History of Buddhism-Buddhism

An artificial tree being carried round by a happy crowd in celebration of a charity, during the days of Myanmar Kings

Comment November 4, 2016

An artificial tree being carried round by a happy crowd in celebration of a charity, during the days of Myanmar Kings

65. An artificial tree being carried round by a happy crowd in celebration of a charity, during the days of Myanmar Kings

In the days of the Myanmar Kings, the rulers were just administrators and most of the ministers also dispensed justice well. Officers under their control were also prevented from doing any injustice or wrong. The people were law abiding and until not very long ago rains were regular, and even in dry zones agricultural land could be cultivated with success. Textiles, consumer goods and fancy goods were not imported into this country from foreign places in these days as at present. Consequently there was no drainage of the country’s resources to foreign lands. Paddy, rice and oil were produced in profusion and there was more than enough for local consumption. Scarcity of thefts and robberies kept the people happy and contented. They celebrated pagoda festivals and other charitable functions, and used to go round with an artificial tree laden with native cakes, sweet meats and fruits, such as plantains and coconuts, in a carefree and joyous mood of charitable display.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Stone inscriptions of King Mindon

Comment October 12, 2016

Stone inscriptions of King Mindon

64. Stone inscriptions of King Mindon

King Mindon, who founded the city and the palace of Mandalay, was a great supporter of the Buddhist religion. He used to confer titles upon, and offer the four necessities of monks to venerable monks distinguished for their learning in the Scriptures. He built huge monasteries in the eastern part of the city and donated them for occupation by large numbers of monks.
He was not satisfied with such measures taken by him in support of the religion. He, therefore, had the Scriptures of the Buddha inscribed on stone slabs under the direct supervision of Maha Theras who were the most learned of the lot of ecclesiastical dignitaries on whom titles had been conferred for proficiency in the Scriptures. With reference to this act of having the Scriptures inscribed on stone slabs, King Mindon is known today as the “Royal Convener of the Fifth Buddhist Council”.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Kalyani Ordination Hall, Pegu

Comment September 30, 2016

Kalyani Ordination Hall, Pegu

63. Kalyani Ordination Hall, Pegu

In olden days the monks of Burma, both in Burma proper and in Mon territory belonged to different sects and held different views. The practice of Buddhism could not therefore be preserved in its pristine purity. Dhammaceti, King of Hanthawaddy sent a religious mission consisting of forty four monks to Sri Lanka in 837 Burmese Era. (1476 C.E.) with a view to purifying the religious system in Myanmar. The monks on arrival in Sri Lanka had to be re-ordained in the Sima (place for ordination) in the Kalyani river. On return of these monks to Myanmar, the King had a new Ordination Hall consecrated in Pegu with their assistance and revived Buddhism on proper lines. This new Ordination was named ‘Kalyani Ordination Hall’ after the name of the Kalyani river in Sri Lanka. The Religious Chronicle and the historical account of this Ordination Hall have been inscribed on stone slabs which have been preserved to this day.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Comment September 28, 2016

Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

62. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon

Centuries ago Tapussa and Bhallika, two merchants from Ukkala brought the sacred hairs given to them by the Buddha from (the Middle Districts of) India and enshrined them at the foot of a wood-oil tree on Singuttara Hill where the sacred relics of the former three Buddhas had already been enshrined. This pagoda is called “The Shrine of the Sacred Relics of Four Buddhas”, because it contains, enshrined within it, the sacred relics of the three Buddhas (namely, Kakusandha, Konagamana and Kassapa) as well as those of Gotama Buddha. It also takes the name “Shwedagon Pagoda” after the name of the town, Tigumba or Dagon (i.e., Yangon or Rangoon).

Successive Mon Kings and Myanmar Kings vied with one another in maintaining and improving the Shwedagon which has thus been brought to its present condition and appearance. Shinsawbu, Queen Regent of Hanthawaddy gave up her throne when she grew old and set up a cantonment and palace on a pleasant piece of land to the north-west of the pagoda and resided there in constant veneration of the shrine. She died at the age of 76 in 831 Burmese Era. (1470 C.E.) bowing in reverence to the pagoda. The locality where the Queen lived in her old age is known to this day as Shinsawbu Hill.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Ananda Pagoda, Pagan

Comment September 25, 2016

Ananda Pagoda, Pagan

61. Ananda Pagoda, Pagan

Once upon a time, eight Arahants came to the palace of King Kyanzittha ( also known as Hti-hlaing-shin ) at Pagan and stood for alms. The King took the bowls and offered them meals. He then asked them “Where have you come from, Reverend Sirs?” The Arahants replied. “We have come from Gandamadana Mountain”. The King was very pleased and had great faith in them, and built for them a monastery for their residence during the rainy season. He also invited them to come to the palace every morning and have their meals there during the full three months of the rainy season, and fed them regularly.

One day, the King asked the Arahants to make a cave, by using their superhuman power, in the likeness of the Nandamula Cave which stands at Gandamadana Mountain in the Himalayas. The Arahants complied with his request and fashioned a cave exactly like the one there. The King built a huge cave-temple in Pagan resembling in appearance the Nandamula Cave, and called it Nanda. It is now known as Ananda Pagoda, built in 452 Burmese Era. (1192 C.E.). It is famous all over the world as the best specimen of Myanmar (Burmese) architecture.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Anawratha of Pagan conveying the Buddhist scriptures

Comment September 14, 2016

Anawratha of Pagan conveying the Buddhist scriptures

60. Anawratha of Pagan conveying the Buddhist scriptures

King Anawratha of Pagan conveyed the Buddhist scriptures from Thaton to Pagan for the benefit of all beings. He then removed the frontal bone, sacred relic of the Buddha, from Kaung-hmu-daw pagoda at Prome built by King Dutta-baung and took it also to Pagan. On arrival there he built a pagoda on the sand-bank of the Irrawaddy river near Pagan and enshrined the frontal bone of the Buddha, there. When the third terrace of this pagoda was constructed, he brought a replica of the Buddha’s tooth from Sri Lanka and enshrined it also in this pagoda. Before the construction of this pagoda was completed King Anawratha died.

When Kyanzittha became King of Pagan in succession to Anawratha, he continued to build this pagoda as advised by the Venerable Arahan. This pagoda was known as Shwezigon (Golden Sandbank) pagoda because it stands upon a strip of sand bank. King Anawratha started its construction in 393 Burmese Era. (1033 C.E.) and Kyanzittha continued to build it and hoisted a golden hti(crown) on it in 452 Burmese Era. (1192 C.E.).

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
The Tipitaka being committed to writing on ola (palm) leaves during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya

Comment September 6, 2016

The Tipitaka being committed to writing on ola (palm) leaves during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya

59. The Tipitaka being committed to writing on ola (palm) leaves during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya

From the time of Buddha’s life down to the time of King Vattagamani’s reign, the Tipitaka forming the teachings of the Blessed One were handed down from generation to generation of monks by word of mouth, by being learnt by heart. During the reign of King Vattagamani, however, trouble was given by Brahmana Tissa, who rose up in arms and there was also inference from Kings who were disbelievers in the Buddhist religion. The monks could not get enough food for their meals and had to make extraordinary efforts to retain in memory whatever parts of the Buddhist scriptures they had already learnt by heart.

This was a matter for anxiety as, if the monks in future could not commit the Tipitaka scriptures to memory and recite them, the scriptures might disappear altogether. They therefore sought the assistance of King Vattagamani and held the Fourth Buddhist Council by committing the Tipitaka to writing on ola (palm) leaves.

The expression “Writing committed to palm leaves” has come into usage with reference to this first act of the letters of the alphabet being written down on ola (palm) leaves.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
King Vattagamani Abhaya being accompanied by monks in marching out with his army to the battle-front

Comment September 3, 2016

King Vattagamani Abhaya being accompanied by monks in marching out with his army to the battle-front

58. King Vattagamani Abhaya being accompanied by monks in marching out with his army to the battle-front

King Vattagamani Abhaya was a staunch supporter and defender of the Buddhist religion in the island of Lanka (Ceylon). One day when he was about to go out to fight the Tamil Kings, the King went to the monastery and said to the Mahatheras, “Venerable Sirs, I shall have to go across the Ganga (the river) to promote the cause of Buddhism, and wish the Theras to accompany me on my journeys so that I can pay my respects to them at all times.”

The Mahatheras selected 500 monks who were in their prime of life and sent them to accompany the King. King Vattagamani carried on battle while at the same time attending to the personal needs of the Theras in his company with regard to their food, medicine, etc. The spear used by the King contained a sacred relic of the Buddha embedded in it at its end. His motto runs thus:—”I have been doing my best to make Buddhism last long and not for my own personal gain”.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
The third Buddhist Council being held with the Venerable Moggaliputta Tissa as the presiding Thera

Comment August 31, 2016

The third Buddhist Council being held with the Venerable Moggaliputta Tissa as the presiding Thera

57. The third Buddhist Council being held with the Venerable Moggaliputta Tissa as the presiding Thera

King Dhammasoka understood the essence of Buddhism, and gave great support to the cause of Buddhism by erecting rock-edicts in all parts of his territory enjoining upon the subjects to follow the Doctrine in their daily lives. With his royal patronage Buddhism flourished, and the Sasana gradually grew in importance and numbers. Tempted by worldly gain, many undesirables of alien sects joined the Order and polluted the Sasana by their corrupt lives and heretical views which they taught.

Good monks could not live together with these sham monks and there was trouble. The King consulted the Venerable Moggaliputta Tissa to protect the Sasana. The King tested the monks and disrobed the undesirables to purify the Sasana. The Third Buddhist Council was then held by 1000 Arahants. with the Venerable Moggaliputta Tissa as the presiding Thera.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
King Asoka offering meal to young novice Nigrodha who sat upon the throne

Comment August 29, 2016

King Asoka offering meal to young novice Nigrodha who sat upon the throne

56. King Asoka offering meal to young novice Nigrodha who sat upon the throne

King Asoka regularly fed the Brahmin priests, in accordance with the custom of the royal household, before his conversion to Buddhism. But he was not pleased with their demeanour at meal-time, as they were neither clean nor calm. The King thought to himself, “Charity on such a lavish scale should be given in proper quarters”. Later, one day he saw a serene-looking young novice, quietly walking along the street with restrained senses.

The King was so impressed with the deportment that the novice was invited to the palace at once and requested to occupy a suitable seat ; and the novice went up the throne and sat on it. The King then served him with an excellent meal and asked him to give an exposition of the Doctrine which his Teacher used to preach. The young novice Nigrodha delivered an instructive discourse on the following stanza of the Dhammapada:— “Heedfulness is the path to Deathlessness. Heedlessness is the path to death. The heedful do not die, the heedless are like unto the dead”.

The word of the Buddha appealed to him and he became a Buddhist and staunch supporter of the religion.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post