Magha Puja

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

In the present day, a gathering of even five or six arahants would be a marvellous events. But on the full moon day of February, in the year following the Buddha’s enlightenment, a completely unplanned meeting of 1,250 arahants took place at the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rajagaha. The teaching that they received on that day has come down to us in abbreviated form as the ‘Ovāda Pātimokkha’. In it the Buddha gave a list of key principles for Buddhist practitioners. It provided the assembly of arahants with a checklist that they could memorise and refer to as they wandered through the North Indian countryside propagating the Dhamma and instructing their students.

Today, Magha Puja, we celebrate this unique occasion that took place so long ago. It is a good time to re-read the short text. At first glance, the teachings within it are very simple. Key points include the declaration of Nibbāna as ultimate goal, the supreme importance of forbearance (khanti), and the summarization of practise as abandoning all evil, cultivating all that is good and purifying the mind. The text may be read in a minute or two. But it would be wise to give it an hour or two. And to return to it again and again.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.