[131] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus." "Venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Bhikkhus, the Uposatha (uposatha) complete in eight factors, when it has been observed, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendor, of great pervasiveness. And how, bhikkhus, is the Uposatha complete in eight factors observed, so that it is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendor, of great pervasiveness?
"Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple reflects thus: 'For as long as they live, the arahants (arahanto), having abandoned the destruction of life, abstain from the destruction of life; with rod laid down, with weapon laid down, conscientious, given to kindness, they dwell compassionate for the welfare of all living beings. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned the destruction of life, abstain from the destruction of life; with rod laid down, with weapon laid down, conscientious, given to kindness, I dwell compassionate for the welfare of all living beings. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this first factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned the taking of what is not given, abstain from taking what is not given; taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, they dwell with a self that is not thievish, become pure. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned the taking of what is not given, abstain from taking what is not given; taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, I dwell with a self that is not thievish, become pure. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this second factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned unchastity, live the holy life, living aloof, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the practice of village folk. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned unchastity, live the holy life, living aloof, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the practice of village folk. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this third factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned false speech, abstain from false speech; speakers of truth, adherents of truth, steadfast, trustworthy, they are no deceivers of the world. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned false speech, abstain from false speech; a speaker of truth, an adherent of truth, steadfast, trustworthy, I am no deceiver of the world. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this fourth factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness, abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness, abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this fifth factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants eat one meal a day, refraining from eating at night, abstaining from food at improper times. Today, for this night and this day, I too eat one meal a day, refraining from eating at night, abstaining from food at improper times. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this sixth factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned dancing, singing, instrumental music, the seeing of unsuitable shows, and the wearing of garlands and the use of scents and unguents as grounds for adornment and beautification, abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, the seeing of unsuitable shows, and the wearing of garlands and the use of scents and unguents as grounds for adornment and beautification. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned dancing, singing, instrumental music, the seeing of unsuitable shows, and the wearing of garlands and the use of scents and unguents as grounds for adornment and beautification, abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, the seeing of unsuitable shows, and the wearing of garlands and the use of scents and unguents as grounds for adornment and beautification. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this seventh factor.
"… 'For as long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; they make a low resting place, on a small couch or on a spread of grass. Today, for this night and this day, I too, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; I make a low resting place, on a small couch or on a spread of grass. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' It is possessed of this eighth factor.
"Bhikkhus, the Uposatha complete in eight factors, observed thus, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendor, of great pervasiveness."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.