The Vap Full Moon Poya Day (Vap Pura Pasalosvaka Poya)
The Vap Full Moon Poya Day (Vap Pura Pasalosvaka Poya) is a highly significant day in the Theravada Buddhist calendar, particularly in Sri Lanka. It generally falls in the month of October and marks the culmination of the three-month annual 'Vas' (Rainy Season Retreat) for Buddhist monks.
1. The Conclusion of the 'Vas' Retreat and Maha Pavarana
The most important monastic event associated with Vap Poya is the Maha Pavarana (Great Invitation) ceremony.
- End of 'Vas': The three-month retreat, which began on Esala Poya, concludes on Vap Poya. During this period, monks abstain from traveling and stay within their designated temples, focusing intensely on meditation and spiritual practice.
- Pavarana: This is a Vinaya (monastic discipline) ritual where monks formally invite their fellow companions to point out any misconduct ("seen, heard, or suspected") that occurred during the 'Vas' period. This ritual is fundamentally important for maintaining monastic purity, self-correction, and harmonious communal living within the Sangha.
2. The Beginning of the 'Cheevara Masaya' (Month of Robes)
Vap Poya marks the beginning of the month-long period known as the 'Cheevara Masaya' or 'Katina Masaya' (Month of Robes/Steadfastness).
- Katina ChÄĢvara PÅĢjÄ (Robe Offering Ceremony): Starting from the day after Vap Poya and continuing until the next Poya (Il Poya), lay devotees perform the Katina ChÄĢvara PÅĢjÄ, which is considered one of the eight greatest acts of merit (Aášášha MahÄ Kusala) in Buddhism.
- The Katina robe is a special offering made to a monk who has successfully completed the three-month 'Vas' retreat. The merit (Punya) gained from this offering is believed to be exceptionally powerful and yields great benefits, often symbolically referred to as being "solid and unbreakable" like a diamond or Mount Meru.
3. Events Related to the Buddha's Life (Buddha Charita)
Vap Poya commemorates several momentous events from the time of the Gauthama Buddha:
- DÄvÄvarÅhaáša (Descent from Heaven): After attaining Enlightenment, the Buddha spent the seventh 'Vas' period in TÄvatiášsa Heaven preaching the profound teachings of the Abhidhamma (Ultimate Reality) to the deities, including his deceased mother, MÄyÄ DÄvÄĢ. His miraculous descent back to the human world, near the city of Sankassa Pura, took place on a Vap Poya Day.
- Establishment of SÄriputta Thera as Chief Disciple: Following the DÄvÄvarÅhaáša, the Buddha engaged in a Dharma discussion with Arahant SÄriputta, who answered the profound questions of the Buddha and the gathered deities, confirming his position as the chief disciple foremost in wisdom (PaÃąÃąÄ).
- Ordination of Maithree BÅdhisattva: The future Buddha, Maithree BÅdhisattva, who was then known as a wealthy layman, was deeply moved by the Buddha's miracle and the wisdom of Arahant SÄriputta. He consequently received his ordination into the Saáš gha on this Poya Day.
4. Significance in Sri Lankan Buddhist History
In Sri Lanka, Vap Poya is also historically important:
- Beginning of the BhikkhunÄĢ SÄsana Request: It was on a Vap Poya Day that King Devanampiyatissa of Anuradhapura sent a delegation, led by his nephew Prince Aritta, to Emperor Ashoka in India. The mission was to formally request the arrival of Arahant Saáš ghamittÄ TherÄĢ, along with a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi, to establish the BhikkhunÄĢ SÄsana (Order of Nuns) in Sri Lanka.
- First Vinaya Recital (Saáš gÄyana): The first recitation and codification of the Vinaya Piášaka in Sri Lanka, which took place at the ThÅĢpÄrÄma under the guidance of Arahant Mahinda, is also traditionally associated with a Vap Poya. This was a pivotal moment in establishing the SÄsana firmly on Sri Lankan soil.
In essence, Vap Poya is a profound day that reinforces the relationship between the monkhood and the laity, celebrates the deepest aspects of Buddhist philosophy (Abhidhamma), and marks a key transition period in the annual monastic cycle, characterized by both discipline (Vinaya) and devotion (DÄvarÅhaáša and Katina).
