MAHASAMAYA DAY -

The Full Moon of Nayon

On this day the Buddha had arrived in his country of origin and was residing outside the town of Kapilavattu. In the evening Devas and Brahmas, arrived at different times at the assembly of the ten thousand universes closest to our universe, and the Buddha then gave the discourse of the Great Occasion (Mahasamaya). In this sutta he mentioned the names of the Brahmas and Devas as and when they arrived and taught the Dhamma in six suttas. All the beings present were of one of six different mental dispositions and the six suttas were suited to these. The Buddha created an identical image (Nimmitta) of himself and taught posing and answering questions (see also the Dhammadana Series 9, The Great Occasion).

In Myanmar, this day is celebrated especially by the recitation of the Mahasamaya sutta, apart from the customary religious observances performed on Uposatha days. At this time the examinations for the bhikkhus are held in which their proficiency in the Pali language and the scriptures is tested. In olden times kings used to perform the ground breaking ceremony on this day, as it marks the beginning of the rains and therefore the beginning of the ploughing and planting season.

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