The Vesak full moon Poya day is the most venerated and the most exalted religious festival of Buddhist people the world over. Because the three great events of the Buddha's life came to pass on this honoured day, Buddhists devote themselves to offerings of both kind and practice, amisa puja and pratipatti puja, and so further their own spiritual development.
What is the Vesak Poya day?
Vesak is the most exalted festival of merit, on which the three principal events of the Buddha's life are commemorated on one and the same day: his birth, his enlightenment and his parinibbana. Buddhists throughout the world gather in faith and devotion to honour these events, each of which took place on the full moon Poya day of the month of Vesak.
The birth of Prince Siddhartha
Prince Siddhartha was born in the sal grove at Lumbini, to King Suddhodana and Queen Mahamaya of Kapilavastu, on a Vesak full moon Poya day. His birth brought to the whole wide world the dawn light of the noble truth.
The attainment of Buddhahood
To release the world from the suffering of samsara, the ascetic Siddhartha gave up the comforts of lay life and practised severe austerities for six years. At the foot of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Gaya he penetrated the Four Noble Truths and attained supreme, perfect Buddhahood, and this too was on a Vesak Poya day.
The parinibbana
Having rendered boundless service for forty-five years, proclaiming the sublime Dhamma to the world, the Tathagata passed away into the nibbana element without residue at the age of eighty, in the Upavattana sal grove at Kusinara, again on a Vesak full moon Poya day.
Vesak Poya is a singular day for all Buddhists of the world, who apply themselves to their spiritual development through offerings of kind and of practice alike. On this noble day, then, let us recollect the virtues of the Buddha, give first place to the practices of sila and meditation, and resolve to step onward towards the path of nibbana.
May the Triple Gem Bless You!