CALENDAR OF LUNAR OBSERVANCE DAYS

                            (Uposatha Days)



                            * * * * * * * *

                            *   1 9 9 5   *

                            * * * * * * * *





   Last Quarter    New moon        1st Quarter     Full Moon

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~    ~~~~~~~~        ~~~~~~~~~~~     ~~~~~~~~~

                                   Jan 8           Jan 15

   Jan 23          Jan 30          Feb 7           Feb 14 (Magha Puja)

   Feb 22          Feb 28          Mar 8           Mar 15

   Mar 23          Mar 30          Apr 7           Apr 14

   Apr 22          Apr 28          May 6           May 13 (Visakha Puja)

   May 21          May 28          Jun 5           Jun 12

   Jun 20          Jun 26          Jul 4           Jul 11 (Asalha Puja)

   Jul 19          Jul 26          Aug 3           Aug 10

   Aug 18          Aug 24          Sep 1           Sep 8

   Sep 16          Sep 23          Oct 1           Oct 8  (Pavarana Day)

   Oct 16          Oct 22          Oct 30          Nov 6  (*)

   Nov 14          Nov 21          Nov 29          Dec 6

   Dec 14          Dec 20          Dec 28



           --------------------------------------------------

 

  Uposatha days are times of renewed dedication to Dhamma practice,

  observed by both lay people and monastics throughout the world of

  Theravada Buddhism.



  For monastics, these are often days of more intensive reflection and

  meditation. In many monasteries physical labor (construction projects,

  repairs, etc.) is curtailed. On New Moon and Full Moon days the

  fortnightly confession and recitation of the Patimokkha (monks' rules

  of conduct) takes place.



  For lay people, Uposatha days are often days for observing the eight

  precepts, as a way of re-energizing commitment to Dhamma practice.

  Where possible, lay people will use these days as a time to visit the

  local monastery, in order to make special offerings to the Sangha, to

  listen to Dhamma, and to practice meditation with Dhamma companions

  late into the night. For laity not closely affiliated with a local

  monastery, it can simply be an opportunity to practice in a way that

  draws on the invisible support of millions of other practicing

  Buddhists around the world.



  Several of the Full-moon days mark significant events in the annual

  Buddhist calendar:



        Magha Puja (February)  --  "Sangha Day" -- This commemorates the

           spontaneous assembly of 1,250 arahants in the Buddha's

           presence. To mark this auspicious event, the Buddha delivered

           the Ovada-Patimokkha Gatha, or Patimokkha Exhortation -- a

           summary of the main points of the Dhamma that the Buddha gave

           to the 1,250 arahants (the 1,000 who heard the fire sermon

           and the 250 who came with Moggallana and Sariputta) before

           sending them out to proclaim the doctrine.



        Visakha Puja (May)  --  "Buddha Day" -- Commemorates three

           events in the Buddha's life that each took place on this

           full-moon day: his birth, awakening, and final liberation.



        Asalha Puja (July)  --  "Dhamma Day" -- Commemorates the

           Buddha's first discourse, on the Turning the Wheel of Dhamma

           (//Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta//), which he gave to the group

           of five monks with whom he had strived in the forests for

           many years. Upon hearing this discourse, Venerable Kondanna

           became a stream-enterer, thus becoming the first of the

           Buddha's followers to glimpse Nibbana. The annual Rains

           retreat (//vassa//) commences the following day.



        Pavarana Day (October)  --  Conclusion of the Rains retreat

           (//vassa//). In the following month, the //kathina// ceremony

           is held, during which the laity gather to make formal

           offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.



        *(November) --  Commemorates the Buddha's delivery of the

           Discourse on the Full Awareness of Breathing (//Anapanasati

           Sutta//). One year, the Buddha was so pleased with the

           progress of the monks at the end of the //vassa// that he

           encouraged them to extend their retreat for another month. At

           the end of that fourth month of the retreat, he delivered

           this sutta.





  This calendar is calculated using a formula based on the astronomical

  calendar, but the two calendars do not always coincide. This

  particular calendar is that used by Thai monastics (Dhammayut and

  Mahanikaya) around the world. Uposatha calendars of other sects (e.g.,

  Sri Lankan) do not necessarily coincide with this one.



                                                - JB



  Sources

  ~~~~~~~

     1995 Calendar, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, England



     1995 Calendar, Metta Forest Monastery, California



     "Lay Buddhist Practice," by Bhikkhu Khantipalo (BPS Wheel

         Publication No. 206). This book is available for download as

         "WHEEL206.ZIP" in the "Buddhist Publication Society" section

         of the Dhamma file library.



[end]