Astrology.

Dandelion

Hello forum.

For many years I have had an interest with astrology and to this day, I continue to read and learn about astrology. My interest with Buddhism is very fresh and new. So, of course one thing I do wonder about is the relationship between the two. How is astrology viewed by Buddhists? Is it disregarded, seen as something a human being should pay no attention to, or are there branches of Buddhism which include astrology at all?

Dandelion.

Mountains

Tibet has a long history of astrology. I don't think the two are mutually incompatible.

http://viewonbuddhism.org/astrology.html

genkaku

Perhaps many things can be learned with the study of astrology, but the central question remains unchanged: Who is the one learning this information?

vinlyn

In a fair number of Thai Buddhist temples, including -- for example -- the legendary Wat Po in Bangkok, you can have your fortune told. I did once. I can't recall which method they used, but it can be anything from astrology to the bumps on your head.

Dandelion

Thanks for the link @Mountains, I've just had a brief look it looks like a good place for me to start investigating a link/relationship between the two.

@genkaku it will be me learning the information, I suspect I am not understanding your point though! Please feel free to elaborate

@vinlyn I had the lines on my head read once, I was 24 at the time (I didn't request it, it happened randomly by a man that happened to be in a store I was in, and was told 27 was going be my best year, it was actually one of my worst! I don't really study astrology for fortune telling, but I do think it accurately shows where a person has strengths and weakness in their character and I feel it can POSSIBLY be applied alongside my study of Buddhism in a useful way

Dandelion

genkaku

@genkaku it will be me learning the information, I suspect I am not understanding your point though! Please feel free to elaborate
________________________________

@Dandelion -- Without making either a federal or Buddhist case out of it, who is this "me" who collects and assimilates the information? Can astrology or any other discipline answer such a question satisfactorily, in a way that brings some genuine understanding and peace? I doubt it ... but this is not to say that studies are somehow inferior or useless.

Dandelion

@genkaku it will be me learning the information, I suspect I am not understanding your point though! Please feel free to elaborate
________________________________

@Dandelion -- Without making either a federal or Buddhist case out of it, who is this "me" who collects and assimilates the information? Can astrology or any other discipline answer such a question satisfactorily, in a way that brings some genuine understanding and peace? I doubt it ... but this is not to say that studies are somehow inferior or useless.

I think it can bring peace when combined with Buddhism yes! And definitely it brings understanding, hence the peace. It all depends on how astrology is used. When used as a tool for a deeper understanding of oneself and then affiliated on a personal level with Buddhism I think a person can get to grips with the more 'difficult' aspects of their character (shown up in the natal chart) and then worked upon when viewed from a Buddhist perspective. I personally view astrology as a great gift! Gosh, thank goodness for all the great astrologers, modern and traditional!
Dandelion

Dandelion

@genkaku

HOW astrology is used is the key...

DaltheJigsaw

I think it's an interesting study.

Dakini

Dandelion: Tibetan astrology is fascinating. The way they really get a good read on you is by getting your birthdate and time, and also your mother's. They combine that and come up with amazing results. I never believed in astrology, but the Tibetan system really makes me wonder.

Jeffrey

astrology works due to the minds ability to recognize patterns along with selection bias. If you took 10 peoples readings and scrambled them all the people would all say that their reading was correct or incorrect in same rate.

zidangus

In a fair number of Thai Buddhist temples, including -- for example -- the legendary Wat Po in Bangkok, you can have your fortune told. I did once. I can't recall which method they used, but it can be anything from astrology to the bumps on your head.

Yes, many Thais are superstitious, this link shows some of the things, some Thais believe,

http://www.fivethousandyears.org/center/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=103

Dandelion

Hi @Jeffrey

Sometimes when a person doesn't know their time of birth a 'rectification' can be done. This involves using past incidents from a persons life - the BIG STUFF such as marriage, birth of a child, moves abroad, death of a parent etc and the correct ascendant and house placements in the natal chart, etc are found. In some cases, the birth certificicate is later found (in the U.S. a lot of birth certificates have time of birth, here in the U.K that is less common) but when a rectification chart is done accurately and can then be cast with a correct time of birth and the natal chart will match the time of birth that the birth certificate says this is pretty remarkable stuff! But of course, astrology is not for everyone and there is no reason why ppl should see astrology as being valid - for me I have seen that it is valid and errily accurate, but this is my own experience. I think we all find various 'tools' in life, and this is one of mine.
Look forward to conversing with you again Jeffrey, hope you're well

Hi @vinlyn, thanks for the links I will be sure to check them out!

Dandelion.

ownerof1000oddsocks

The study of astrology as I see it, appears to be central to an individuals ego.

I don't know if this is of benefit to you or not, but you did ask.. I'll hold my tongue at this point.

Dandelion

The study of astrology as I see it, appears to be central to an individuals ego.

I don't know if this is of benefit to you or not, but you did ask.. I'll hold my tongue at this point.

I think a natal chart accurately describes a persons ego. And we all have one, we all have an individual personality. That is exactly why I think it might be helpful to combine astrology with Buddhism!