Esala Full Moon Poya Day

Esala Full Moon Poya Day is commemorated to mark many important events occured related to Buddhists' lives.

The conception of Prince Siddhartha (Bodhisattva) in Queen Mahamaya Devi’s womb occurred on this day.

Prince, Siddhartha and Princess Yasodhara’s son, Prince Rahula was born on an Esala Poya day.

Prince Siddhartha gave up his lay life, donned the robes of an ascetic and went in search of Enlightenment.

After achieving Buddhahood the Buddha preached his first sermon, the Dammachakkapavattana Sutta to five ascetics, on an Esala Poya day at the Deer Park in Isipatana (present Saranath) in India. 

It was on Esala Poya that the Buddha visited the Tauvthisa Dev Lova and for the first time preached the Abidhamma to the Maathru Divya Rajaya (who was Mahamaya Devi in her previous birth) and the other Gods there.

The Buddha performed the Yamaka Maha Prathiharya or the Twin Miracles on an Esala Poya Day to show that He was the Buddha to the proud, older Sakya clansmen.

The first ordination of a Sri Lankan took place on an Esala Poya day in Anuradhapura. Prince Ariththa, nephew of King Devanampiyatissa was ordained as a bhikkhu by Arahath Mahinda.

It was on an Esala Poya day that the laying of the foundation for the Ruwanvelisaya took place and the enshrinement of relics by King Dutugemunu.

Esala Poya also marks the start of the Vas Kalaya (rainy season retreat) for bhikkhus. Vas commences on the day after the Esala Poya. 

It was on an Esala Poya Day that the Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala and Prince Dantha.

📷 courtesy- LifeSriLanka - Amanda Mendis.