The Supermoon Buddhist Observance

Crystal Quintero, Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; Ven. Ñanavara Thera and Bhikkhu Kantasilo, Uposatha Sutra: The Lunar Observance (AN 8.41)

Burma's Shitthuang Pagoda, ruins of Mrauk U, Arakhine state (Jon Sheer/Jraptor/flickr)

The brilliant and nearby Supermoon 2014 (Evgeny Yorobe/earthsky.org)

  

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was residing in Jeta's Grove at the millionaire's monastery, near Savatthi.

At that time the Blessed One, having called all the monastics together, addressed them: "Meditators!" The monastics answered in assent: "Venerable sir!" (They then prepared themselves for the following sutra). The [Buddha] then gave the following teaching on lunar observance days (uposatha).
 
"Meditators, the lunar observance is comprised of eight factors [precepts] that the noble (one entered upon the stages of enlightenment) disciple observes, the observation of which brings glorious and radiant fruit and benefit.
 
"Meditators, what is the lunar observance?"
 
1. "Noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline reflect in this way: 'All enlightened beings (arhats), for as long as life lasts, have given up the intentional taking of life. The club and sword have been laid down. They have shame (of doing evil) and are instead compassionate toward all beings.'
 
"All of you have given up the intentional taking of life, have put down all weapons, are possessed of shame (of doing evil), and are compassionate toward all beings. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the first factor.

 
2. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up taking what has not been given. They take only what is given, are intent on taking only what is given. They are not thieves. Their behavior is spotless.'
 
"All of you have given up the taking of what has not been given, are ones who do not take what is not given, are intent on taking only what is given, are not thieves. Your behavior is spotless. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the second factor.

3. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up that which is an obstacle to the Brahma-faring [Brahmacharya, the high life, the pure life, continence, chastity, celibacy]. Their practice is like that of a brahma [a god being]. They are far from sexual intercourse [or any erotic activity for this observance day], which is a practice of lay people.'
 
"All of you have given up that which is an obstacle to the Brahma-faring and behave like a brahma. Your behavior is far from sexual intercourse. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the third factor.

Standing Buddha statue, Thailand, rung by Moon (happySUN/flickr.com)

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Moon and Sun-faced-Buddha points.

4. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up false speech [perjury, harsh-, divisive-, or careless-speech]. They utter only the truth and are intent on the truth. Their speech is firm and is composed of reason. Their speech does not waver from that which is a mainstay for the world.'
 
"All of you have given up false speech. You speak only the truth and are intent only on that which is true. Your speech is firm and with reason. Your speech does not waver from that which is a mainstay for the world. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the fourth factor.
 
5. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up the taking of liquors and intoxicants, of that which intoxicates, causing carelessness (heedlessness). They are far from intoxicants.'
 
"All of you have given up the taking of liquors and intoxicants. You abstain from drink which causes carelessness. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the fifth factor.
 
6. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, eat at one time only and do not partake of food in the evening. They abstain from food at the 'inappropriate' time."
 
"All of you eat at one time only and do not partake of food in the evening. You abstain from food at the inappropriate time. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the sixth factor.
 

What is a "super" moon? (rednewswire)

7. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up singing and dancing, the playing of musical instruments, and the watching of entertainments, which are stumbling blocks to that which is wholesome. Nor do they bedeck themselves with ornaments, flowers, or perfume.'
 
"All of you have given up singing and dancing, the playing of musical instruments, and the watching of entertainments, which are stumbling blocks to that which is wholesome. You do not bedeck yourselves with ornaments, flowers, or perfume. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the seventh factor.
 

8. "Meditators, noble disciples in this Dharma and Discipline also reflect: 'All arhats, for as long as life lasts, have given up lying on large or high beds. They are content with low beds or bedding made of grass.'
 
"All of you have given up lying on large or high beds. You are content with low beds or beds made of grass. For all of this day and night, in this manner, you will be known as having followed the arhats, and the lunar observance will have been observed by you. This is the eighth factor.
 
"Meditators, the lunar observance is comprised of these eight factors which the noble disciple observes, and it is of great and glorious fruit and benefit."
 
Thus the Blessed One spoke on the lunar observance. The monastics were delighted and rejoiced at his words.

• Self-Discipline: Cornerstone of the Dharma

Tonight: See the Honey Moon all night long

Dhr. Seven, Bhante, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly

The Moon will be big, bright, yellow, and very close tonight (latimes.com)

Honey full moon lunar observance or Madhu Purnima (thedailystar.net, 9-12-11)

Tonight, Chandra/Luna the Moon is providing a spectacular show in the sky (akasha) above Bhumi (Earth/Gaia). Every month has a full moon, a "month" (which we should call a moonth) being four weeks, a week being seven days, a day being 24 hours. Because with arithmetic like this, a year is 364 days (13x28) or 13 months rather than 12. The last or 365th day is New Year's Day, a fresh start, and resets the calendar. That is how it was, and that is how it would be, if we reverted to the more accurate, useful, and intuitive lunar calendar. The ancient societies had versions of it, not the least of which was the Buddhist calendar and the more ancient Mayan calendar. Buddhism, using Indian time, celebrated the lunar days of the new moon, quarter moon, half moon, and full moon as uposatha or "observance" days of intensive meditation, study, and hearing the Dharma. The tradition lives on around the world, including the USA. Seek out any Mahayana (Japanese roku sainichi) or Theravada temple, be it Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan, Cambodian (Khmer), Laotian, Bangladeshi (East Bengal), or Indonesian, and feel free to participate in its monthly observance, dressed in white, practicing devotional activities, recalling the Buddha, endeavoring to comprehend the Dharma, and eating great ethnic foods. There are are least 25 temples to choose from in greater Los Angeles. The "Full Moon Honey Offering" is a special poornima or "full moon" observance day relating to remarkable event in the forest between the Buddha and a generous monkey and attentive elephant. Ancient yogic tradition calls for fasting on full moon days. The Buddha modified this to mean not eating after noon, which is the daily practice of Theravada monastics.

The Blood Moon lunar eclipse (video)

CC Liu and Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly; Mark Memmott (NPR.org via SCPR.org)

Blood Moon: Did you see the lunar eclipse? If not, here's the video

 The "blood moon" as seen from Koreatown, west of Los Angeles, early Tuesday. The next total eclipse of our Moon comes on Oct. 8.

Here we are above America's "Tinsel Town," Hollywood. There were "whistles, cheers, and howls" early Tuesday on the grounds of the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles as the Moon turned red during the total lunar eclipse. 

As the Los Angeles Times adds,  "Telescopes dotting the lawn pointed upward and southward, as the moon hovered above the observatory," and visitors who had packed the grassy lawn "scrambled toward the front of Griffith Observatory, pointing up at the reddening moon." 

Chandra in color (clivejames.com)

The view was great across much of the Americas, although clouds interfered in parts of the eastern U.S.

NPR affiliate KPCC FM previewed the event on Monday. During the event, NASA hosted a live chat and posted video of the eclipse here.

Reminder: Didn't get out to see this eclipse or clouds got in the way? No worries. There are three more eclipses coming in the next year and a half on: October 8, 2014; April 4, 2015; and September 28, 2015. More

Spring Equinox: Happy First Day of the Year!

Seth Auberon, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly  VERNAL EQUINOX 2014

Flowers and fruits are possible thanks to bees (Teacher Julia/tx.english-ch.com)

The fragrant jasmine wafted all over the meditator (mostbeautifulflower.com)

 

In Bangalore (BBclix/flickr)

Happy "New Year"! (In Buddhist Asia, as in most of the ancient world, spring marked the New Year not an arbitrary Gregorian designation ruining a calendar once in perfect sync with Luna/Chandra our Moon, who gives us our seasons, and Sol/Surya our Sun, who floods us in cosmic rays). 

Happy Nowuz from Tehrangeles and Feliz Primavera from Olvera St., formerly Mexico (both well rooted in bustling Los Angeles)!

A new beginning

Meditating on a mandarava flower

With the renewal of Gaia/Bhūmi our Earth we, too, can make a renewed resolve to meditate or at least to be more "mindful" and present as our day unfolds. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, the adage goes, and whether we've heard it before or find it new and insightful, isn't it? If today is, can't we choose to do things differently from now on right at this moment? When else are we EVER able to choose, or do, or accrue karma/merit other than right NOW? So some say, "Now is all there is." Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Ram Dass, the Beatles in India, even the Panchen Lama and his elder would agree. We hear as savakas. We see it. We live it.

Meditation

Reclining meditation (pinterest)

Here is a fascinating meditation to breakthrough to serenity, insight, and self-knowledge. O, what I wouldn't give to be calm! (It helps to begin with a blessing to pre-direct the mind/heart, honoring the Three Jewels of the Enlightened One, the Enlightened Teaching, and the Enlightened listeners/practitioners. This will help if fear arises that one will be unprotected, "open" and susceptible to inimical-influences like spirits, as so many fundamental Christians, Catholics, and Muslims warn).

INSTRUCTIONS: Sit comfortably. Breathe deeply. Let go. Let go of thinking, breathing, sitting, doing, and let it happen. Let what happen? Serenity will happen. Accept the suffering and let it pass right through without holding on. (Resisting is a form of holding on).

When there is serenity, it becomes possible to gain absorption and develop successful insight (east coast) for liberation.

Exploring the Moon from Beijing today

CC Liu, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly; NPR.org; News.XinhuaNet.com

The Rabbit (Yutu) and Moon (Chang'e) as seen from the surface of Gaia (4allreligion)

China's first lunar rover separates from Chang'e-3 Moon lander early Dec. 15, 2013 as seen from the screen of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, China (Xinhua).

  

Control Center, Beijing (Xinhua/NPR)

Very early Sunday morning [Dec. 15, 2013], China's Moon rover, Yutu or "Jade Rabbit," separated from its lander and began its exploration.

 

This means that China has officially joined the USA and the former USSR as the only three [imperial] countries to make a soft landing and drop an exploratory vehicle on the Moon [named Chang'e in Chinese] safely. The Chinese state news agency Xinhua reports:

"The 140 kg six-wheeled rover touched the lunar surface at 4:35 a.m., leaving deep trace on the loose lunar soil. The process was recorded by the camera on the lander and the images were sent to the Earth, according to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.

"After the separation, the rover and lander will take photos of each other and start their own scientific explorations.

"Engineers made final checks of the environment of the landing site, the situation of the probe and the solar incidence angle late night on Saturday and sent signals of separation to Chang'e-3.

"Yutu, atop the probe, extended its solar panel and started to drive slowly to the transfer mechanism at 3:10. The transfer mechanism unlocked at 4:06 with one side reaching the moon's surface, allowing the rover to descend to the surface following a ladder mechanism."

As NPR reported yesterday, this is a big deal for China, as it shows off its technical prowess and is a point of national pride. But it's also a big deal for humankind. More

• PHOTOS: Secrets of the Moon, its ruins, and its civilization may be revealed by China (Richard C. Hoagland, enterprisemission.com)

Full Moon Observances, Los Angeles (photos)

Angela Lee (UWest), Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly

Hsi Lai Temple ("Going West" Monastery), Hacienda Heights, suburban Los Angeles, CA

Chrysanthemum tea and red bean and lotus seed paste mooncakes (npr.org)

Mahayana nun, Theravada monk, devotees in courtyard imbibing tea and Dharma (WQ)

Lining up candles in hand following Hsi Lai Temple tea ceremony and meditation (WQ)

Tea and mooncakes by moonlight, Hsi Lai Temple, Sept. 20, 2013 (Wisdom Quarterly)

  

Lining up to offer candles (WQ)

We gathered under the Harvest Moon, Saturday night, a mix of Americans and Taiwanese in the hills above the San Gabriel Valley in suburban Los Angeles.

 

The courtyard of the largest Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Western hemisphere -- excluding perhaps the immense Chaung Yen Monastery (BAUS.org) in Upstate New York where the world's greatest living Theravada Buddhist scholar (Bhikkhu Bodhi) alongside a massive indoor Buddha statue with a specially built enclosing it -- was lit up. Mist clouded the sky, obscuring the Moon.

Gathering around the tea table (WQ)

Bhikshunis (fully ordained nuns) sat at low tables mixing chrysanthemum tea distributing mooncakes (not vegetarian but full of white sugar and egg coating). Various pods arranged themselves.

Wisdom Quarterly discussed topics of interest, then one of the editors told an amazing story at the nun's invitation.
   

Sun and Moon

Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly

Full moon (Tim McCord (space.com)

One day a boy lost his mother the moon and lived on with his father the sun, who was feeble and in need of his son's help. Together in the father's great home, the son showed filial devotion alone.

Eventually, with his father's help, he found a wife. They brought her home, and set her up in charge of the household. She was dutiful, but she soon grew tired of the old man who, she felt, was stealing all of her husband's attention. "Throw him out," she said to her new husband, "if you love me." 

Approaching the Buddha light altar (WQ)

"He's my father! All we have is because of him!" "All he does is eat; he will eat us out of house and home! Now it is time for you to grow up, take your inheritance, and let's get on with our lives." "What are you saying?" the husband asked. "I'm saying, man up and get rid of him! At least put him out in the barn!" 

Bhikshuni dispenses tea and stories (WQ)

The son carried his father to the barn and cared for him there. As the father was unable to walk, he depended on his son to wheel him around in a wheelbarrow. But the son came out less and less." The wife was still not satisfied. The husband asked, "Now what's the problem? He's out of your hair."

 

Travis waiting for tea, cake, and stories

"I still have to cook for him and feed him. He's going to eat us out of house and home!" "What do you want me to do?" the husband asked. The wife insisted, "I want you to take that old man, wheel up the hill, and toss him over the cliff! If you don't, I'm leaving you. I thought I married a man. It's either him or me! And it would be for his own good -- he's old, he doesn't want to be a burden. It's euthanasia, that's all. I'm packing right now." 

 

Lining up in front of main hall (WQ)

The husband, not wanting to lose his wife and realizing that his father was old and feeble and would never want to be a burden to anyone, much less his only son, went out and placed the old man in the barrow without saying a word. The father was overjoyed to see him: "You've finally come to visit me, son! Where are we going, to town, to the market? Hooray!" The boy slowly began to wheel his father up the hill. "But, son, the town is thataway. Are we taking in the view first? There's nothing up here but the...cliff." 

The father suddenly fell silent. The son had still not said a word. As they slowly approached the cliff, the father finally spoke: "Son, may I make one last request?" The son broke down crying, full of resolve to complete this heinous deed, "Anything, father, just name it!" 

In line with candle offerings following guided meditation, Hsi Lai Temple (WQ)

 

"Son, when you throw me over, make sure you don't drop the barrow over with me."

"But why, father?"

 

"Well, your son is going to need it."

 

Just then the son turned on his heel, wheeled around, and raced down the hill. He threatened to put his new wife out in the barn unless she respected his father as she respected him. And together they live happily and dutifully for a long time. Having lost the moon, the son at least kept his sun alive. Ancient Chinese wisdom.

More stories, more tea and cake (WQ)

The nun was delighted with this story as was the crowd. "That is a very good story!" Newcomers to the weekly PasaDharma Zen meditation group welcomed Wisdom Quarterly's participation. Then Travis began to preach the Dharma but was interrupted as a Hsi Lai monk took the microphone and led the crowd of 100 on a guided meditation under gaslamps and floodlights, calling for the Moon to make an appearance.

Socializing under gaslamps (WQ)

After meditating, participants lined up to make a candle offering to the Buddha before the main hall. A procession formed and participants went up one by one to offer light to not only the Awakened One but, moreover, to the potential in themselves of awakening.

For as Kwan Yin Bodhisattva is reputed to have said by the climax of the Sanskrit Heart Sutra: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi swaha:

 

"Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, oh what an awakening, so it is!"

Island Buddhist Observance

Sri Lanka cave temple (hellotravel.com)

The Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara in Pasadena (100 E. Mountain at the corner of Summit, near Fair Oaks) continues its weekly Vas ("Lent") Sunday 5:00 pm "Rains Retreat" schedule: Eight Precept observance (dress in white), Dharma sermon, and FREE Buddhist island vegetarian cuisine feast. The monastics are on a rotating basis with other Theravada temples giving lectures on various Dharma topics. There areopen discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and protective (paritta) chant as well as devotional (puja) chanting sessions to impart blessings on all in attendance. Everyone is warmly welcomed. This Sunday will feature Ven. Dharmapala from Nepal.

Los Angeles Chinatown Moon Festival
Rena Kosnett (laweekly.com, chinatownla.com)

(FREE) Now 75 years old, Los Angeles' Chinatown is celebrating her landmark anniversary by hosting an epic bash. The annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (also known as the Zhongqiu or "Mooncake" Festival) is a tradition that dates back more than 3,000 years.
 
Farmers marking the end of the harvest season in China would gather to gaze at the moon and eat mooncakes, yummy round pastries filled with sweet red bean or lotus seed paste. Although the farmers may not be present on Saturday, the moon cakes definitely will, offered up by local bakeries.
 
Other festival treats look just as indulgent: Bamboo Lane's Night Market will provide traditional and contemporary edibles, while the outdoor baccarat lounge, which even a decadent craft beer garden to test one's autumnal karma. Telescopes provided by the local Griffith Observatory will give everyone a chance to view the harvest moon from an unnaturally close vantage point.
 
Chinatown festivals are always a good excuse to leave the house, but this looks to be one of the most decadent in recent memory. Art gallery openings, live cooking demonstrations, craft workshops, and the band lineup, curated by Kevin Bronson of Buzzbands.la, are even more reason to fill the streets on this beautiful seasonal equinox.

• Central and West Plaza, 943-951 N. Broadway, Chinatown
• Saturday, Sept. 21st, 5:00 p.m.-12:00 am; (323) 206-6491

Under a Full Moon: Hsi Lai Temple

Wisdom Quarterly; Hsi Lai "Coming West" Temple (hsilai.org); EarthSky.org; Huff Post

Attend Wisdom Quarterly's public meeting to discuss story ideas, statistics, and the future.

  

Bodhidharma points at the Moon (ofandfrom.com)

Look. The Moon. It's full.

 

"That's not a moon, fool."

Oh, what is it?

"Looks like a finger."

 

No! That is merely the pointer. Look at what is being pointed at!

"OH. What's that?"

 

That is the Moon emerging from the clouds.

 

"Aah. I see."

 

Now you see? What were you seeing before?

"Well, a nice manicure mostly. But now more of what you previously said makes sense."