Vesak Poya
Vesak Full Moon Poya day is of special significance to Buddhists due to three main events taken place on this day. The birth of the Buddha took place on Vesak.
Buddha
One happy Vesak night, as he was seated under the famous Pippala tree at Buddha Gaya, with mind tranquilized and purified, in the first watch he developed that supernormal knowledge which enabled him to remember his past lives. In the middle watch he developed the clairvoyant supernormal vision dealing with the death and rebirth of beings. In the last watch of the night he developed the supernormal knowledge with regard to the destruction of passions, and comprehending things as they truly are, attained Perfect Enlightenment.
At the age of eighty years, three months before the Vesak Full Moon day Gautama Buddha determined the term of life. On one occasion He summoned His disciples and addressed them. In His address he said that all component things are transient and advised them to strive on with diligence. Gautama Buddha rested on the couch placed between two Sala trees in the Upavattana Sala grove and attained Parinibbana on a Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.
Vesak Lights
Buddha’s third visit to Sri Lanka was also taken place on a Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. Buddha visited Kelaniya at the invitation of Naga King Maniakkhika of Kelaniya.
Furthermore it was on a Vesak Full Moon Poya Day that Prince Vijaya came to Sri Lanka with his followers. Hence, this day is regarded as the day of the origin of the Sinhala community.
According to chronicles Mahawansa, King Dutugemunu initiated the construction work of Ruwanweli Maha Seya on a Vesak Full Moon Poya Day.
