Poya day (Full Moon) was used by Buddha to spend on religious activities such as preaching of the Buddhist texts and commentaries (bana) in monasteries and temples . Arahat Mahinda Thero who introduced Buddhism also introduced the Poya tradition. Following is a brief description of the 12 Poyas in the Buddhist calendar and their significance.
Poya day in May : Vesak
Vesak Day is beginning of The Buddhist calendar month of Vesak. On Vesak Day, Buddhists celebrate triple anniversary of Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama The Buddha since on this day Buddha was born, attained Supreme Enlightenment at the age of thirty five, and after a successful ministry of forty five years attained Parinirvana. It is the auspicious Vesak (May) full moon Poya Day. Also on a Vesak full moon Poya Day, Buddha made his third and final visit to Sri Lanka. It is the day of Buddha poornima, Buddha Jayanti elsewhere.
Poya day in June : Poson
This day celebrates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Maha Mahinda (son of King Asoka of India) at Mihintale in the third century B.C. Ven Mahinda established the Dispensation of The Buddha (Buddhasasana) in Sri Lanka
Poya day in July : Esala
Commemorates the deliverance of the first sermon to the five ascetics and setting in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammachakka) at Sarnath Benares, India. The essence of this sermon is the explanation of the Four Noble Truths: The Noble Truth of Suffering or dissatisfaction or conflicts (Dukkha), the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. And The Noble Eight-fold Path:
Poya day in August : Nikini
During the month of August the conducting of the first Dhamma Sangayana (Convocation) is commemorated. This was held three months after the passing away of The Buddha. Five hundred Arahat Theros participated in the convocation which was held over seven months in the cave at the foot of the Rajagahanuvara Vebhara Rock
Poya day in September : Binara
Commemorates The Buddha’s visit to heaven to preach to his mother and celestial multitude. Also the commencing of the Bhikkhuni (nun’s) Order. Pajapati Gotami approached The Buddha and implored him to establish the Bhikkhuni Order.
Poya day in October : Vap
The significant events commemorated during this month are: the conclusion of The Buddha’s preaching of the Abhidhamma for three months to his mother in the Heavenly realm (devaloka), King Devanampiyatissa of Sri Lanka sending envoys to King Asoka requesting him to send his daughter Arahat Sanghamitta Theri to Sri Lanka to establish the Bhikkhuni Sasana (Order of Nuns).
Poya day in November : Ill
Celebrates the obtaining of Vivarana (the assurance of becoming a Buddha) by the Bodhisatta Maitriya and the commissioning of 60 disciples by The Buddha to disperse his teachings. Also the conclusion of the three month retreat (vassana).
Poya day in December : Unduvap
Arrival of the Bo-tree sapling. This was brought to Sri Lanka from India by Buddhist Theri Sanghamitta, and it is this very tree that is venerated by Buddhists in Anuradhapura. It is also the oldest documented tree in the world. Sanghamitta Theri established the Bhikkhuni Sasana (the Order of Nuns).
Poya day in January : Duruthu
In honour of Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. This visit too took place in the first year of The Buddha’s Supreme Enlightenment.
Poya day in February : Navam
Celebrates the following events in Buddhist history: Entrance into the order of two leading disciples of The Buddha (Sariputta and Maha Moggalana), The Buddha proclaims for the first time a code of fundamental ethical precepts for the monks. The Buddha announces that within three months His Parinibbana (death) will take place
Poya day in March: Medin
Commemorates the visit of The Buddha to his home to preach to his father King Suddhodana and other relatives and show them the path to enlightenment and final deliverance.
Poya day in April: Bak
It commemorates the second visit of The Buddha to Sri Lanka which took place in the fifth year of his Supreme Enlightenment
Sri Lanka – Bank Holidays, Public Holidays & Full Moon Poya Days 2010
The following list provides the Bank Holidays, Public Holidays & Full Moon Poya Days 2010 of Sri Lanka.
January
14
Thursday
Tamil Thai Pongal Day
P / B
January
29
Friday
Navam Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
February
04
Thursday
National Day
P / B
February
27
Saturday
Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet’s Birthday)
P / B
February
28
Sunday
Madin Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
March
13
Saturday
Mahasivarathri Day
P / B
March
29
Monday
Bak Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
April
02
Friday
Good Friday
P / B
April
13
Tuesday
Day Prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
P / B
April
14
Wednesday
Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day
P / B
April
28
Wednesday
Adhi Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
May
01
Saturday
MayDay
P / B
May
27
Thursday
Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
May
28
Friday
DayFollowingVesak Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
June
25
Friday
Poson Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
July
25
Sunday
Esala Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
August
24
Tuesday
Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
September
10
Friday
Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramazan Festival Day)
P / B
September
22
Wednesday
Binara Full Moon Poya day
P / B
October
22
Friday
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
November
05
Friday
Deepavali Festival Day
P / B
November
17
Wednesday
Id-Ul-Alha (HadjiFestival Day)
P / B
November
21
Sunday
Il Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
December
20
Monday
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
P / B
December
25
Saturday
Christmas Day
P / B
P – Public Holiday / B -Bank Holiday
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