WINGCHUN

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Tibetan Astrology





Tibetan astrology is a sacred art, a compassion tool that permits to act in order to avoid undesirable circumstances to take place, and relieve suffering. Precious ancillary for buddhist ritual practice and tibetan medicine, it helps for example to know the best moment to give remedies to patients, or to make remedies. Urine diagnosis and pulse reading are also linked to seasonal elements astrology. As a conclusion, astrology helps to diagnose, find the origin of a disorder and choose the right treatment. It gives information about the periods of accumulation or manifestation, and is also a prevention tool.
Tibetan astrology is called Tsi rik "Calculation science". It is not only a divination or predictive art but also the study of rythm and cycles of time. The origins of tibetan astrology are various, but main sources of this science are: Bön spiritual tradition, chinese astrology and indian astrology with Kalachakra tantra.
Tibetan Elemental Astrology, 'Byung-rTsis, is based on the five elements, the twelve-year cycle, eight par-kha or trigrams, and nine sme-wa or magic square numbers. Tibetan astrologers use these to calculate horoscopes along with four major themes: one's life span, physical condition, economic and political power, and overall luck in business and work. The Tibetan system of Astronomy, sKar-rTsis, draws from the Shri Kalachakra Tantra and the Arising Vowel System, dByangs-'Char, which assigns a different vowel in each day of the month, and calculates its effect on individuals and nations.
There are parallels between Tibetan and Vedic astrology in their calculation of calendars and planetary movement. Although the Tibetan and Indian calendars start the year on different dates, they are similar in their use of the twelve zodiac houses and the five planets of Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. (The outer planets are not recognised, as they had not been discovered at the time the ancient texts were written.) Like Vedic astrology, Tibetan astrology recognises the shadowy planets of Rahu and Ketu, which are important for the prediction of eclipses, wellbeing of the people, and nation.
The role of the Tibetan Astrologer
The Tibetan astrologer plays an important and active role in the Tibetan community, especially during times of births, deaths, marriages and prolonged illnesses. When a child is born, Tibetan parents often consult an astrologer to learn about the child's future. The astrologer constructs a birth chart, which includes predictions about the child's health, education, likely occupation, prosperity etc. If the birth chart predictions are unfavourable, an antidote, often in the form of a prayer, is prescribed. In other situations, the parents may be asked to give something for a charity. If the life of the child is in danger, a preventative measure can be taken by saving the life of an animal that is about to be slaughtered.
Before marrying, the parents of either the bride or groom may approach an astrologer to draw up a marriage chart (Which parents approach the astrologer depends on which household the couple will live in after marriage). The marriage chart includes predictions based on the couple's lasting of relations, standard of living, health, the quality and number of children the mother will bear, which partner will be more influential over the another, and their over all luck. In the case when any of these predictions are unfavourable, the astrologer will prepare an amulet for either partner, or, in exceptional circumstances, for both partners. Alternatively, the couple may be asked to recite prayers depending upon the nature and seriousness of the problem.
In a situation where a disease is considered to be karmic - i.e. the result of harmful spirits or negative karma - an antidote may be drawn either by an astrologer or lama. The astrologer determines which spirit is afflicting the patient, the type of disease it has produced, and the prayer that is needed to appease the spirit. Alternatively, the astrologer may aid the patient by determining which doctor and system of medicine is most appropriate to treat the ailment.
An astrologer also plays an important role in the community near the time of death. At this point, an astrologer is often called on to determine whether the dying person has any life left in his/her body. To avoid bad spirits after the person's death, the astrologer draws a death chart based on both the birth and death details of the deceased. It determines who can and cannot touch the body, particular objects or belongings that may need to be removed out of the house, on which day the body should be moved, and the necessary prayers that the deceased family should make.
The astrologer may also be called on at other times, such as when a person is moving house or beginning an important journey or project in his/her life. In this way, Tibetan astrologers continue to occupy an important role in the Tibetan community in much the same way they have for thousands of years. Lama Lobsang Darjy
Lama Lobsang Darjy is a master astrologer and monk with a background in the Nyingma, Kagyudpa and Gelugpa traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. For many years, he has been resident at Rajha monastery in Amdo, where he completed Buddhist studies including Budhist philosophy, tantra and Kalachakra tantra. During this time, he was Chant master for seven years, ritual master for three years, as well as studying Tibetan Medicine and Astrology. He studied medicine at the Qinghai Traditional Tibetan Medicine Hospital. In addition, Lama Lobsang is a writer and poet: his book, ‘One Voice’ tells of his experience as a Tibetan in a rapidly changing modern world. He is a member of the Tibetan Writers’ Association, under whose auspices he attended the Italian PEN Freedom of Expression Conference in Venice, in May 2005. Lama Lobsang is currently visiting the United Kingdom. He is a fountain of wisdom on Astrology in Tibetan Medicine.


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