uposatha
Lunar observance day
Uposatha is a Buddhist observance day, occurring roughly weekly according to lunar phases—new moon, full moon, and quarter moons.
On uposatha days, lay practitioners often visit temples, observe additional precepts (typically eight instead of five), meditate, and listen to dharma teachings.
Monks recite their code of discipline.
She fasts on every uposatha.
The practice originated in ancient India and remains central to Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and other Southeast Asian countries.
Focused attention practice
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- offeringSomething presented or given
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- flowersPlant reproductive structures
candles · alms · generosity · confession · reflection · recollection · sermon · teaching
Buddhist religious community
- dharmaCosmic moral order
- vinayaBuddhist moral conduct
- suttaBuddhist doctrinal discourse
- monasteryReligious seclusion dwelling
laypeople · merit · almsgiving · dana
Right and wrong principles
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- restraintControl over impulses
- celibacyAbstaining from intimate relations
refrain · renunciation · discipline · self-control · purification · commitment · non-harming · truthfulness
Natural planetary satellite
Voluntarily doing without
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- simplicityLack of complexity
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- middayTwelve hours after midnight
meditation
Focused attention practice
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- offeringSomething presented or given
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
flowers · candles · alms · generosity · confession · reflection · recollection · sermon · teaching · devotion
sangha
Buddhist religious community
monastery · laypeople · merit · almsgiving · dana
morality
Right and wrong principles
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- restraintControl over impulses
celibacy · refrain · renunciation · discipline · self-control · purification · commitment · non-harming · truthfulness
moon
Natural planetary satellite
abstaining
Voluntarily doing without
- hungerNeed for nourishment
- simplicityLack of complexity
- moderationAvoidance of excess
- FastingRamadan, Yom Kippur, Lenten fasting, water fast, intermittent fasting
- Pali Buddhismsutta, vinaya, sangha, buddha, samsara
- Buddhist preceptsvinaya, no killing, no stealing, no lying, precepts
- Lay Buddhismdana, almsgiving, temple offerings, food offerings
- Theravadasutta, Vinaya, Theravada, Buddhaghosa, eightfold path
- Theravada BuddhismTheravada, sutta, Vinaya, vinaya, monks
uposathaweekly observance
Sabbath · Shabbat · Lord's Day · Sunday · Friday prayers