An Uposatha day is a Buddhist observance day, in existence since the Buddha's time, and still being kept today by Buddhist practitioners. The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for "the cleansing of the defiled mind" , resulting in inner calm and joy. On this day, both lay and ordained members of the sangha intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and express communal commitment through millennia-old acts of lay-monastic reciprocity. On these days, the lay followers make a conscious effort to keep the eight Precepts. It is a day for practising the Buddha's teachings and meditation.
The Uposatha is observed about once a week in accordance with the four lunar phases: the new moon, the full moon, and the two quarter moons in between.
Here in Skiptvet we try to honour this tradition by dedicating the evening to meditation.
Everyone is most welcome to join the Sangha and guests who are staying at the monastery for either part or the whole evening.
The usual schedule is:
19:00 - Pūjā in meditation hall — Chanting followed by meditation.
20:15 - Opportunity for anyone to request the 3 refuges & the 8 precepts
20:30 - Dhamma talk (in English, around 1h).
21:30 - Meditation (walking or sitting).
00:00 - Dedication and Closing homage.
