Renew precepts at full moon

[Myozan Kodo]

Great! Like the idea of a day of remembrance.
Deep bows
Myozan

[Kokuu]

As with Adrian's Theravadin experience, the Tibetan traditions I have been involved with also have precept days on both the new and full moon. The precepts and Bodhisattva vow are recited at dawn and the day lived according to monastic precepts.

I like the idea of having an ancestral remembrance day. I currently do this according to my own ancestral calendar on Samhuinn/All Hallow's. Making it a sangha event on Parinirvana day would be lovely. The coldness of February would seem to add to such an occasion

Old Buddhism, new traditions.

Gassho
Andy

[Genshin]

Ditto. Sounds like a good idea.

Gassho
Matt

We are now discussing having a day each year to remember our Ancestors ... family, friends, Buddhist ... in a way keeping with the flavor of this Sangha.

There are several traditional days to choose from, but I am proposing a day on the Buddhist calendar marking Buddha's Pari-Nirvana, in February, as traditionally that day allows us to remember and honor those of the past times ... all while teaching lessons on Impermanence, the preciousness of life ... AND that we Mahayana Buddhists don't quite believe in "death" (or "birth" either) or "past times" or "calendars".

Anyway, details on that in the coming months as we work out the arrangements.

Gassho, J

[Joyo]

We are now discussing having a day each year to remember our Ancestors ... family, friends, Buddhist ... in a way keeping with the flavor of this Sangha.

There are several traditional days to choose from, but I am proposing a day on the Buddhist calendar marking Buddha's Pari-Nirvana, in February, as traditionally that day allows us to remember and honor those of the past times ... all while teaching lessons on Impermanence, the preciousness of life ... AND that we Mahayana Buddhists don't quite believe in "death" (or "birth" either) or "past times" or "calendars".

Anyway, details on that in the coming months as we work out the arrangements.

Gassho, J

I also agree, great idea. And this post has motivated me to renew the precepts at each full moon as well. What a great way to be connected to nature, and connected to our Zen path.


Treena

[Sekishi]

I started observing Uposatha a few years ago, at least one day during the full moon and often the new moon. I continue this practice today (usually solo, but occasionally with some other folks). It is a beautiful and valuable practice for me personally: a day to reconnect with vows, do a little sutra study, do lots of sitting, and (for me anyhow) to observe noble silence.

As a tangentially related topic, the last practice of observing noble silence for a day is vital to me. Thought and speech and action are so interconnected. How valuable it is to spend a day in silence, letting thoughts go without ever actualizing them as sound / spoken words (particularly if you must pass through the world where beings are conversing).

Anyhow, I guess I do not want to say too much about it all since it is not necessarily part of our practice here, but Uposatha, and silent retreat are both beautiful practices to me.

Gassho,
Eric

[Heishu]

Happy to see this coming, thank you Jundo.

Gassho,
Heishu

[Emmet]

For those who have taken precepts: Do you regularly renew at home?

I do, on the full moon. As Jundo says, I try my best to to keep the Precepts in my heart each day and live by them. However, my effort rarely measures up to my aspiration. My practice more closely resembles one continuous mistake rather than that of a Bodhisattva. Ryaku Fusatsu (or the Repentance Gatha) is not an exercise in self-flagellation, but an opportunity to reflect upon and acknowledge points where I have missed the mark, make necessary corrections, and renew and recommit myself to my Jukai vows.
Of all my ritualistic practices, this is the most meaningful to me, and other than zazen, contributes the most to the deepening and broadening of my practice.

[kidbuda]

I go for the everyday precept renewal. Using part of my mornig to do it. Let me explain, 6 years ago I took the precepts with a tibetan buddhist tradition, although I no longer have contact with them, I still hold and honor the precepts every day of mi life.

Now, I look forward to Jukai to renew the precepts I vowed with my heart and mind 6 years ago and for life and to re-take them with all of you, and specially with my brother Kyonin in my new Dharma House.

By the way, my Dharma name with the tibetan folks is Kelsang.

Gassho.

kb