The above calendar is based on the keeping of the Uposatha on the Ashtami, chaturdashi, and full and new moon days.
The Uposatha in Buddha Dharma are generally days in which the lay followers (and of course the Monks and Nuns) can intensify
their practices. The lay followers generally take the Eight Precepts and meditate.
Usually, what is the Uposatha that is observed on the 8th, 14th and 15th days called?
It is called the pakkha-uposatha. This is the Uposatha generally mentioned in the Jatakas.
What is recited when requesting and undertaking the Uposatha sila?
imam atthamgasamaññagatam buddhapaññattam uposatham imañca rattim imañca divasam sammadeva abhirakkhitum
samadiyami.
The Uposatha which was laid down by the Buddha and consists of the eight sila has been determined by me — I will
keep it well for one full day and night.
(The bhikkhu then says: "imani attha sikkhapadaniajjekam rattindivam uposathasilavasena tumhehi upasakupasikabhutehi
sadhukam akhandam katva appamadena rakkhitabbani.")
The assembed lay people answer: "ama bhante."
(The bhikkhu continues: "silena sugatim yanti silena bhogasampada silena nibbutim yanti tasma silam visodhaye.")
This is the end of requesting the precepts. The laity should pay respect to the bhikkhu by bowing.
What are the different categories of observance?
://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanavara/uposatha.html#qa
- pakati-uposatha
- pati-jagara-uposatha
- pati-harika-pakkha-uposatha
The times for keeping the pakati-uposatha are the 5th, 8th, 14th and 15th of the
waxing moon and the 5th, 8th, 14th and 15th of the waning moon.
The times for keeping the pati-jagara-uposatha are the five days of the waxing moon, i.e., the 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and
the 13th, and the six days of the waning moon: the 1st, 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 12th or 13th. That makes eleven days in a
month for the observance of this type of Uposatha.
SOLAR AND LUNAR ECLIPSES
During a (partial) solar eclipse the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10,000 according
to the Khandro site, 100 million times according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche. During (partial) lunar eclipse, the factor is 7 million according
to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, practices like taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts are thus strongly advised.
On the Buddha-days, positive and negative actions are multiplied by 100: - Tibetan 8th (about first quarter):
Medicine Buddha (Lama Zopa Rinpoche also advises practice of Tara or Mahakala and taking Eight Mahayana Precepts) - Tibetan
15th, full moon: Amitabha Buddha, meditation, recitation of Sutras and taking Eight Mahayana Precepts, Kalachakra day -
Tibetan 30th, new moon: Shakyamuni Buddha meditation, recitation of Sutras and taking Eight Mahayana Precepts
Medicine Buddha day: the 8th of every month (Lama Zopa Rinpoche also advises Tara or Mahakala puja).
Dakini's day: the 25th of every month is related to the "Mother tantras" and tsog is performed by
everyone who has received a Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.
Dharmapala's day (Dharma Protectors): the 29th of every month is a special day for Protector practice.
Sojong: on 14 or 15th and 29th or 30th, confession practice for monks and nuns.
Eight Mahayana Precepts: for one day, one can take the precepts to refrain from killing, stealing,
any sexual conduct, lying, intoxication, not to take a high or luxurious seat, not to sing, dance or wear ornaments, and not
to eat after midday. (The first time, one should receive the precepts from a qualified teacher, thereafter one can take them
by oneself.)
THE SILA LEADS TO THE PARTAKING AND COMPLETION OF THE VEDIC SACRIFICE:
"There are these five gifts, five great gifts — original, long-standing,
traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated from the beginning — that are not open to suspicion, will never be
open to suspicion, and are unfaulted by knowledgeable contemplatives & priests. Which five?
"There is the case where a disciple of the noble ones, abandoning the taking of
life, abstains from taking life. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression
to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless
numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression.
This is the first gift, the first great gift — original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated
from the beginning — that is not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion, and is unfaulted by knowledgeable
contemplatives & priests...
"Furthermore, abandoning taking what is not given (stealing), the disciple of
the noble ones abstains from taking what is not given. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity,
freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom
from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity,
and freedom from oppression. This is the second gift...
"Furthermore, abandoning illicit sex, the disciple of the noble ones abstains
from illicit sex. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless
numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers
of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This
is the third gift...
"Furthermore, abandoning lying, the disciple of the noble ones abstains from lying.
In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings.
In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless numbers of beings, he gains
a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression. This is the fourth gift...
"Furthermore, abandoning the use of intoxicants, the disciple of the noble ones
abstains from taking intoxicants. In doing so, he gives freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression
to limitless numbers of beings. In giving freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, freedom from oppression to limitless
numbers of beings, he gains a share in limitless freedom from danger, freedom from animosity, and freedom from oppression.
This is the fifth gift, the fifth great gift — original, long-standing, traditional, ancient, unadulterated, unadulterated
from the beginning — that is not open to suspicion, will never be open to suspicion, and is unfaulted by knowledgeable
contemplatives & priests. And this is the eighth reward of merit, reward of skillfulness, nourishment of happiness, celestial,
resulting in happiness, leading to heaven, leading to what is desirable, pleasurable, & appealing; to welfare & to
happiness."
— AN 8.39
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