According to the chronicle, on this full moon day, Buddha first visited Sri Lanka during the first year of The Buddha's Enlightenment.. During the time of the Buddha’s first visit, Yakkhas who were humans and descendents of Rawana and his brother Vibhhishana inhabited in Sri Lanka. The Buddha knew that Sri Lanka would become the stronghold of Buddhism in the future.
Navam Full Moon Day, commemorates several special significant events. The appointment of Sariputta and Moggallana as the two main disciples.. Venarable Sariputhra became famous for his profound knowledge (Pragna) and Venarable Moggallana for his spiritual powers (Iddhi).
The significance of Medin Full Moon day Commemorate The Buddha visiting his home and showed the path to enlightment to his father King Suddhodana and other relatives by preaching Dhamma.. After seven years of his Abhiniskramanaya Buddha visited his relatives in Kimbulwatapura or Sakya Desa, the kingdom of King Suddhodhana. His relatives too were anxious to see him. The Sakyans welcomed the Buddha and preceded him in a procession. Young Sakyans worshipped the Buddha but the elders who walked behind him did not worship him as they believed it was not proper for elders to worship the younger once.
Bak full moon day commemorate the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka in the fifth year of his Enlightenment. This visit was to save two local chiefs Mahodara and Chulodara threatening to start a war to claim the jewel-beset throne. At first the Buddha hovered above them and called forth darkness over the battlefield. This terrified the Nagas, and the Buddha comforted them. They all worshipped him and offered their throne. The Buddha sat onf the throne and preached Dhamma and converted them to be his deciples.
The Vesak full moon day is most significant to Buddhists due to three main events took place on this day. The last birth of the Bodhisattva, Enlightenment and Maha Parinibbāna (Demise) of the Buddha.
The Esala Full Moon day has many significant events in the Buddhist calendar. One Esala Full Moon day Buddha preaced his First Sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutra, to the five ascetics. It took place at the ‘Deer Park', near Benares, thereby inaugurating his public ministry.
The Nikini Full Moon is of great significance in the Buddhist calendar. Many significant events took place on Nikini Full Moon day.
Binara Full Moon Poya Day, commemorates the great significant event of the establishment of the Bikkhuni Order and the Bhikkuni Sasana began on this day.. Prince Siddhartha’s Foster mother Prajapathi Gothami appealed to the Buddha for permission to become a nun. The repeated appeals were refused but the Queen did not give up. She, along with 500 ladies shaved their heads donned saffron robes and walked miles to Vaishali to meet the Buddha. They were greeted by Thera Ananda.
Vap Full Moon Day, commemorate several significant events. Seven years after the Buddha’s enlightenment, he visited Thavathinsa Heaven to preach Abhidhamma to Mathru Deva sitting on Sakra’s throne. He spent the whole Vassana season there and returned directly to Sankassa on Vap full moon day.
In Buddhist History there were several important events took place on the Ill Full Moon Day.
Arrival of the Bo-tree (Dumindagamanaya) and establishment of the Bikkhuni Order in Sri Lanka was a great significant event on Unduvap Full Moon Day.
The Poson Full Moon day is the second most important day for Sri Lankan Buddhists. It was on this day in the year 247 BC that Theras Itthiya, Utthiya, Sambala, Bhaddasala and Sumana Samaneras headed by Arahat Mahinda met the King Devanampiyatissa at Missaka Pabbata, while the King was hunting deer.
