Significance of Poson full moon Poya day

Arrival of  Arahat Mahinda endowed Buddhists with great teaching of wisdom, non-violence

The meeting with King Devanampiyatissa at the mango grove of Ambastale in Mihintale is one of the momentous events in the history of Sri Lanka. This year, Buddhists commemorate 2320 Poson Festival.

On this Poson day I wish Buddhists in all over the world to practice good qualities while commemoration of the arrival of Mihindu Maha Rahathan and establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Blessings of the Noble Triple Gem!!!

Mihintale, the ancient royal rock; Arahat  Mahinda perched the first sermon to the King Devanampiyathissawho was the ruler for Anuradhapura. Long queues of devotees clad in pure white climb the steps leading to the top of Mihintale rock and the temple and then to the dagobas that lie adorn the hillocks. Some devotees climb to the summit of the rock where Arahat Mahinda delivered his initial dialogues.

The King Devanampiyatissa was hunting a deer when Mahinda thero appeared to him in mango grove and threw a question about a mango tree and having answered the question, he had apparently agreed to follow the teachings of Buddha and declared it as the State Religion. This is the birth of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Poson Poya is celebrated annually with great commitment throughout the island. Mahinda Thero first put his foot to preach the word of Lord Buddha and therefore Mihinthalaya is called the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. With the establishment of Bhikku Sasanaya all other elements of a cultured society began to appear with the art of writing, art, architecture, religious rituals in song and dance forms, literature.

Many religious activities are organized during the poson period in Sri Lanka such as Sil campaigns, Bodhi Poojas, Dansalas, Poson devotional songs, Poson pandols and lanterns. Lot of Poson pandols and Poson Lanterns are making in Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Thanthirimale.