Uposatha is the Buddhist holy day. About once a week, on the new moon, the full moon and the half moons, Buddhists set aside a day for a little more practice: keeping the precepts more carefully, meditating, visiting a temple. In Thailand it is called wan phra, the monk's day. Here is what it is and how to keep it, even at home.
When Uposatha falls
The Buddhist calendar follows the moon. Each lunar month has two fortnights, waxing and waning, and the early texts name the eighth, fourteenth and fifteenth days of the fortnight as special days (AN 3.37). In practice, Theravāda Buddhists keep four Uposatha days a month:
- New moon (the main observance day)
- First-quarter half moon
- Full moon (the main observance day)
- Last-quarter half moon
Your free day card shows tonight's moon and how many days until the next Uposatha. Temple calendars follow the traditional lunar calendar, so they can differ from ours by a day.
The eight precepts
On Uposatha, devoted lay Buddhists may take eight precepts for one day and night instead of the usual five. The extra three come from the novice's training rules in the Khuddakapāṭha (Kp 2):
- Refrain from killing living creatures.
- Refrain from stealing.
- Refrain from all sexual activity (for this day and night).
- Refrain from lying.
- Refrain from alcohol and intoxicants.
- Refrain from eating after midday.
- Refrain from entertainment, and from adorning yourself with garlands, perfume and makeup.
- Refrain from high and luxurious beds.
Living like the awakened, for one day
The Sabbath in Brief (AN 8.41) explains the spirit of the day. For each precept, the practitioner reflects that the awakened ones keep it all their lives, and then says: "I, too, for this day and night" will do the same. The discourse calls this observance "very fruitful and beneficial and brilliant and bountiful."
That is a lovely way to see it. Uposatha is not a punishment or a fast for its own sake. It is one day to taste a simpler, quieter life, and to come back to ordinary life a little lighter.
What Thai Buddhists do on wan phra
- Offer food to monks in the morning, at the temple or on the alms round.
- Take the precepts from a monk, and listen to a Dhamma talk.
- Chant and meditate, sometimes through the evening.
- Some devoted lay people, often dressed in white, stay at the temple and keep the eight precepts overnight.
The largest Uposatha days, such as Visakha Puja and the start of the rains retreat, are public holidays in Thailand.
A simple Uposatha at home
- Morning: the homage, the Three Refuges and the precepts you choose for today.
- Midday: eat your main meal before noon if you like, and notice how it feels to eat simply.
- Afternoon: a screen-free hour. Read a discourse, such as the Mangala Sutta.
- Evening: sit a little longer than usual, then end with the gratitude meditation and a wish of loving-kindness.
Even one Uposatha a month, kept this simply, gives the month a rhythm: a regular day to pause and begin again.
Questions people ask
When is Uposatha?
On the new moon, the full moon and the two half moons: roughly every seven or eight days. Exact dates follow the lunar calendar, and temples in different countries can differ by a day.
What are the eight precepts?
The five precepts, with the third becoming full celibacy for the day, plus three more: not eating after midday, avoiding entertainment and adornment, and not using high or luxurious beds.
Do I have to keep all eight precepts?
No. Many lay Buddhists keep the five precepts more carefully on Uposatha, meditate a little longer or visit a temple. Keeping all eight for a day and night is a traditional option, not a requirement.
What is wan phra?
Wan phra, 'monk's day', is the Thai name for Uposatha. Many Thai Buddhists visit the temple, offer food to monks and listen to a Dhamma talk on these days.