Our Full Moon Observance: Uposatha (video)

Access to Insight "Uposatha Observance Days," 2005; Astrology; Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B., Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

VIDEO: Why is the moon so big tonight? (The Independent)

When is the full moon each month? (NWA)

Lunar observance or uposatha fasting days -- a regular kind of Buddhist "Lent" -- are times for renewed dedication to practicing the Dharma.

They are observed by lay Theravada Buddhists and monastics throughout the world.

For monks and nuns these are often days of more intensive meditation and reflection. In many monasteries and nunneries physical labor (construction projects, repairs, etc.) is curtailed.

On new moon and full moon days the fortnightly confession of faults and and recitation of the Buddhist Monastic Code (patimokkha, the Rules of Monastic Conduct) takes place.

We've been to the moon, now let's bring it.

Lay Buddhists observe Eight Precepts (Attha Sila) on these weekly observance days, as a support for meditation practice and as a way to re-energize commitment to the Dharma.

Whenever possible, lay people use these days as an opportunity to visit a local Buddhist monastery or temple in order to make special offerings to the Sangha, to listen to the Buddha's Dharma or path of practice, and to actually practice meditation with Dharma companions late into the night. In Asia they go all the way to the morning of the next day.

For those not closely affiliated with a local monastery of abbey, it can simply be an opportunity to step up one's efforts in meditation (the cultivation of calm and insight), while drawing on the invisible support of millions of other practicing Buddhists around the world.

When are the moon's phases?

Every week the moon changes phases. Each month is 28 days. Each year has 13 moonths.

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The calendar of uposatha days is calculated using a complex traditional formula that is loosely based on the lunar calendar, with the result that the dates do not always coincide with the actual astronomical dates. To further complicate matters, each sect within Theravada Buddhism tends to follow a slightly different calendar.

Several full moon uposatha days hold special significance on the Buddhist calendar:

Magha Puja (usually in February)

Foremost in psychic powers: Ven. Mahamoggallana

This day, sometimes called "Sangha Day," commemorates the spontaneous assembly of 1,250 arhats in the Buddha's presence. One thousand of those gathered monks had previously achieved full enlightenment on hearing the Buddha deliver "The Fire Sermon."

The remaining 250 were followers of the elder monks and the Buddha's two chief male disciples Ven. Moggallana and Ven. Sariputra (corresponding to his two chief female disciples Ven. Khema and Ven. Uppalavanna).

To mark this auspicious gathering, the Buddha delivered the Ovada-Patimokkha Gatha (see A Chanting Guide), a summary of the main points of the Dharma, which the Buddha gave to the assembly before sending them out to proclaim the Dharma. More

• Suggested reading: Dhamma for Everyone by Ajahn Lee