[135] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then the female lay follower Bojjhā 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 the female lay follower Bojjhā: "Bojjhā, the uposatha (uposatha) observance endowed with eight factors, when it has been undertaken, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness. And how, Bojjhā, is the uposatha endowed with eight factors, when it has been undertaken, of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness?
"Here, Bojjhā, 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 imitate the arahants, and the uposatha will have been undertaken by me.' He is endowed with 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 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 my bed low, on a small couch or on a spread of grass. By this factor I imitate the arahants, and the uposatha will have been undertaken by me.' He is endowed with this eighth factor. It is when it has been undertaken in this way, Bojjhā, that the uposatha endowed with eight factors is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness.
"To what extent is it of great fruit, of great benefit, of great splendour, of great pervasiveness? Suppose, Bojjhā, one were to exercise sovereign lordship 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, the Kambojas — that would not be worth a sixteenth part of the uposatha endowed with eight factors. For what reason? Because, Bojjhā, human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
"Bojjhā, fifty human years are one night-and-day of the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings (Cātummahārājikā); thirty such nights are a month; twelve such months are a year; five hundred such divine years are the lifespan of the devas of the realm of the Four Great Kings. Now this is possible, Bojjhā: that some woman or man here, having observed the uposatha endowed with 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, Bojjhā, that I said: human kingship is a paltry thing compared with divine happiness.
"Bojjhā, a hundred human years … Bojjhā, two hundred human years … 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 are a month; twelve such months are a year; sixteen thousand such divine years are the lifespan of the devas who lord over the creation of others. Now this is possible, Bojjhā: that some woman or man here, having observed the uposatha endowed with eight factors, with the breakup of the body, after death, might be reborn in companionship with the devas who lord over the creation of others. It was with reference to this, Bojjhā, 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 unchastity, from sexual intercourse;
one should not eat at night, food at the improper time;
one should not wear garlands nor apply perfumes;
one should sleep on a bed low, or on the ground upon a spread mat.
This, they say, is the eight-factored uposatha,
proclaimed by the Buddha, who has gone to the end of suffering (dukkha).
The moon and the sun, both fair to behold,
course on, 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 their compass—
pearl, gem, and fine beryl,
horn gold, and gold, and also kāñcana gold,
and that native gold which is called haṭaka—
these do not amount even to a sixteenth part
of the uposatha endowed with eight factors,
just as all the hosts of stars do not match the moon's radiance.
Therefore indeed a virtuous woman and man,
having observed the uposatha endowed with eight factors,
having made merits that yield happiness,
blameless, they go to a heavenly state.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.