Sri Lanka marks Binara Full Moon Poya Day with religious observances

Buddhists across Sri Lanka are marking Binara Full Moon Poya Day today, one of the most spiritually significant occasions in the Buddhist calendar. The observance celebrates multiple sacred events that have shaped the history and doctrine of Buddhism over centuries.

According to Buddhist religious records, the day commemorates the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Order, when 500 women from noble families were ordained as nuns. Among those ordained was Queen Maha Prajapati Gotami, a pivotal figure whose acceptance into monastic life expanded the religious community and established a formal order for female practitioners.

The Buddha's initial hesitation before ultimately approving the Bhikkhuni Order represents a turning point in Buddhist institutional history. The establishment of an ordained order for women created parallel structures to the existing monastic communities for men, broadening participation in the faith's spiritual and intellectual life.

Binara Poya Day is observed as a national holiday in Sri Lanka, with many devotees visiting temples for religious services, meditation, and community gatherings. The day provides an opportunity for Buddhists to reflect on the inclusive development of their faith and the contributions of women to its religious traditions.