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