A question to seek your advice:
Did the Buddha encourage observation of the 8 precepts on the 1st & 15th of lunar month in any sutra? Is there any special rationale for these days?
Thank you in advance!
Not that I know of, not on 1st and 15th of the month but the 8 precepts are usually observed on the å…æ–‹æ—¥. Read the below.
一般æ�¥è¯´ï¼Œå…«å…³æ–‹æˆ’å�—æŒ�的时间是一日一夜，è—�地也有大的八关斋戒，两日两夜å�ªé£Ÿä¸€æ–‹çš„。八关斋戒一般都在æ¯�月å…æ–‹æ—¥å�—æŒ�，å�³å†œåŽ†æ¯�月åˆ�å…«ã€�å��å››ã€�å��五ã€�甘三ã€�廿ä¹�ã€�三å��æ—¥ï¹�如逢å°�月，å�¯æ”¹ä¸ºè�½å»¿å…«ã€�廿ä¹�æ—¥ï¹žã€‚è¿™æ˜¯æ ¹æ�®ã€Šä¼˜å©†å¤·å •èˆ�迦ç»�》说：佛陀为顾虑在家信众为ç»�è�¥å®¶è®¡ï¼Œä¸�能日日å�—æŒ�å…«æˆ’ï¼Œå› æ¤æœ‰æ¯�月å…æ–‹æ—¥å�—æŒ�八斋戒的制定。
Thanks for the reference. How then, did the custom of observing 8 precepts and going vegetarian on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month arise? This seems more popular than the å…æ–‹æ—¥ system?
Originally posted by Dharmasharer:Thanks for the reference. How then, did the custom of observing 8 precepts and going vegetarian on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month arise? This seems more popular than the å…æ–‹æ—¥ system?
I'm not very sure. May be it is originated from Taoism. May be other forummers can help to answer.
Originally posted by Dawnfirstlight:I'm not very sure. May be it is originated from Taoism. May be other forummers can help to answer.
erm i also thought it's a buddhist-taoist thingy too...
I dont think Buddha encourages following the precepts on the 1st and 15th.
He expects you to follow the precepts everyday. 1st and 15th are man-made points in time.Frankly I think we are just deluding ourselves.
BUT, for those who cannot follow the precepts everyday, at least twice a month is better than none.