“Aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato, bhikkhave, uposatho upavuttho mahapphalo hoti mahānisaṁso mahājutiko mahāvipphāro. Kathaṁ upavuttho ca, bhikkhave, aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato uposatho mahapphalo hoti mahānisaṁso mahājutiko mahāvipphāro?
“Bhikkhus, when the |Uposatha::Occurring on specific lunar days such as the full moon, new moon, and quarter moons, this is a time for renewing virtue, deepening practice, and purifying the mind. [uposatha]| is observed, endowed with the eight factors, it is of great fruit, of great benefit, superbly bright, and far-reaching. And how, bhikkhus, is the Uposatha observed, endowed with the eight factors, of great fruit, of great benefit, superbly bright, and far-reaching?”
Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘yāvajīvaṁ arahanto pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā nihitadaṇḍā nihitasatthā lajjī dayāpannā, sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampino viharanti. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ pāṇātipātaṁ pahāya pāṇātipātā paṭivirato nihitadaṇḍo nihitasattho lajjī dayāpanno, sabbapāṇabhūtahitānukampī viharāmi. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā paṭhamena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
1 Here, bhikkhus, a disciple of the Noble Ones reflects thus: ‘For as long as they live, the |arahants::fully awakened ones, free from all mental defilements; worthy of offerings and veneration; also an epithet of the Buddha [arahant]|, having abandoned the taking of life, refrain from taking life, having laid aside weapons and sticks, are |conscientious::sensitive, with an internal sense of carefulness and concern for the well-being of others [lajjī]|, full of kindness, and dwell with compassion for the well-being of all breathing beings. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned the taking of life, will refrain from taking life, have laid aside weapons and sticks, will be conscientious, full of kindness, and dwell with compassion for the well-being of all breathing beings. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the first factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto adinnādānaṁ pahāya adinnādānā paṭiviratā dinnādāyī dinnapāṭikaṅkhī, athenena sucibhūtena attanā viharanti. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ adinnādānaṁ pahāya adinnādānā paṭivirato dinnādāyī dinnapāṭikaṅkhī, athenena sucibhūtena attanā viharāmi. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā dutiyena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
2 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned the taking of what is not given, refrain from taking what is not given, accept what is given, and expect only what is given. They dwell with a pure, blameless mind. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned the taking of what is not given, will refrain from taking what is not given, will accept what is given, and expect only what is given. I will dwell with a pure, blameless mind. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the second factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto abrahmacariyaṁ pahāya brahmacārino ārācārino viratā methunā gāmadhammā. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ abrahmacariyaṁ pahāya brahmacārī ārācārī virato methunā gāmadhammā. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā tatiyena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
3 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned unchastity, are celibate, living apart, and refrain from |sexual activity::sexual intercourse [methuna]|, the common person’s practice. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned unchastity, will be celibate, living apart, and will refrain from sexual activity, the common person’s practice. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the third factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto musāvādaṁ pahāya musāvādā paṭiviratā saccavādino saccasandhā thetā paccayikā avisaṁvādako lokassa. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ musāvādaṁ pahāya musāvādā paṭivirato saccavādī saccasandho theto paccayiko avisaṁvādako lokassa. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā catutthena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
4 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned false speech, refrain from false speech, are |truthful::honest [saccavādī]|, |adheres to truth::united with truth [saccasandha]|, trustworthy::honest, lit. stable [theta]|, |dependable::reliable [paccayika]|, and |do not deceive::to not break one’s word, to keep one’s promises [avisaṃvādaka]| the world. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned false speech, will refrain from false speech, will be truthful, adhere to truth, will be trustworthy, dependable, and will not deceive the world. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the fourth factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānaṁ pahāya surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānaṁ pahāya surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā pañcamena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
5 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned spirits, alcoholic beverages, drugs and |states of negligence::dwelling in heedlessness, remaining intoxicated [pamādaṭṭhāna]|, refrain from intoxicants that cause negligence. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned wine, spirits, drugs and states of negligence, will refrain from intoxicants that cause negligence. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the fifth factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto ekabhattikā rattūparatā viratā vikālabhojanā. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ ekabhattiko rattūparato virato vikālabhojanā. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā chaṭṭhena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
6 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having become ones who eat only one meal a day, |abstain from eating at night::stopped the evening meal [rattūparata]|, refraining from |untimely eating::eating outside the proper time, typically observed from afternoon until dawn [vikālabhojana]|. Today, for this night and day, I too, having become one who eats only one meal a day, will abstain from eating at night, and will refrain from untimely eating. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the sixth factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto naccagītavāditavisūkadassanamālāgandhavilepanadhāraṇamaṇḍanavibhūsanaṭṭhānaṁ pahāya naccagītavāditavisūkadassanamālāgandhavilepanadhāraṇamaṇḍanavibhūsanaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ naccagītavāditavisūkadassanamālāgandhavilepanadhāraṇamaṇḍanavibhūsanaṭṭhānaṁ pahāya naccagītavāditavisūkadassanamālāgandhavilepanadhāraṇamaṇḍanavibhūsanaṭṭhānā paṭivirato. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā sattamena aṅgena samannāgato hoti.
7 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned dancing, singing, music, and watching shows, as well as wearing garlands, using perfumes, oils, and beautifying the body with ornaments, refrain from these activities. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned dancing, singing, music, and watching shows, as well as wearing garlands, using perfumes, oils, and beautifying the body with ornaments, will refrain from these activities. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the seventh factor.
‘Yāvajīvaṁ arahanto uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ pahāya uccāsayanamahāsayanā paṭiviratā nīcaseyyaṁ kappenti—mañcake vā tiṇasanthārake vā. Ahampajja imañca rattiṁ imañca divasaṁ uccāsayanamahāsayanaṁ pahāya uccāsayanamahāsayanā paṭivirato nīcaseyyaṁ kappemi—mañcake vā tiṇasanthārake vā. Imināpaṅgena arahataṁ anukaromi, uposatho ca me upavuttho bhavissatī’ti. Iminā aṭṭhamena aṅgena samannāgato hoti. Evaṁ upavuttho kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgato uposatho mahapphalo hoti mahānisaṁso mahājutiko mahāvipphāro.
8 ‘For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, refrain from high and luxurious beds and make use of low beds, whether a simple cot or a spread of grass. Today, for this night and day, I too, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, will refrain from high and luxurious beds and will make use of a low bed, whether a simple cot or a spread of grass. In this way, I shall follow the example of the arahants, and the Uposatha will be observed by me.’ Thus, one is endowed with the eighth factor. Thus observed, bhikkhus, the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors is of great fruit, of great benefit, superbly bright, and far-reaching.
Kīvamahapphalo hoti kīvamahānisaṁso kīvamahājutiko kīvamahāvipphāro? Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, yo imesaṁ soḷasannaṁ mahājanapadānaṁ pahūtarattaratanānaṁ issariyādhipaccaṁ rajjaṁ kāreyya, seyyathidaṁ— aṅgānaṁ magadhānaṁ kāsīnaṁ kosalānaṁ vajjīnaṁ mallānaṁ cetīnaṁ vaṅgānaṁ kurūnaṁ pañcālānaṁ macchānaṁ sūrasenānaṁ assakānaṁ avantīnaṁ gandhārānaṁ kambojānaṁ, aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgatassa uposathassa etaṁ kalaṁ nāgghati soḷasiṁ. Taṁ kissa hetu? Kapaṇaṁ, bhikkhave, mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya.
How great is its fruit? How great is its benefit? How superbly bright and far-reaching is it? Suppose, bhikkhus, someone were to rule over the sixteen great regions, possessing abundant wealth and royal treasures, such as, the regions of the Aṅgas, Magadhas, Kāsīs, Kosalas, Vajjians, Mallans, Cetis, Vaṅgas, Kurus, Pañcālas, Macchas, Sūrasenas, Assakas, Avantis, Gandhāras, and Kambojas—this would not be worth a sixteenth part of the fruit and benefit of the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, human kingship is |insignificant::poor [kapaṇa]| compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni paññāsa vassāni, cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbāni pañca vassasatāni cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā cātumahārājikānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya’.
Bhikkhus, fifty human years equal one day and night for the |deities::gods [deva]| of the Four Great Kings. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the devas of the Four Great Kings is five hundred celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the devas of the Four Great Kings. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni vassasatāni, tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbaṁ vassasahassaṁ tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tāvatiṁsānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya’.
Bhikkhus, one hundred human years equal one day and night for the gods of the Thirty-Three. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the gods of the Thirty-Three is one thousand celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the gods of the Thirty-Three. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni dve vassasatāni, yāmānaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbāni dve vassasahassāni yāmānaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā yāmānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya’.
Bhikkhus, two hundred human years equal one day and night for the Yāma gods. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the Yāma gods is two thousand celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the Yāma gods. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni cattāri vassasatāni, tusitānaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbāni cattāri vassasahassāni tusitānaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā tusitānaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya’.
Bhikkhus, four hundred human years equal one day and night for the Tusita gods. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the Tusita gods is four thousand celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the Tusita gods. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni aṭṭha vassasatāni, nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbāni aṭṭha vassasahassāni nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā nimmānaratīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāya’.
Bhikkhus, eight hundred human years equal one day and night for the Nimmānarati gods. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the Nimmānarati gods is eight thousand celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the Nimmānarati gods. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Yāni, bhikkhave, mānusakāni soḷasa vassasatāni, paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ eso eko rattindivo. Tāya rattiyā tiṁsarattiyo māso. Tena māsena dvādasamāsiyo saṁvaccharo. Tena saṁvaccharena dibbāni soḷasa vassasahassāni paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ. Ṭhānaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, vijjati yaṁ idhekacco itthī vā puriso vā aṭṭhaṅgasamannāgataṁ uposathaṁ upavasitvā kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā paranimmitavasavattīnaṁ devānaṁ sahabyataṁ upapajjeyya. Idaṁ kho panetaṁ, bhikkhave, sandhāya bhāsitaṁ: ‘kapaṇaṁ mānusakaṁ rajjaṁ dibbaṁ sukhaṁ upanidhāyā’ti.
Bhikkhus, sixteen hundred human years equal one day and night for the Paranimmita-vasavatti gods. Thirty such days make a month, and twelve months make a year. By that reckoning, the lifespan of the Paranimmita-vasavatti gods is sixteen thousand celestial years. It is indeed possible, bhikkhus, that here some woman or man, having observed the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors, upon the breaking up of the body after death, might be reborn in the company of the Paranimmita-vasavatti gods. It is with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said human kingship is insignificant compared to divine happiness.
Verse
Pāṇaṁ na haññe na cadinnamādiye,
Musā na bhāse na ca majjapo siyā;
Abrahmacariyā virameyya methunā,
Rattiṁ na bhuñjeyya vikālabhojanaṁ.
One should not harm living beings or take what is not given,
One should not speak falsehood or indulge in intoxicants;
One should refrain from sexual activity or engage in unchastity,
One should not eat at night or partake in untimely eating.
Mālaṁ na dhāre na ca gandhamācare,
Mañce chamāyaṁ va sayetha santhate;
Etañhi aṭṭhaṅgikamāhuposathaṁ,
Buddhena dukkhantagunā pakāsitaṁ.
One should not wear garlands or apply perfumes,
One should rest on a low bed or on the ground;
This is the eightfold Uposatha observance,
declared by the Buddha, who reached the end of suffering.
Cando ca suriyo ca ubho sudassanā,
Obhāsayaṁ anupariyanti yāvatā;
Tamonudā te pana antalikkhagā,
Nabhe pabhāsanti disāvirocanā.
The moon and the sun, both beautiful to behold,
travel shining as far as their light reaches;
Dispellers of darkness, moving in the sky,
shining and illuminating the directions.
Etasmiṁ yaṁ vijjati antare dhanaṁ,
Muttā maṇi veḷuriyañca bhaddakaṁ;
Siṅgīsuvaṇṇaṁ atha vāpi kañcanaṁ,
Yaṁ jātarūpaṁ haṭakanti vuccati.
Whatever wealth is found in the world,
pearls, gems, and excellent beryl;
Ornamental gold, refined gold,
and the natural gold called haṭaka.
Aṭṭhaṅgupetassa uposathassa,
Kalampi te nānubhavanti soḷasiṁ;
Candappabhā tāragaṇā ca sabbe.
Compared to the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors,
the wealth of the world is not worth a sixteenth part;
Just as all the hosts of stars cannot rival the moonlight.
Tasmā hi nārī ca naro ca sīlavā,
Aṭṭhaṅgupetaṁ upavassuposathaṁ;
Puññāni katvāna sukhudrayāni,
Aninditā saggamupenti ṭhānan”ti.
Therefore, a virtuous woman or man,
observing the Uposatha endowed with the eight factors;
Having performed merit that leads to happiness,
\{through blamelessness} (through irreproachable conduct [anindita
]), attains the heavenly state.