Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa):
Days of Significance on Special Observance of Precepts in Myanmar
Introduction The present paper is an attempt to argue over observance of precepts or keeping Sabbath in the true sense of Buddhists perspective and to convey that an observance of precepts (Uposatha-sla) is to whom for the sake of oneself or others. The argumentation will be made mainly based on Sabbath-day in Myanmar via its current evidences and cultures. Sabbath-day, Posatha in Pli derived from Upa and Vasatha, is an auspicious day when Buddhist devotees pay special attentions to observe moral precepts in Myanmar. Upa means noble practices and Vasatha dwelling and hence Sabbath-day or combining form Uposatha is dwelling with noble practises. Divasa is just referring to a barely certain day. The Sabbath-day when it was coming into being in Myanmar is uncertain, yet probably, it is believed, it was popularly commenced at the time of Pagan Dynasty of 11th century A.D. The most certain evidence is that the observance of precepts convention in Myanmar is an unbroken succession of pure tradition of the Buddhas life time in 6th century B.C., though there is unknown interrelated details. Besides, the undisputed fact is that the observance of precepts on Sabbath-days in Myanmar keeps flourishing to the present age. First of all, we should know about the precepts observed by lay people on Sabbath-days and what sort of precepts periodically practised by them are. Kinds of Sla Prescribed by the Canon Five precepts (Paca-sla) consists of (1) abstinence from killing living beings, (2) stealing, (3) committing sexual misconduct, (4) telling lies, (5) intoxicating drinks and drugs are essential moral conducts of a Buddhist in his or her everyday life. It is therefore said uninterrupted observance of virtue (Nicca-sla) that a Buddhist should not violate them at any time or any occasion. A simile is given to clarify that the five precepts are like nether garment of a man that he or she always has to be worn. In this sense, according to our tradition, one who has lack of nether garment is shameless person for whom there is no evil actions that he or she dare not to commit. 1

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

Eight precepts(Ahag-uposatha-sla) (1) abstinence from killing living beings, (2) stealing, (3) un-chastity, (4) telling lies, (5) intoxicating drinks and drugs, (6) taking food after mid-day, (7) dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, seeing shows, wearing flowers and using perfumes, (8) using high and luxurious beds, seats, tec., are extraordinary specifications to be observed on Sabbath-days and an auspicious occasion or days of religious significance. The latter will identify in detail in another article when the time comes. The third rule of five and eight precepts differ deeply one from the others. It means, for instance, in the former, one can have sex with his wife or her husband as family man or woman legally permitted, but it is improper or violating the precept when he or she takes part in sex acts with other except ones own spouse. Had one sex with fiance before married, it is also counting committing the precept of sexual misconduct and accordingly living-together is strongly condemned. In the sense of latter, i.e., un-chastity, one who observes eight precepts has to refrain from having sex not only the aforementioned but also ones own spouse. Any kind of having sex act is unacceptable according to the un-chastity. The third one in eight precepts hence is morally high and noble than that of the five precepts. The rest three in eight precepts are added to the five precepts. Nine precepts (Navag-uposatha-sla) or Ten precepts (Dasa-sla), in this regard, the nine precepts comes into being when a precept of dissemination of loving kindness to beings is added to the eight precepts. For the ten precepts, special rules for novice (Smaeras), one further precept on abstinence from accepting and spending gold and money is put in eight precepts whereas that of seventh is divided into two parts as abstinence from dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, seeing shows and abstinence from wearing flowers and using perfumes.

Sabbath-days of a Month Myanmar has lunar month of twelve by its own tradition since the very ancient time and they are represented the customary practices of religio-culture of Myanmar. An account details on them will be descripted with a particular essay when the time favors. The Sabbathdays of a month are Full-moon day, New-moon day and the eighth days of waxing and waning days and the regular day for Sabbath in a month are four days in total. Of them, majority devotees give special consideration on Full-moon and New-moon days to observe the precepts than that of the rest as they are lay people who have to run business for their day to day life.

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

On Sabbath-days, lay men (Dyaks) and lay women (Dyikmas), some of them accompanied by their grand-sons or grand-daughters, come to a monastery nearby to take precepts early in the morning. On those days, a certain senior monk of the temple leads the recitation of the eight or nine precepts to be taken by the lay devotees who, later on, listen to the religious sermon preached by the former. As it is different religio-norm in different place, there is some diversity about the habits of observing precepts depending on regions such as rural and urban areas and so forth. Anyhow, lay devotees, after promising to keep precepts to the monks, remains at the monastery for the whole day long or as they wish for somebody. A monastery in Myanmar has rest-house to put up at especially for ones who are observing the precepts on Sabbathdays and they stay in the rest-house discussing on the Teachings of the Buddha. From time to time, they practise concentration or insight meditation (Samatha or Vipassan) as instructed by senior monk (Sayadaw in Myanmar). Sometimes, they are telling beads on remembering the qualities of Triple-gems setting silently in a quiet place of monastery compound or walking gently making no sound so that they can get right concentration that can cause peaceful mind. Respective family members of lay devotees comes to monastery to offer them some food for lunch and certain juice for afternoon and night because they, as they are observing eight or nine precepts, have to abstain from eating solid food after mid-day till at dawn of following day. Sometimes, there are some donors who offer lunch meals for lay devotees as their commemoration of departed beloved ones or celebration of birthday. Female devotees return their home at sunset whilst male devotees continue at the monastery for night, yet the former keep observing the precepts at home until the next day morning. At the Rains-retreat period of three months (Vassasa), they emphasis to keep precepts for all Sabbath-days and even the youths come to monastery to take precepts within ones capacity of time or at one setting. Observing the eight or nine precepts on Sabbath-days in Myanmar is not happening in a particular region or an ethnic-group but a nationwide and the Sabbath-days fall concurrently whole the country. Meritorious deeds of all kinds are performed in those days than that of normal days paying a special visit to monasteries, Pagodas whilst they hold such things as flowers, candle, scent-sticks, various fruits, rice with curry etc. in their hands to offer to the Triple-gems and elderly people. How charitable they are and how lovely they are with their remarkable traditions handed down from generation to generation till the present day! In recent year the Sabbath-days are nominated as the public holidays. Unfortunately, Sabbath3

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

days given as holiday were declined since Myanmar was colonized. As a result some of our custom and tradition were perished and faded away. We feel too awful to mention a word. In those situations, a famous senior monk named See-Ban-Ni-Sayadaw had grumbled that Death would have been better! As we are brought up in the cradle of Theravda Buddhism and came of age under its Teachings, we honestly prefer mental and spiritual developments, but not to that of material. Fortunately, we have brilliant generations, with moral and righteous mind, who can restore our custom and traditions in their pristine purity and we are assured that they can bring real peace and harmony of the world with the help of the genuine teachings of the Buddha. On Sabbath day, lay devotees, before they are going to monastery, clean and purge not only their inner appearance but their outer look. They try not to get angry at any situation and they wear brown nether garment and white colour for upper which are lesser attachment than that of the beautiful and attractive clothes. Some lay devotees wear brown colour one-set which is special uniform for them. Thus they try to emulate both inner and outer behaviours a monk so far as they could whilst some lay devotees, residing only in their house, take eight or nine precepts from a certain monk who goes alms-round into their house and some take Sabbath precepts in front of the Buddha statue of their house as they are busy as bee.

Pre and Post Sabbath-days There is the day before a Sabbath-day is called pre-Sabbath-day when people are learnt that tomorrow is waxing or full-moon Sabbath day etc. In countryside, people who are engaged in cultivations are reminded by lay attendant or young students of monastery situated at the head of the village. They wander into the village on the late evening of pre Sabbath-day and they keep going every street of village with shouts of reminding that tomorrow is what Sabbath day will be. A pair of student goes to announce the villagers and one of them hold a triangular brass gong proclaiming and striking it whilst the other carries a basket on his shoulder in which the villager donate plain rice pouring into it. Now a day, the authorities concerned in Myanmar come to look after pious people who wish to engage in various activities of donation in auspicious day such as Sabbath-days and religious days of significances and they alarm the people by broadcasting from National Radio and Television Dear Buddhist virtuous folks! Today is pre Sabbath-day and we, for the sake of Nibbna, humbly give a notice to those who wish to observe precepts tomorrow! In the period of Rains-retreat for three months, full-moon day is officially granted a public holiday. The youths participate in not only religious campaign but the movement of social 4

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

occasion of joy or grief as volunteers with ones own consideration using their Web-pages, social Network, and so on. We are warmly welcome the world To come and see and respectfully invite you all to scrutinize the teachings of the Buddha so that you may accept or reject it accordingly. Blind faith alone is totally unacceptable in Buddhism, but you are in need of open-minded and real honesty. The concept of pre-Sabbath-day varies one place from the other. Particularly, the people in urban areas use to say that today is rural pre Sabbath-day, i.e. a day before pre Sabbath day. Of course, it would confuse the readers. Let me give simple example to explain it. Supposing Tuesday is the Sabbath-day and, if this were so, Monday is pre Sabbath-day in regular. Sunday is then pre Sabbath-day for countryside, the citizenry said. So far as I know there is neither differentiation about pre Sabbath-day for inhabitants in rural areas nor townsfolk, but there would be out of my reach if it is true. It is however undeniable fact that people in cities fixed and firmly keep talking this usage until current time. Further investigation on different concept of pre-Sabbath-day should be analyzed. Post Sabbath day is nothing but the following day of the Sabbath-day and it is called a day which terminates the observance of eight or nine precepts on which the lay devotees take five precepts early in the morning after having breakfast. They now return home to engage in their responsibilities and social works. At the monarchical time in Myanmar, there was the tradition of being a long period of Sabbath especially for the King when his country was under crisis calamitous circumstances and Queen for royal family affairs. Besides, some noble people in ancient and present time resolute and observe the precepts for a long period of Sabbath, too. The abovementioned practice is not a habit of ordinary people.

Additional Ethical Precepts An observance of precepts is leading to a higher degree of moral and ethical conduct not only for oneself but for other people far and near comprising all living beings in the universe and animate and inanimate things of ones own surroundings. Therefore observing the precepts is not mere benefits for oneself but for others counting ones right livelihood is above all else. In the Aguttara-nikya, a discourse reads five kinds of trade trading in weapons, trading in living beings, trading in meat, trading in intoxicants, and trading in poisons which should not be engaged by a lay devotee or a Buddhist. A Buddhist way of life is hence

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa)

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

seen practically as well as freely on idea and occupation as his or her life is erected in rational and righteous methods or teachings.

Conclusion Sabbath-days are of various kinds for monks and lay people mentioned in the Canon and precepts are also abundant in categories. The Sabbath-day, especially for lay devotees, on which they keep an observance of precepts, is still living practise to the present day in Myanmar and it plays a vital role of Buddhists moral life. The observance of eight or nine precepts in Sabbath-day is a kind of mental training in a camp and it reforms ones evil mind into pure mind and it is said individual focus that leads to the world organization. Thus one can bear the eight vicissitudes of life (Loka-dhamma) gain and loss, honour and dishonor, praise and blame, happiness and misery which no one can be ineluctable in everyday life. A Buddhist in Myanmar is assessed and evaluated by his or her religious activities and social activities how far he or she can participate religious tasks both physical and mental contributions. The pious Buddhist is greatly respected and appreciated by all classes of people in Myanmar. Such kind of person is exceptionally honoured with an award of various titles by the government at every Independent Day of a year. Therefore a life of a Buddhist is to carry out for the welfare of the world and his or her possession and wealth, which earn allout effort and righteously, are to contribute to the good of people. There is no doubt that a real Buddhist, in whatever work that person does, gives special consideration to altruism as highly suggested by the Buddha. Accordingly, Buddha said the essence of ones wealth is charity; the essence of life is morality; the essence of five aggregates is insight wisdom. It should therefore be noticed that superficial labels and material development are not held in highly esteem in Buddhism, but the advance of ethical conducts and uplifting of morality which lead to real peace and harmony of life. With Mett, Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya) Friday, September 27, 2013

Sabbath-days (Uposatha-divasa) Ref;

By Rev. Uttamnanda (University of Peradeniya)

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