How to be a Real  Buddhist through Observance?

Nikini Poya day is the full-moon of August. Bhikkhus who did not enter the yearly
rains retreat (Vas) early at Esala Poya day (peravas), are allowed to enter the
the rain retreat now in august (pasuvas).  Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever
Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where, what the Buddha said, is
agreed upon & recited. This took place at the Saptapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha
(now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera & it went on for
seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The Three Baskets
of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon.


The 7 Sattapanni Caves in Rajgir, where the First Buddhist Council was held.

On the first Buddhist Council:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Buddhist_Council

On such Observance days:
Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes
the Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed,
with clean bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue,
and bows first three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees and
head touch the floor. Then, with joined palms in front of the heart,
one recite these memorized lines in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:
I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.  
I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma.
I hereby take refuge in the Sangha.

I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.
I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.
I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.
I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.
I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules: 
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.
I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.
As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts...

Then, one keeps and protects these sacred vows better than one's
own eyes & children!, since they protect you & all other beings much
better than any army! They are the highest offer one can give in & to
this world! So is  the start towards Nibbāna: the Deathless Element!
This is the Noble Way to Peace, to Freedom, to Ease, to Happiness,
initiated by Morality, developed further by Dhamma-Study and
fulfilled by training of Meditation...

Today indeed is Pooya or Uposatha or observance day, where any lay
Buddhist normally keeps the Eight Precepts from sunrise until the
next dawn... If any wish an official recognition by the Bhikkhu-Sangha,
they may simply forward the lines starting with "I hereby ..." signed with
name, date, town & country to me or join here. 
A public list of this new Saddhamma-Sangha is set up here!

The New Noble Community of Disciples: The Saddhamma Sangha:      
http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Saddhamma_Sangha.htm

Can quite advantageously be Joined Here:

http://What-Buddha-Said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm

May your journey hereby be  light, swift and sweet. Never give up !!

Bhikkhu Samahita: what.buddha.said@gmail.com

For Details on Uposatha Observance Days:     

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/uposatha.html