"Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception." - Lord Buddha

Unduvap Poya is the last Full Moon Poya day of the year and commemorates the arrival of Sangamitta Theri in Sri Lanka with a Bo sapling from the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India during the month of Unduvap.

The Buddha proclaimed that for the religion to continue with significance, four foundations or supports were necessary, namely: bhikkhus (ordained monks) bhikkhunis (ordained nuns) upasaka and upasikaa (lay devotees, male and female). With higher ordination of women being effected, even in Sri Lanka, where there was sharp opposition towards the higher ordination of our ‘dasasilmaathas’, the four supports are in place.

You can climb to the summit of Sri pada with other devotees and experience one of the wonders Sri Lanka has to offer. Lord Buddha's footprint on the summit of the mountain known as "Adam's Peak".

So, The Unduvap Poya Day falls today. It is a great blessing for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka to inherit the southern branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi, which has aroused the feelings of admiration of the devout Buddhists and is sacred as a symbol of Buddhahood, on a Poya day like today. Among the twelve Poya days, the Unduvap Poya Day is a special day for the women of Sri Lanka. The arrival of the great Arahant Sanghamitta, who was the pillar of light and who brought liberation to the women of Sri Lanka who were then defeated, took place on a Poya day like today.

The Sri Pada, which was made sacred by the touch of the left foot of Gautama Munidun, who, at the invitation of Sumana Saman Devirada, reached Samanola Kanda with five hundred arahants, begins on the Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day. The Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day, which falls at the end of the standard year, has become a special day for the entire Buddhist community due to many such special events.

May the blessings of Unduvap Poya Day shine on your path, bringing harmony, joy and spiritual growth to your life.

HAPPY UNDUVAP FULL MOON POYA DAY!!

Article by:

Chirathi Chanmini

Rajarata University of Sri Lanka