41(1)In Brief
Thus have I heard.On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthiin Jeta's Grove,Anāthapindika's Park.
There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus!"
"Venerable sir!"those bhikkhus replied.
The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus,observed complete in eight factors,the uposatha is of great fruit and benefit,extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive.
And how is the uposatha observed complete in eight factors,so that it is of great fruit and benefit,extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive?
On the noble ones' uposatha observance,see 3:70.[249]
(1)"Here,bhikkhus,a noble disciple reflects thus:
'As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from the destruction of life;with the rod and weapon laid aside,conscientious and kindly,they dwell compassionate toward all living beings.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abandon and abstain from the destruction of life;with the rod and weapon laid aside,conscientious and kindly,I too shall dwell compassionate toward all living beings.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.'
This is the first factor it possesses.
(2)"'As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from taking what is not given;they take only what is given,expect only what is given,and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abandon and abstain from taking what is not given;I shall accept only whatis given,expect only whatis given,and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.'
This is the second factor it possesses.
(3)"'As long as they live the arahants aband on sexual activity and observe celibacy,living apart,abstaining from sexual intercourse,the common person's practice.
Today,for this night and
day,I too shall abandon sexual activity and observe celibacy,living apart,abstaining from sexual intercourse,the common person's practice.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.'
This is the third factor it possesses.
(4)"'As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from false speech;they speak truth,adhere to truth;they are trust worthy and reliable,no deceivers of the world.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abandon and abstain from false speech;[250]I shall speak truth,adhere to truth;I shall be trust worthy and reliable,no deceiver of the world.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by
me.'
This is the fourth factor it possesses.
(5)"'As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain
from liquor,wine,and intoxicants,the basis for heedlessness.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abandon and abstain
from liquor,wine,and intoxicanits,the basis for heedlessness.
I
shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will
be observed by me.'
This is the fifth factor it possesses.
(6)"'As long as they live the arahants eat once a day,abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall eat once a day,abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.'
This is the sixth factor it possesses.
(7)""As long as they live the arahants abstain from dancing,singing,instrumental music,and unsuitable shows,and from adorning and beautifying themselves by wearing garlands and applying scents and unguents.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abstain from dancing,singing,instrumental music,and unsuitable shows,and from adorning and beautifying myself by wearing garlands and applying scents and unguents.
I shall imitate the arahants in this respect and the uposatha will be observed by me.'
This is the seventh factor it possesses.
(8)"'As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds;they lie down on a low resting place,either a small bed or a straw mat.
Today,for this night and day,I too shall abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds;I shall lie down on a low resting place,either a small bed or a straw mat.
I shall imitate the arahants
in this respect [251]and the uposatha will be observed by me.
This is the eighth factor it possesses.
"It is in this way,bhikkhus,that the uposatha is observed complete in eight factors,so that it is of great fruit and benefit,extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive."