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uposatha

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

uposatha. Pāli equivalent of the Sanskrit term poṣadha, indicating the day preceding the four stages of the moon's waxing, that is the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd nights of the lunar month. Long before the advent of Buddhism these were considered sacred days in India. In particular, these days were utilized by the pre-Buddhist reforming communities for the expounding of their views, a practice that early Buddhists adopted. Buddhists also utilize one or other of these uposatha days for the recitation of the Prātimokṣa, the set of monastic rules which are contained in the Sūtra Vibhaṅga of the Vinaya Piṭaka. On uposatha days laymen take upon themselves the Eight Precepts (aṣṭāṅga-śīla), known on that occasion as uposatha vows.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "uposatha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "uposatha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-uposatha.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "uposatha." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-uposatha.html

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Uposatha

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Uposatha (Pāli, ‘fasting’; Skt., upavasatha; Jap., fusatsu). Buddhist observance on the days of (initially) new and full moon, now of the quarter moons. For laypeople (upāsaka) it involves a day of more careful observance, sometimes by undertaking an additional three rules (śīla), and by assembling at the local monastery, for worship, instruction, and renewal of vows to keep the precepts (śīla). Monks are under obligation to attend a ceremony in which (or before which) acknowledgement of fault against the pratimokṣa is made. The pratimokṣa is recited at this ceremony.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Uposatha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Uposatha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Uposatha.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Uposatha." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Uposatha.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Sima samatta: marking boundary for an uposatha. Newspaper article from: Yasodhara-Newsletter on International Buddhist Women's Activities; 4/1/2004
	Robe offering ceremony: at Songdhammakalyani monastery. Newspaper article from: Yasodhara-Newsletter on International Buddhist Women's Activities; 10/1/2006
	The Buddhism of the Gupta dynasty. Newspaper article from: Middle Way; 5/1/2008