How Ovada Patimokkha Begins

In Maha era 103, prince Siddhattha attained a real Sammasambuddha at the full moon day of Kason (May). At the full moon day of Waso (June), the Lord Buddha preached the first sermon “Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta” to the Pancavaggi (group of 5 monks).

Three brothers of Kassapa were living at Uruvela forest. One of them, Uruvela-Kassapa lived on the banks of the Nerañjarā river with five hundred disciples. Further down the river lived his brothers Nadī-Kassapa with three hundred disciples and Gayā-Kassapa with two hundred. There were altogether one thousand of hermits.

The Buddha admonished “Adittapariyaya Sutta” to one thousand hermits who were leaded by the three brothers on the bank of Neranjara. They all attained enlightenment and became arahats.

Accompanying these thousand arahats, the Buddha arrived at Rajagaha at full moon day of Phyatho (January). In the palm garden near Rajagaha, the Buddha delivered Dhamma to Vimbisara and the audience of 110,000 people, and then all became sotapannas. The Buddha also asked for offerings of Veluvana garden, and stayed here together with 1000 arahats.

Rajagaha is a place where most heretics used to assemble. It is also known as an area with untruth or false belief. In this region the first conduct of “Samagga Sangha Sannipata” was well satisfied with the strength of unity.

Ashin Assaji is the youngest samana of Pancavaggi. One day he reached Rajagaha prior to Ashin Sariputta. At that time, Sanjaya Belatthaputta with his 250 followers were wandering in a particular section of society in Rajagaha. Agga Savaka to-be, Upatissa (Ashin Sariputta) and Kolita (Ashin Moggallana) had been filled with remorse over enjoying hill-top festival (giragga-samajja). Then they retired to the jungle as a recluse, and made Itineric heretics themselves under the wrong view of Sanjaya.

One day Upatissa met with Ashin Assaji while he went round Rajagaha to accept offering of food.

As soon as he asked for the Dhamma from the samana on their way, he had to listen to Arahant Assaji's teaching as:

“Ye dhamma hetuppabhava, tesam hetum tathagato aha;

Tesam ca yo nirodho, evam vadi mahasamano.”

Whatsoever things proceed from a cause, the cause the Buddha has explained;

And also their cessation. This is the teaching of the Supreme Sage.

On hearing the half of Dhamma, Upatissa became sufficiently enlightened to comprehend such a highest teaching succinctly. He attained the Nibbana, also known as “Sotapanna”.

On returning to heretic place, Upatissa delivered Four Noble Truths to his friend Kolita. Kolita became Sotapanna, too. The two continued to retold 250 followers of Sanjaya Belatthaputta and they thoroughly accepted the Buddha's Sacca Dhamma. So, all of them decided to be the disciples of the Buddha. By the first waxing day of the month_ Dabodwe (February), 250 heretics became Arahants after listening to the Buddha's Sacca Dhamma. And then the Buddha ordained them by saying, “Ehi Bhikkhu”.

Ashin Sariputta and Ashin Moggallana were not Arahants till that day. The former attained Arahantship at the full moon day and the latter at 7th waning day of the month, Dabodwe (February) respectively.

This is also a good night period at the full moon day of the month, Dabodwe (February), 9th month after fully enlightenment of the Buddha. Meanwhile,1250 Arahants gather naturally together at Veluvana monastery in Rajagaha of Magadha. All were ehi bhikkhu arahants, and salabinna, too. In this way, the great Sangha meeting (First Sangha Sannipata) was conducted with four characteristics of feature.

In this meeting, the Buddha conferred the title of “First Agga Savaka” on Ashin Sariputta and the second on Ashin Moggallana. Then the Gotama Buddha admonished the desana of “Ovadapatimokkha” as it was preceded by every ancient Buddha.

Posted by Nyan U