The Esala full moon poya marks the anniversary of the Supreme Buddha’s preaching of the first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was with this Sutta that he shared his unique discovery of the Four Noble Truths with the world. This also marks the founding of the bhikkhu Sangha. In this sermon you will have the chance to understand the great importance of all these events
Esala Full Moon Poya is very important in the Buddhist calendar. It was on the Esala Full Moon Poya Day the Buddha arrived at the deer park of Isipathana to preach Dhamma to Venerables Kondangna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji, the five ascetics he had lived with during his time as the Bodhisatta trying to attain enlghtenment. The Buddha delivered his first discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, to them. At the end of the sermon, the eldest Kondangna Thera attained the first stage of enlightenment, Stream Entry.
Many significant events took place on the Esala Full Moon Poya Day. Among them, the conception of Prince Siddartha in Queen Mahamaya’s womb occurred on the Esala Full Moon Poya Day. Buddhist literature reveals that a thousand years ago Queen Mahamaya, in one of her previous lives had the same special dream on an Esala Full Moon Poya Day.
