RE: Digest Number 1094

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Message: 1

Tue, 10 May 2005 06:35:55 -0000

" juli55syd2001 " <julijune

wesak

 

Greetings all, I have a question for sidereal astrologers about the

date of WESAK, the celebration of Buddha's birth & enlightenment ( & in

some traditions also his death), celebrated at the time of the full

moon with Sun in tropical Taurus – this year on 24 April 2005, 10:06

UT. Does anyone know why the sidereal zodiac isn't used – or if some

do use it, which would put the date at the next full moon on the 23

May (8TA). Just curious, thanks Julianne

 

Hi Julianne!

Indeed there is a mixed up concerning the wezak celebrations.

I had a former friend astrologer, tropicalist, who attends these wezak

celebrations in Holland and is activ in preparations.

I heard from him, that the Tibethaan monks -for years already in Holland-

practiced another zodiac, but he was not interested.I was quite surprised

to hear that. Therese is right; perhaps the Tibethan monks keep apart from

these Wesak celebrations in the West for this reason: perhaps another date?

I do not know. Most of the people who attend these Wesak celebrations, do

not even know the difference between tropical and sidereal zodiac.Teachers

in astrology keep silent in their teachings, if asked the difference.I heard.

I am curious to view the 2 ingres charts.

Regards,

Anny

 

Message: 5

Wed, 11 May 2005 16:10:23 -0000

" Steven Stuckey " <shastra

Re: wesak

 

Julianne and Therese,

 

Here is some information on Wesak:

 

3.2.1 Wesak: A Lunar Ritual

During the time of the Buddha, the lunar calendar was the primary

means of organizing time. The lunar method of reckoning (pivotal to

ancient Indian calculations) divides the year into thirteen sections,

or lunar months. In early Buddhism, the festival calendar also

followed the cycles of the moon. For instance, Uposatha days,

occurring on the full and new moon of every month, were designated as

times for the ordained community of monks and nuns (the sangha) to

gather and confess any violations of the monastic behavioral code.

Similarly, a seminal Buddhist festival such as Wesak is usually

scheduled to coincide with the full moon of a particular month.

According to the Gregorian, or solar, calendar (introduced in 1583) it

is the first full moon of the fifth month, which means it is

celebrated in late Mayor early June. Compliance with this ancient

prescription varies according to tradition, but regardless, the full

moon remains an orientation point for the observance of important

occasions.

Buddhist festival calendars are still organized in accordance with the

lunar cycles. Therefore the actual date of Wesak changes each year

according to the lunar cycles. One of the primary reasons for the

prevailing authority of the older lunar calendar (despite the

advantages of solar reckoning) is that it grounds contemporary

practices in the 2,500 year-old Buddhist traditions through the

commemoration of an important historical event. " The very fact that

Wesak is determined by phases of the moon shows its connection to an

older time dominated by agricultural notions of time " (Hori, August

15,2001). Thus, by aligning natural and historical phenomena in this

way, Buddhist identity maintains a strong sense of continuity.

Regardless of whether or not the Buddha's birth, death, and

enlightenment took place on the same day (in fact it is more than

likely that they did not), the moon and its cycles retain symbolic

importance for Buddhists.

 

 

Taken from: http://www.mrsp.mcgill.ca/reports/pdfs/Wesak.pdf

Best,

 

Hi Steve! Thank you very much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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