1.
The Discourse on the Observance in Brief
41.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"Monks."
"Venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this:
"Monks, the Observance endowed with eight factors, when observed, is rich in result, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion. And how, monks, is the Observance endowed with eight factors, when observed, rich in result, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion? Here, monks, a noble disciple considers thus - 'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned the killing of living beings, abstain from killing living beings; with rod laid down, with knife laid down, having shame, compassionate, they dwell concerned for the welfare of all living beings. I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned the killing of living beings, abstain from killing living beings; with rod laid down, with knife laid down, having shame, compassionate, I dwell concerned for the welfare of all living beings. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is endowed with this first factor.
'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned taking what is not given, abstain from taking what is not given; taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, they dwell in purity through non-stealing. I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned taking what is not given, abstain from taking what is not given; taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, I dwell in purity through non-stealing. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is endowed with this second factor.
'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned unchaste conduct, live the holy life, keeping far away, abstaining from sexual intercourse, which is a village practice. I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned unchaste conduct, live the holy life, keeping far away, abstaining from sexual intercourse, which is a village practice. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is endowed with this third factor.
'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned false speech, abstain from false speech; they speak the truth, are devoted to truth, reliable, trustworthy, not deceivers of the world. I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned false speech, abstain from false speech; I speak the truth, am devoted to truth, reliable, trustworthy, not a deceiver of the world. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is endowed with this fourth factor.
'For as long as life lasts, the Worthy Ones, having abandoned spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence, abstain from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. I too today, for this night and this day, having abandoned spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence, abstain from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is endowed with this fifth factor.
"For the length of one's life the Worthy Ones eat only one meal a day, abstaining from eating at night, abstaining from eating at the improper time. Today I too, for this night and this day, eat only one meal a day, abstaining from eating at night, abstaining from eating at the improper time. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is possessed of this sixth factor.
"For the length of one's life the Worthy Ones, having abandoned dancing, singing, music, seeing shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes and cosmetics, adorning and beautifying themselves, abstain from dancing, singing, music, seeing shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes and cosmetics, adorning and beautifying themselves. Today I too, for this night and this day, having abandoned dancing, singing, music, seeing shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes and cosmetics, adorning and beautifying myself, abstain from dancing, singing, music, seeing shows, wearing garlands, using perfumes and cosmetics, adorning and beautifying myself. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is possessed of this seventh factor.
"For the length of one's life the Worthy Ones, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; they use a low sleeping place - either a small bed or a grass mat. Today I too, for this night and this day, having abandoned high and luxurious beds, abstain from high and luxurious beds; I use a low sleeping place - either a small bed or a grass mat. By this factor I imitate the Worthy Ones, and the Observance will have been observed by me.' One is possessed of this eighth factor. The Observance possessed of eight factors observed thus, monks, is of great fruit, of great benefit, of great brightness, of great pervasion. The first.