This month we celebrate the Nikini full moon Poya. This poya marks the anniversary of the first Buddhist council (Sangayana) held after the Supreme Buddha’s passing away. This key to the council’s success was the Treasurer of the Dhamma, venerable Ananda thera who became an Arahant the night before the first Buddhist council. It was also on a Nikini Full that Venerable Rahula, the son of the Bodhisatta became an Arahant.
From this video, I learned that Nikini Poya Day is the day that Venerable Rahula became an Arahant and the day the First Buddhist Council was held 3 months after Lord Buddha’s Parinibbana. I also learned that on the day before the First Buddhist Council, Venerable Ananda Thera had not attained Arahantship, and Venerable Ananda Thera wanted to attend the Buddhist Council as an Arahant. He took a great effort that night to become an Arahant. Venerable Ananda Thera with a deep mind became an Arahant that night!