--- Ong Yong Peng <ypong001@...> skrev:

> Although we do not follow superstitions in Buddhism,
> we do not need
> to be scientifically accurate when there is really
> no need for it.
> The occasion was to celebrate the birth of a great
> teacher by men and
> gods, the significance is more important than the
> exact timing.

True - but there is a practical problem, and indeed a
need.

In several countries (at least in the West), the days
of the moon phases (as calculated by scientists) can
be seen in any ordinary calender; so when we tell
people we are celebrating the full moon days, that's
where they will look (quite correctly) to see the
dates; and when it turns out that Asian Buddhists have
other full moon days than professional astronomers,
there is confusion.

And quite unnecessarily. Bhikkhus are professional
about the Dhamma; astronomers are professional about
astronomy. So why is some Buddhist committee wasting
its time doubling work that professionals are already
doing, and doing more accurately?

Gunnar


=====
gunnargallmo@...

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