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" පින්බර ඇසළ පොහොය දිනයක් වේවා! "
Adhi Esala Poya, also known as Adhi Esala Full Moon Poya, is an important religious observance in the Buddhist calendar. Poya refers to the full moon day, which occurs once every lunar month, and it is considered a significant day for Buddhists to engage in religious activities and reflect on the teachings of Lord Buddha.
The importance of Adhi Esala Poya is associated with several significant events in Buddhist history:
1. First Sermon of Lord Buddha: Adhi Esala Poya commemorates the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon, known as Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to his first five disciples at the Deer Park in Sarnath, India. This event is also known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma" (Dhamma Cakka Pavattana).
2. The Establishment of the Sangha: On the same day as the first sermon, the Buddha ordained his first five disciples, establishing the monastic order or Sangha. This marked the beginning of the Buddhist monastic community, which has played a crucial role in preserving and propagating the Buddha's teachings over the centuries.
3. Esala Perahera: In Sri Lanka, Adhi Esala Poya is particularly significant as it marks the beginning of the Esala Perahera, a grand and colorful religious festival held in the city of Kandy. The Esala Perahera lasts for several nights and involves a magnificent procession with traditional dancers, drummers, beautifully decorated elephants, and a sacred relic casket paraded through the streets. The festival attracts both local and international spectators and is considered one of the most spectacular cultural events in Sri Lanka.
On Adhi Esala Poya, Buddhists engage in various religious activities, including visiting temples, participating in meditation and Dhamma discussions, and making offerings to the monks and the Buddha's image. Devotees also observe the Eight Precepts, which are an extended version of the Five Precepts, involving additional moral and ethical guidelines for that day.
For Buddhists, Adhi Esala Poya is an opportunity to reflect on the Buddha's teachings, practice compassion and generosity, and strive towards spiritual growth and liberation from suffering (nibbana). It is a day of significance, joy, and spiritual renewal for millions of Buddhists around the world, especially in countries where Buddhism is a prominent religion.