Bak Full Moon Poya Day is a major Buddhist festival commemorated in Sri Lanka in the month of “Bak” (April), marking the completion of several important historical and spiritual events on the Buddhist calendar. It is also a day of reflection, devotion and community harmony.
Probably one of the most significant incidents commemorated on Bak Poya is the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka made in the 5th year after his enlightenment. According to Buddhist epics, the Buddha visited Nagadipa (now Nainativu Island, in the north of Sri Lanka) to settle a dispute between two Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, over the ownership of a gem-encrusted throne. The Buddha halt its devastating attack but brought peace and reconciliation to a situation that had reached its catastrophic conclusion.
Bak Poya is also the start of a customary season called the “Sinhala and Tamil New Year” which is an occasion to renew oneself and their culture in Sri Lanka. The New Year has its own solar calendar, but as Bak Poya falls on the same day as the New Year it can be considered to have had its own peculiar cultural aspects.
This is a day on which Buddhists across the country perform various religious rituals. Many temples are filled with devotees wearing white, doing sil (observance of the precepts ) , meditation ,chanting , and dana ( almsgiving ) .Families also take this day to cultivate inner peace , do good deeds and strengthen family bonds.
Bak Full Moon Poya reminds believers of the Buddha’s mission to spread peace and harmony, and offers a call for reflection on past actions and intentions, the release of anger or resentment, and the practice of both personal and collective awakening.
In modern times Bak Poya is a bridge between the religious tradition and the cultural heritage, both of which are fully celebrated not only in respect for the teachings of the Buddha but also to maintain Sri Lanka’s traditions of coexistence, respect, unity.
As people light oil lamps and offer flowers at temples, they are reminded of the passing nature of life and their incessant quest for wisdom and compassion; Bak Full Moon Poya is a day of pausing, thanking and walking a little further along the road to spiritual awakening.
Written By: –
Rtr.Tharushi Randini
(Junior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
Edited By:
Rtr. Shehan Sandeepa
(Junior Blog Team Member 2024-25)
