Buddhist observances and moon days
Buddhist observance dates belong to particular traditions and community calendars. A lunar phase and an observance day are not always the same date.
What is Uposatha?
In Theravada Buddhism, Uposatha days are occasions to renew commitment to practice. Lay practitioners may observe eight precepts, visit a monastery, make offerings, listen to teachings, or spend more time in meditation.
The Access to Insight guide to Uposatha explains these observances and their calendar. Traditional dates are related to the lunar cycle but do not always match astronomical moon phases.
Community calendars
A monastery, teacher or community publishes dates for its own observances. The year, location and time zone affect event details. A full-moon date on a general calendar may differ from a community's observance.
Clarity includes an observance calendar. The organiser's published details remain the reference for attendance and travel arrangements.