The Navam Full Moon Poya Day is observed today (February 1st). According to Buddhist history, this day marks several significant milestones in the life of the Buddha and the history of the Sāsana.
Religious Significance of Navam Poya:
-
Appointment of the Chief Disciples: It was on a Navam Full Moon Poya Day that the Buddha held the first-ever congregation of the Sangha and conferred the titles of Chief Disciples (Aggasavaka) upon Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Moggallana.
-
Preaching of the Ovada Patimokkha: This day also marks the historic preaching of the 'Ovada Patimokkha', which outlines the fundamental disciplinary code (Sangha Law) for the monastic community.
-
Relinquishing the Life Span: Buddhist history further records that it was on a Navam Poya Day—at the Chapala Chetiya in the city of Vaishali—that the Buddha, three months prior to His Parinirvana, made the determination to relinquish His life span (Ayu Sanskara)
