Poya Day In Sri Lanka

Every month on ‘Poya’ or the day of the full moon, life changes just a little bit in Sri Lanka.  It’s a public holiday and offices are closed.  You cannot buy alcohol or meat from any shop.

Sri Lanka is a dominantly Buddhist country and Buddhists all over the world have a high regard for full moon days. They celebrate this day by practising meditation and by keeping away from worldly life – work, meat and alcohol.  The idea being that if we cleanse our bodies, we have a more powerful spiritual connection with the universe.

In Buddhism it is believed that different phases of Lord Buddha’s life and development have all occurred during various full moons, making the full moon a sacred time. It is said that Lord Buddha was born on a full moon day. His renunciation, his enlightenment and the delivery of his first sermon have all happened during full moons. It is also believed that his soul left his body on a full moon day.

Moon worship is widespread

Interestingly, the worship of the full moon is not isolated to Buddhism. In India it is believed that the moon is the controller of the water.  Considered ‘the drink of the gods’, it circulates through the universe, sustaining all living creatures.

Full Moon worship is also common in ‘Wicca’ or Paganism and each moon is named individually and recognised for it’s different abilities.  For spiritual practitioners across the globe, the full moon is considered a time of heightened activity, opportunity and personal spiritual growth and development.

What about folklore and werewolves?

So, how can there be so many instances in folklore and literature where the full moon is associated with insanity, insomnia and psychological disturbance?  The term ‘lunacy’ or ‘lunatic’ comes from the latin ‘lunaticus’ meaning epilepsy, madness or a disease of the moon. One explanation is that the human body consists of about seventy percent liquid. Scientists have found that our bodily fluids flow more freely at the time of full moon. People suffering from illness or disease often experience a greater severity of their ailments under the influence of the full moon.  It’s as if our bodily system operates like the tides, aligning in some way with the 28-day cycle of our lunar watchman.

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.”

Mark Twain

It seems that during full moon, everything is magnified, good and bad. A time of duality, the full moon can be viewed as both a time of drama and crisis, and as a time of opportunity and creation. It depends on our overall emotional and physical state during the full moon day to create positive or negative impact.

If you’re in Sri Lanka on a full moon day, perhaps you might consider taking it easy too!  Budddhists believe that by staying calm and relaxed both physically and mentally, you can minimise the potential for ‘lunacy’ and maximise on the potential for powerful creation!

CLICK THIS LINK to find out when the next Poya Day in Sri Lanka falls.