Buddhabodhisathas, visitor of this place,
Being the new-moon Uposatha to day, my person took leave to give a topic on the main pillow of practice tradition: Uposatha-observance and it's traditional ways.
Four main kinds of practice are done on this day, as prerequisite of the Ariya Uposatha which requires to part-take:
Paying Respect or Veneration - the unknown very first Sila, confessing and asking for pardon in regard of missdeeds toward the Gems, ones teacher..., to bring the relation in proper condition, renewing ones refuge and resolves, and doing service as a matter of duty for a proper relation.
A short nice view on the traditional ways is given in the work, "originated" by Ajahn Lee: The Service for the Lunar Sabbath (it does not incl. Vandāmi, pardon and asking for/sharing merits)
Since my person assumes that your place here is not only dedicated in serving each other on feeding on Dhamma or just another room for ordinary socialication (saṇgama), my person thinks that it is good to suggest you to try to invite one or more monks to guide you in undertaking this importand occasion regulary.
Many might not have the possibility to visite a monastery to perform service for it, asking for refuge and requesting precepts.
Just one tiny alternative can be given, but would also require certain sacrifices in advanced to develope it in english well.
A maybe not so known origin of the allowance and practice of the Uposatha with lay followers can be found in the Mahavagga: The Allowance for Gathering. Some might have thought that it is just a lay cultural tradition.
It's also inspiring, found in the same Khandhaka, that the Buddha even encouraged those in no/no more need of cleaning by "Who, else, if not you (the wise) would keep the Uposatha uphold", speaking with a clean Bhikkhu who thought "whether I go or not, I am nevertheless clean".
May this topic give rise for inspiration, joy and effort into doing service for a relation needed to cross over suffering and stress, for one self and many.
May all spend an auspicious Uposatha-day and may the Devas share all of your merits toward does not being aware of them.Iti 98 wrote:- Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa -
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard: "There are these two kinds of gifts: a gift of material things & a gift of the Dhamma. Of the two, this is supreme: a gift of the Dhamma. There are these two kinds of sharing: sharing of material things & sharing of the Dhamma. Of the two, this is supreme: sharing of the Dhamma. There are these two kinds of assistance: assistance with material things & assistance with the Dhamma. Of the two, this is supreme: help with the Dhamma."
The gift he describes
as foremost & unsurpassed,
the sharing the Blessed One has extolled:
who — confident in the supreme field of merit,
wise, discerning —
wouldn't give it at appropriate times?
Both for those who proclaim it
and those who listen,
confident in the message of the One Well-gone:
it purifies their foremost benefit —
those heeding the message
of the One Well-gone.