Kondanna
Venerable Mahathera Kondanna was the first to perceive the
vision of nirvana after hearing the discourse on the Four Noble Truths. He was
the first to be ordained as a bhikkhu and to start the community of Sangha and
therefore the tradition of the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Kondanna was the most senior bhikkhu in the community that surrounded the Buddha during his lifetime. Kondanna was known as the very first student who was able to grasp the true meaning the Four Noble Truths because he had performed significant acts of merit for a hundred thousand aeons.
The Buddha said:
"Annasi vata bho Kondanno; annasi vata bho Kondanno!"
(“Oh, Kondanna has penetrated the Four Truths! Oh, Kondanna has penetrated
the Four Truths!")
Venerable Kondanna was known as 'Annasi' Kondanna, the 'Penetrating' Kondanna from that time onwards.
These relics were offered by a student during a relic event in Malaysia, April 2005. These relics came from the Miektila Museum in Burma.
