to dedicate their final minutes of life to help humanity. I believe only a Buddha could make such a selfless dedication. Even on his deathbed, the Buddha’s concern was for the betterment of others. Therefore, among the events of his birth, enlightenment, and great demise, I hold the great demise celebration during Vesak in the highest regard. I can vividly picture the last moments of the Buddha, his unyielding compassion shining through despite his physical suffering.
So, the sun of the Gothama clan, dear Buddha! Your birth healed the world, as did, does, and will your enlightenment. But your great demise brings tears to us. I can hear the poetic tone of Alawathure Wijithawansa. You were the only salvation for helpless humans like us. We found refuge under your shade. Let my words be an offering to that great man. Let this be my salutation to him.
©Satipatthana Magazine