PROGRAMS & DETAILS
📅 When: Every National Poya Day in Sri Lanka
⏱️ Time: 7 am – 5 pm
🛕 Where: Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Sri Lanka (CIPM)
🧎 For: Adults & Children 7 years and up
🎤 Medium: English & Sinhala
💰 Cost: Expenses are covered with generous donations
Every full moon poya day, venerable monks from Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery conduct religious programs such as Observance of Sil, Dhamma Talks and Discussions, Meditation and Buddha Vandana. This event is a great way for your whole family to come together to practice the Buddha’s teachings.
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Importance of Nikini Poya Day (නිකිණි පෝය)
Nikini Poya is the second Poya in the Vas season and falls during August. This poya marks the anniversary of the first Buddhist council (Sangayana) held after the Supreme Buddha’s passing away.
Poya Dates for 2025
Click on the poya name to learn the significance:
- Duruthu Poya Day | 13 Jan
- Navam Poya Day | 12 Feb
- Madin Poya Day | 13 Mar
- Bak Poya Day | 12 April
- Vesak Poya Day | 12 May
- Poson Poya Day | 10 Jun
- Esala Poya Day | 10 July
- Nikini Poya Day | 8 Aug
- Binara බිනර | 7 Sept
- Vap Poya Day | 6 Oct
- Il Poya Day | 5 Nov
- Unduvap Poya Day | 4 Dec
For further information on the Poya Day Sil Programme, please contact Colombo Dhamma Friends of Mahamevnawa. Further details regarding the dress code, schedule, meals, and seating arrangements can be found below.
Our activities are usually made up of a variety of activities. Meditation periods are either guided or silent and last no longer than 30 minutes without a break. There are usually talks on the teachings of the Buddha. We have breaks throughout the events so we can stretch our legs and talk with each other. At some events we do some chanting from a chanting book we provide for everyone to use. You can find more information about these by going to the “Activities” item in the main menu.
Many people like to wear white clothes but this is not compulsory.
You are welcome to sit in any posture you find comfortable. There are lots of chairs. We provide some cushions, but we encourage you to bring your own if you have one. We also encourage you to move to a chair if you become uncomfortable on the floor.
Bring in some flowers from your garden. These are some of the flowers you could bring.
🌼 Nil Katarolu
🌸 Atapethiya
🌼 Araliya (yellow or red)
🌸 Pichcha
🌼 Nil Manel
🌸 Daspethiya
We have dedicated parking area for 15-20 vehicles on the premises.
We offer breakfast and lunch to all the participants at our day-long events. The food is mostly non-vegetarian. But we are preparing vegetarian meals also. So don’t worry. If you have any special dietary needs, we ask that you bring food for yourself that doesn’t need to be refrigerated or heated as kitchen space is extremely limited.
Plates and cups are provided, but it’s also fine to bring your own if you feel it would be more convenient. Bring a water bottle with you at all times, especially if you have kids.
📝 Program Schedule
| 07:00 AM | Observing Eight Precepts Theruwan Vandana, Karaneeya Metta Sutta |
| 07:30 AM | Break – Refreshments |
| 08:00 AM | Dhamma Sermon |
| 09:30 AM | Break |
| 09:40 AM | Meditation |
| 10:10 AM | Dhamma Sermon |
| 10:30 AM | Buddha Puja |
| 11:00 AM | Lunch Dana |
| 12:20 PM | Chanting & sharing merits |
| 01:00 PM | Dhamma Sermon |
| 02:00 PM | Dhamma Discussion |
| 03:00 PM | Meditation |
| 03:30 PM | Clean Asapuwa (Dhamma Hall ,Shrine Hall, Dana Hall, Kitchen, Wash Room) |
| 04:45 PM | Conclusion |
🤝 Contributions for the Poya day program
You can also help the poya program by donating. If you would like to participate in this virtuous deed, please contact us on WhatsApp +94 715962399. Please specify which item you intend to contribute to. Whatsapp the deposit slip, telling us the purpose of the donation. Please use “POYA YOURNAME” for the Beneficiary Remark.
💳 Sponsorship Details
| Account Name: | Colombo Dhamma Friends Society Ltd |
| A/C No: | 009160000373 |
| Bank | Sampath Bank |
| Branch: | Pita Kotte |
| Bank Code | 7278 |
| Branch Code | 91 |
| Swift Code: | BSAMLKLX |
| Type of Account: | Current Account |
📷 Gallery
🗒️ Useful Handouts to be ready during the program
8 Precepts
Read Eight Precepts online
- I observe the precept of abstaining from killing beings.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from stealing.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from incelibacy.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from telling lies.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from taking intoxicating drinks and drugs.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from eating at improper times.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from dancing singing music shows wearing garlands and beautifying with cosmetics.
- I observe the precept of abstaining from using luxurious and comfortable seats and beds.
Buddha Vandana Book
Subtitle for This Block
This is the Vandana book we use that has Sinhala letters, English letters, and English meaning. You can print as a booklet Using Acrobat Reader. (how to)
Qualities of the Supreme Buddha Kavi
Subtitle for This Block
Duk Vindina Jīvitha Gena Kavi
Subtitle for This Block
🙏 Stanza to Worship Monks
Okasa Vandami
This is what we recite to worship monks after a bana or a puja. You can read it online or download the PDF.
Okāsa vandāmi Bhante. Mayākataṁ puññaṁ, sāminā anumodi tabbaṁ.
Translation: Please, Bhante, kindly allow me to share with you the merit I have collected.
(Bhantes: Sādhu, Sādhu, anumodāmi! Good, good, I rejoice!)
Saminā kataṁ puññaṁ, mayhaṁ dātabbaṁ
Translation: Please Bhante, kindly share with me the merit you have collected.
(Bhantes: Sādhu, Sādhu, anumodetha! Good, good, I share!)
Sādhu, Sādhu anumodāmi!
Good, good, I appreciate!
Okāsa! Dvārattena kataṁ sabbaṁ accayaṁ khamatha me Bhante.
Translation: Forgive me, oh Bhante, of any offences I may have committed by body, speech, or mind.
(Bhantes: Kamāmi kamitabbaṁ. I forgive)
Okāsa khamāmi Bhante!
Dutiyam’pi okāsa khamāmi Bhante!
Tatiyam’pi okāsa khamāmi Bhante!
Translation: I ask for forgiveness, oh Bhante!
For a second time, I ask forgiveness, oh Bhante!
For a third time, I ask forgiveness, oh Bhante!
🧎 Meditations
Loving Kindness Meditation
This is the basic loving-kindness meditation that we do at many of the meditation programs here.
Buddhanussati
Download a PDF of the meditation on recollecting the qualities of the Supreme Buddha Kavi Chanting