Uposatha

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Uposatha (Pāli, ‘fasting’; Skt., upavasatha; Jap., fusatsu). Buddhist observance on the days of (initially) new and full moon, now of the quarter moons. For laypeople (upāsaka) it involves a day of more careful observance, sometimes by undertaking an additional three rules (śīla), and by assembling at the local monastery, for worship, instruction, and renewal of vows to keep the precepts (śīla). Monks are under obligation to attend a ceremony in which (or before which) acknowledgement of fault against the pratimokṣa is made. The pratimokṣa is recited at this ceremony.

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