Uposatha Observance Club

[Khalil Bodhi]

:thumbsup: woot woot, my 1st one. boy am i hungry

Sadhu!

[squarepeg]

:thumbsup: woot woot, my 1st one. boy am i hungry

Sadhu!

[Ytrog]

Hunger will pass

[Buckwheat]

Hunger will pass

This was only my second, and it was already much easier (although still somewhat difficult).

[Hickersonia]

I used a different calendar, obviously, to determine the moon cycle dates because I observed on Monday. :-/

Anyone have a more accurate calendar? I didn't really know where to look to but I ended up here:
http://kalender-365.de/lunar-calendar.php?yy=2012

I figured something like the lunar cycle wouldn't be subject to too much potential for error... Meh.

[Buckwheat]

Hickersonia,

Here is the one I am using: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dham ... a2012.html

[Hickersonia]

Thank you very much, Buckwheat. I have read a lot on that site and clearly just missed that they had a calendar there at all. *facepalm*

Fortunately, most of the dates I had marked in my calendar were still good, requiring very little additional use of my terrible penmanship.

[Buckwheat]

It is a recent addition, so you probably didn't miss anything. You just don't go to that site habitually (maybe even obssesively?) like I do.

Metta,
Scott

[Hickersonia]

I do try to avoid anything becoming obsessive, as it then seems to become it's own sort of fetter for me (and I have plenty already, ha!). I have, however, used some of Bhikkhu Bodhi's work found there, and the copy of the Dhammapada that I carry was found there. I have found the site very useful and maybe ought to increase the frequency which which I visit it, though.

[Ytrog]

I have a small question about the observance: how important is the eight rule ("I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.")? First seven are no problem btw, but I dread sleeping in my living room on a mattress while having to work the next day. Tried it a few times but couldn't sleep. Admittedly I slept on a few towels (didn't cover my body completely, so that was cold) with a blanket to cover me because I had no better option, that changed. Is an air mattress allowable and if yes: under what restrictions?

[Cittasanto]

I have a small question about the observance: how important is the eight rule ("I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.")? First seven are no problem btw, but I dread sleeping in my living room on a mattress while having to work the next day. Tried it a few times but couldn't sleep. Admittedly I slept on a few towels (didn't cover my body completely, so that was cold) with a blanket to cover me because I had no better option, that changed. Is an air mattress allowable and if yes: under what restrictions?

basically if your bed is the same hight as a chair (both feet are flat on the floor while the upper half of your legs are fully on the matress) dont worry, the length of the legs are part of this rule (predominantly). so yes an air matress would be allowed, or a camping mat. or any matress on the floor. have a look at see pacitia 87 in the Buddhist monastic code or other source.

I prefer the floor myself but by room now does not hav the room for me to be fully laying down without potentially cracking my head open or what ever, so I need to use the bed for practical purposes. the rules are to develop contentment with little, not to get ill or anything else.

[mikenz66]

basically if your bed is the same hight as a chair (both feet are flat on the floor while the upper half of your legs are fully on the matress) dont worry...

I agree. Looking at the rules, it seems that almost any modest modern bed qualifies as OK... I'm not sure where this idea of sleeping on the floor as a requirement of 8 precepts is coming from. Am I missing something?
[Though I guess technically modern matresses are not stuffed with leaves, cloth, fur, etc...]

See http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... satha.html

And http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... .html#Pc87

87. When a bhikkhu is having a new bed or bench made, it is to have legs (at most) eight fingerbreadths long — using sugata fingerbreadths — not counting the lower edge of the frame. In excess of that it is to be cut down and confessed.

The purpose of this rule is to prevent bhikkhus from making and using furnishings that are high and imposing.

The factors for the offense here are three.

1) Object: a bed or bench whose legs, measuring from the lower side of the frame to the floor, are longer than eight sugata fingerbreadths (16.7 cm.)
2) Effort: One acquires it after making it or having it made
3) Intention: for one's own use.
...

The sugata measures are a matter of controversy, discussed in Appendix II.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... tml#app-II
For the purposes of this book, we are taking the sugata span to be 25 cm. Because there are twelve sugata fingerbreadths in a sugata span, eight sugata fingerbreadths would be equal to 16.7 cm.

Mike

[Cittasanto]

here is a breakdown of this rule I done for my own personal reference & study.

Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.
I take upon myself the precept for abstaining from high and luxurious resting1 places.

This ninth precept of the ten precepts, or the eighth precept of the eight precepts, is a precept of ordinance, one where it is spiritually blameable.

Meaning
Uccāsayana
Uccā - 1. high; 2. noble.
sayana - a bed; sleeping; bed; sofa.
Mahāsayanā
Mahā – great; big; extensive. short form of mahanta in compound words

Vinaya Clarification
pācittiyā 87 Mañcapīṭhasikkhāpada - Not to make, cause to be made, or use beds or seats having a eight exceeding 65 centimetres.
pācittiyā 88 Tūlonaddhasikkhāpada - Not to use or make beds or seats covered with cotton.
Pācittayā 15 Dutiyasenāsanasikkhāpada – Not to leave without putting ones bed which belongs to the community away or taking leave.
Pācittayā 18 Vehāsakuṭisikkhāpada – not to lie on an unsuitable high resting place.

Extra Rules for Consideration
dhutangas 8-13

Reflection
This is a reflection of the wise, I use the lodging: only to ward off cold, to ward off heat, to ward off the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, burning and creeping things, only to remove the danger from weather, and for living in seclusion.

Interpretation
To cultivate contentment, I will refrain from high & luxurious resting places.

[Ytrog]

Thanks for the links. I understand.

[Khalil Bodhi]

Yesterday and today (depending on location) are the uposatha: http://www.facebook.com/events/240246816051012/

[kareniel]

On this day and night of Uposatha, I reflect on the gifts I have been given.
I reflect on the qualities of the Buddha, who, as an admirable friend, has become a refuge for himself, finding true happiness through his own efforts. Furthermore, in a awe-inspiring gesture of kindness and compassion, has decided to share his discovery with others. The perfection of generosity.

It is on this occasion that I solemnly, with strong determination, and for the whole life, undertake the eight precepts, as a disciplinary aid in moral action, as a highly effective medicine, as a gift I have been offered. May they help me practice the noble craft of the heart.

I am taking the time to share these thoughts hoping they will inspire others in whichever commitment they have taken.

Let's strive on with diligence, untiringly.
Truth is a beautiful flower, let's help it blossom!

May all beings be happy, free from suffering, liberated.
May this Dhamma last another 2500 years!

And happy Uposatha!

Sincerely,
Petit Jo

[Khalil Bodhi]

Happy uposatha! Here is a link to the Uposatha Sutta: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an08/an08.041.vaka.html

[Buckwheat]

Happy uposatha day.

[Khalil Bodhi]

Happy uposatha everyone! May your observances bear great fruit! Here's a link to the day's vent in the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/events/254426354651398/

[Khalil Bodhi]

Finally, I've managed to remember to remind everyone of the uposatha far enough in advance for all of our members. Friday is the First Quarter Moon uposatha. May we all meet with success! https://www.facebook.com/events/321186701279562/