Knowra Uposatha Uposatha Uposatha is a Buddhist observance day marked by renewed commitment to ethical precepts. Practices may include meditation, listening to teachings, and fasting.
Five Precepts : Five ethical training rules observed by lay Buddhists: abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxicants. Lay practitioners commonly renew these commitments on Uposatha.
Lunar calendar : A calendar based on the phases of the Moon, with months tied to lunar cycles. Uposatha dates recur according to lunar phases rather than a fixed weekly schedule.
Buddhism : A religious and philosophical tradition founded on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. Uposatha is a recurring practice within Buddhist traditions.
Poson : A Sri Lankan Buddhist festival commemorating the introduction of Buddhism to the island, traditionally observed in June. Unlike recurring lunar Uposatha, Poson is an annual festival tied to a specific historical commemoration.
Eight Precepts : A set of eight Buddhist training rules that adds abstinence from eating after noon and other renunciant practices. Some lay practitioners undertake this stricter discipline for Uposatha.
Lunar phase : The changing apparent shape of the Moon as seen from Earth, determined by its position relative to Earth and the Sun. Full and new moons commonly mark Uposatha days.
Siddhartha Gautama : The spiritual teacher known as the Buddha, whose teachings founded Buddhism in ancient India. Early Buddhist accounts connect the observance to the Buddha's instruction for communal practice.
Vassa : The annual rainy-season retreat observed by Buddhist monastics, especially in Theravāda traditions. Vassa spans a season of monastic residence, whereas Uposatha recurs on lunar observance days.
Pātimokkha : The code of monastic rules recited at regular communal observances in Theravāda Buddhist monasteries. Monastics gather on Uposatha to recite this code and address rule violations.
Sangha : The Buddhist community, especially the community of ordained monks and nuns. Monastic Uposatha observances depend on the gathered community.
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