10/07/2025
𝐄𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐲𝐚 is one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating several historically and spiritually significant events in the life of the Buddha and in Buddhist tradition.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐬𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚:
On this day, the Buddha delivered his first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, at the Deer Park in Isipathana to the five ascetics—Kondangna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Assaji. This sermon introduced the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Kondangna attained Sotapatti (first stage of sainthood) at its conclusion.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚:
Queen Mahamaya conceived Prince Siddhartha on an Esala Poya Day, marked by a divine dream involving a white baby elephant entering her womb. King Suddhodana interpreted the dream as the coming of a great being.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
At age 29, Prince Siddhartha renounced his royal life in search of liberation from suffering. This Great Renunciation also occurred on an Esala Full Moon Poya Day.
𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧:
The Buddha visited Tusita Heaven on an Esala Poya Day to preach the Abhidhamma to his late mother, Queen Mahamaya, who was reborn there.
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥:
Three months after the Buddha’s passing (Parinibbana), the First Buddhist Council (Dhamma Sangayana) was convened under Ven. Maha Kassapa with 500 Arahants during Esala.
𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐚:
Prince Rahula, the Buddha’s son, was also born on an Esala Poya Day.
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐚𝐬 (𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭):
The tradition of monks beginning their Vas season (meditative retreat during the rainy season) starts the day after Esala Poya.
𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚:
First Sri Lankan Ordination: Prince Arittha was ordained by Arahant Mahinda on Esala Poya.
Foundation of Ruwanwelisaya: King Dutugemunu laid the foundation of the great Mahastupa and enshrined relics.
Kandy Esala Perahera: Esala festivals, especially the grand Kandy Perahera, are held islandwide to honor these sacred events.