Cattāri Brahmavihārā

Today is the uposatha and, after working all day myself and the family are in the car driving up to visit family in New Hampshire. As is always the case on observance days like this I find myself wondering about the meaning of holding so hard and fast to the attha-sila when there is little time for study or meditation and when my abstention from eating is more of an inconvenience to those around me. So, what is the point of the uposatha when it can’t be observed correctly?

Well, I don’t really know. I know that on days when I am able to adhere to the precepts both in spirit and by the letter I obtain great benefit. Having taken the precepts this morning I am loathe to break them even out of a sense of obligation to our hosts so I suppose I will wait and see what happens. If, upon our arrival, there is no dinner waiting the choice will be easy. Otherwise we shall see. Either way, Happy Uposatha!