Buddhist Lunar Observance: June Super Moon

SUTRA: The Lunar Observance (Uposatha)

Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.), Aṅguttara Nikāya, The Book of the Eights (8.44), To Vāseṭṭha (suttacentral.net); Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

The golden face of the Scythia-muni Buddha

SC 1 On one occasion the Blessed One (the Buddha) was dwelling at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood.

SC 2 Then the male lay follower Vāseṭṭha approached, paid homage, and sat respectfully to one side. The Blessed One said to him:

“Vāseṭṭha, observed complete in eight factors, the uposatha is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive.

“Now how is the uposatha observed complete in eight factors so as to be of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive?” [All as in 8:42, including the verses.]

• [What are the "eight factors" of the lunar observance? They are the Eight Precepts adopted for one day and night over the normal Five Precepts kept the rest of the time.]

SC 3 When this was said, the male lay follower Vāseṭṭha said to the Blessed One: an.iv.259 “Bhante, if my beloved family and relatives would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.

“If all khattiyas [warriors and administrators, the highest caste among the Scythians/Shakyians] would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.

“If all Brahmins [priests and advisors, considered secondary among the Scythians]… vessas [merchants, business people]… suddas [common laborers] would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.” SC 4

SC 4 “So it is, Vāseṭṭha, so it is! If all khattiyas would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time. If all Brahmins … vessas … suddas would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time.

“If the world with its devas ("shining ones," light beings, angels), Māra (the Killer), and Brahmā (the Supreme), this population with its wandering ascetics and Brahmins (temple priests), its devas and humans, would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to the welfare and happiness of the world for a long time.

“If these great sal trees would observe the uposatha complete in eight factors, that would lead to the welfare and happiness of these great sal trees for a long time, if they could choose. How much more then for a human being!” Source