[132] Bhikkhus, the Uposatha (uposatha) observance, when it has been observed complete in eight factors, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great brilliance, of great pervasiveness. And how, bhikkhus, is the Uposatha observed complete in eight factors so that it is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great brilliance, of great pervasiveness? Here, bhikkhus, a noble disciple reflects thus: 'As long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned the destruction of life, abstain from the destruction of life; with rod laid down, with weapon laid down, conscientious, kindly, 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, kindly, 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.' He is possessed of this first factor. … 'As long as they live, the arahants, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; they make their bed low, on a small bed 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 my bed low, on a small bed or on a spread of grass. By this factor I emulate the arahants, and the Uposatha will have been observed by me.' He is possessed of this eighth factor. Observed in this way, bhikkhus, the Uposatha complete in eight factors is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great brilliance, of great pervasiveness.
How greatly fruitful is it? How greatly beneficial? How greatly brilliant? How greatly pervasive? Suppose, bhikkhus, one were to exercise sovereignty and kingship over these sixteen great countries abounding in the seven treasures, that is: the Aṅgas, the Magadhas, the Kāsis, the Kosalas, the Vajjis, the Mallas, the Cetis, the Vaṃsas, the Kurus, the Pañcālas, the Macchas, the Sūrasenas, the Assakas, the Avantis, the Gandhāras, and the Kambojas — this is not worth a sixteenth part of the Uposatha complete in eight factors. For what reason? Because human kingship is a paltry thing, bhikkhus, compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, fifty human years are one night and day of the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājikā); thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; five hundred such celestial years are the life-span of the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, a hundred human years are one night and day of the Tāvatiṃsa devas; thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; a thousand such celestial years are the life-span of the Tāvatiṃsa devas. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the Tāvatiṃsa devas. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, two hundred human years are one night and day of the Yāma devas; thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; two thousand such celestial years are the life-span of the Yāma devas. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the Yāma devas. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, four hundred human years are one night and day of the Tusita devas; thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; four thousand such celestial years are the life-span of the Tusita devas. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the Tusita devas. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, eight hundred human years are one night and day of the Nimmānaratī devas; thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; eight thousand such celestial years are the life-span of the Nimmānaratī devas. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the Nimmānaratī devas. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
Bhikkhus, sixteen hundred human years are one night and day of the Paranimmitavasavattī devas; thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; sixteen thousand such celestial years are the life-span of the Paranimmitavasavattī devas. And it is possible, bhikkhus, that some woman or man here, having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the Paranimmitavasavattī devas. It was with reference to this, bhikkhus, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
One should not kill living beings, nor take what is not given;
one should not speak falsehood, nor be a drinker of intoxicants;
one should refrain from sexual intercourse, from unchastity;
one should not eat at night, food at the wrong time;
one should not wear garlands nor apply perfumes;
one should sleep on a bed, or on the ground, with a spread laid out.
This indeed, they say, is the eightfold Uposatha,
made known by the Buddha, who has reached the end of suffering (dukkha).
The moon and the sun, both fair to behold,
shine wherever they course;
dispellers of darkness, moving through the sky,
they illumine the heavens, making the quarters radiant.
Whatever wealth is found within their compass —
pearl, gem, and fine beryl,
horn-gold, gold, and gold besides,
the native gold that is called haṭaka —
these do not amount to a sixteenth part
of the Uposatha complete in eight factors,
just as all the hosts of stars
cannot match the radiance of the moon.
Therefore a virtuous woman or man,
having observed the Uposatha complete in eight factors,
having made merits that ripen in happiness,
blameless, they attain the heavenly state.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.