Madhu Purnima and the Buddha's Teachings

 Madhu Purnima and the Buddha's Teachings

Bhikkhu Sumanapal

Madhu Purnima is a day of immense significance in Buddhist literature and history, marking a pivotal event in the life of the Buddha. It is a day radiant with the harmony of renunciation and unity. There are two observable aspects to the significance with which Buddhists observe Madhu Purnima: the first relates to service and renunciation, and the second to amity, harmony, and solidarity. The aspect of renunciation is exemplified by the offering of honey to the Buddha by a monkey and the service rendered by an elephant king in the Parileyyaka Forest. The aspect of amity and solidarity is represented by the restoration of unity among the feuding monks at Ghositarama in Kosambi (modern-day Allahabad).

While the Buddha was residing at Ghositarama in Kosambi, a dispute and division arose within the Sangha (community of monks) over a minor matter of monastic discipline. Addressing the divided Sangha, the Tathagata Buddha spoke openly: "O monks! Conflict is detrimental to a righteous way of life; it destroys the unity of the Sangha." Yet, the dispute did not cease.

Although the Buddha attempted to bridge the divide among the feuding monks, they lapsed back into internal conflict driven by ego and resentment as soon as he returned. Witnessing this state of affairs, the Buddha adopted the principle of solitude—"Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo" (wandering alone like the rhinoceros)—and decided to leave Kosambi to stay in the Parileyyaka Forest. Due to the discord within the Sangha, he observed his tenth *Vassa* (rains retreat) in the Parileyyaka Forest.

The forest took on a wondrous beauty upon the Buddha's arrival. It is said that whenever the Buddha set out to collect alms from the Parileyyaka Forest, the elephant king would carry the Buddha's bowl in his trunk and escort him to the path frequented by the public. Upon the Buddha's return from his alms round, the elephant would again come forward to escort him back. It is said that the king of elephants used to arrange bathing water for the Buddha and keep watch all night to protect Him from other ferocious beasts. He would gather various fruits and roots from the forest and offer them to the Buddha. Similarly, a monkey also left his own troop to dedicate himself to the service of the Buddha.

Meanwhile, the lay devotees went to Ghositarama in Kaushambi and found that the Buddha was not in the monastery; they inquired about His whereabouts. The quarreling monks remained indifferent. Observing the silence of the Sangha, the lay devotees discovered that, due to the discord and disputes among the monks, the Buddha had left Ghositarama and was staying in the Parileyyaka Forest. Witnessing the ignorance and arrogance of the Sangha, the Buddha had chosen to walk the path alone. Disillusioned with the Sangha, the lay devotees resolved that if the Buddha did not return to Kaushambi, they would forsake the company of the monks. The influence of the lay devotees awakened a sense of right understanding within the Sangha; they realized their errors, and an atmosphere of harmony was restored among them. At the urging of the lay devotees, the quarreling monks set aside all their differences and disputes and traveled to the Parileyyaka Forest to bring the Buddha back. The monks said, "Venerable One, we have cast aside all divisions and rectified our errors, emerging from the darkness of ignorance into the light. Having corrected our faults, we have restored unity and solidarity within the Sangha and once again immersed ourselves in the waters of loving-kindness. Venerable One, please return now to Ghositarama in Kaushambi."

Witnessing the unity and solidarity of the Sangha, the Buddha decided to leave the Parileyyaka Forest after the rainy season retreat and return to Ghositarama in Kaushambi. At that time, the Buddha offered this counsel to the Sangha: "The foolish do not know when death will come; when they realize it, all strife comes to an end."

While the Buddha was residing in the Parileyyaka Forest, on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra, a monkey gathered a honeycomb—complete with the bees—from the deep woods and offered it to the Buddha with a heart filled with devotion. The service rendered by the elephant king and the offering of honey by the monkey to the Buddha in the Parileyyaka Forest constitute a significant event in Buddhist literature and history. On this full moon day, lay devotees visit the monastery to offer honey and various medicinal remedies to the Buddhist monks.

Meanwhile, a large assembly of monks and the Buddha’s attendant, Ananda, traveled from Kosambi to the Parileyyaka Forest to see the Buddha; Ananda was deeply distressed to find the Buddha alone in the forest. The Buddha offered counsel to the sorrow-stricken Ananda: "If you find a wise, virtuous, learned, and steadfast person as a companion, then—overcoming all obstacles—you should follow him joyfully. But if you do not find such a wise, virtuous, learned, and steadfast person as a companion, then wander alone—like a king who has renounced his conquered realm or like a rhinoceros—and never succumb to wrongdoing." Arrogance lies at the root of most human unrest. It is this very arrogance that leads one to believe they hold absolute dominion over the world; from this false sense of self-importance arise conflicts, disputes, and turmoil. By choosing to live in solitude in the Parileyyaka Forest, the Buddha taught a lesson to the quarreling monks—who were clouded by ignorance and delusion. The service rendered by the forest's elephant king and the offering of honey by a monkey were expressions of their profound reverence and spirit of self-sacrifice. Undoubtedly, it was thanks to the service and devotion of these animals that the Buddha was able to sustain his solitary stay in the Parileyyaka Forest. Consequently, the discord and strife within the community of monks came to an end; a warm current of equality and loving-kindness flowed forth, and the entire land—from the Himalayas to the ocean—was bathed in a purifying, serene grace.

N.B.: A question might arise here: how can animals offer service or possess such understanding? We must remember that Siddhartha Buddha was a prince (even the heads of small republics were addressed as 'Raja'); as such, he had to master various arts and disciplines, including the study of animal psychology. This expertise enabled him to move freely among nature and wild animals in the forest. Furthermore, the wisdom to resolve conflicts and the values ​​of equality and loving-kindness were cultivated throughout his journey from childhood through adolescence to adulthood—acquired both through his own intellect and the teachings of his mentors; a comprehensive understanding of this evolution is found in his biography. It can also be candidly stated that the Buddha cherished a deep closeness to nature and the animal kingdom. In short, the spirit of loving-kindness and compassion for all living beings had taken root in his mind from early childhood. I believe it is appropriate to state this without any exaggeration.