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The uposatha (Skt. upavasatha) is a ceremony of repentance observed by each monastic sangha twice a month, on the 15^th and 29^th (or 30^th) days. On those days, all monastics from each sangha get together. First, they recite the Code of Vinaya Precepts (Pali patimokkha, Skt. prātimokṣa). With the recitation of each precept, any member who has violated that particular precept comes forward and repents in front of the whole group. When the question about whether there was a violation or not of each precept is asked three times, and there is silence, then there has been no violation of that particular rule.

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​The purpose of uposatha is to help monastics maintain a life based on the precepts and to remember them all. Therefore it is important to hold the uposatha regularly with proper intervals in between. For uposatha to be effective, it must be based on mutual trust among the members. Also required are the courage to confess one’s wrongs in front of others and a mindset to be able to repent with utmost sincerity. In addition, members need to exhibit loving-kindness and generosity in order to accept others’ wrongs without regarding them as weaknesses.  

​  - excerpt from Buddhist English (Intermediate 2) published in 2014 by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism​​

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