Out of the Full Moon Poya days, which falls during the Rainy Season, Vap is of very special significance. This year’s Vap Full Moon Poya falls on Friday 18, October 2013 marks the end of the Vas season – bhikkhus’ three months rain retreat. This is the month for offering new robes (cheewara) to the bhikkhus who observed Vas on the rainy retreat starting from the month of Esala to that of Vap.
Vap Poya also marks the conclusion of the Buddha’s preaching of the Abhidhamma to his mother (Mathru Divya Rajaya) in Thavuthisa heaven and his arrival at Sankassapura. It was on Vap Poya Full Moon Day that Devanampiyatissa sent Minister Maha Aritta, a close relation of Devanampiyatissa to India, for this mission. This resulted in the arrival of Sangamitta during Unduvap Poya, which is in the month of December. It records the establishment of a ‘Bhikkuni Sasanaya’ in Sri Lanka. Sangamitta brought a Bo–Sapling from the Jayasri Maha Bodhiya to Sri Lanka.
[pdf]http://www.dhammikaweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Significance-of-Vap-Poya.pdf[/pdf]
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