The significance of Vap Poya

By Udumbara Udugama

Vap Full Moon Poya falls on October 28.  It is an important poya, especially for monks who have observed the Vassana (rainy season)  retreat in their pansala (temple). The Vas retreat began with the Esala poya in July and continues through the months of Nikini and Binara to end with Vap poya in October. 

The tradition of Katina Cheevara commenced from the Buddha’s time when 30 monks arrived from Paveyya to meet the Buddha who was in Jetavanaramaya, Savath Nuwara. Due to heavy rains they were drenched and informed the Budddha that they did not have any other robes to wear. The Buddha realizing the difficulties they had to undergo recommended that they could keep another robe in  addition to the thun sivura which they wear.

As heavy rains are experienced in the months of Esala, Nikini, Binara and Vas in central India,  the Buddha,  with the words “Anujanam bhikkavé vassané vassan upaganthun” explained to the upasampada (high ordination) monks, the importance of staying in one place to study the Dhamma, practise and meditate as a prathipaththi puja and also to teach the Dhamma to the lay devotees during this season. This ancient tradition of Vas retreat still continues when the monks stay in  their pansala during vassana. Their food, robes and medicine are provided by the  devotees during this period and in return the monks teach them the Dhamma and engage themselves in other amisa puja (religious rituals).

On Vap poya, the monks end their retreat of three months known as vas pavaranawa, and the cheevaa masaya (month of robes) begins following the poya day, to continue for one month until Il Full Moon Poya which falls on November 26 this year. During this month the Katina Pinkam are conducted in all the temples where devotees take the Katina cloth in a perahera to the temple to be stitched, dyed and made into a robe to be presented to a monk. Although there are many monks at the Vas retreat,  only one will receive the katina cheevara. The recipient  is selected by the other monks in the temple.  Buddhist devotees believe that offering a Katina Cheevara will help them to acquire great merit in this life to shorten their samsaric sojourn.

Many events are mentioned that occurred in the Buddhist world on Vap Full Moon Poya.  Buddha returned to Sankassapura in India after preaching the Abhidhamma to Sakra and other Gods in Tavatimsa Divya Lokaya, the abode of Gods.

It was also on a Vap Poya that King Devanampiyatissa sent a message through his Minister Aritta to Emperor Ashoka of India, requesting him to send a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi to be placed in Anuradhapura.