Nawam Poya Day is Today

Navam full moon has special significance for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and in the world. The two very significant incidents that took place on the Navam Pura Pasalosvaka Poya Day were the first ever Buddhist congregation and the appointment of two chief disciples of Gautama Buddha as Aggasavakes namely Sariputta and Moggallana. In the eve of the first Navam Full Moon Poya day after the Enlightenment of Gauthama Buddha, there were more than One thousand two hundred and fifty disciples in the Order of Maha Sangha.

Unduvap Poya is the last Full Moon Poya day of the year and commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a Bo sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India during the month of Unduwap.

Il Full Moon Poya Day is the last Poya in the rainy season. On Il Full Moon Poya Day was the receipt of permission (Niyatha Vivarana) by Bodhisatra Maitriya to be the next Enlightened One or the Future Buddha Maitriya. Siriwaddana had entered the Buddhist Order as Bhikku Maitriya. The Buddhas with his divine vision and insight predicted that in Benares there will be a kingdom known as “Kethumathi” and a king called Sanka whose advisor Subrahamme and his wife Brahamawathi will be parents of Future Buddha Maitriya and that he will attain enlightenment under Banyan Tree.

Nikini full moon day falling due one month after the commencement of “Wassana Kala“the rainy season: is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day.

Commemorating the lord Buddha's first sermon and the arrival of the Tooth Relic in Sri Lanka, the Esala Full Moon Poyaday is celebrated today by the Buddhists all around the world.