Binara Full Moon Poya day with great significance to Buddhists.

Binara Full Moon Poya day with great significance to Buddhists across the world falls today. On this Poya Day, Sri Lankan Buddhists commemorate the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sasana at the request of Gauthama Buddha’s foster mother, Maha Prajapathi Gothami.

The Vinaya Pitaka and Anguttara Nikaya says the Buddha initially rejected the request made by his foster-mother to enter into monastic life.

The other significance of this Poya is that it falls during the Vas retreat season of bhikkhus.

The two merchants, Tapassu and Bhallika, paved for the construction of the Girihandu Stupa by placing the Buddha’s hair relics and the construction of the Seruwawila Stupa by placing the Buddha’s Lalata Dathun Wahanse (relics). Buddhists in Sri Lanka mark the Binara Full Moon Poya Day today by engaging in many religious activities in temples and Buddhist centres island-wide.