Vap Full Moon Poya 2023: Date, History, Significance, Facts about Buddha

Vap Full Moon Poya 2023: The Vap Full Moon Poya is observed in Sri Lanka during the seventh month of the Sinhalese calendar, on the day of the full moon of Vap. It falls on October 28 this year. October is an often-occurring month on the Western calendar. Buddha’s discourse on Abhidhamma to the deities in Tavatimsa is commemorated during the Vap Full Moon Poya holiday, which occurs concurrently with the conclusion of the Buddhist fasting period.

Vap Full Moon Poya 2023: History

A week following the birth of her son, Buddha, the Enlightened One, Maya succumbed to her illness. Saintusita was the appellation bestowed upon her subsequent reincarnation as a deity in the Tavatimsa celestial domain. In order to honor his mother, Buddha proceeded to the Tavatimsa Heaven, where he delivered three months of discourses that were grounded in the Abhidhamma teachings.

Beginning with the Esala Full Moon Poya, the Buddhist fast of Lent proceeds for the subsequent three months. During this period, priests reside within their temples and survive by receiving alms from devotees. Buddha’s purported return to Earth is said to have occurred during the Vap full moon, an auspicious night that coincides with the Buddhist fasting period.

Observations of a holiday coincide with each full moon in Sri Lanka, which generally takes place once per month. A designated day is devoted to commemorate momentous occurrences in Buddhist history in observance of the full moons, with each one being assigned a distinct appellation. The days that coincide with a full moon are referred to as “Poya,” and their dates vary annually, with certain dates occurring either one day prior to or one day subsequent to the full moon.

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Five Buddha Facts You Ought to Know

• Following Buddha’s seventh Vas season, discourse centered on Abhidhamma, which is regarded as the central tenet of Buddhism.
• Buddha intended to convey his gratitude to Queen Maya, his mother, who gave birth to Buddha as Santusita in Thawthisa, the celestial abode, and died seven days after his birth.
• Three months following his ascension to Thawthisa, Buddha instructed the deities in the Abhidhamma doctrine.
• According to scholarly consensus, his birthplace was the region that would eventually develop into Nepal.
• Prior to his pursuit of enlightenment, the name of Buddha was Prince Siddhartha Gautama.

Vap Full Moon Poya 2023: Significance

It reflects upon the ordination of female clergy

As the inaugural ordination of female clergy in Sri Lanka, Bikkhuni Shasanaya is commemorated on this momentous day for women in Sri Lanka. On the Vap Full Moon Poya Day, Queen Anula had requested that King Devanampiyatissa dispatch representatives from Sri Lanka to India in order to establish Bhikkhuni Shasenaya.

It defends the doctrines of the faith

A ceremony is conducted by Buddhists in Sri Lanka to observe Vap Poya, uphold the religious and cultural significance of the holiday, and inspire their adherents with greater moral fortitude. This promotes the significance of the holiday while simultaneously encouraging the adoption of more ethically sound behaviors.

It signifies a sequence of major occurrences

Prominent occurrences transpired during Vap Full Moon Poya, including the consecration of Arahath Sariputtha as Buddha’s most intelligent disciple and the teaching of Abhidhamma to the gods. Furthermore, Maithree Bodhisathwe, who was ordained by Gauthama Buddha and was destined to succeed him as the Buddha of the future, was baptized on the same day. In conclusion, today signifies the last day of the rainy season.

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Vap Full Moon Poya 2023: Dates

Year	Date	Day
2022	October 9	Sunday
2023	October 28	Saturday
2024	October 17	Thursday
2025	October 6	Monday
2026	October 25	Sunday