Medin Poya 1st visit of Buddha

It was in the seventh year after the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha Siddhartha Gautama that he left with 20,000 bhikkus from Rajagahanuwara to Kapilawasthupura, his birthplace, in response to an invitation sent by his father, King Suddodhana. He visited his father's kingdom for the first time as "Samma Sambuddha" (fully awakened) and was taken to the palace by the minister Kaludai whom the king had sent to the Veluwana monastery in Rajagahanuwara where Lord Buddha resided, with instructions to bring back his beloved son.

Minister Kaludai was the only successful messenger who was able to accomplish this mission assigned by the king. Previously, nine courtiers, each accompanied by a thousand men, had set out on the same mission, but had attained the status of Arahant and joined the Bhikku order upon hearing the Buddha's preaching. Minister Kaludai managed to convince the Blessed One to return home to visit his dying father, Princess Yasodhara, her son Rahula and the many relatives and friends who resided in Kapilawasthupura.

On this day of Medin Full Moon Poya many centuries ago, Lord Buddha returned to his birthplace and during this visit many important events occurred which would be commemorated with respect in the centuries to come.

Returning after many years to visit his father, the Buddha was able to preach the Dhamma to King Suddodhana, who listened to this message and reached Sothapanna a few days before his death. Moreover, Mahapajapathi Gothami, the mother-in-law of Siddhartha Gauthama, also wished to join the Sangha order on hearing the lectures delivered by him. As a woman, she was prevented from doing so because there were no ordained female bhikkus at the time. 

She, however, followed the Buddha to his place of residence and was eventually allowed into the order, and ordained with hundreds of other devotees as the first Bhikkuni. Mahapajapathi Gothami occupies an important place in the life of the Buddha. She was his mother's younger sister and became his adoptive mother and subsequently his stepmother after the death of his own mother, Queen Maha. Maya, seven days after his birth.

Princess Yasodhara, wife of Siddhartha Gautama, also became a follower of the Dhamma teachings by hearing his lectures, although she had suffered immense grief for seven years upon his departure. Furthermore, it was during this visit that his only son Rahula was, at the age of seven, ordained as the first Samanera or novice monk. 

However, this happened without the consent of Rahula's mother or grandfather, King Suddodhana, who, upon learning of the ordination, requested the Buddha to ordain a minor only with the blessing of his parents or of his guardian. The Buddha granted this request. Subsequently, Rahula attained the status of Arahant and remained one of the Buddha's disciples.

Another member of the royal family, Prince Nanda, half-brother of Lord Buddha, had married the beautiful Janapada Kalyani, but had renounced these worldly desires to become a follower of the Dhamma.

For Sri Lanka, it is a national holiday and Buddhists from all over the country flock to temples with flower offerings to meditate and listen to the teachings of the Dhamma. Business is also almost at a standstill as the country commemorates the special events in the life of Lord Buddha that make this day significant.

Buddhists in Sri Lanka today mark this historic event with respect for the enormous impact the Dhamma had on these people and absorb the preaching of the prelates in the island's magnificent temples. Whether it is a Poya day or any other day, these noble religious beliefs are what the people of this island live by.