Today is the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day August 24, 2010

Pinkamas mark Nikini Poya
August 24, 2010
Today is the Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. It is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day.

The most important incident that places Nikini Poya in a special position is the holding of the First Buddhist Council. This is where 500 virtuous monks sat together reciting the Dhamma and Vinaya collectively and verifying the facts one by one. Attainment of Arahatship by the Buddha's chief attendant, Ananda Maha thera, commencement of the first Dhamma Sangayana, convocation to settle the Buddhist canon and "Pasu Vas" or the commencement of the "Vas" period by those who had not started the period of sojourn on the Esala full moon day are some of them.
Various religious observances in almost all temples mark this religious day. The Dhamma sermons conducted on every Poya Day with the participation of the President was held at the President's House in Kandy. The Dhamma sermon was delivered by the Ven. Naranpanawe Ananda thera. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and many Parliamentarians were among the large gathering present.

ITN's Poya "Savanak Res" programme was telecast live from the Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihare in Kandy. It included Sil, meditation and Dhamma sermons.

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