Why Navam Poya is Important

Courtesy: The Island
By  Premasara Epasinghe

Navam Full Moon Poya is of special significance for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka due to some landmark incidents that took place on this day.

The first ever Buddhist Sangayanawa, or Buddhist Council, was held on Navam Poya Day. A “Brahamin of Magadha was a close disciple of the Buddha. He entered the Buddhist Order. His physical personality was very much like Buddha. As a very senior monk, after passing away of the Blessed One, this monk, named Mahakassapa, presided over the first Buddhist Council.

The Zen school regards Kasyapa as the First Patriarch. He is one of the major Arahat disciples of the Blessed One. He became an Arahat after being with the Buddha for only eight days. Before his death he was reported to have entrusted Ananda with leadership of the Order.

The appointment of Sariputta and Moggallana as the two chief disciples “Aggarasavakas” took place on Navam Poya Day. Sariputta was appointed to the prestigious position “Darmasenadhipati” and Moggallana as “Dharma Purohita” receptively.

In the modern world, Management play a vital role. The administration of business concern or public undertaking can be defined as Management. If you trace the history of Management, the disciples of Gautama Buddha followed and maintained high Management principles, two thousand five hundred years ago. This was known as “Vinaya” or discipline. It was well established with the first Buddhist Sangayanawa or Buddhist Council, which was held on Navam Poya Day. Buddha held the first congregation at Rajagaha, Veluvanaramaya, on a Navam Poya Day.

It was on Navam Full Moon Day, Sariputta attained Arahatship listening to “Vedana Pariggaha Sutta” expounded by the Enlightened One to Dighanaka.

There are two basic discourses in Buddhism. They are “Ovada Prathimoksha” means to give advise. Through this, you develop self-discipline. It was on Navam Poya Day that Buddha delivered a sermon on “Ovada Prathimoksha” to Sariputta and Moggallana Theras.

The other is known as “Ana Desana” which means to order to follow rules and regulations on discipline.

The deliverence of ‘Vedanaparigga Sutta’ to ascetic Diganaka took place at Sukarakhatalena, closed to mount Gijjakuta by Buddha on a Navam Poya Day.

Many lay Buddhists observe the Eight Precept (Atasil) on Navam Poya Day. The temples are filled to the capacity on this day. It heartening to observe that many youths actively participate in Buddhist Religious activities. Further, the Print and Electronic Media provide many Buddhist Religious Programmes throughout the day, on Poya days.