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Difference between revisions of "Astrology and Astronomy in Buddhism"

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By Indrajāla (Jeffrey Kotyk)
 
By Indrajāla (Jeffrey Kotyk)
  
Astrology formed a key component in East Asian Buddhism alongside sorcery and other occult practices such as rain summoning. Here I want to take a closer look at the details and significance of astrology in Buddhism and in particular in East Asia.
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[[Astrology]] formed a key component in {{Wiki|East Asian}} [[Buddhism]] alongside sorcery and other [[occult]] practices such as rain summoning. Here I want to take a closer look at the details and significance of [[astrology]] in [[Buddhism]] and in particular in {{Wiki|East Asia}}.
  
The Chinese Buddhist canon in this respect is valuable as the chronological introduction of Buddhist texts related to astrology as translated into Chinese simultaneously reflect the development of astrological literature in India. Indian texts generally lack a sense of history whereas in China the translations are normally dated to a dynasty period at minimum and assigned a translator whose dates can normally be known. This allows us to see, limited but nevertheless evident, the gradual absorption of astrology into Buddhism.
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The [[Chinese Buddhist canon]] in this [[respect]] is valuable as the {{Wiki|chronological}} introduction of [[Buddhist texts]] related to [[astrology]] as translated into {{Wiki|Chinese}} simultaneously reflect the development of [[astrological]] {{Wiki|literature}} in [[India]]. [[Indian]] texts generally lack a [[sense]] of {{Wiki|history}} whereas in [[China]] the translations are normally dated to a dynasty period at minimum and assigned a translator whose dates can normally be known. This allows us to see, limited but nevertheless evident, the gradual absorption of [[astrology]] into [[Buddhism]].
  
In China the practice of astrology goes back long before Buddhism was introduced into China (around the first century CE). Traditionally Chinese thought divided the study of the stars into lifa 曆法 (calender science) and tianwen 天文 (the study of the stars, including cosmography and omen interpretation). One might suggest these correspond to astronomy and astrology, but it would be misleading given what the latter encompasses. Nevertheless, modern concerns aside, Chinese civilization took the omens of the land and sky very seriously. It is thus not surprising that Chinese Buddhists would take an interest in Indian astrology through the medium of Buddhism. The state as well was always interested in the skies and how they might affect things down below and more importantly the foundations of imperial power.
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In [[China]] the practice of [[astrology]] goes back long before [[Buddhism]] was introduced into [[China]] (around the first century CE). [[Traditionally]] {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[thought]] divided the study of the stars into lifa 曆法 (calender [[science]]) and tianwen 天文 (the study of the stars, including cosmography and omen interpretation). One might suggest these correspond to {{Wiki|astronomy}} and [[astrology]], but it would be misleading given what the latter encompasses. Nevertheless, modern concerns aside, {{Wiki|Chinese}} civilization took the omens of the land and [[sky]] very seriously. It is thus not surprising that {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Buddhists]] would take an interest in [[Indian]] [[astrology]] through the medium of [[Buddhism]]. The state as well was always interested in the skies and how they might affect things down below and more importantly the foundations of imperial [[power]].
  
It was during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) a bureau of astronomy was established which survived two millennia until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Some members of the upper echelons who were charged with the task of observing the sky and had direct access to the emperor, advising him according to their own observations. The  Later Book of Han 後漢書, a history of the Eastern Han, details the tasks of the office of tai-shiling 太史令 (court astronomer), an upper- middle appointment, as follows:
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It was during the Eastern [[Han]] Dynasty (25-220) a bureau of {{Wiki|astronomy}} was established which survived two millennia until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Some members of the upper echelons who were charged with the task of observing the [[sky]] and had [[direct]] access to the emperor, advising him according to their own observations. The  Later [[Book]] of [[Han]] 後漢書, a {{Wiki|history}} of the Eastern [[Han]], details the tasks of the office of tai-shiling 太史令 (court astronomer), an upper- middle appointment, as follows:
 
[[File:70d-250wi.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:70d-250wi.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
掌天時、星曆。凡歲將終,奏新年曆。凡國祭祀、喪、娶之事,掌奏良日及時節禁忌。
 
掌天時、星曆。凡歲將終,奏新年曆。凡國祭祀、喪、娶之事,掌奏良日及時節禁忌。
 
凡國有瑞應、災異,掌記之。
 
凡國有瑞應、災異,掌記之。
  
He is charge of [monitoring] the Mandate of Heaven and the calendar. He reports on the new
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He is charge of [monitoring] the Mandate of [[Heaven]] and the calendar. He reports on the new
 
   
 
   
year's calendar whenever the year is about to conclude. He is in charge of reporting good days and taboo times whenever there are national sacrifices, funerals or weddings. He is in charge of recording auspicious responses, calamities and abnormalities whenever the country has them.
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year's calendar whenever the year is about to conclude. He is in charge of reporting good days and taboo times whenever there are national sacrifices, [[funerals]] or weddings. He is in charge of recording [[auspicious]] responses, calamities and abnormalities whenever the country has them.
  
His monthly salary came to 3500 cash in 106 CE. To put that into perspective, the accessory clerks made 400 cash per month while the highest member on the salary list comes out with 17,500 cash, the next best with 9000. So, while the court astronomer was not the top paid member of the bureaucracy, clearly his services were important enough to merit a comfortable income.1 There were also of course many staff members under him who did the observations and paperwork, their collective efforts resulting in a database that would be used for many centuries thereafter.2
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His monthly salary came to 3500 cash in 106 CE. To put that into perspective, the accessory clerks made 400 cash per month while the highest member on the salary list comes out with 17,500 cash, the next best with 9000. So, while the court astronomer was not the top paid member of the bureaucracy, clearly his services were important enough to [[merit]] a comfortable income.1 There were also of course many [[staff]] members under him who did the observations and paperwork, their collective efforts resulting in a database that would be used for many centuries thereafter.2
  
Given the high value placed on astrology at the highest levels of state, it should be unsurprising that Buddhists in China would come to adopt and employ such arts for their own purposes. The upper echelons of Buddhist clergy connected with state leadership could presumably point to exotic forms of Indian astrology as potentially useful and thus receive funding and resources for their projects.
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Given the high value placed on [[astrology]] at the highest levels of state, it should be unsurprising that [[Buddhists]] in [[China]] would come to adopt and employ such arts for their own purposes. The upper echelons of [[Buddhist]] clergy connected with state leadership could presumably point to exotic [[forms]] of [[Indian]] [[astrology]] as potentially useful and thus receive funding and resources for their projects.
  
Astrology in India had of course been long existent by the time of unified China and although it seems early Buddhism had little to do with it, Buddhists in due course assimilated it. Bill Mak in his paper “Indian Jyotiṣa through the lens of Chinese Buddhist Canon” explains the development as follows (see p6):
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[[Astrology]] in [[India]] had of course been long [[existent]] by the [[time]] of unified [[China]] and although it seems [[early Buddhism]] had little to do with it, [[Buddhists]] in due course assimilated it. Bill Mak in his paper “[[Indian]] Jyotiṣa through the lens of [[Chinese Buddhist Canon]]” explains the development as follows (see p6):
 
[[File:Guru-lille01.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Guru-lille01.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Broadly speaking, we can see that jyotiṣa materials are often incorporated into Buddhist texts somewhat apologetically in the early phase. In the Mahāyāna case, jyotiṣa knowledge is often considered a form of expedient (upāya), employed for the benefits for the sentient beings though they are not considered genuine Buddhist teachings per se. In the late stage, in particular among the so-called Tantric works, they are seen as authentic Buddhist teachings and are often employed directly with no justification given or required.
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Broadly speaking, we can see that jyotiṣa materials are often incorporated into [[Buddhist texts]] somewhat apologetically in the early phase. In the [[Mahāyāna]] case, jyotiṣa [[knowledge]] is often considered a [[form]] of expedient ([[upāya]]), employed for the benefits for the [[sentient beings]] though they are not considered genuine [[Buddhist teachings]] per se. In the late stage, in particular among the so-called [[Tantric]] works, they are seen as [[authentic]] [[Buddhist teachings]] and are often employed directly with no justification given or required.
  
Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary defines jyotiṣa as “the science of the movements of the heavenly bodies and divisions of time dependant thereon, short tract for fixing the days and hours of the Vedic sacrifices”. In English it can refer to either astrology or astronomy. In actuality up until recently such a distinction was not really made in most cultures.
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{{Wiki|Monier-Williams}} Sanskrit-English Dictionary defines jyotiṣa as “the [[science]] of the movements of the [[heavenly]] [[bodies]] and divisions of [[time]] dependant thereon, short tract for fixing the days and hours of the {{Wiki|Vedic}} sacrifices”. In English it can refer to either [[astrology]] or {{Wiki|astronomy}}. In actuality up until recently such a distinction was not really made in most cultures.
 
   
 
   
Such an art never remained static. The scholar David Edwin Pingree (1933-2005) after a lifetime of study divided Indian astrology into four categories based on the origins of the material:
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Such an art never remained static. The [[scholar]] David Edwin Pingree (1933-2005) after a [[lifetime]] of study divided [[Indian]] [[astrology]] into four categories based on the origins of the material:
  
I. Vedic (c.1000-400 BCE)
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I. {{Wiki|Vedic}} (c.1000-400 BCE)
  
II. Babylonian (400 BCE-200 CE): Vedāṅgajyotiṣa III. Greco-Babylonian (c200-400): Yavanajātaka IV. Greek (c400-1600): Āryabhaṭīya.
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II. Babylonian (400 BCE-200 CE): Vedāṅgajyotiṣa III. Greco-Babylonian (c200-400): Yavanajātaka IV. {{Wiki|Greek}} (c400-1600): Āryabhaṭīya.
 
V. Islamic (c1600-1800)
 
V. Islamic (c1600-1800)
  
These distinctions are actually to be found in the translations of Indic texts in the Chinese canon as Mak shows. However, he notes the flaw in Pingree's model is an overemphasis on Babylonian elements, though nevertheless this scheme does show the cosmopolitan quality of Indian astrology throughout the ages. It should be noted that alternative theories have been suggested. Richard Thomson argued that Vedic astronomy was primarily indigenous to India and was not imported from abroad:
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These distinctions are actually to be found in the translations of [[Indic]] texts in the {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[canon]] as Mak shows. However, he notes the flaw in Pingree's model is an overemphasis on Babylonian [[elements]], though nevertheless this scheme does show the cosmopolitan quality of [[Indian]] [[astrology]] throughout [[the ages]]. It should be noted that alternative theories have been suggested. Richard Thomson argued that {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|astronomy}} was primarily indigenous to [[India]] and was not imported from abroad:
 
[[File:70d-800wi.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:70d-800wi.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Vaiṣṇava tradition indicates that the jyotiṣa śāstra is indigenous to Vedic culture, and this is supported by the fact that the astronomical siddhāntas do not acknowledge foreign source material. The modern scholarly view that all important aspects of Indian astronomy were transmitted to India from Greek sources is therefore tantamount to an accusation of fraud. Although scholars of the present day do not generally declare this openly in their published writings, they do declare it by implication, and the accusation was explicitly made by the first Indologists in the early nineteenth century.
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Vaiṣṇava [[tradition]] indicates that the jyotiṣa [[śāstra]] is indigenous to {{Wiki|Vedic}} culture, and this is supported by the fact that the astronomical siddhāntas do not [[acknowledge]] foreign source material. The modern [[scholarly]] [[view]] that all important aspects of [[Indian]] {{Wiki|astronomy}} were transmitted to [[India]] from {{Wiki|Greek}} sources is therefore tantamount to an accusation of [[fraud]]. Although [[scholars]] of the present day do not generally declare this openly in their published writings, they do declare it by implication, and the accusation was explicitly made by the first Indologists in the early nineteenth century.
  
Thompson goes on to suggest that Greeks and the people of the India once shared a common culture which included astronomy, though over the course of the  kaliyuga there emerged large differences
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Thompson goes on to suggest that {{Wiki|Greeks}} and the [[people]] of the [[India]] once shared a common culture which included {{Wiki|astronomy}}, though over the course of the  kaliyuga there emerged large differences
in their cultures, though many common features still remained due to their shared heritage and later relations (the Vedic Indians and Greeks incidentally were both Indo-Europeans). The Greeks in fact regained astronomical knowledge through relations to India and the subsequent discovery of texts coupled with native creativity.3
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in their cultures, though many common features still remained due to their shared heritage and later relations (the {{Wiki|Vedic}} Indians and {{Wiki|Greeks}} incidentally were both Indo-Europeans). The {{Wiki|Greeks}} in fact regained astronomical [[knowledge]] through relations to [[India]] and the subsequent discovery of texts coupled with native creativity.3
  
Predictably, this does not agree with contemporary scholarship. The Greeks themselves in antiquity believed their knowledge came from either Babylon or Egypt, and contemporary scholarship traces most of it to the former:
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Predictably, this does not agree with contemporary {{Wiki|scholarship}}. The {{Wiki|Greeks}} themselves in antiquity believed their [[knowledge]] came from either Babylon or Egypt, and contemporary {{Wiki|scholarship}} traces most of it to the former:
 
   
 
   
The omen-literature of ancient Mesopotamia included matter concerning the heavens, and when it was combined with the astronomical data derived from attempts to construct a calendar, horoscopal astrology developed, of which we have evidence from the fourth century BCE or slightly earlier. With the increased contact between this area and the Greek world after Alexander’s conquest of Persia, both the zodiac, in the fourth century BCE, and Babylonian data and methods in astronomy and astrology, in the following centuries, were absorbed by the Greeks. They transformed both astronomy and astrological cosmology with kinematic models of the universe. … The contribution of Ancient Egypt was limited to a standard calendar, and the original form of the decans.4
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The omen-literature of ancient Mesopotamia included matter concerning the [[heavens]], and when it was combined with the astronomical {{Wiki|data}} derived from attempts to construct a calendar, horoscopal [[astrology]] developed, of which we have evidence from the fourth century BCE or slightly earlier. With the increased [[contact]] between this area and the {{Wiki|Greek}} [[world]] after Alexander’s conquest of Persia, both the zodiac, in the fourth century BCE, and Babylonian {{Wiki|data}} and methods in {{Wiki|astronomy}} and [[astrology]], in the following centuries, were absorbed by the {{Wiki|Greeks}}. They [[transformed]] both {{Wiki|astronomy}} and [[astrological]] [[cosmology]] with kinematic models of the [[universe]]. … The contribution of Ancient Egypt was limited to a [[standard]] calendar, and the original [[form]] of the decans.4
 
[[File:Chenrezig-1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Chenrezig-1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Contemporary research would indicate a primarily Babylonian origin for Alexandrian Greek astronomical/astrological models (incidentally, for a good article on this see the  Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). This is relevant because these models often resemble classical Indic ones, which has led many to conclude that the Indians obtained their astronomical knowledge from the Babylonians and Greeks. In light of the other apparent influences, such as Greek influences in northwest India leading to the development of statues of the Buddha, the contemporary mainstream theory concerning the origins of much Indic astronomy seems the most realistic. The relationship between Indian and Greek civilizations of course was not one way, which Thomas McEvilley explores in his work The Shape of Ancient Thought.
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Contemporary research would indicate a primarily Babylonian origin for Alexandrian {{Wiki|Greek}} astronomical/astrological models (incidentally, for a good article on this see the  Internet {{Wiki|Encyclopedia}} of [[Philosophy]]). This is relevant because these models often resemble classical [[Indic]] ones, which has led many to conclude that the Indians obtained their astronomical [[knowledge]] from the Babylonians and {{Wiki|Greeks}}. In [[light]] of the other apparent influences, such as {{Wiki|Greek}} influences in northwest [[India]] leading to the development of [[statues]] of the [[Buddha]], the contemporary mainstream {{Wiki|theory}} concerning the origins of much [[Indic]] {{Wiki|astronomy}} seems the most realistic. The relationship between [[Indian]] and {{Wiki|Greek}} civilizations of course was not one way, which Thomas McEvilley explores in his work The [[Shape]] of Ancient [[Thought]].
  
Nevertheless, Thompson's theory might not be so far-fetched given that Indo-Aryans, with gods named Indra and Varuna, commanded a state called Mitanni (1500-1300 BCE) which ruled over the cities of Assur and Assyria during the Bronze Age. Is it possible the Babylonians learnt some of their astronomy from these Indo-Aryans? We can only speculate, and I say this just to throw it out as a possibility. It should be recognized that Richard Thompson was a member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, a wing of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
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Nevertheless, Thompson's {{Wiki|theory}} might not be so far-fetched given that Indo-Aryans, with [[gods]] named [[Indra]] and [[Varuna]], commanded a state called Mitanni (1500-1300 BCE) which ruled over the cities of Assur and {{Wiki|Assyria}} during the Bronze Age. Is it possible the Babylonians learnt some of their {{Wiki|astronomy}} from these Indo-Aryans? We can only speculate, and I say this just to throw it out as a possibility. It should be recognized that Richard Thompson was a member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, a wing of the International {{Wiki|Society}} for {{Wiki|Krishna}} [[Consciousness]] (ISKCON).
As an advocate of traditional Vaiṣṇava views he insisted on identifying an indigenous Indian source for ancient jyotiṣa knowledge, hence he was emotionally invested in maintaining a native Indian source for astronomical knowledge. I personally do not feel his arguments holds up against evidence.
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As an advocate of [[traditional]] Vaiṣṇava [[views]] he insisted on identifying an indigenous [[Indian]] source for ancient jyotiṣa [[knowledge]], hence he was [[emotionally]] invested in maintaining a native [[Indian]] source for astronomical [[knowledge]]. I personally do not [[feel]] his arguments holds up against evidence.
  
In any case, Buddhists knowingly absorbed the astrological models and data available to them in India regardless of their ultimate origins, be they native or foreign. It does not appear they knew or paid much interest. Buddhist scriptures, in particular those translated into Chinese from the second century CE through to the tenth, preserved the development of jyotiṣa literature, which
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In any case, [[Buddhists]] knowingly absorbed the [[astrological]] models and {{Wiki|data}} available to them in [[India]] regardless of their [[ultimate]] origins, be they native or foreign. It does not appear they knew or paid much interest. [[Buddhist scriptures]], in particular those translated into {{Wiki|Chinese}} from the second century CE through to the tenth, preserved the development of jyotiṣa {{Wiki|literature}}, which
 
   
 
   
makes them quite valuable in the scholarly study of Indian astrology. However, it still begs the question as to why this knowledge was considered valuable? Put simply, if you lived in an age where most people believed the stars had a profound impact on life on earth and/or truly reflected present circumstances and things to come, it often being a matter of life and death, then astrology naturally possessed a utilitarian value, especially to the state.
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makes them quite valuable in the [[scholarly]] study of [[Indian]] [[astrology]]. However, it still begs the question as to why this [[knowledge]] was considered valuable? Put simply, if you lived in an age where most [[people]] believed the stars had a profound impact on [[life]] on [[earth]] and/or truly reflected present circumstances and things to come, it often [[being]] a matter of [[life]] and [[death]], then [[astrology]] naturally possessed a utilitarian value, especially to the state.
 
[[File:MonksPoisid.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:MonksPoisid.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Here we might take a moment to consider the cosmography of ancient India from which the cosmos were thought to be observed. The Sūrya-siddhānta presents a geocentric model where the earth is a globe fixed in space and orbited by the sun, moon and planets. However, this is completely different from the alternative models of cosmography where Mount Sumeru (Meru), a vast hourglass-shaped mountain, is the center of the world system and surrounded by four continents rising out of a disc covered in vast ocean. The four continents are Pūrvavideha (east), Jambudvīpa (south), Aparagodānīya (west), Uttarakuru (north). We are said to live on Jambudvīpa.
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Here we might take a moment to consider the cosmography of {{Wiki|ancient India}} from which the [[cosmos]] were [[thought]] to be observed. The Sūrya-siddhānta presents a geocentric model where the [[earth]] is a globe fixed in [[space]] and orbited by the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]] and [[planets]]. However, this is completely different from the alternative models of cosmography where [[Mount Sumeru]] ([[Meru]]), a vast hourglass-shaped mountain, is the center of the [[world]] system and surrounded by four continents [[rising out]] of a disc covered in vast ocean. The four continents are Pūrvavideha (east), Jambudvīpa (south), Aparagodānīya (west), [[Uttarakuru]] (north). We are said to [[live]] on Jambudvīpa.
This was the canonical model for Buddhists all around Asia up until relatively recently. Vasubandhu in the Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes the layout as follows:
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This was the {{Wiki|canonical}} model for [[Buddhists]] all around {{Wiki|Asia}} up until relatively recently. [[Vasubandhu]] in the Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes the layout as follows:
  
Nine great mountains rest on the sphere of gold. In the center there is Meru; concentrically, the other seven are arranged around Meru; Nimindhara forms the exterior rim that envelops Meru and the six inner wall-mountains - whence its name. Beyond [Nimindhara] lie the four continents. Enveloping all is Cakravāḍa, thus named because it encircles the universe with
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Nine great mountains rest on the [[sphere]] of {{Wiki|gold}}. In the center there is [[Meru]]; concentrically, the other seven are arranged around [[Meru]]; Nimindhara [[forms]] the exterior rim that envelops [[Meru]] and the six inner wall-mountains - whence its name. Beyond [Nimindhara] lie the four continents. Enveloping all is Cakravāḍa, thus named because it encircles the [[universe]] with
its four continent [sic] and also because it has the form of a wheel.5
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its four continent [sic] and also because it has the [[form]] of a wheel.5
  
 
This is perhaps best illustrated as a diagram:
 
This is perhaps best illustrated as a diagram:
  
The sun and moon are described as "discs" which move upon the wind, or the collective
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The {{Wiki|sun}} and [[moon]] are described as "discs" which move upon the wind, or the collective
  
force of the actions of beings. All astral bodies revolve around Meru. The sun and the moon move at a level equal to the summit of Yugandhara (the second mountain surrounding Meru). It is said, “When it is midnight in Uttarakuru, the sun sets in Pūrvavideha, it is midday in Jambudvīpa, and it rises in Godānīya, and so on.”6 Hence Mount Meru blocks sunlight causing night on the opposite side (Uttarakuru is to the north while Jambudvīpa to the south, the sun moving around the flat world clockwise around Mount Meru).
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force of the [[actions]] of [[beings]]. All astral [[bodies]] revolve around [[Meru]]. The {{Wiki|sun}} and the [[moon]] move at a level equal to the summit of [[Yugandhara]] (the second mountain surrounding [[Meru]]). It is said, “When it is midnight in [[Uttarakuru]], the {{Wiki|sun}} sets in Pūrvavideha, it is midday in Jambudvīpa, and it rises in Godānīya, and so on.”6 Hence [[Mount Meru]] blocks sunlight causing night on the opposite side ([[Uttarakuru]] is to the north while Jambudvīpa to the south, the {{Wiki|sun}} moving around the flat [[world]] clockwise around [[Mount Meru]]).
 
[[File:768ew.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:768ew.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
The Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes this as an actual physical model of the universe. It is not figurative nor symbolic here, though some later authors did not take this model literally (see Henning's page on the  Kālacakra World Model). The Buddha indeed spoke of such a model of the world, though I believe much of it actually reflects areas of reality beyond normal perception given that these locations are said to be where devas and other such immaterial beings reside (I might discuss this in a future post). The Meru cosmography lasted until modern times, though I hear some peoples in remote regions like in the Himalayas still insist on the classical model.
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The Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes this as an actual [[physical]] model of the [[universe]]. It is not figurative nor [[symbolic]] here, though some later authors did not take this model literally (see Henning's page on the  [[Kālacakra]] [[World]] Model). The [[Buddha]] indeed spoke of such a model of the [[world]], though I believe much of it actually reflects areas of [[reality]] beyond normal [[perception]] given that these locations are said to be where [[devas]] and other such immaterial [[beings]] reside (I might discuss this in a future post). The [[Meru]] cosmography lasted until modern times, though I hear some peoples in remote regions like in the [[Himalayas]] still insist on the classical model.
  
We can assume some Buddhists at some point had access to the Sūrya-siddhānta which as Thompson indicates speaks of a round earth, but as far as I know round earth theories played little to no role in the development of Buddhist astrology/astronomy.
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We can assume some [[Buddhists]] at some point had access to the Sūrya-siddhānta which as Thompson indicates speaks of a round [[earth]], but as far as I [[know]] round [[earth]] theories played little to no role in the development of [[Buddhist]] astrology/astronomy.
  
Moving on, the Mātaṅga Sūtra 摩登伽經, translated into Chinese in 230 CE by Zhiqian 支 謙, is the oldest known Indic sūtra translated into Chinese to include jyotiṣa elements such as the 28 nakṣatras, 9 grahas, monthly gnomic and the Metonic cycle. There was an earlier translation of the text done by An shigao 安世高 between 148-170 CE, though it is much shorter and does not
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Moving on, the Mātaṅga [[Sūtra]] 摩登伽經, translated into {{Wiki|Chinese}} in 230 CE by Zhiqian 支 謙, is the oldest known [[Indic]] [[sūtra]] translated into {{Wiki|Chinese}} to include jyotiṣa [[elements]] such as the 28 nakṣatras, 9 grahas, monthly gnomic and the Metonic cycle. There was an earlier translation of the text done by [[An shigao]] 安世高 between 148-170 CE, though it is much shorter and does not
  
contain astrological references. It is a brief sūtra about a daughter of a witch wanting marry the handsome Ānanda. The mother attempts to use witchcraft to trap and make him consummate a marriage, but fails. The girl becomes a bhikṣuṇī in the end and renounces her evil ways. Zhiqian's work picks up from here and extends the sūtra to include dialogue between characters from some long past time, including many teachings on astrology.
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contain [[astrological]] references. It is a brief [[sūtra]] about a daughter of a witch wanting marry the handsome [[Ānanda]]. The mother attempts to use witchcraft to trap and make him consummate a [[marriage]], but fails. The girl becomes a [[bhikṣuṇī]] in the end and renounces her [[evil]] ways. Zhiqian's work picks up from here and extends the [[sūtra]] to include dialogue between characters from some long past [[time]], including many teachings on [[astrology]].
  
The 28 (sometimes 27) nakṣatras are constellations as listed in jyotiṣa literature (they are individually associated with days on the sidereal calendar of 27.321661 days). The 9 grahas (or navagraha), meaning “seizing or influencing the destinies of men in a supernatural manner” (see Monier-Williams), are the following celestial bodies:
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The 28 (sometimes 27) nakṣatras are [[constellations]] as listed in jyotiṣa {{Wiki|literature}} (they are individually associated with days on the sidereal calendar of 27.321661 days). The 9 grahas (or [[navagraha]]), meaning “seizing or influencing the destinies of men in a [[supernatural]] [[manner]]” (see {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}}), are the following [[celestial bodies]]:
 
[[File:87250-84352.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
 
[[File:87250-84352.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
Sanskrit English Chinese Tibetan
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[[Sanskrit]] English {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Tibetan]]
Āditya Sun 日 nyi ma
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[[Āditya]] {{Wiki|Sun}} 日 nyi ma
Sōma Moon 月 zla ba
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[[Sōma]] [[Moon]] 月 zla ba
Aṅgāraka Mars 熒惑 mig dmar
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Aṅgāraka {{Wiki|Mars}} 熒惑 mig dmar
Budha Mercury 辰星 gza' lhag
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Budha {{Wiki|Mercury}} 辰星 gza' lhag
Bṛhaspati Jupiter 歲星 phur bu
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Bṛhaspati {{Wiki|Jupiter}} 歲星 phur bu
Śukra Venus 太白 pa sangs
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Śukra {{Wiki|Venus}} 太白 pa sangs
Śanaiścara Saturn 鎮星 spen pa
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Śanaiścara {{Wiki|Saturn}} 鎮星 spen pa
Rāhu 羅睺 sgra chen
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[[Rāhu]] 羅睺 sgra chen
 
Ketu 彗星 mjug ring
 
Ketu 彗星 mjug ring
  
Rāhu and Ketu are considered “shadow planets”. These are not recognized as existent by modern
+
[[Rāhu]] and Ketu are considered “shadow [[planets]]”. These are not recognized as [[existent]] by modern
  
astronomy, though they do correspond with a quantity that is measured by modern astronomy: Rāhu is the ascending node of the moon and Ketu is the descending node of the moon. Consider the following:
+
{{Wiki|astronomy}}, though they do correspond with a quantity that is measured by modern {{Wiki|astronomy}}: [[Rāhu]] is the ascending node of the [[moon]] and Ketu is the descending node of the [[moon]]. Consider the following:
  
From a geocentric perspective, the orbit of the sun defines one plane passing through the center of the earth, and the orbit of the moon defines another such plane. These two planes are slightly tilted with respect to each other, and thus they intersect on a line. The point where the moon crosses this line going from celestial south to celestial north is called the
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From a geocentric perspective, the orbit of the {{Wiki|sun}} defines one plane passing through the center of the [[earth]], and the orbit of the [[moon]] defines another such plane. These two planes are slightly tilted with [[respect]] to each other, and thus they intersect on a line. The point where the [[moon]] crosses this line going from [[celestial]] south to [[celestial]] north is called the
ascending node of the moon. According to the Sūrya-siddhānta, the planet Rāhu is located in the direction of the moon's ascending node.7
+
ascending node of the [[moon]]. According to the Sūrya-siddhānta, the planet [[Rāhu]] is located in the [[direction]] of the moon's ascending node.7
  
Rāhu is further associated with solar and lunar eclipses:
+
[[Rāhu]] is further associated with solar and lunar eclipses:
 
[[File:Active-brain.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
 
[[File:Active-brain.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
In the Vedic literature it is often mentioned that Rāhu causes solar and lunar eclipses by passing in front of the sun or moon. To many people, this seems to blatantly contradict the modern explanation of eclipses, which holds that a solar eclipse is caused by the passage of the moon in front of the sun and a lunar eclipse is caused by the moon's passage through the earth's shadow. However, the actual situation is somewhat more complicated than this simple analysis assumes. The reason for this is that the Sūrya-siddhānta presents an explanation of eclipses that agrees with the modern explanation but also brings Rāhu into
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In the {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|literature}} it is often mentioned that [[Rāhu]] [[causes]] solar and lunar eclipses by passing in front of the {{Wiki|sun}} or [[moon]]. To many [[people]], this seems to blatantly contradict the modern explanation of eclipses, which holds that a solar eclipse is [[caused]] by the passage of the [[moon]] in front of the {{Wiki|sun}} and a lunar eclipse is [[caused]] by the moon's passage through the earth's shadow. However, the actual situation is somewhat more complicated than this simple analysis assumes. The [[reason]] for this is that the Sūrya-siddhānta presents an explanation of eclipses that agrees with the modern explanation but also brings [[Rāhu]] into
the picture. This work explicitly assumes that eclipses are caused by the passage of the moon in front the sun or into the earth's shadow. It describes calculations based on this model that make it possible to predict the occurrence of both lunar and solar eclipses and compute the degree to which the disc of the sun or moon will be obscured. At the same time, rules are
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the picture. This work explicitly assumes that eclipses are [[caused]] by the passage of the [[moon]] in front the {{Wiki|sun}} or into the earth's shadow. It describes calculations based on this model that make it possible to predict the occurrence of both lunar and solar eclipses and compute the degree to which the disc of the {{Wiki|sun}} or [[moon]] will be obscured. At the same [[time]], rules are
also given for calculating the position of Rāhu and another, similar planet named Ketu. It turns out that either Rāhu or Ketu will always be lined up in the direction of any solar or lunar eclipse. ... The positions assigned to Rāhu and Ketu correspond to the ascending and descending nodes of the moon - the points where the orbit of the moon (projected onto the celestial sphere) intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of the sun. These nodal points rotate around the ecliptic from east to west, with a period of about 18.6 years. One of them must always point in the direction of an eclipse, since the moon can pass in front of the sun or into the earth's shadow only if the sun, moon and earth lie on a straight line.8
+
also given for calculating the position of [[Rāhu]] and another, similar planet named Ketu. It turns out that either [[Rāhu]] or Ketu will always be lined up in the [[direction]] of any solar or lunar eclipse. ... The positions assigned to [[Rāhu]] and Ketu correspond to the ascending and descending nodes of the [[moon]] - the points where the orbit of the [[moon]] (projected onto the [[celestial sphere]]) intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of the {{Wiki|sun}}. These nodal points rotate around the ecliptic from east to west, with a period of about 18.6 years. One of them must always point in the [[direction]] of an eclipse, since the [[moon]] can pass in front of the {{Wiki|sun}} or into the earth's shadow only if the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]] and [[earth]] lie on a straight line.8
  
To clarify this further for those not terribly adept in astronomy like myself, let me quote the following from the  Jyotish Vidya Google Group:
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To clarify this further for those not terribly adept in {{Wiki|astronomy}} like myself, let me quote the following from the  Jyotish [[Vidya]] Google Group:
  
Eclipses only occur when the path of the sun and that of the moon crosses relatively to each other. The sun moves around the entire sky in one year covering entire zodiac. This path is known as ‘krāntivṛtta’ (ecliptic). The moon moves around the entire sky in 27 days, thus creating lunar path. These two path cross at ascending node called Rāhu and descending node called Ketu. These nodes exactly opposite, move very slowly from month to month. If
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Eclipses only occur when the [[path]] of the {{Wiki|sun}} and that of the [[moon]] crosses relatively to each other. The {{Wiki|sun}} moves around the entire [[sky]] in one year covering entire zodiac. This [[path]] is known as ‘krāntivṛtta’ (ecliptic). The [[moon]] moves around the entire [[sky]] in 27 days, thus creating lunar [[path]]. These two [[path]] cross at ascending node called [[Rāhu]] and descending node called Ketu. These nodes exactly opposite, move very slowly from month to month. If
 
   
 
   
the sun and moon are near to the same node Solar Eclipse takes place and if they approach the opposite node Lunar Eclipse occur. By considering these nodes to be planets, we record their motion against those of sun and moon. By this we can predict exactly eclipses. This is the intelligent method of our ancient Indian astrologers. This is how Rāhu and Ketu assumed much respected status among Indian mythology and hence religion.
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the {{Wiki|sun}} and [[moon]] are near to the same node Solar Eclipse takes place and if they approach the opposite node Lunar Eclipse occur. By considering these nodes to be [[planets]], we record their motion against those of {{Wiki|sun}} and [[moon]]. By this we can predict exactly eclipses. This is the {{Wiki|intelligent}} method of our ancient [[Indian]] [[astrologers]]. This is how [[Rāhu]] and Ketu assumed much respected status among [[Indian]] [[mythology]] and hence [[religion]].
 
[[File:Guru-lillel-001.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Guru-lillel-001.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
It seems some asserted these were actual planets rather than merely being considered as such for the purposes of calculating when eclipses would occur. In any case, in astrology they play an important role and as such are included in the relevant works even in Chinese translation.
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It seems some asserted these were actual [[planets]] rather than merely [[being]] considered as such for the purposes of calculating when eclipses would occur. In any case, in [[astrology]] they play an important role and as such are included in the relevant works even in {{Wiki|Chinese}} translation.
  
In mythology, Rāhu was the name of an asura who disguised himself as a deva to drink amṛta (ambrosia of the gods which halts aging and death). Sūrya (sun) and Candra (moon) reported this to Viṣṇu who beheaded Rāhu, though since the drink had been swallowed both his head and bodied continued to live. They were both blessed by Viṣṇu to become planets, but exact their vengeance against Sūrya (the sun) and Candra (the moon) by swallowing them at times (grahaṇa).
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In [[mythology]], [[Rāhu]] was the name of an [[asura]] who disguised himself as a [[deva]] to drink amṛta ([[ambrosia]] of the [[gods]] which halts [[aging]] and [[death]]). Sūrya ({{Wiki|sun}}) and [[Candra]] ([[moon]]) reported this to Viṣṇu who beheaded [[Rāhu]], though since the drink had been swallowed both his head and bodied continued to [[live]]. They were both blessed by Viṣṇu to become [[planets]], but exact their vengeance against Sūrya (the {{Wiki|sun}}) and [[Candra]] (the [[moon]]) by swallowing them at times (grahaṇa).
  
Rāhu incidentally makes an appearance in the Pāli canon in the  Candima Sutta and  Suriya
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[[Rāhu]] incidentally makes an appearance in the [[Pāli]] [[canon]] in the  [[Candima Sutta]] and  Suriya
  
Sutta. They are quite brief, so I will quote the first one in its entirety here: Thus have I heard:
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[[Sutta]]. They are quite brief, so I will quote the first one in its entirety here: [[Thus have I heard]]:
On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi, at Jetavana at Anathpindika's monastery. At that time Candima, the moon deity, was seized by Rahu, lord of Asura. Thereupon calling to mind the Blessed One, Candima, the moon deity, recited this stanza:
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On one occasion the [[Blessed One]] was living near [[Savatthi]], at [[Jetavana]] at Anathpindika's [[monastery]]. At that [[time]] Candima, the [[moon]] [[deity]], was seized by [[Rahu]], [[lord]] of [[Asura]]. Thereupon calling to [[mind]] the [[Blessed One]], Candima, the [[moon]] [[deity]], recited this [[stanza]]:
  
i. "O Buddha, the Hero, thou art wholly free from all evil. My adoration to thee. I have fallen into distress. Be thou my refuge."
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i. "O [[Buddha]], the [[Hero]], thou art wholly free from all [[evil]]. My adoration to thee. I have fallen into distress. Be thou my [[refuge]]."
  
Thereupon the Blessed One addressed a stanza to Rahu, Lord of Asuras, on behalf of
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Thereupon the [[Blessed One]] addressed a [[stanza]] to [[Rahu]], [[Lord]] of [[Asuras]], on behalf of
  
 
Candima, thus:
 
Candima, thus:
 
[[File:Copyright1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Copyright1.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
ii. "O Rahu, Candima has gone for refuge to the Tathagata, the Consummate One. Release
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ii. "O [[Rahu]], Candima has gone for [[refuge]] to the [[Tathagata]], the Consummate One. Release
  
Candima. The Buddhas radiate compassion on the world (of beings)."
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Candima. The [[Buddhas]] radiate [[compassion]] on the [[world]] (of [[beings]])."
  
Thereupon Rahu, Lord of Asuras, released Candima, the deity, and immediately came to the
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Thereupon [[Rahu]], [[Lord]] of [[Asuras]], released Candima, the [[deity]], and immediately came to the
 
   
 
   
presence of Vepacitta, Lord of Asuras, and stood beside him trembling with fear and with hair standing on end. Then Vepacitta addressed Rahu in this stanza.
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presence of Vepacitta, [[Lord]] of [[Asuras]], and stood beside him trembling with {{Wiki|fear}} and with [[hair]] standing on end. Then Vepacitta addressed [[Rahu]] in this [[stanza]].
  
iii. "Rahu. Why did you suddenly release Candima? Why have you come trembling, and why are you standing here terrified?"
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iii. "[[Rahu]]. Why did you suddenly release Candima? Why have you come trembling, and why are you standing here terrified?"
  
"I have been spoken to by the Buddha in a stanza (requesting me to release Candima). If I had not released Candima my head would have split into seven pieces. While yet I live, I should have had no happiness. (Therefore I released Candima)."
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"I have been spoken to by the [[Buddha]] in a [[stanza]] (requesting me to release Candima). If I had not released Candima my head would have split into seven pieces. While yet I [[live]], I should have had no [[happiness]]. (Therefore I released Candima)."
  
In Tibetan Buddhism he is called Za Rahula (gza' rA hu la) and functions as a Dharma protector, in particular in respect to the Nyingma and Dzogchen teachings. He is portrayed with nine heads, a lower body like a snake and upper body covered in eyes. He is aflame and wielding a bow. As follows:
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In [[Tibetan Buddhism]] he is called Za [[Rahula]] (gza' rA hu la) and functions as a [[Dharma]] protector, in particular in [[respect]] to the [[Nyingma]] and [[Dzogchen]] teachings. He is portrayed with nine heads, a lower [[body]] like a [[snake]] and upper [[body]] covered in [[eyes]]. He is aflame and wielding a bow. As follows:
  
Basically, in the greater Buddhist world Rāhu acts as an astronomical function, a shadow planet, a malicious entity and a guardian of the Dharma.
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Basically, in the greater [[Buddhist]] [[world]] [[Rāhu]] acts as an astronomical [[function]], a shadow planet, a malicious entity and a guardian of [[the Dharma]].
  
Now, returning to the Mātaṅga Sūtra, chapters five and six teach horoscopy and electional
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Now, returning to the Mātaṅga [[Sūtra]], chapters five and six teach horoscopy and electional
 
[[File:Cundi Bodhisattva09.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Cundi Bodhisattva09.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
astrology. This is important to note because it demonstrates before the early third century CE Indian (or Central Asian?) Buddhism had adopted components of early Indic jyotiṣa (both the astrological and astronomical elements). It is unclear to me to what extent such an influence held in Buddhism
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[[astrology]]. This is important to note because it demonstrates before the early third century CE [[Indian]] (or Central Asian?) [[Buddhism]] had adopted components of early [[Indic]] jyotiṣa (both the [[astrological]] and astronomical [[elements]]). It is unclear to me to what extent such an [[influence]] held in [[Buddhism]]
on the whole around the Indian subcontinent. For example, did the mainstream Śrāvakayāna schools take much interest in such things? We know that they did concern themselves with the activities of worldly gods which visited the world on specified dates as shown in the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣā Śāstra, a key text of the Kashmir Sarvāstivāda school dated to around the 2nd century CE and attributed to Kātyāyanīputra:
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on the whole around the [[Indian]] subcontinent. For [[example]], did the mainstream [[Śrāvakayāna]] schools take much interest in such things? We [[know]] that they did [[concern]] themselves with the activities of [[worldly]] [[gods]] which visited the [[world]] on specified dates as shown in the [[Abhidharma]] [[Mahāvibhāṣā]] [[Śāstra]], a key text of the [[Kashmir]] [[Sarvāstivāda]] school dated to around the 2nd century CE and attributed to Kātyāyanīputra:
  
 
《大毘婆沙論》:「問何故唯說三十三天。答以彼諸天數數雲集、論善惡事、故偏說 之。謂彼諸天於白黑月,每常八日、若十四日、若十五日,集善法堂,稱量世間善惡 多少。復次三十三天常共伺察造善惡者。見造善者,便擁護之;見造惡者,即共嫌 毀。」
 
《大毘婆沙論》:「問何故唯說三十三天。答以彼諸天數數雲集、論善惡事、故偏說 之。謂彼諸天於白黑月,每常八日、若十四日、若十五日,集善法堂,稱量世間善惡 多少。復次三十三天常共伺察造善惡者。見造善者,便擁護之;見造惡者,即共嫌 毀。」
  
Question – “Why only speak of thirty-three devas?” Answer – “The devas frequently gather to discuss good deeds and misdeeds. Hence the partial discussion of them. The devas during the waxing and waning moons on every eighth, fourteenth and fifteenth always gather in the hall of saddharma to weigh the amount of good deeds and misdeeds in the world. Furthermore, the thirty-three devas always together inspect the creators of good deeds and misdeeds. Seeing one who has created good deeds, they then protect them. Seeing one who has created misdeeds, they then together resent and ruin them.”
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Question – “Why only speak of thirty-three [[devas]]?” Answer – “The [[devas]] frequently gather to discuss [[good deeds]] and misdeeds. Hence the partial [[discussion]] of them. The [[devas]] during the waxing and waning moons on every eighth, fourteenth and fifteenth always gather in the hall of saddharma to weigh the amount of [[good deeds]] and misdeeds in the [[world]]. Furthermore, the thirty-three [[devas]] always together inspect the creators of [[good deeds]] and misdeeds. [[Seeing]] one who has created [[good deeds]], they then protect them. [[Seeing]] one who has created misdeeds, they then together resent and ruin them.”
  
The ancient Indic month of 30 days was divided into two 15 day segments called the śukla-pakṣa (the waxing) and the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa (the waning). Therefore, in a given lunar month the thirty-three devas were expected to come on the following days: 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and 30th. This is not a far step away from electional astrology. Perhaps it was the minority Mahāyāna movement which took a step in that direction and adopted for their own purposes contemporary astrology. This is assuming of course the Mātaṅga Sūtra was specifically a Mahāyāna text, though in actuality it
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The ancient [[Indic]] month of 30 days was divided into two 15 day segments called the śukla-pakṣa (the waxing) and the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa (the waning). Therefore, in a given lunar month the thirty-three [[devas]] were expected to come on the following days: 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and 30th. This is not a far step away from electional [[astrology]]. Perhaps it was the minority [[Mahāyāna]] movement which took a step in that [[direction]] and adopted for their own purposes contemporary [[astrology]]. This is assuming of course the Mātaṅga [[Sūtra]] was specifically a [[Mahāyāna]] text, though in actuality it
might not have been. It also includes the Gāyatri mantra from the Ṛg Veda:
+
might not have been. It also includes the Gāyatri [[mantra]] from the Ṛg [[Veda]]:
  
 
Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ 菴 浮 婆 蘇婆
 
Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ 菴 浮 婆 蘇婆
Line 155: Line 155:
 
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt 提由 那 婆羅提那
 
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt 提由 那 婆羅提那
 
[[File:Afffffbrain.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
 
[[File:Afffffbrain.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
This is identified as the “mantra of Brahmins” 婆羅門呪. It speaks much to the influences of
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This is identified as the “[[mantra]] of [[Brahmins]]” 婆羅門呪. It speaks much to the influences of
  
Vedic culture on Buddhism by the early third century CE. At this point both mantras and astrological practices were already being introduced into Buddhism as normal and appropriate. It curiously also asserts the equality of the four castes, which perhaps says something about conflicting Vedic and Buddhist ideas – astrology and mantras had utilitarian value to Buddhist mystics, but the caste system was unacceptable. This indeed agrees with Johannes Bronkhorst's theory as presented in his work Buddhism in the Shadow of Brahmanism where he explains how Buddhists in India came to adopt not only Sanskrit, but various Vedic ideas to the point that they eventually came to see themselves as an offshoot of Vedic culture rather than having preceded it. While Buddhists generally retained a separate identity, they still nevertheless eventually adopted a diluted vision of society based on the caste system as advocated by the Brahmins who had come to command both religious and political authority.
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{{Wiki|Vedic}} culture on [[Buddhism]] by the early third century CE. At this point both [[mantras]] and [[astrological]] practices were already [[being]] introduced into [[Buddhism]] as normal and appropriate. It curiously also asserts the equality of the four castes, which perhaps says something about conflicting {{Wiki|Vedic}} and [[Buddhist]] ideas – [[astrology]] and [[mantras]] had utilitarian value to [[Buddhist]] mystics, but the [[caste]] system was unacceptable. This indeed agrees with Johannes Bronkhorst's {{Wiki|theory}} as presented in his work [[Buddhism]] in the Shadow of [[Brahmanism]] where he explains how [[Buddhists]] in [[India]] came to adopt not only [[Sanskrit]], but various {{Wiki|Vedic}} ideas to the point that they eventually came to see themselves as an offshoot of {{Wiki|Vedic}} culture rather than having preceded it. While [[Buddhists]] generally retained a separate identity, they still nevertheless eventually adopted a diluted [[vision]] of {{Wiki|society}} based on the [[caste]] system as advocated by the [[Brahmins]] who had come to command both [[religious]] and {{Wiki|political}} [[authority]].
  
A few centuries later the Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra 大集經 was translated in sections starting from the late fourth century to the late sixth. In it we find reference to the twelve zodiacal signs along with ample astrological data. Here we find the earliest use of the zodiac signs in the Chinese canon. Separate translators did their respective sections and hence the zodiac signs are semantically translated in one section and transliterated in another. They are as follows:
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A few centuries later the Mahāsaṃnipāta [[Sūtra]] 大集經 was translated in sections starting from the late fourth century to the late sixth. In it we find reference to the twelve zodiacal signs along with ample [[astrological]] {{Wiki|data}}. Here we find the earliest use of the zodiac signs in the {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[canon]]. Separate translators did their respective sections and hence the zodiac signs are {{Wiki|semantically}} translated in one section and transliterated in another. They are as follows:
  
Sanskrit English Chinese
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[[Sanskrit]] English {{Wiki|Chinese}}
 
Meṣa Aries 持羊之神
 
Meṣa Aries 持羊之神
 
Vṛṣa Taurus 持牛之神
 
Vṛṣa Taurus 持牛之神
Line 168: Line 168:
 
Siṃha Leo 師子之神
 
Siṃha Leo 師子之神
 
Kanyā Virgo 天女
 
Kanyā Virgo 天女
Tulā Libra 秤量之神
+
[[Tulā]] Libra 秤量之神
 
Vṛścika Scorpio 蝎神
 
Vṛścika Scorpio 蝎神
 
Dhanvin Sagittarius 射神
 
Dhanvin Sagittarius 射神
Makara Capricorn 磨竭之神
+
[[Makara]] Capricorn 磨竭之神
Kumbha Aquarius 水器之神
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[[Kumbha]] Aquarius 水器之神
 
Mīna Pisces 天魚之神
 
Mīna Pisces 天魚之神
 
[[File:Guru-Logos.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Guru-Logos.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
We can therefore be assured that by the late fourth century these zodiacal signs had been introduced into Indic astrology – widespread enough for it to be adopted into Buddhist literature.
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We can therefore be assured that by the late fourth century these zodiacal signs had been introduced into [[Indic]] [[astrology]] – widespread enough for it to be adopted into [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}}.
 
   
 
   
Some generations later the tantric literature emerges which accepts astrology as simply canonical and attributes it to the appropriate enlightened beings. One such case is the Sūtra on Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva and the Sage's Teaching on Auspicious and Inauspicious Times, Days, Good
+
Some generations later the [[tantric]] {{Wiki|literature}} emerges which accepts [[astrology]] as simply {{Wiki|canonical}} and attributes it to the appropriate [[enlightened]] [[beings]]. One such case is the [[Sūtra]] on [[Mañjuśrī]] [[Bodhisattva]] and the Sage's [[Teaching]] on [[Auspicious]] and Inauspicious Times, Days, Good
and Evil Constellations and Luminaries 文殊師利菩薩及諸仙所說吉凶時日善惡宿曜經,
+
and [[Evil]] [[Constellations]] and Luminaries 文殊師利菩薩及諸仙所說吉凶時日善惡宿曜經,
translated by Amoghavajra (705-774) in 759 and revised in 764 by disciple Yang Jing Feng 楊景風 under his master's guidance. This text is the foundation for the astrology tradition of Shukuyō 宿曜, which is still practiced in Japan today even on a popular level. It formed a key component to East Asian esotericism (Mijiao / Mikkyō 密教), most specifically in Japanese Shingon under Kūkai.
+
translated by [[Amoghavajra]] (705-774) in 759 and revised in 764 by [[disciple]] Yang Jing Feng 楊景風 under his master's guidance. This text is the foundation for the [[astrology]] [[tradition]] of Shukuyō 宿曜, which is still practiced in [[Japan]] today even on a popular level. It formed a key component to {{Wiki|East Asian}} [[esotericism]] (Mijiao / [[Mikkyō]] 密教), most specifically in {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[Shingon]] under [[Kūkai]].
  
 
The text is divided into two fascicles. The first scroll has seven chapters.
 
The text is divided into two fascicles. The first scroll has seven chapters.
  
Chapter one is an explanation of the emergence of the cosmos as well as the sun, moon, planets, 27 nakṣatras and 12 zodiac signs. The diameters of the seven luminous bodies (the sun, moon and five visible planets) are also included:
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Chapter one is an explanation of the [[emergence]] of the [[cosmos]] as well as the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]], [[planets]], 27 nakṣatras and 12 zodiac signs. The diameters of the seven luminous [[bodies]] (the {{Wiki|sun}}, [[moon]] and five [[visible]] [[planets]]) are also included:
  
Sun 51 yojanas
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{{Wiki|Sun}} 51 [[yojanas]]
Moon 50 yojanas
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[[Moon]] 50 [[yojanas]]
Venus 10 yojanas
+
{{Wiki|Venus}} 10 [[yojanas]]
Jupiter 9 yojanas
+
{{Wiki|Jupiter}} 9 [[yojanas]]
Mercury 8 yojanas
+
{{Wiki|Mercury}} 8 [[yojanas]]
Mars 7 yojanas
+
{{Wiki|Mars}} 7 [[yojanas]]
Saturn 6 yojanas
+
{{Wiki|Saturn}} 6 [[yojanas]]
Small stars 1 krośa
+
Small stars [[1]] krośa
 
[[File:Cundi qing.jpeg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Cundi qing.jpeg|thumb|250px|]]
Depending on the source, a yojana is either 7 or 9 miles with 4 krośas equaling 1 yojana. A
+
Depending on the source, a [[yojana]] is either 7 or 9 miles with 4 krośas equaling [[1]] [[yojana]]. A
  
yojana is further defined as the distance a sovereign will travel in a day.
+
[[yojana]] is further defined as the distance a sovereign will travel in a day.
  
Chapter two explains the stars belonging to the 28 nakṣatras (constellations), their shape, associated deity and furthermore appropriate tasks on days associated with them, i.e., electional astrology (the number of nakṣatras reflect the number of days in a sidereal month). It further explains the qualities of individuals born under the individual constellations.
+
Chapter two explains the stars belonging to the 28 nakṣatras ([[constellations]]), their [[shape]], associated [[deity]] and furthermore appropriate tasks on days associated with them, i.e., electional [[astrology]] (the number of nakṣatras reflect the number of days in a sidereal month). It further explains the qualities of {{Wiki|individuals}} born under the {{Wiki|individual}} [[constellations]].
  
Chapter three provides a method for gauging potential friendships and prescribed activities day by day for individuals based on the constellations associated with their births.
+
Chapter three provides a method for gauging potential friendships and prescribed activities day by day for {{Wiki|individuals}} based on the [[constellations]] associated with their [[births]].
 
   
 
   
Chapter four details auspicious and inauspicious activities on the seven days of the week. It further discusses how people with birthdays falling on specific days should behave as well as forecasts for harvests based on which day of the week falls on 5/5. It further lists potential calamities that might occur should an eclipse or earthquake occur on a given day of the week.
+
Chapter four details [[auspicious]] and inauspicious activities on the seven days of the week. It further discusses how [[people]] with birthdays falling on specific days should behave as well as forecasts for harvests based on which day of the week falls on 5/5. It further lists potential calamities that might occur should an eclipse or earthquake occur on a given day of the week.
  
Chapter five details a secret forecasting method based on the seven days of the week tailored to the individual.
+
Chapter five details a secret forecasting method based on the seven days of the week tailored to the {{Wiki|individual}}.
  
Chapter six discussed how the month is divided into the black 黑月 (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) and white/bright 白月 (śukla-pakṣa) moons (waning and waxing), each being fifteen days, and the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of each day. The data provided in the text can be graphed as follows:
+
Chapter six discussed how the month is divided into the black 黑月 (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) and white/bright 白月 (śukla-pakṣa) moons (waning and waxing), each [[being]] fifteen days, and the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of each day. The {{Wiki|data}} provided in the text can be graphed as follows:
 
[[File:Guru-Maja-alus-Mandla.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
 
[[File:Guru-Maja-alus-Mandla.jpg|thumb|250px|]]  
  
Auspicious Inauspicious Auspiciousness by constellation/weekday. If evil smell arises, a calamity will occur. (?)
+
[[Auspicious]] Inauspicious Auspiciousness by constellation/weekday. If [[evil]] smell arises, a calamity will occur. (?)
śukla 1 *
+
śukla [[1]] *
 
2 *
 
2 *
 
3 *
 
3 *
Line 225: Line 225:
 
14
 
14
 
15 Daytime Daytime
 
15 Daytime Daytime
kṛṣṇa 1 (16) *
+
kṛṣṇa [[1]] (16) *
 
2 (17) *
 
2 (17) *
 
3 (18) * Night Night
 
3 (18) * Night Night
Line 240: Line 240:
 
14 (29) Daytime * Daytime
 
14 (29) Daytime * Daytime
 
15 (30)
 
15 (30)
-On all inauspicious days it becomes auspicious after noon.
+
-On all inauspicious days it becomes [[auspicious]] after noon.
-On all inauspicious nights it becomes auspicious after midnight.
+
-On all inauspicious nights it becomes [[auspicious]] after midnight.
 
[[File:Guru-Tiigriga01.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Guru-Tiigriga01.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
Note: in other texts devas descend to inspect people's virtues on the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and
+
Note: in other texts [[devas]] [[descend]] to inspect people's [[virtues]] on the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and
  
 
30th.
 
30th.
Line 249: Line 249:
 
Finally, chapter seven names specific days and prescribes activities to be done on such days.
 
Finally, chapter seven names specific days and prescribes activities to be done on such days.
 
   
 
   
It interestingly also names specific deities (Brahma, Vasu, Śiva and so on) who descend into the world. This would seem to imply offerings are made to that specific deity. For example, the 1st and
+
It interestingly also names specific [[deities]] ([[Brahma]], Vasu, [[Śiva]] and so on) who [[descend]] into the [[world]]. This would seem to imply [[offerings]] are made to that specific [[deity]]. For [[example]], the 1st and
16th of the month are called “name establishment”. This is when Brahma descends into the world. On these days one should do good deeds, cultivate the path, seek sages as well as serve teachers and elders, though one should not travel far.
+
16th of the month are called “name establishment”. This is when [[Brahma]] descends into the [[world]]. On these days one should do [[good deeds]], cultivate the [[path]], seek sages as well as serve [[teachers]] and [[elders]], though one should not travel far.
  
The second scroll of the text does not include chapter numbers. It provides further details on the aforementioned subject matter, two tables for finding a person's associated signs, additional proscriptions and prescriptions associated with the the 27 nakṣatras, zodiac signs, days of the week and so on.
+
The second scroll of the text does not include chapter numbers. It provides further details on the aforementioned [[subject]] matter, two tables for finding a person's associated signs, additional proscriptions and prescriptions associated with the the 27 nakṣatras, zodiac signs, days of the week and so on.
  
The Chinese text itself is clearly an adapted version of an Indic text, or more likely several texts. It is credited to Mañjuśrī by virtue of the title, but he is quoted directly only once. It is not so much a sūtra, but really a manual of astronomy that is heavily endowed with Vedic aspects.
+
The {{Wiki|Chinese}} text itself is clearly an adapted version of an [[Indic]] text, or more likely several texts. It is credited to [[Mañjuśrī]] by [[virtue]] of the title, but he is quoted directly only once. It is not so much a [[sūtra]], but really a manual of {{Wiki|astronomy}} that is heavily endowed with {{Wiki|Vedic}} aspects.
 
[[File:Dakini478.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
 
[[File:Dakini478.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
This demonstrates of course ongoing and quite strong Vedic influences in Mahāyāna. Vedic influences become even further digested by the tenth century when the Kālacakra Trantra emerges. I will not go into the details of that here, but I should like to recommend Edward Henning's site www.kalacakra.org which explains the subject matter extensively (for information on the calendar see here).
+
This demonstrates of course ongoing and quite strong {{Wiki|Vedic}} influences in [[Mahāyāna]]. {{Wiki|Vedic}} influences become even further digested by the tenth century when the [[Kālacakra]] Trantra emerges. I will not go into the details of that here, but I should like to recommend Edward Henning's site www.kalacakra.org which explains [[the subject]] matter extensively (for [[information]] on the calendar see here).
  
Now, setting aside modern critique of the astronomical model presented above, what relevance did such a cosmos have for its observers, and more specifically Buddhists in ancient
+
Now, setting aside modern critique of the astronomical model presented above, what relevance did such a [[cosmos]] have for its observers, and more specifically [[Buddhists]] in ancient
India? Astrology especially might seem out of place at first, even adharma, given the core teachings of Śākyamuni Buddha. There are even records of proscriptions against such arts in early Buddhism. Nevertheless, in time some Buddhists organically developed a perspective of the cosmos that perhaps made astrology sensible and realistic. Consider that Vasubandhu in the Abhidharma-kośa- bhāsya states, “The collective force of the actions of beings produces the winds which create
+
[[India]]? [[Astrology]] especially might seem out of place at first, even [[adharma]], given the core teachings of [[Śākyamuni Buddha]]. There are even records of proscriptions against such arts in [[early Buddhism]]. Nevertheless, in [[time]] some [[Buddhists]] organically developed a perspective of the [[cosmos]] that perhaps made [[astrology]] sensible and realistic. Consider that [[Vasubandhu]] in the [[Abhidharma-kośa]]- [[bhāsya]] states, “The collective force of the [[actions]] of [[beings]] produces the winds which create
(nirmā) the moon, the sun and the stars in heaven.”9 He further states,
+
(nirmā) the [[moon]], the {{Wiki|sun}} and the stars in heaven.”9 He further states,
  
Who created the variety of the world of living beings and the receptacle-world which we have described in the preceding chapter?
+
Who created the variety of the [[world]] of [[living beings]] and the receptacle-world which we have described in the preceding chapter?
  
It was not a god who intelligently created it.
+
It was not a [[god]] who intelligently created it.
 
   
 
   
The variety of the world arises from action.
+
The variety of the [[world]] arises from [[action]].
  
The variety of the world arises from the actions of living beings.10
+
The variety of the [[world]] arises from the [[actions]] of living beings.10
  
If the cosmos are indeed a product of the karma of beings, then naturally they could very well reflect present activities and forthcoming events – so above, so too below. From this perspective heaven and earth are not meaningless material phenomena, but teleologically rich entities which emerge as a result of beings' collective volitional actions, and consequently further reflect the present outcome and future of things to come. Such a worldview would predictably lead many to concern themselves with understanding that process and harnessing knowledge of it for their own ends.
+
If the [[cosmos]] are indeed a product of the [[karma]] of [[beings]], then naturally they could very well reflect present activities and forthcoming events – so above, so too below. From this perspective [[heaven]] and [[earth]] are not meaningless material [[phenomena]], but teleologically rich entities which emerge as a [[result]] of [[beings]]' collective [[volitional]] [[actions]], and consequently further reflect the present outcome and future of things to come. Such a worldview would predictably lead many to [[concern]] themselves with understanding that process and harnessing [[knowledge]] of it for their own ends.
  
In the Buddhist context astrology as such could be used for benevolent purposes. Just as Ptolemy argued, foreknowledge calms the soul. No doubt such a function was apparent to Buddhists. Buddhists would have seen their counterparts in contemporary society practising it and
+
In the [[Buddhist]] context [[astrology]] as such could be used for benevolent purposes. Just as Ptolemy argued, foreknowledge [[calms]] the [[soul]]. No [[doubt]] such a [[function]] was apparent to [[Buddhists]]. [[Buddhists]] would have seen their counterparts in contemporary {{Wiki|society}} practising it and
 
clearly many took an interest. The art was already available and well-developed by the third century
 
clearly many took an interest. The art was already available and well-developed by the third century
  
 
CE, so it was easy enough to adopt it.
 
CE, so it was easy enough to adopt it.
  
Of course many modern people will see such ideas as irrational and unscientific. Nevertheless plenty of eminent figures of the past took them seriously and scheduled their own lives and institutions around them. Many still do, especially amongst Tibetans. It might be unsettling for some that astrology has played a significant role in many traditions of Buddhism given the popular image of “Buddhism” as being thoroughly rational, even scientific. As we explored in early posts, sorcery (the summoning of benevolent deities for protection) likewise played a major role throughout Buddhist history in East Asia and elsewhere. Historically, it was these practices, not philosophy or meditation, that really formed the core activities of state
+
Of course many modern [[people]] will see such ideas as irrational and unscientific. Nevertheless plenty of eminent figures of the past took them seriously and scheduled their own [[lives]] and {{Wiki|institutions}} around them. Many still do, especially amongst [[Tibetans]]. It might be unsettling for some that [[astrology]] has played a significant role in many [[traditions]] of [[Buddhism]] given the popular image of “[[Buddhism]]” as [[being]] thoroughly [[rational]], even [[scientific]]. As we explored in early posts, sorcery (the summoning of benevolent [[deities]] for protection) likewise played a major role throughout [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|history}} in {{Wiki|East Asia}} and elsewhere. Historically, it was these practices, not [[philosophy]] or [[meditation]], that really formed the core activities of state
supported Buddhism in much of Asia. In the case of China where astrology and divination were key activities of the court it should not be surprising that Buddhist institutions readily adopted the same practices for their own purposes.
+
supported [[Buddhism]] in much of {{Wiki|Asia}}. In the case of [[China]] where [[astrology]] and [[divination]] were key activities of the court it should not be surprising that [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|institutions}} readily adopted the same practices for their own purposes.
  
At the end of the day it was sorcerers and astrologers who really secured stability and support for Buddhism in East Asia.
+
At the end of the day it was sorcerers and [[astrologers]] who really secured stability and support for [[Buddhism]] in {{Wiki|East Asia}}.
 
   
 
   
 
Footnotes:
 
Footnotes:
  
1 See Han Bielstein, The Bureaucracy in Han Times (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1980), 131.
+
[[1]] See [[Han]] Bielstein, The Bureaucracy in [[Han]] Times ({{Wiki|New York}}, NY: {{Wiki|Cambridge}} University Press, 1980), 131.
  
2 See Lloyd's paper  “The Varying Agenda of the Study of the Heavens: Mesopotamia, Greece, China” in Asia Major,
+
2 See Lloyd's paper  “The Varying Agenda of the Study of the [[Heavens]]: Mesopotamia, Greece, [[China]]” in {{Wiki|Asia}} Major,
 
85.
 
85.
  
3 Richard L. Thompson, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004), 15-17.
+
3 Richard L. Thompson, {{Wiki|Vedic}} Cosmography and {{Wiki|Astronomy}} (Delhi, [[India]]: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004), 15-17.
  
4 Tamsyn Barton, Ancient Astrology (London, UK: Routledge, 1994), 30.
+
4 Tamsyn Barton, Ancient [[Astrology]] ({{Wiki|London}}, UK: Routledge, 1994), 30.
  
5 Vasubandhu, Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya. Vol. 2. Translated into French by Louis de La Vallee Poussin, English translation by Leo M. Pruden (Berkeley, CA: Asian Humanities Press, 1991), 452.
+
5 [[Vasubandhu]], Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya. Vol. 2. Translated into French by Louis de La Vallee Poussin, English translation by Leo M. Pruden ({{Wiki|Berkeley}}, CA: Asian Humanities Press, 1991), 452.
  
 
6 I bid., 461.
 
6 I bid., 461.

Revision as of 03:30, 5 September 2013

7TonTuong4.jpg

By Indrajāla (Jeffrey Kotyk)

Astrology formed a key component in East Asian Buddhism alongside sorcery and other occult practices such as rain summoning. Here I want to take a closer look at the details and significance of astrology in Buddhism and in particular in East Asia.

The Chinese Buddhist canon in this respect is valuable as the chronological introduction of Buddhist texts related to astrology as translated into Chinese simultaneously reflect the development of astrological literature in India. Indian texts generally lack a sense of history whereas in China the translations are normally dated to a dynasty period at minimum and assigned a translator whose dates can normally be known. This allows us to see, limited but nevertheless evident, the gradual absorption of astrology into Buddhism.

In China the practice of astrology goes back long before Buddhism was introduced into China (around the first century CE). Traditionally Chinese thought divided the study of the stars into lifa 曆法 (calender science) and tianwen 天文 (the study of the stars, including cosmography and omen interpretation). One might suggest these correspond to astronomy and astrology, but it would be misleading given what the latter encompasses. Nevertheless, modern concerns aside, Chinese civilization took the omens of the land and sky very seriously. It is thus not surprising that Chinese Buddhists would take an interest in Indian astrology through the medium of Buddhism. The state as well was always interested in the skies and how they might affect things down below and more importantly the foundations of imperial power.

It was during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) a bureau of astronomy was established which survived two millennia until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). Some members of the upper echelons who were charged with the task of observing the sky and had direct access to the emperor, advising him according to their own observations. The Later Book of Han 後漢書, a history of the Eastern Han, details the tasks of the office of tai-shiling 太史令 (court astronomer), an upper- middle appointment, as follows:

70d-250wi.jpg

掌天時、星曆。凡歲將終,奏新年曆。凡國祭祀、喪、娶之事,掌奏良日及時節禁忌。
凡國有瑞應、災異,掌記之。

He is charge of [monitoring] the Mandate of Heaven and the calendar. He reports on the new
 
year's calendar whenever the year is about to conclude. He is in charge of reporting good days and taboo times whenever there are national sacrifices, funerals or weddings. He is in charge of recording auspicious responses, calamities and abnormalities whenever the country has them.

His monthly salary came to 3500 cash in 106 CE. To put that into perspective, the accessory clerks made 400 cash per month while the highest member on the salary list comes out with 17,500 cash, the next best with 9000. So, while the court astronomer was not the top paid member of the bureaucracy, clearly his services were important enough to merit a comfortable income.1 There were also of course many staff members under him who did the observations and paperwork, their collective efforts resulting in a database that would be used for many centuries thereafter.2

Given the high value placed on astrology at the highest levels of state, it should be unsurprising that Buddhists in China would come to adopt and employ such arts for their own purposes. The upper echelons of Buddhist clergy connected with state leadership could presumably point to exotic forms of Indian astrology as potentially useful and thus receive funding and resources for their projects.

Astrology in India had of course been long existent by the time of unified China and although it seems early Buddhism had little to do with it, Buddhists in due course assimilated it. Bill Mak in his paper “Indian Jyotiṣa through the lens of Chinese Buddhist Canon” explains the development as follows (see p6):

Guru-lille01.jpg

Broadly speaking, we can see that jyotiṣa materials are often incorporated into Buddhist texts somewhat apologetically in the early phase. In the Mahāyāna case, jyotiṣa knowledge is often considered a form of expedient (upāya), employed for the benefits for the sentient beings though they are not considered genuine Buddhist teachings per se. In the late stage, in particular among the so-called Tantric works, they are seen as authentic Buddhist teachings and are often employed directly with no justification given or required.

Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary defines jyotiṣa as “the science of the movements of the heavenly bodies and divisions of time dependant thereon, short tract for fixing the days and hours of the Vedic sacrifices”. In English it can refer to either astrology or astronomy. In actuality up until recently such a distinction was not really made in most cultures.
 
Such an art never remained static. The scholar David Edwin Pingree (1933-2005) after a lifetime of study divided Indian astrology into four categories based on the origins of the material:

I. Vedic (c.1000-400 BCE)

II. Babylonian (400 BCE-200 CE): Vedāṅgajyotiṣa III. Greco-Babylonian (c200-400): Yavanajātaka IV. Greek (c400-1600): Āryabhaṭīya.
V. Islamic (c1600-1800)

These distinctions are actually to be found in the translations of Indic texts in the Chinese canon as Mak shows. However, he notes the flaw in Pingree's model is an overemphasis on Babylonian elements, though nevertheless this scheme does show the cosmopolitan quality of Indian astrology throughout the ages. It should be noted that alternative theories have been suggested. Richard Thomson argued that Vedic astronomy was primarily indigenous to India and was not imported from abroad:

70d-800wi.jpg

Vaiṣṇava tradition indicates that the jyotiṣa śāstra is indigenous to Vedic culture, and this is supported by the fact that the astronomical siddhāntas do not acknowledge foreign source material. The modern scholarly view that all important aspects of Indian astronomy were transmitted to India from Greek sources is therefore tantamount to an accusation of fraud. Although scholars of the present day do not generally declare this openly in their published writings, they do declare it by implication, and the accusation was explicitly made by the first Indologists in the early nineteenth century.

Thompson goes on to suggest that Greeks and the people of the India once shared a common culture which included astronomy, though over the course of the kaliyuga there emerged large differences
in their cultures, though many common features still remained due to their shared heritage and later relations (the Vedic Indians and Greeks incidentally were both Indo-Europeans). The Greeks in fact regained astronomical knowledge through relations to India and the subsequent discovery of texts coupled with native creativity.3

Predictably, this does not agree with contemporary scholarship. The Greeks themselves in antiquity believed their knowledge came from either Babylon or Egypt, and contemporary scholarship traces most of it to the former:
 
The omen-literature of ancient Mesopotamia included matter concerning the heavens, and when it was combined with the astronomical data derived from attempts to construct a calendar, horoscopal astrology developed, of which we have evidence from the fourth century BCE or slightly earlier. With the increased contact between this area and the Greek world after Alexander’s conquest of Persia, both the zodiac, in the fourth century BCE, and Babylonian data and methods in astronomy and astrology, in the following centuries, were absorbed by the Greeks. They transformed both astronomy and astrological cosmology with kinematic models of the universe. … The contribution of Ancient Egypt was limited to a standard calendar, and the original form of the decans.4

Chenrezig-1.jpg

Contemporary research would indicate a primarily Babylonian origin for Alexandrian Greek astronomical/astrological models (incidentally, for a good article on this see the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). This is relevant because these models often resemble classical Indic ones, which has led many to conclude that the Indians obtained their astronomical knowledge from the Babylonians and Greeks. In light of the other apparent influences, such as Greek influences in northwest India leading to the development of statues of the Buddha, the contemporary mainstream theory concerning the origins of much Indic astronomy seems the most realistic. The relationship between Indian and Greek civilizations of course was not one way, which Thomas McEvilley explores in his work The Shape of Ancient Thought.

Nevertheless, Thompson's theory might not be so far-fetched given that Indo-Aryans, with gods named Indra and Varuna, commanded a state called Mitanni (1500-1300 BCE) which ruled over the cities of Assur and Assyria during the Bronze Age. Is it possible the Babylonians learnt some of their astronomy from these Indo-Aryans? We can only speculate, and I say this just to throw it out as a possibility. It should be recognized that Richard Thompson was a member of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, a wing of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
As an advocate of traditional Vaiṣṇava views he insisted on identifying an indigenous Indian source for ancient jyotiṣa knowledge, hence he was emotionally invested in maintaining a native Indian source for astronomical knowledge. I personally do not feel his arguments holds up against evidence.

In any case, Buddhists knowingly absorbed the astrological models and data available to them in India regardless of their ultimate origins, be they native or foreign. It does not appear they knew or paid much interest. Buddhist scriptures, in particular those translated into Chinese from the second century CE through to the tenth, preserved the development of jyotiṣa literature, which
 
makes them quite valuable in the scholarly study of Indian astrology. However, it still begs the question as to why this knowledge was considered valuable? Put simply, if you lived in an age where most people believed the stars had a profound impact on life on earth and/or truly reflected present circumstances and things to come, it often being a matter of life and death, then astrology naturally possessed a utilitarian value, especially to the state.

MonksPoisid.jpg

Here we might take a moment to consider the cosmography of ancient India from which the cosmos were thought to be observed. The Sūrya-siddhānta presents a geocentric model where the earth is a globe fixed in space and orbited by the sun, moon and planets. However, this is completely different from the alternative models of cosmography where Mount Sumeru (Meru), a vast hourglass-shaped mountain, is the center of the world system and surrounded by four continents rising out of a disc covered in vast ocean. The four continents are Pūrvavideha (east), Jambudvīpa (south), Aparagodānīya (west), Uttarakuru (north). We are said to live on Jambudvīpa.
This was the canonical model for Buddhists all around Asia up until relatively recently. Vasubandhu in the Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes the layout as follows:

Nine great mountains rest on the sphere of gold. In the center there is Meru; concentrically, the other seven are arranged around Meru; Nimindhara forms the exterior rim that envelops Meru and the six inner wall-mountains - whence its name. Beyond [Nimindhara] lie the four continents. Enveloping all is Cakravāḍa, thus named because it encircles the universe with
its four continent [sic] and also because it has the form of a wheel.5

This is perhaps best illustrated as a diagram:

The sun and moon are described as "discs" which move upon the wind, or the collective

force of the actions of beings. All astral bodies revolve around Meru. The sun and the moon move at a level equal to the summit of Yugandhara (the second mountain surrounding Meru). It is said, “When it is midnight in Uttarakuru, the sun sets in Pūrvavideha, it is midday in Jambudvīpa, and it rises in Godānīya, and so on.”6 Hence Mount Meru blocks sunlight causing night on the opposite side (Uttarakuru is to the north while Jambudvīpa to the south, the sun moving around the flat world clockwise around Mount Meru).

768ew.jpg

The Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya describes this as an actual physical model of the universe. It is not figurative nor symbolic here, though some later authors did not take this model literally (see Henning's page on the Kālacakra World Model). The Buddha indeed spoke of such a model of the world, though I believe much of it actually reflects areas of reality beyond normal perception given that these locations are said to be where devas and other such immaterial beings reside (I might discuss this in a future post). The Meru cosmography lasted until modern times, though I hear some peoples in remote regions like in the Himalayas still insist on the classical model.

We can assume some Buddhists at some point had access to the Sūrya-siddhānta which as Thompson indicates speaks of a round earth, but as far as I know round earth theories played little to no role in the development of Buddhist astrology/astronomy.

Moving on, the Mātaṅga Sūtra 摩登伽經, translated into Chinese in 230 CE by Zhiqian 支 謙, is the oldest known Indic sūtra translated into Chinese to include jyotiṣa elements such as the 28 nakṣatras, 9 grahas, monthly gnomic and the Metonic cycle. There was an earlier translation of the text done by An shigao 安世高 between 148-170 CE, though it is much shorter and does not

contain astrological references. It is a brief sūtra about a daughter of a witch wanting marry the handsome Ānanda. The mother attempts to use witchcraft to trap and make him consummate a marriage, but fails. The girl becomes a bhikṣuṇī in the end and renounces her evil ways. Zhiqian's work picks up from here and extends the sūtra to include dialogue between characters from some long past time, including many teachings on astrology.

The 28 (sometimes 27) nakṣatras are constellations as listed in jyotiṣa literature (they are individually associated with days on the sidereal calendar of 27.321661 days). The 9 grahas (or navagraha), meaning “seizing or influencing the destinies of men in a supernatural manner” (see Monier-Williams), are the following celestial bodies:

87250-84352.jpg

Sanskrit English Chinese Tibetan
Āditya Sun 日 nyi ma
Sōma Moon 月 zla ba
Aṅgāraka Mars 熒惑 mig dmar
Budha Mercury 辰星 gza' lhag
Bṛhaspati Jupiter 歲星 phur bu
Śukra Venus 太白 pa sangs
Śanaiścara Saturn 鎮星 spen pa
Rāhu 羅睺 sgra chen
Ketu 彗星 mjug ring

Rāhu and Ketu are considered “shadow planets”. These are not recognized as existent by modern

astronomy, though they do correspond with a quantity that is measured by modern astronomy: Rāhu is the ascending node of the moon and Ketu is the descending node of the moon. Consider the following:

From a geocentric perspective, the orbit of the sun defines one plane passing through the center of the earth, and the orbit of the moon defines another such plane. These two planes are slightly tilted with respect to each other, and thus they intersect on a line. The point where the moon crosses this line going from celestial south to celestial north is called the
ascending node of the moon. According to the Sūrya-siddhānta, the planet Rāhu is located in the direction of the moon's ascending node.7

Rāhu is further associated with solar and lunar eclipses:

Active-brain.jpg

In the Vedic literature it is often mentioned that Rāhu causes solar and lunar eclipses by passing in front of the sun or moon. To many people, this seems to blatantly contradict the modern explanation of eclipses, which holds that a solar eclipse is caused by the passage of the moon in front of the sun and a lunar eclipse is caused by the moon's passage through the earth's shadow. However, the actual situation is somewhat more complicated than this simple analysis assumes. The reason for this is that the Sūrya-siddhānta presents an explanation of eclipses that agrees with the modern explanation but also brings Rāhu into
the picture. This work explicitly assumes that eclipses are caused by the passage of the moon in front the sun or into the earth's shadow. It describes calculations based on this model that make it possible to predict the occurrence of both lunar and solar eclipses and compute the degree to which the disc of the sun or moon will be obscured. At the same time, rules are
also given for calculating the position of Rāhu and another, similar planet named Ketu. It turns out that either Rāhu or Ketu will always be lined up in the direction of any solar or lunar eclipse. ... The positions assigned to Rāhu and Ketu correspond to the ascending and descending nodes of the moon - the points where the orbit of the moon (projected onto the celestial sphere) intersects the ecliptic, or the orbit of the sun. These nodal points rotate around the ecliptic from east to west, with a period of about 18.6 years. One of them must always point in the direction of an eclipse, since the moon can pass in front of the sun or into the earth's shadow only if the sun, moon and earth lie on a straight line.8

To clarify this further for those not terribly adept in astronomy like myself, let me quote the following from the Jyotish Vidya Google Group:

Eclipses only occur when the path of the sun and that of the moon crosses relatively to each other. The sun moves around the entire sky in one year covering entire zodiac. This path is known as ‘krāntivṛtta’ (ecliptic). The moon moves around the entire sky in 27 days, thus creating lunar path. These two path cross at ascending node called Rāhu and descending node called Ketu. These nodes exactly opposite, move very slowly from month to month. If
 
the sun and moon are near to the same node Solar Eclipse takes place and if they approach the opposite node Lunar Eclipse occur. By considering these nodes to be planets, we record their motion against those of sun and moon. By this we can predict exactly eclipses. This is the intelligent method of our ancient Indian astrologers. This is how Rāhu and Ketu assumed much respected status among Indian mythology and hence religion.

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It seems some asserted these were actual planets rather than merely being considered as such for the purposes of calculating when eclipses would occur. In any case, in astrology they play an important role and as such are included in the relevant works even in Chinese translation.

In mythology, Rāhu was the name of an asura who disguised himself as a deva to drink amṛta (ambrosia of the gods which halts aging and death). Sūrya (sun) and Candra (moon) reported this to Viṣṇu who beheaded Rāhu, though since the drink had been swallowed both his head and bodied continued to live. They were both blessed by Viṣṇu to become planets, but exact their vengeance against Sūrya (the sun) and Candra (the moon) by swallowing them at times (grahaṇa).

Rāhu incidentally makes an appearance in the Pāli canon in the Candima Sutta and Suriya

Sutta. They are quite brief, so I will quote the first one in its entirety here: Thus have I heard:
On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi, at Jetavana at Anathpindika's monastery. At that time Candima, the moon deity, was seized by Rahu, lord of Asura. Thereupon calling to mind the Blessed One, Candima, the moon deity, recited this stanza:

i. "O Buddha, the Hero, thou art wholly free from all evil. My adoration to thee. I have fallen into distress. Be thou my refuge."

Thereupon the Blessed One addressed a stanza to Rahu, Lord of Asuras, on behalf of

Candima, thus:

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ii. "O Rahu, Candima has gone for refuge to the Tathagata, the Consummate One. Release

Candima. The Buddhas radiate compassion on the world (of beings)."

Thereupon Rahu, Lord of Asuras, released Candima, the deity, and immediately came to the
 
presence of Vepacitta, Lord of Asuras, and stood beside him trembling with fear and with hair standing on end. Then Vepacitta addressed Rahu in this stanza.

iii. "Rahu. Why did you suddenly release Candima? Why have you come trembling, and why are you standing here terrified?"

"I have been spoken to by the Buddha in a stanza (requesting me to release Candima). If I had not released Candima my head would have split into seven pieces. While yet I live, I should have had no happiness. (Therefore I released Candima)."

In Tibetan Buddhism he is called Za Rahula (gza' rA hu la) and functions as a Dharma protector, in particular in respect to the Nyingma and Dzogchen teachings. He is portrayed with nine heads, a lower body like a snake and upper body covered in eyes. He is aflame and wielding a bow. As follows:

Basically, in the greater Buddhist world Rāhu acts as an astronomical function, a shadow planet, a malicious entity and a guardian of the Dharma.

Now, returning to the Mātaṅga Sūtra, chapters five and six teach horoscopy and electional

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astrology. This is important to note because it demonstrates before the early third century CE Indian (or Central Asian?) Buddhism had adopted components of early Indic jyotiṣa (both the astrological and astronomical elements). It is unclear to me to what extent such an influence held in Buddhism
on the whole around the Indian subcontinent. For example, did the mainstream Śrāvakayāna schools take much interest in such things? We know that they did concern themselves with the activities of worldly gods which visited the world on specified dates as shown in the Abhidharma Mahāvibhāṣā Śāstra, a key text of the Kashmir Sarvāstivāda school dated to around the 2nd century CE and attributed to Kātyāyanīputra:

《大毘婆沙論》:「問何故唯說三十三天。答以彼諸天數數雲集、論善惡事、故偏說 之。謂彼諸天於白黑月,每常八日、若十四日、若十五日,集善法堂,稱量世間善惡 多少。復次三十三天常共伺察造善惡者。見造善者,便擁護之;見造惡者,即共嫌 毀。」

Question – “Why only speak of thirty-three devas?” Answer – “The devas frequently gather to discuss good deeds and misdeeds. Hence the partial discussion of them. The devas during the waxing and waning moons on every eighth, fourteenth and fifteenth always gather in the hall of saddharma to weigh the amount of good deeds and misdeeds in the world. Furthermore, the thirty-three devas always together inspect the creators of good deeds and misdeeds. Seeing one who has created good deeds, they then protect them. Seeing one who has created misdeeds, they then together resent and ruin them.”

The ancient Indic month of 30 days was divided into two 15 day segments called the śukla-pakṣa (the waxing) and the kṛṣṇa-pakṣa (the waning). Therefore, in a given lunar month the thirty-three devas were expected to come on the following days: 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and 30th. This is not a far step away from electional astrology. Perhaps it was the minority Mahāyāna movement which took a step in that direction and adopted for their own purposes contemporary astrology. This is assuming of course the Mātaṅga Sūtra was specifically a Mahāyāna text, though in actuality it
might not have been. It also includes the Gāyatri mantra from the Ṛg Veda:

Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ 菴 浮 婆 蘇婆
tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ 旦 娑婆鬪 婆利茹
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi 被瞿 提婆斯 提麼
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt 提由 那 婆羅提那

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This is identified as the “mantra of Brahmins” 婆羅門呪. It speaks much to the influences of

Vedic culture on Buddhism by the early third century CE. At this point both mantras and astrological practices were already being introduced into Buddhism as normal and appropriate. It curiously also asserts the equality of the four castes, which perhaps says something about conflicting Vedic and Buddhist ideas – astrology and mantras had utilitarian value to Buddhist mystics, but the caste system was unacceptable. This indeed agrees with Johannes Bronkhorst's theory as presented in his work Buddhism in the Shadow of Brahmanism where he explains how Buddhists in India came to adopt not only Sanskrit, but various Vedic ideas to the point that they eventually came to see themselves as an offshoot of Vedic culture rather than having preceded it. While Buddhists generally retained a separate identity, they still nevertheless eventually adopted a diluted vision of society based on the caste system as advocated by the Brahmins who had come to command both religious and political authority.

A few centuries later the Mahāsaṃnipāta Sūtra 大集經 was translated in sections starting from the late fourth century to the late sixth. In it we find reference to the twelve zodiacal signs along with ample astrological data. Here we find the earliest use of the zodiac signs in the Chinese canon. Separate translators did their respective sections and hence the zodiac signs are semantically translated in one section and transliterated in another. They are as follows:

Sanskrit English Chinese
Meṣa Aries 持羊之神
Vṛṣa Taurus 持牛之神
Mithuna Gemini 雙鳥
Karkaṭa Cancer 蟹神
Siṃha Leo 師子之神
Kanyā Virgo 天女
Tulā Libra 秤量之神
Vṛścika Scorpio 蝎神
Dhanvin Sagittarius 射神
Makara Capricorn 磨竭之神
Kumbha Aquarius 水器之神
Mīna Pisces 天魚之神

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We can therefore be assured that by the late fourth century these zodiacal signs had been introduced into Indic astrology – widespread enough for it to be adopted into Buddhist literature.
 
Some generations later the tantric literature emerges which accepts astrology as simply canonical and attributes it to the appropriate enlightened beings. One such case is the Sūtra on Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva and the Sage's Teaching on Auspicious and Inauspicious Times, Days, Good
and Evil Constellations and Luminaries 文殊師利菩薩及諸仙所說吉凶時日善惡宿曜經,
translated by Amoghavajra (705-774) in 759 and revised in 764 by disciple Yang Jing Feng 楊景風 under his master's guidance. This text is the foundation for the astrology tradition of Shukuyō 宿曜, which is still practiced in Japan today even on a popular level. It formed a key component to East Asian esotericism (Mijiao / Mikkyō 密教), most specifically in Japanese Shingon under Kūkai.

The text is divided into two fascicles. The first scroll has seven chapters.

Chapter one is an explanation of the emergence of the cosmos as well as the sun, moon, planets, 27 nakṣatras and 12 zodiac signs. The diameters of the seven luminous bodies (the sun, moon and five visible planets) are also included:

Sun 51 yojanas
Moon 50 yojanas
Venus 10 yojanas
Jupiter 9 yojanas
Mercury 8 yojanas
Mars 7 yojanas
Saturn 6 yojanas
Small stars 1 krośa

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Depending on the source, a yojana is either 7 or 9 miles with 4 krośas equaling 1 yojana. A

yojana is further defined as the distance a sovereign will travel in a day.

Chapter two explains the stars belonging to the 28 nakṣatras (constellations), their shape, associated deity and furthermore appropriate tasks on days associated with them, i.e., electional astrology (the number of nakṣatras reflect the number of days in a sidereal month). It further explains the qualities of individuals born under the individual constellations.

Chapter three provides a method for gauging potential friendships and prescribed activities day by day for individuals based on the constellations associated with their births.
 
Chapter four details auspicious and inauspicious activities on the seven days of the week. It further discusses how people with birthdays falling on specific days should behave as well as forecasts for harvests based on which day of the week falls on 5/5. It further lists potential calamities that might occur should an eclipse or earthquake occur on a given day of the week.

Chapter five details a secret forecasting method based on the seven days of the week tailored to the individual.

Chapter six discussed how the month is divided into the black 黑月 (kṛṣṇa-pakṣa) and white/bright 白月 (śukla-pakṣa) moons (waning and waxing), each being fifteen days, and the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of each day. The data provided in the text can be graphed as follows:

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Auspicious Inauspicious Auspiciousness by constellation/weekday. If evil smell arises, a calamity will occur. (?)
śukla 1 *
2 *
3 *
4 Night Night
5 *
6 *
7 *
8 Daytime Daytime
9 *
10 *
11 * Night Night
12 *
13 *
14
15 Daytime Daytime
kṛṣṇa 1 (16) *
2 (17) *
3 (18) * Night Night
4 (19)
5 (20) *
6 (21) *
7 (22) * Daytime Daytime
8 (23)
9 (24) *
10 (25) * Night Night
11 (26) *
12 (27) *
13 (28) *
14 (29) Daytime * Daytime
15 (30)
-On all inauspicious days it becomes auspicious after noon.
-On all inauspicious nights it becomes auspicious after midnight.

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Note: in other texts devas descend to inspect people's virtues on the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th and

30th.

Finally, chapter seven names specific days and prescribes activities to be done on such days.
 
It interestingly also names specific deities (Brahma, Vasu, Śiva and so on) who descend into the world. This would seem to imply offerings are made to that specific deity. For example, the 1st and
16th of the month are called “name establishment”. This is when Brahma descends into the world. On these days one should do good deeds, cultivate the path, seek sages as well as serve teachers and elders, though one should not travel far.

The second scroll of the text does not include chapter numbers. It provides further details on the aforementioned subject matter, two tables for finding a person's associated signs, additional proscriptions and prescriptions associated with the the 27 nakṣatras, zodiac signs, days of the week and so on.

The Chinese text itself is clearly an adapted version of an Indic text, or more likely several texts. It is credited to Mañjuśrī by virtue of the title, but he is quoted directly only once. It is not so much a sūtra, but really a manual of astronomy that is heavily endowed with Vedic aspects.

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This demonstrates of course ongoing and quite strong Vedic influences in Mahāyāna. Vedic influences become even further digested by the tenth century when the Kālacakra Trantra emerges. I will not go into the details of that here, but I should like to recommend Edward Henning's site www.kalacakra.org which explains the subject matter extensively (for information on the calendar see here).

Now, setting aside modern critique of the astronomical model presented above, what relevance did such a cosmos have for its observers, and more specifically Buddhists in ancient
India? Astrology especially might seem out of place at first, even adharma, given the core teachings of Śākyamuni Buddha. There are even records of proscriptions against such arts in early Buddhism. Nevertheless, in time some Buddhists organically developed a perspective of the cosmos that perhaps made astrology sensible and realistic. Consider that Vasubandhu in the Abhidharma-kośa- bhāsya states, “The collective force of the actions of beings produces the winds which create
(nirmā) the moon, the sun and the stars in heaven.”9 He further states,

Who created the variety of the world of living beings and the receptacle-world which we have described in the preceding chapter?

It was not a god who intelligently created it.
 
The variety of the world arises from action.

The variety of the world arises from the actions of living beings.10

If the cosmos are indeed a product of the karma of beings, then naturally they could very well reflect present activities and forthcoming events – so above, so too below. From this perspective heaven and earth are not meaningless material phenomena, but teleologically rich entities which emerge as a result of beings' collective volitional actions, and consequently further reflect the present outcome and future of things to come. Such a worldview would predictably lead many to concern themselves with understanding that process and harnessing knowledge of it for their own ends.

In the Buddhist context astrology as such could be used for benevolent purposes. Just as Ptolemy argued, foreknowledge calms the soul. No doubt such a function was apparent to Buddhists. Buddhists would have seen their counterparts in contemporary society practising it and
clearly many took an interest. The art was already available and well-developed by the third century

CE, so it was easy enough to adopt it.

Of course many modern people will see such ideas as irrational and unscientific. Nevertheless plenty of eminent figures of the past took them seriously and scheduled their own lives and institutions around them. Many still do, especially amongst Tibetans. It might be unsettling for some that astrology has played a significant role in many traditions of Buddhism given the popular image of “Buddhism” as being thoroughly rational, even scientific. As we explored in early posts, sorcery (the summoning of benevolent deities for protection) likewise played a major role throughout Buddhist history in East Asia and elsewhere. Historically, it was these practices, not philosophy or meditation, that really formed the core activities of state
supported Buddhism in much of Asia. In the case of China where astrology and divination were key activities of the court it should not be surprising that Buddhist institutions readily adopted the same practices for their own purposes.

At the end of the day it was sorcerers and astrologers who really secured stability and support for Buddhism in East Asia.
 
Footnotes:

1 See Han Bielstein, The Bureaucracy in Han Times (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1980), 131.

2 See Lloyd's paper “The Varying Agenda of the Study of the Heavens: Mesopotamia, Greece, China” in Asia Major,
85.

3 Richard L. Thompson, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 2004), 15-17.

4 Tamsyn Barton, Ancient Astrology (London, UK: Routledge, 1994), 30.

5 Vasubandhu, Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya. Vol. 2. Translated into French by Louis de La Vallee Poussin, English translation by Leo M. Pruden (Berkeley, CA: Asian Humanities Press, 1991), 452.

6 I bid., 461.

7 Richard L. Thompson, 14.

8 Ibid., 97-100.

9 Abhidharma-kośa-bhāsya, Vol. 2, 460.

10 Ibid., 551.