Reading guide
The teaching in one sentence
The eight-factored sabbath, observed by reflecting on how the perfected ones live permanently and resolving to live the same way for a single day and night — giving up killing, stealing, unchastity, lying, intoxicants, eating after midday, entertainment and adornment, and luxurious beds — is very fruitful, beneficial, dazzling, and bountiful.
A temporary vow modeled on a permanent one
Each of the eight factors follows an identical three-part pattern: first, how perfected ones live as long as they live; second, a personal resolve to live the same way, but only for this one day and night; third, the explicit naming of this as how the sabbath is observed with respect to that factor. The temporary vow is explicitly modeled on a permanent monastic standard, not invented separately for lay practice.
Eight factors, in two registers
The first five factors overlap closely with the five precepts already met throughout this book, with the fifth precept's usual wording slightly adjusted. The remaining three — eating only before midday, giving up entertainment and adornment, and giving up luxurious beds — extend further into the register of monastic discipline, temporarily adopted by a layperson for a single day.
Opening a new chapter with lay practice
Where the previous chapter explored giving, this new chapter turns to the sabbath observance itself — a periodic intensification of lay discipline that this chapter will explore from several angles: its brief form here, its detailed form and cosmic scale next, and its application to several named lay disciples in the discourses that follow.
Key terms
The text
The setting, and the first factor
§1So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this: “Mendicants, the observance of the sabbath with its eight factors is very fruitful and beneficial and dazzling and bountiful. And how should it be observed? It’s when a noble disciple reflects: ‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. They are scrupulous and kind, and live full of sympathy for all living beings. I, too, for this day and night will give up killing living creatures, renouncing the rod and the sword. I’ll be scrupulous and kind, and live full of sympathy for all living beings. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its first factor.
The second through fourth factors
§2‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up stealing. They take only what’s given, and expect only what’s given. They keep themselves clean by not thieving. I, too, for this day and night will give up stealing. I’ll take only what’s given, and expect only what’s given. I’ll keep myself clean by not thieving. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its second factor. ‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up unchastity. They are chaste, set apart, avoiding the vulgar act of sex. I, too, for this day and night will give up unchastity. I will be chaste, set apart, avoiding the vulgar act of sex. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its third factor. ‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up lying. They speak the truth and stick to the truth. They’re honest and dependable, and don’t trick the world with their words. I, too, for this day and night will give up lying. I’ll speak the truth and stick to the truth. I’ll be honest and dependable, and won’t trick the world with my words. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its fourth factor.
The fifth and sixth factors
§3‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants. I, too, for this day and night will give up beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its fifth factor. ‘As long as they live, the perfected ones eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and from food at the wrong time. I, too, for this day and night will eat in one part of the day, abstaining from eating at night and food at the wrong time. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its sixth factor.
The seventh and eighth factors
§4‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music ; and attiring and adorning themselves with garlands, fragrance, and makeup. I, too, for this day and night will give up seeing shows of dancing, singing, and music ; and attiring and adorning myself with garlands, fragrance, and makeup. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its seventh factor. ‘As long as they live, the perfected ones give up high and luxurious beds. They sleep in a low place, either a cot or a straw mat. I, too, for this day and night will give up high and luxurious beds. I’ll sleep in a low place, either a cot or a straw mat. I will observe the sabbath by doing as the perfected ones do in this respect.’ This is its eighth factor. The observance of the sabbath with its eight factors in this way is very fruitful and beneficial and dazzling and bountiful.”
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