Hello friends,

Good day to you all. Today is our Uduwap Poya day. There is a poya day every month and on each poya day there are special events related to the life of the Supreme Buddha. On such poya days, buddhists perform Sil in temples and perform religious rites.

Uduwap Poya is the last Poya of the year. The next Poya which falls after this Poya is in the New Year in January. A special event has taken place on this Poya day. That event is the arrival of Sangamitta Rahath Theraniya in our country. The picture above shows that special moment.

Sangamitta Rahath Theraniya was the daughter of King Dharmasoka who ruled India. The Southern Branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India was brought to Sri Lanka by Sangamitta Theraniya. Before that Arahant Mahinda the Great came to Sri Lanka and brought Buddhism to this country. Both of these events are two very special occasions for the Buddhist people. It is because of Arahant Mahinda the Great and Arahant Sangamitta that Buddhism has spread in our country even today. King Devanampiyatissa was the ruler of Sri Lanka during the time of Sangamitta Theraniya's visit to this country. King Devanampiyatissa received Sangamitta Theraniya and other monks and the Sri Maha Bodhi branch in a very solemn manner.

The Jaya Sri Maha Bo-tree which is still worshiped by Buddhists and planted in Anuradhapura was brought to our country by Ven. Sangamitta Rahath Thera. The Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura protected by a golden fence, gives the impression that the living Buddha resides in this country. After King Devanampiyatissa, the main duty of all the kings who ruled Lanka was to protect the Sri Maha Bodhi from foreign invaders. It is because the kings of that time sacrificed their lives to protect the Sri Maha Bodhi that we are still able to pay homage to the Sri Maha Bodhi.

The pictures above shows the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. I have worshipped Sri Maha Bodhi several times now. I look forward to going to pay homage to Sri Maha Bodhi again one day soon. Also, the other significance of this Poya is that the worship of Sri Pada begins with this Poya. In addition to the Buddhist people, many foreigners also come to pay homage to Sri Padasthana.