Astrology & the Dhamma | Upāya Kusala | Sermon 21

Prophecies, auspicious times, predictions, and horoscopes have been part of human life for centuries. Many people turn to them when making important decisions, seeking reassurance, direction, or confidence about the future.

What were the Supreme Buddha’s thoughts on such practices? This Dhamma lesson invites listeners to reflect deeply and observe for themselves, in the light of the Supreme Buddha’s Teachings.

Transcript:

[NOTE: This translation was made by one of our volunteers]

Today we will be discussing a strange topic as a solution. Some people’s lives have become problematic, have gotten entangled in issues and have faced problems due to auspicious times, predictions, horoscopes and prophecies. Due to such astronomical points. So this is not a common problem either, okay? This is not even relevant for some people. It doesn’t work at all. For some people, this is powerfully present. So if you have any question on any issue related to auspicious times, predictions, horoscopes or prophecies; that or, maybe in your home or in your workplace in certain situations you had to face, if auspicious times, predictions, horoscopes, – if you face some unfavorable consequence because of them – what’s the solution for that? That’s what we are discussing today. I won’t take our ideas to the forefront of this. We are discussing the Supreme Buddha’s Guidance, right? Let’s see how the Supreme Buddha answered this.

For this, let’s take the Maṅgala Jataka as an example. So, something that happened during the Buddha’s time has happened in the past as well. During the Buddha’s time – I think in the Rajgir town – there was a person who greatly believed in auspicious times and predictions. A brahmin. A Mahāsāra brahmin who has a lot of wealth. Rats ate two of that nobleman’s very valuable shawls which were in a chest. Then in that brahmin’s horoscope it said that – it’s a generational horoscope – if rats eat it’s not good to wear them. There’ll be a great disaster. If those are worn or used. It’s said to remove such items quickly from the home. Thereafter, that father told his son “Son, there’s something like this. I can’t send this through someone else. These are two valuable fabrics.” “If I send this with our workers, they’ll feel stingy and take it.” “In the end, we’ll have to bear their consequences.” “This is a destructive, inauspicious sign.” “You go and put this in the cemetery.” “But son, don’t touch it.” He opened the chest and using a long stick, he wrapped the cloths like this. To the end of the stick. Afterwards, like carrying a snake, he took it to the cemetery. My Venerable Teacher who was in His fragrant chamber in Veluvanaramaya saw with His supernatural sight although they have these (beliefs) in their head, like a flame shining in a dark cave, these people have wisdom. But it’s covered because they think too much about various beliefs. He thought He must help and when he was taking it to the cemetery, the Supreme Buddha was already at the cemetery. Thereafter he went and the Supreme Buddha was meditating elsewhere. He went, untied that, put it in a corner and turned. The Supreme Buddha rose from His meditation, went and took those two fabrics. As He took it, he said “Oh! Oh! Venerable monk, don’t touch that! Rats have eaten it.” “A great disaster will happen.” “Don’t touch it. Even my father did not let me touch it.” “No… We take fabrics from cemeteries. These are things people have let go of. We take them to make rag robes.” “You don’t make it a problem.” “I am taking this.” Saying so, the Supreme Buddha took it and left. See how the Supreme Buddha inclines people towards Nibbāna? His Great Kindness?… Thereafter, he ran to his father and said “Father a great calamity happened. The Venerable Monk Gautama took that. I said not to. I told Him not to touch it.” “But He said things that have been abandoned are suitable and took it with Him.” “Oh! What did The Venerable Monk Gautama do?…” “He preaches the Dhamma to the country and the world. But see how He does not understand this…” He said “He did something that will destroy entire Veluvanaramaya…” His father (said so). “Not like that, son.” “That Venerable Monk Gautama is a very pleasant person.” “A very good person.” “When one sees Him, that person feels delight.” “Oh, may that venerable monk not perish!” “He seems to need two fabrics, right?” “Let’s get two new fabrics and offer it.” “And let’s throw what was eaten by the rats and return.” “Get it ready, son.” Saying so he arranged for two fine fabrics through his son. They quickly went. They went to Veluvanaramaya to meet the Supreme Buddha. They went and asked “Venerable Sir, did you take something like this?” “Yes I did take it.” “Oh! It’s a great disaster! It’s an extremely inauspicious sign!” “Take these two and give those two.” The Supreme Buddha said “Brahmin,” “The two of you” “- in the exact same way -” “in a previous life too, these rat signs,” “and the signs of geckos making noise,” “you’ll are people who kept this and that in your heads.” “Even today those come to your mind.” “Why Venerable Gautama sir. What happened in our saṁsara? The Supreme Buddha said that that man was a brahmin before too. “Back then I was a sage.” “When you went and put two rat eaten cloths in the cemetery, as a sage I took them.” “When I took them,” “your son came” “and told you.” “You” “quickly went to the cemetery and when you told not to take it, that sage advised you.” “What you have said and done follows you in life.” “You cannot change life’s destiny because of rat eaten cloth.”

At that time, He recited a stanza. “Destroying wisdom,” “searching for auspicious times,” “the person who pursued those,” “about dreams, auspicious times, and other signs,” “the habit of pursuing those,” “the person who lost it (that habit),” “being free from the defect of searching for auspicious times and predictions, and to the Dhamma,” “the person who comes to it using their wisdom,” “unwholesomeness that exists in pairs,” “will destroy them and come to Nibbāna.” That is, we – giving prominence to such ideas and opinions – if we remain steadfast in them, He said Nibbāna will not open to us. The Supreme Buddha said “On any morning” “if a merit, Dhamma, or wholesomeness is added to your life,” “that is sunakkhattaṁ sumaṅgalaṁ.” That is the good auspicious time. That is the good ceremony. That’s the good moment. The moment that a merit is accumulated. “On any afternoon or night” “if any merit is accumulated,” “that is the good auspicious time, the good moment.”

So therefore, this is said to be the form of life. Just because a rat ate it or a gecko fell on to your body, you suddenly saw a dream at night or… He said this life is not like that. There are good and bad things we have done in life. Certain predictions and signs maybe seen for those. Just because predictions and signs are seen, that person has brought good or bad with them in to their lives. This life journey is formed according to a Dependent Origination. Avijjāpaccayā saṅkhārā; saṅkhārapaccayā viññāṇaṁ. Next, in human lives, there’s something called Prayoga Sampatti. That is, through effort and determination one can resolve the issues in one’s life. Therefore, He said to give effort and determination a place. Without destroying your life because of various things. So when the Supreme Buddha was preaching about life’s journey in this manner, That father and son became Sotāpannas (Stream Entrants). Now tell me—was the rats eating those clothes a good sign or a bad one? It was a good sign. It is because of that that path was revealed.

Now people talk of bad luck. Actually, bad luck is something good. Why do I say bad luck is a good thing? It is when they have bad luck that people perform Bodhi Pujas. They give alms. They give food to crows and dogs. They help helpless people. They offer flowers. They travel around the country. To do all that, bad luck has to arrive. If there’s no bad luck, they won’t go near them. They wont perform Bodhi Pujas. Now look at human lives… Now think, there’s a Bodhi tree in an area that’s very sunny. Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Ampara – let’s say those areas? People nonchalantly go to the temple and return. They don’t care. Suddenly from a prediction they receive a bad luck. From their horoscope. Then the astrologer says, “You need to bathe the Bodhi tree with 7 pitchers of water for 21 days.” Now they’re drawing water very well… Until then they don’t put even a bit of water to the Bodhi tree… Okay so, with whatever intention, watering the Bodhi tree is a merit. A Bodhi Puja is a merit. So that person was directed towards merit because of bad luck. Truly you’ll will realize it at a later time if you can inquire with wisdom. Trouble is a good fortune for that person. That trouble is a good fortune… That’s the nature of each person. Some say certain food are auspicious. That milk rice is auspicious. Next, that something else is inauspicious. But when some people eat milk rice, they feel sluggish. The entire day is miserable after eating milk rice. It is based on each person’s nature that it becomes auspicious or inauspicious. So the auspicious times arrive according to certain mornings, afternoons, or nights that merits are gained.

Next, something fine happened one day related to this. That is in the town of Sāvatti, the families in two friendly houses far away came together and discussed a marriage. Thereafter, they decided the date for the wedding too. After doing so, everyone got ready in the morning to leave to bring the girl. Then one person from that family said “Did you’ll check for an auspicious time to leave?” Then those people said “If they are in agreement, and our boy is too,” “there’s nothing like that. We’ll bring her and come.” “Oh….” “You need to step outside after checking the time.” “That girl should leave there after checking the time.” Thereafter what happened? Those who were unsure sided with that person. “That’s right, daughter. We could not check…” “Older brother, we couldn’t check for a time…” They said so. So there’s an astrologer next door to them. They went and told him this. He thought “They have come together to leave for the wedding today” “and only at the last moment did they remember me.” “Just you wait! I’ll give a good auspicious time.” He checked and said there aren’t any auspicious times for the next 3 months. “Don’t step outside today. It’ll destroy an entire generation.” Those people became afraid. Thereafter, they had no way to send a message. He said not one person should step outside of the house. Those people had prepared the girl thinking they’ll arrive now. They didn’t come. They grew weary. They gave her in marriage to a boy related to the family. After 3 months, they left exactly at the auspicious time and when they reached there, They were beaten and chased away saying “Get out! We have faced enough shame because of you.” So the Supreme Buddha also got to know about this broken marriage proposal. The Supreme Buddha said “Look at what happens to these people’s lives…” “Meritorious monks, that boy going and bringing that girl in a noble manner is the auspicious time.”

So let’s say if building a house, the auspicious time for that is drawing the strings in an orderly way and working according to the plan. That’s the correct auspicious time. So let’s say for the right auspicious time, the plan is drawn incorrectly. Now what will happen? There are aspects like that too. But we are talking about solutions for problems and troubles. So remember the Supreme Buddha said that doing a task correctly is the auspicious time for it. Doing a task correctly. Now what’s the auspicious time to take the vehicle out? Let’s say it’s your vehicle being taken out. You will check the fuel, oil and water levels, as well as the tires of the vehicle; and you will check the vehicle well, start it and leave. What is that? The auspicious time. Did you understand? If you check the auspicious time but there’s no fuel or oil in the vehicle, nor do the brakes work and neither is there air in the tires. But you take it out during the auspicious time. Will the vehicle have trouble along the way? It would. So therefore, doing that task correctly (is the auspicious time). Now let’s say a girl or boy in your home is about to sit for an exam. A daughter or son. So, is it the timing of when he or she steps out that determines whether they pass the exam? What they studied for 11 years is not required? Writing for (practice) papers and studying is not required?

That’s the thing… However, what we are discussing today is to resolve your own problems. Otherwise this will be taken as a topic for debates and problems will be created. When people are given a solution, they make it a problem. There’s so much foolishness in people’s lives… What can be done if the throat is slit by the straight razor given to shave the beard? It was given to shave the beard. But the throat has been cut… If a good barber gets a straight razor, he will shave his beard. If a monkey is given a straight razor, it will cut everything it has. Therefore, if the correct person gets the relevant solution, it’s fine. This is something like that. Otherwise if from this others are insulted? I am not saying that auspicious times, horoscopes, and predictions are wrong. During one’s problem or challenge, and when you have to sit for an exam or go on a journey, I am saying to do that task properly. Now we are building a house. We think we don’t have to check auspicious times or anything like that. But the builder says have to check for an auspicious time. What should be done at that time? At that time, even though we give money, although we oversee the work, it’s the builder who carries out the responsibility. Then we should give that person prominence. That’s not our idea. Because of the builder, we should prepare a time for him/her. If the builder knows a place, he/she should prepare it. As such, for others… Sometimes, the son is settled in a correct belief. That (belief) being, what’s important is doing the task properly. But his parents and siblings are settle on the other (opposing) belief. Then this should not be made a problem. Then he tells them “All of you prepare a time and give me.” Like that… A solution like that. Sometimes we need to do it because of others. Then you must not make it a problem. Then – we are talking about solutions. Don’t make something not happening according to an auspicious time an issue. Doing the task correctly is the auspicious time. You need to get this answer in to your mind. Next, don’t make it a problem if you are in this idea but your parents or your workplace, or the builders you work with or others – sometimes let’s say it’s a wedding. The groom’s side does not think much of these. But the bride’s side thinks about this a lot. Then the groom will have to conform to the more prominent group. He will have to conform to the more prominent group. At that time, it’s not right to discuss examples. When the daughter-in-law comes to house, the mother would take her in by giving her a glass of milk, a water glass with jasmine flowers placed on the top, kissing her face and saying “Daughter…”. After some time, she chases her out. Yes… She says “Daughter, put your right foot forward.” Later she kicks her with her left foot and throws her out. Therefore, this saṁsara is useless. So one should understand those very well.

So look at the problems our country has? Intelligence, wisdom, togetherness – them fading away – inability to blend in with the new world… Not honoring what and those who should be honored… The fading away of wholesome qualities and problems related to wisdom, intelligence, and management. It’s many problems like that. Now for Sri Lanka to deteriorate – the reason for Sri Lanka to collapse – is it a problem with auspicious times? Or?… Now in the past, during the New Year auspicious time, astrologers almost fought. Some said “This is wrong, this is wrong…” Even in that way, these people can’t understand the truth of this life… Therefore, in such instances, understand that. On another day we must discuss about Swapna Pala. I saw one Swapna Pala soothsayer give a beautiful explanation. He usually interprets dreams. He gave some good advice. I listened to that. It’s like this meritorious devotees. We try to listen to this world. See now we discussed about auspicious times and predictions as per the Supreme Buddha’s Words right? When auspicious times and predictions are spoken of, we don’t ignore them walk away. I listen to it thinking what it may be. And I take whatever that can be taken. Then as soon as the words ‘auspicious time’ are heard, it’s not good to be big-headed thinking “Oh my! It’s a wrong belief!” How should you not be, meritorious ones? You should not be big-headed. You have a head, right? As long as you remain like that, it’s enough. (Instead of) rejecting everything. As if you understand everything. When you’re like that, it’s problematic. Now what we discuss in these programs are things that resolve problems. So I saw him say something like this. That is, he says if you see a bad dream, you’ll should definitely perform a merit on that day. He mentions about a negative side of bad dreams. Then when you perform a meritorious deed, that’s a positive. Then when the negative and positive mix, the power of the negative wears off. Then you become normal and you won’t experience a problem. He says if you see a bad dream, give a food pack to someone in need. When you are traveling in your vehicle, give someone in need some aid. If you are passing a kovil or a temple, put some money in to its money box. Next, if you saw something bad, chant Paritta at that time. As such, he asks to develop a positive habit. So I listened to that and thought “Okay.” So every time a person sees a bad dream, it becomes a starting point for a meritorious deed. That’s a good idea. Then he interpreted that dream beautifully. He said that dreaming a dream – I am speaking about someone’s situation – we’ll discuss in another program about what the Supreme Buddha said about dreams. Solutions for those who dream dreams. Now that expert who interprets Swapna Pala says that a dream is something like this. That is, dreaming a dream means – let’s say there’s a bend in front. A slippery bend. A board is placed on the front of the road. On that board there’s a sign saying ‘Slippery Bend’. There’s a sign. But just because that sign is there, will the vehicle topple? No. That sign shows to move forward carefully. That is, go carefully. That’s what that says. Like so, one may see in dreams certain future occurrences. But just because you saw it, it won’t happen. Then that person should be careful, perform more meritorious deeds, and be cautious. Not afraid. Danger and fear are two things. Fear is not a solution, right? But being aware and mindful is a solution, right? Therefore, instead of meddling with and speaking about unnecessary things, instead of going to unnecessary places, that time should be spent. He explains in that way. Next, I’ve heard of teachers in the past – when monks dream dreams and they tell them to teachers – I’ve heard teachers advising them to chant Paritta for it. To venerate the Buddha morning and evening, chant Paritta, and to seek solace in the Triple Gem. That’s it. That’s the solution. That’s not thought about all the time. So in that way, we must find solutions for life. Solutions must be found. Thereafter, for everything, if some issue occurs, then it would be because the auspicious time was wrong, this was wrong, that was wrong, the hour was wrong… If we think that way, the time in every clock is wrong. Then how can we find out exactly? Next, in Sri Lanka, suddenly the time will be brought forward by half an hour, put back by half an hour, brought forward by an hour… Can’t you’ll remember in the past? Children nowadays may not know about it. Those who are 30-40 years old know how Sri Lankan clocks changed from time to time. Suddenly the government brough the time forward by an hour. We changed the (time in the) clocks. Again they reduced half an hour. Little ones nowadays don’t know all that. The time is different in clocks. So when you are asked to move forward at that minute, at that second; how can you believe you did it correctly?

Meritorious devotees, yādisaṁ vapate bījaṁ, tādisaṁ harate phalaṁ. What you sow You will have to reap. Kalyāṇakārī kalyāṇaṁ, pāpakārī ca pāpakaṁ. If you do wholesome deeds, you will get wholesomeness in return. If you commit unwholesome deeds, you will get unwholesomeness in return. Let’s say a bar is opened at the most auspicious time. A bar is opened at the best auspicious time. Is the outcome fortunate? Let’s say during the worst auspicious time, a flower shop is opened. Near Ruwanweliseya. Is the outcome bad? Therefore, If what you are doing is good or bad, if it brings good or bad for others – understand those facts… “Am I doing good or bad things these days?” Understand that… The good and bad you did in this life that follow you as well as how your life is affected by a certain consequence of kamma… Understand those… Dreams should not be completely rejected. We should talk about that. Let’s talk about that in another program. The Supreme Buddha had dreamt 5 dreams. Then there are 5 reasons to dream dreams. Of those 5 reasons, only one reason gives the prediction for the future. That is, before something happens, it shows a bit of one factor from the 5 factors of dreaming dreams. There are 4 factors that should be dismissed. We’ll decide that later. Take the solution for today as, just because time changed, don’t make such things problems. There are fights in certain homes because of these. It wasn’t done on time, wasn’t done precisely, the clock was wrong… The coconut didn’t break properly… It was hit with the other side of the knife… such Poruwa customs, wedding customs… There are so many… So therefore, remember these facts. It’s (the result of) the good and bad that you do that comes to your life. There’s no need to keep external things in our heads. You must find solutions for yourself. These aren’t things you should mention to society. You need to take them and you find a solution. I think you may have understood what I tried to say. So may you and I be arranged with the help of the Buddha’s Dispensation!…