Buddhist Observation Days
Observance Days are based on the traditional Buddhist calendar of new, full and quarter moons. During new and full moon days, or Uposatha Days, monks would gather to listen to the recitation of the Patimokkha rules. The weekly observance of the quarter moon is when lay devotees gather in the local monastery to observe the precept more strictly and listen to and speak about Dhamma. The basic, minimum standard is the 5 precepts for practicing lay Buddhists. However, on Observance days (or other special occasion) they may decide to train under the Eight Precepts, which brings them closer to how the monk or nun practices.
Date | Day | Lunar Observance / Holy Day |
---|---|---|
Jan 7 | Tuesday | First Quarter |
Jan 14 | Tuesday | Full Moon |
Jan 22 | Wednesday | Last Quarter |
Jan 28 | Tuesday | New Moon |
Feb 5 | Wednesday | First Quarter |
Feb 12 | Wednesday | Full Moon – Māgha Pūjā |
Feb 20 | Thursday | Last Quarter |
Feb 27 | Thursday | New Moon |
Mar 7 | Friday | First Quarter |
Mar 14 | Friday | Full Moon |
Mar 22 | Saturday | Last Quarter |
Mar 28 | Friday | New Moon |
Apr 5 | Saturday | First Quarter |
Apr 12 | Saturday | Full Moon – Theravāda New Year |
Apr 20 | Sunday | Last Quarter |
Apr 27 | Sunday | New Moon |
May 5 | Monday | First Quarter |
May 11 | Sunday | Full Moon – Vesak (Buddha Day) |
May 19 | Monday | Last Quarter |
May 26 | Monday | New Moon |
Jun 3 | Tuesday | First Quarter |
Jun 10 | Tuesday | Full Moon |
Jun 18 | Wednesday | Last Quarter |
Jun 25 | Wednesday | New Moon |
Jul 3 | Thursday | First Quarter |
Jul 10 | Thursday | Full Moon – Āsāḷha Pūjā (Dhamma Day) |
Jul 18 | Friday | Last Quarter |
Jul 25 | Friday | New Moon |
Aug 2 | Saturday | First Quarter |
Aug 9 | Saturday | Full Moon |
Aug 17 | Sunday | Last Quarter |
Aug 23 | Saturday | New Moon |
Aug 31 | Sunday | First Quarter |
Sep 7 | Sunday | Full Moon |
Sep 15 | Monday | Last Quarter |
Sep 22 | Monday | New Moon |
Sep 30 | Tuesday | First Quarter |
Oct 7 | Tuesday | Full Moon – Abhidhamma Day |
Oct 15 | Wednesday | Last Quarter |
Oct 21 | Tuesday | New Moon |
Oct 29 | Wednesday | First Quarter |
Nov 5 | Wednesday | Full Moon |
Nov 13 | Thursday | Last Quarter |
Nov 20 | Thursday | New Moon |
Nov 28 | Friday | First Quarter |
Dec 5 | Friday | Full Moon |
Dec 13 | Saturday | Last Quarter |
Dec 19 | Friday | New Moon |
Dec 27 | Saturday | First Quarter |