Today (April 12) marks the Bak Full Moon Poya day, which is notable for commemorating several significant events in Buddhist history.
The Buddha’s second visit to Sri Lanka
It’s said that the Buddha traveled to Nagadeepa to mediate and peacefully resolve a conflict between two Naga kings, Chulodara and Mahodara, over the possession of a jeweled throne.
Other significant events on Bak Poya
It’s believed that Prince Siddhartha witnessed the first of the four great omens—the sight of an old man—on a Bak Full Moon Poya day. This moment marked the beginning of his spiritual journey toward enlightenment.
On the invitation of King Suddhodana, the Buddha began his journey to Kimbulwatpura with over 20,000 monks—a journey said to have been halfway completed on a Bak Poya day.
These events underscore the spiritual and historical importance of Bak Full Moon Poya in the Buddhist calendar, making it a day of reflection and reverence for devotees.
As with every Poya, devotees across Sri Lanka observe Bak Full Moon Poya day with offerings, meditation, and listening to Dhamma sermons at temples and shrines.
