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The full moon day of February 21st marks one of the three main Buddhist festivals called Māgha Pūjā, which commemorates the spontaneous assembly of 1,250 enlightened monks in the presence of the Buddha.  At this gathering, the Buddha conferred the title of 'Chief Disciples' on Venerables Sariputta and Moggallana.  Māgha Pūjā therefore celebrates Sangha, an act of harmony, a gathering together; it was also then that the Buddha outlined the Ovāda Pātimokkha, the basis for the monastic training rules, which had yet to be layed down in detail.

 

Here is a (liberal) translation of the Ovāda Pātimokkha:

 

Patient endurance

is the ultimate asceticism.

Profound liberation,

say the Buddhas,

is the supreme goal.

A renunciate should not

oppress anyone.

 

Cease to do evil,

cultivate that which is good;

purify the heart.

This is the Way

of the Awakened Ones.

 

Not insulting, not harming,

cultivating restraint

with respect for the training,

modesty in eating and contentment

with one's dwelling place,

devotion to mindful intent:

this is the teaching of the Buddha.

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