A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s2.12

v2.c19.s2.12

³ There may possibly be some historical foundation for the story told in Mahāvagga II, 1, that the heretical Paribbājakas convened assemblies for the recital of their Dhamma on the 14th, 15th and 8th days of each half-month, and that King Bimbisāra proposed to Buddha that similar assemblies should be organised. The Pāli word *Uposatha* is the Sanskrit Upavasatha, which means "fasting." From time immemorial the Brahmanical Indians observed the new moon and full moon days by sacrifices, prayers and fasting. The Uposatha ceremony, as performed in Ceylon at the present day, is described by J. F. Dickson, JRAS 1875 (reprinted in *Warren*, Buddhism in Translations, p. 405 ff.).