Caturonggasannipata
(Great Assembly of Disciples)
Lord Buddha, after his Enlightenment, spent 45 years spreading his Dharma doctrines to beings of the world during which time he had been described as the most precious and highest leader of all time. His position was even higher than any position occupied a human being or even a God or Goddess. During this time, Lord Buddha has ordained 1,250 disciples (Arahanta). The ordination of these disciples by Lord Buddha himself is known as 'Ehibikkhu Upasamphada'. On the full moon day of the 3rd month of the 45th year, of the blessing of Lord Buddha , there were 1,250 Arahanta who were previously ordained by Lord Buddha himself gathered in front of Lord Buddha for an assembly without any notification to one another. This most significant assembly of the 1,250 Arahanta is known in Pali as Caturonggasannipata which is consisted of 4 important factors:
1. All of the 1,250 disciples were Arahanta,
2. All of the 1,250 Arahanta were personally ordained by Lord Buddha. This kind of ordination is known in Pali as 'Ehibikkhu Upasamphada'
3. None of the Arahanta had any knowledge of the Assembly,
4. During the assembly, Lord Buddha had given advice to all of the Arahanta in the assembly which may be briefly summarised as follows:
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- Not to commit any kind of Akusala karma at all time, - To perform kusala karma and to attain it at all time, - To maintain purity of the Citta. |
These three factors are the heart of Buddhism.
Because of this, all Buddhamamaka have accepted, recognised and celebrated the full moon day of the 3rd month of each year to commemorate this most important assembly of the Arahanta which is commonly known as the Magabuja Day. During the assembly, Lord Buddha has informed the Arahanta that three month from now which was the full moon day of the 6th month he would pass away. This was also an extraordinary event that Lord Buddha knew the day he would pass away before hand. The reason that Lord Buddha pass away is not because of any obstacles, but because of his own sankhara which rise and fall and which must be disintegrated to its natural conditions. It is Anicca Vattasankhara.
On this occasion, I would like give, as Dharma gift, all of the wisdom that I have discussed in Part 1 of this volume which I have gained from my Dharma practice according the Teaching principles of Lord Buddha, to those who wish to learn more about the Teachings of Lord Buddha only, but not to those who are already knowledgeable.
During my Dharma practice in Melbourne starting on 8 August 1997, I was fully supported by the family of Mrs. Khampeng Sitthiboune and her extended relatives and I was accommodated at 22 Glendale Road, Springvale Victoria 3137 Australia and on this occasion, I would like to call on the Blessing of the Buddha to shower his divine blessing to each and everyone of my supporters with Happiness, Longevity and Success. Sadhu Anumodhami.
LuongTa Chanhphy Panyano Manivong
20 October 1997
Melbourne