Poya
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2008-07-11T19:33:24Z
68.39.174.238
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:''For the town in New Caledonia, see [[Poya, New Caledonia]].''
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{{buddhism}}
'''Poya''' or '''Poya Day''' is the name given to a [[Buddhist]] public holiday in [[Sri Lanka]] which occurs every [[full moon]] day. The Full moon is important to Buddhists all around the world, who have adopted the [[Lunar Calendar]] for their religious observances. Owing to the moon's fullness of size as well as its effulgence, the full moon day is treated as the most auspicious of the four [[lunar phases]] occurring once every lunar month (29.5 days) and thus marked by a holiday.
Every full moon day is known as a ''Poya'' in [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]]; this is when a practicing Buddhist visits the Temple for the rituals of worship. There are 12 ''Poyas'' for a year. The term ''poya'' is derived from the [[Pāli|Pali]] and [[Sanskrit]] form ''uposatha'' (from upa + vas: to fast) primarily signifying "fast day". Generally shops and businesses are closed on Poya Days, and the sale of [[alcohol]] and [[meat]] is forbidden.
List of each poya day:
January : Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
February : Navam Full Moon Poya Day
March : Medin Full Moon Poya Day
April : Bak Full Moon Poya Day
May : [[Vesak]] Full Moon Poya Day
June : Poson Full Moon Poya Day
July : Esala Full Moon Poya Day
August : Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
September : Binara Full Moon Poya Day
October : Vap Full Moon Poya Day
November : Il Full Moon Poya Day
December : Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day