#Tomorrow is Uposatha Day... "Atthami Bucha Day" (June 11, 2023)

The Atthami Bucha Day is an important Buddhist day, corresponding to the 8th waxing moon day of the 6th lunar month, or the 8th waxing moon day of the Visakha month, or the 8th waxing moon day of the 7th month in the Ādikamāsa year.

Atthami Bucha Day is considered the day when the offering of the Buddha's relics (cremation of the Buddha's body) took place. Hence, it is called "Atthami Bucha Day".

The historical background of Atthami Bucha Day is when, on the 15th waxing moon day of the 3rd month in the 45th year of the Buddhist Era, the Buddha passed away after delivering the final admonition to his monks, saying, "Behold, monks, this is my final advice to you: All conditioned things are subject to decay. Strive on with diligence." He then entered into Parinirvana.

Seven days after the Buddha's Parinirvana, King Mahākasapā, along with the people and the monks, conducted the cremation of the Buddha's body at the Makuṭabandhana stupa in the city of Kusinara, on the 8th waxing moon day of the 6th month. After the cremation, King Mahākasapā and the rulers of the seven regions:

1. King Ajātasattu of Magadha

2. King Lichchhavi of Vesali

3. King Śakya of Kapilavatthu

4. King Tuhāla of Alakappa

5. King Kolita of Rāmakāma

6. Mahāprāma of Vetadhīpa

7. King Malla of Pava

Sent envoys to request a division of the Buddha's relics. Initially, King Malla of Kusinara refused to share the relics, almost leading to war among the kings and rulers who came to request a share. However, the conflict was resolved when a certain prince named "Tonasa" intervened, urging the kings and rulers to listen to his advice as follows: "Behold, O kings, may you agree willingly and happily to divide the relics of the Buddha, the Blessed One, who was of great merit, for the benefit of many beings. Let us spread the relic stupas in all directions."

With the words of Tonasa, the dispute among King Malla, King Mahākasapā, and the rulers was settled, and Tonasa was appointed as the manager to divide the relics of the Buddha's Great Parinirvana, using golden vessels to be used as a reminder.