[133] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, in the Eastern Park, in the mansion of Migāramātā. Then Visākhā, Migāra's mother, approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, she sat down to one side. As she sat to one side, the Blessed One said this to Visākhā, Migāra's mother:
"Visākhā, the uposatha (uposatha) observance, when observed complete in eight factors, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness. And how, Visākhā, is the uposatha observance, observed complete in eight factors, of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness?
"Here, Visākhā, 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 aside, with weapon laid aside, conscientious and merciful, 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 aside, with weapon laid aside, conscientious and merciful, 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 sleeping-place low, upon a small couch or 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 sleeping-place low, upon a small couch or 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.
"Thus observed, Visākhā, the uposatha observance complete in eight factors is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness.
"And how great is its fruit, how great its benefit, how great its splendour, how great its pervasiveness? Suppose, Visākhā, one were to exercise sovereign lordship and kingship over these sixteen great countries abounding in the seven treasures, namely: 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, the Kambojas — this would not be worth a sixteenth part of the uposatha observance complete in eight factors. For what reason? Wretched, Visākhā, is human kingship compared with heavenly happiness.
"Fifty human years, Visākhā, 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 lifespan of the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings. And it is possible, Visākhā, that some woman or man here, having observed the uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breaking up of the body, after death, would arise in companionship with the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings. It was with reference to this that I said: 'Wretched is human kingship compared with heavenly happiness.'
"A hundred human years, Visākhā, 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 lifespan of the Tāvatiṃsa devas. And it is possible, Visākhā, that some woman or man here, having observed the uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breaking up of the body, after death, would arise in companionship with the Tāvatiṃsa devas. It was with reference to this that I said: 'Wretched is human kingship compared with heavenly happiness.'
"Two hundred human years, Visākhā … four hundred years … eight hundred years … sixteen hundred human years are one night-and-day of the devas who lord over the creation of others (Paranimmitavasavattī); thirty such nights make a month; twelve such months make a year; sixteen thousand such celestial years are the lifespan of the devas who lord over the creation of others. And it is possible, Visākhā, that some woman or man here, having observed the uposatha complete in eight factors, with the breaking up of the body, after death, would arise in companionship with the devas who lord over the creation of others. It was with reference to this that I said: 'Wretched is human kingship compared with heavenly happiness.'
"One should not kill a living being, nor take what is not given,
nor speak falsehood, nor be a drinker of intoxicants;
one should refrain from unchastity, from sexual intercourse;
one should not eat food at night, at the improper time;
one should not wear garlands nor apply scents;
one should sleep on a couch, or on the ground upon a spread.
This indeed they call the eightfold uposatha,
proclaimed by the Buddha who has reached the end of suffering (dukkha).
The moon and the sun, both fair to behold,
follow their course, illuminating as far as they range;
dispellers of darkness, moving through the sky,
they shine in the heavens, lighting up the quarters.
Whatever wealth exists within this sphere —
pearls, gems, and fine beryl,
horn-gold and mountain-gold,
and the natural gold that is called haṭaka —
these do not amount even to a sixteenth part
of the uposatha complete in eight factors,
just as all the hosts of stars (do not equal) the radiance of the moon.
Therefore indeed a virtuous woman or man,
having observed the uposatha complete in eight factors,
having done deeds of merit that ripen in happiness,
blameless, they attain to the heavenly state."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.