8 Precepts: Full and New Moon Virtue

The Periodic Observance (Uposatha Sila) of Eight-Precepts

Ñanavara Thera (translated from Thai by Bhikkhu Kantasilo)

I hope this translation of the Uposatha discourse along with its commentary will be of benefit to English-speaking Buddhists intent on practice. The original Thai text was compiled in 1929 (BE 2472), and has proved useful down to the present.... Computers have played an increasingly important part in the spread of Buddhism to the West. New computer programs have made "Dhamma publishing" increasingly convenient... The English language has been affected as well, gradually incorporating Pali words.

Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was residing in Jetavana, the monastery of Anathapindika, near Savatthi. At that time the Blessed One, having called all the bhikkhus together, addressed them thus: "Bhikkhus!" They answered in assent: "Venerable sir!" (They then prepared themselves for the following teaching.) And the Blessed One gave the following teaching on the Uposatha.

"Uposatha is comprised of eight factors a noble disciple observes, the observation of which brings glorious and radiant fruit and benefit. "What is this Uposatha which, observed by noble disciples, brings glorious and radiant fruit and benefit?"

Observing 8 Precepts on Full and New Moons

1. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples (arahants), for as long as life lasts, have given up the intentional taking of life. Club and sword have been laid down. They would be ashamed (of doing harm) and are compassionate towards all beings.'

• "All of you have given up the intentional taking of life, have put down all weapons, are possessed of a sense of shame (of doing harm) and are compassionate towards all beings. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the first factor."

2. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up taking what has not been given. They take only what is given, are intent on taking only what is given. They are not thieves. Their behavior is spotless.'

• "All of you have given up the taking of what has not been given, are ones who do not take what is not given, are intent on taking only what is given, are not thieves. Your behavior is spotless. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the second factor."

3. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up what is an obstacle to Brahma-faring (abrahmacariya). Their practice is like that of a Brahma (high divinity). They are far from sexual intercourse, which is a practice of ordinary folk.'

• "All of you have given up what is an obstacle to Brahma-faring and behave like a Brahma. Your behavior is far from sexual intercourse. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the third factor."

4. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up the telling of lies. They utter only the truth and are intent on the truth. Their speech is firm and is composed of reason. Their speech does not waver from what is a mainstay for the world.'

• "All of you have given up the telling of lies. You speak only the truth and are intent only on what is true. Your speech is firm and reasonable. Your speech does not waver from what is a mainstay for the world. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the fourth factor."

5. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up liquors and intoxicants, that which intoxicates and causes carelessness. They are far from intoxicants.'

• "All of you have given up liquors and intoxicants. You abstain from intoxicants that cause carelessness. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the fifth factor."

6. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, eat at one time only and do not partake of food in the evening. They abstain from food at the disallowed-time (vikala bhojana).'

• "All of you eat at one time only and do not partake of food in the evening. You abstain from food at the disallowed time. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the sixth factor."

7. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up singing and dancing, playing musical instruments, and watching entertainments, which are stumbling blocks to what is wholesome. Nor do they adorn themselves with ornaments, flowers, or perfumes.'

• "All of you have given up singing and dancing, playing musical instruments, and watching entertainments that are stumbling blocks to what is wholesome. You do not adorn yourselves with ornaments, flowers, or perfumes. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the seventh factor."

8. "Noble disciples in this Dharma reflect thus: 'All enlightened disciples, for as long as life lasts, have given up using on large or high beds. They are content with low beds or bedding made of grass.'

• "All of you have given up using large or high beds. You are content with low beds or beds made of grass. For this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened, and the Uposatha will have been observed by you. This is the eighth factor of the Uposatha."

"Bhikkhus. The Uposatha is comprised of these eight factors which the noble disciple observes, and it is of great and glorious fruit and benefit."

Thus did the Blessed One speak of the Uposatha. The bhikkhus were delighted and rejoiced at his words.

Preface - Translator's foreword - Foreword to 2nd Edition - Uposatha Sutta - Explanation: Q & A - Glossary - Notes