Significance of the Full Moons in Buddhism

The book is organized into fifteen chapters. The opening chapters establish the doctrinal foundation of Poya or Uposatha observance, explaining its religious significance, the discipline of the observance day, and the Uposatha as preached by the Buddha. The following chapters examine the major full-moon days in sequence: Vesak Poya, Poson Poya, Esala Poya, Nikini Poya, Binara Poya, Vap Poya, Il Poya, Unduvap Poya, Duruthu Poya, Navam Poya, Medin Poya, and Bak Poya. Through these chapters, the author connects lunar observances with key moments in Buddhist sacred history, including events in the Buddha’s life, the spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka, monastic ceremonies, devotional observances, doctrinal reflection, and the continuing role of the Triple Gem in Buddhist practice. Overall, the volume presents the full-moon calendar as a structured religious framework through which Buddhist laypeople and monastics renew ethical discipline, deepen devotion, remember sacred history, and reaffirm commitment to the Dhamma.