Eight Precept Lunar Observance (Sabbath)

Ven. Kantasilo (trans.), Uposatha Sila, written by Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya (Ñanavara Thera) (accesstoinsight.org); Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

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Lunar Observance Discourse (Uposatha Sutta)

Let's read the words of the Buddha.

Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One [the Buddha] was residing in Jetavana, the monastery of Anathapindika, near Savatthi. At that time the Blessed One, having called all the bhikkhus [meditators, monastics, monks] together, addressed them thus: "Meditators!" The monks answered in assent: "Venerable sir!" (The meditators then prepared themselves for the following teaching.) The Blessed One then gave the following teaching on Uposatha [the Sabbath Day observed each week according to the phases of the moon].

"Meditators, the Lunar Observance (Uposatha) is comprised of eight factors, which the noble (Ariyan) disciple observes, the observance of which brings glorious and radiant fruit and benefit.

"Meditators, what is the Lunar Observance which, observed by the noble disciples, brings glorious and radiant fruit and benefit?"

1. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine [Dhamma, Teaching, Doctrine-and-Discipline] reflect thus:

Killing is cool in Zionist-Judaism. Just ask Gal.

"'All enlightened ones (arahants), for as long as life lasts, have given up the intentional taking of life (panatipata). The club and sword have been laid down. They have shame (of doing wrong, 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 shame (of doing wrong) and are compassionate towards all beings.

"For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the fully enlightened, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the first factor of the Lunar Observance."

2. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

Amazon's not stealing, Leo. - No, Jeff, yer girl

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, have given up taking what has not been given (adinnadana). 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 all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened one, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the second factor of the Lunar Observance."

3. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

But sex and war turn the world we live in.

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, have given up [sexual intercourse or] that which is an obstacle to the supreme-faring (abrahma-cariya). Their practice is like that of a divinity (brahma). They are far from sexual intercourse, which is a practice of lay people.'

"All of you have given up that which is an obstacle to the supreme-faring and behave like a divinity. Your behavior is far from sexual intercourse. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened ones, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the third factor of the Lunar Observance."

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4. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, have given up the telling of lies (musavada = false speech).

• [It is not lies alone but "false speech," which elsewhere is more fully defined as 1) bearing false witness, 2) harsh speech, 3) divisive speech, and 4) idle or frivolous speech, all of which seems to earn it the shorthand label "lying." Full definition at the "Ten Courses of Unwholesome Karma"].

"'They utter only the truth and are intent on the truth [honesty, accuracy, factuality]. Their speech is firm and is composed of reason. Their speech does not waver from that which is a mainstay for the world.'

To deceive the world is a terrible thing.

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

5. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

Nah, it's alright, Man, it's legal and I ani't drunk.

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, have given up the taking of liquor and intoxicants (sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana), of that which intoxicates, causing carelessness [negligence, heedlessness, leading to regrettable deeds]. They are far from intoxicants.'

"All of you have given up the taking of liquors and intoxicants. You abstain from drink which causes carelessness. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened ones, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the fifth factor of the Lunar Observance."

6. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

What? But it's morning. Dawn has broken.

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, eat at one time only and given up partaking of food in the evening [eat only during one period of the day, now set between daybreak and noon], but it was not always this way, and Buddhist monastics used to be allowed to eat in the evening until that was deemed too troublesome for donors and alms seekers]. They abstain from food at the 'wrong time' (vikala bhojana).'

"All of you eat at one time only [delimiting the span of time during which to eat not the number of meals, which usually includes breakfast and lunch] and do not partake of food in the evening. You abstain from food at the 'wrong time.' For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened ones, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the sixth factor of the Lunar Observance."

7. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

What's wrong with lettin' loose?

"'All enlightened one, for as long as life lasts, have given up singing and dancing, the playing of musical instruments and the watching of [base] entertainments, which are stumbling blocks to that which is wholesome. Nor do they bedeck themselves with ornaments, flowers, or cosmetics.'

"All of you have given up singing and dancing, the playing of musical instruments and the watching of [base] entertainments, which are stumbling blocks to that which is wholesome. You do not bedeck yourselves with ornaments, flowers, or cosmetics. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the enlightened ones, and the Lunar Observance will have been observed by you. This is the seventh factor of the Lunar Observance."

8. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Doctrine reflect thus:

"Large" means with space for more than one.

"'All enlightened ones, for as long as life lasts, have given up lying on large or high beds. They are content with low beds or bedding made of grass.'

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

What is enough to sleep on and be healthy?

"Meditators, the Lunar Observance is comprised of these eight factors, which the noble disciple observes, and it is [karma] of great and glorious fruit and benefit."

Thus the Blessed One spoke on the Lunar Observance. The meditators were delighted and rejoiced at his words. CONTINUED (EXPLANATION OF SUTRA WITH Q&A)

• Unedited source: Uposatha Sila: Eight-Precept Observance (accesstoinsight.org)