Solar Eclipse On Auspicious Buddha Day

March 09, 2016 is the new moon day and it’s the Shakyamurni Buddha day according to the Tibetan calendar. On this day, the auspicious Buddha day is coinciding with a natural phenomenon as follows:-

1. Shakyamurni Buddha Day. 
2. New moon day
3. Solar eclipse.
4. Sojong practice

The maximum eclipse It is visible from across a much wider area, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China, the Koreas, Japan, Philippines, Guam, northern Australia and even parts of Alaska. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between Earth and the sun. The moon passes between Earth and the sun every month, but a total solar eclipse happens only when the three celestial bodies are perfectly aligned. This particular eclipse is even more special: It’s happening while the moon is at its closest point to Earth—called perigee.

Lucky sky watchers in Southeast Asia get a rare front-row seat to a total eclipse on March 8 and 9, and Pacific islanders will see a still-dazzling partial eclipse.

On this day, the effects of positive or negative actions are said to be multiplied by Hundred million times during Solar and lunar eclipses according to the Tibetan tradition. If one have committed a good and bad actions, and it will be multiplied by Hundred million times of such action. Therefore practices are emphasized according to the Tibetan lunar calendar of the Fire Monkey year 2143.

The Eight Mahayana Precepts or Sojong Practices

1. To refrain from killing.
2. To refrain from  stealing.
3. To refrain from sexual misconduct.
4. To refrain from lying and intoxication.
5. To refrain from taking a high or luxurious seat.
6. To refrain from singing and dancing.
7. To refrain from wearing ornaments.
8. To refrain from eating after midday.

The power of prayer is well known over centuries and in all different religious beliefs. According to Buddhism, the world in which we live and all that happens to us is a result of our past actions. Past harmful actions create unhappy results and skillful actions create happy results. 

Tadyata Om Muni Muni Maha Muniye Soha

One way to purify obstacles we experience due to our past harmful action is through prayers and pujas. A puja is a special ceremony in which prayers are offered to the Buddhas to request their blessings or invoke their help. But most importantly, making prayers and offerings to the enlightened beings, and to the Sangha community generates and increases merit, our positive potential. Merit is needed to have success in all activities. 

Pujas are performed to avert and clear the three types of obstacles which arise due to the lack of merit, which prevent us from achieving our worldly and spiritual goals. Removing these obstacles will help us to achieve happiness and good fortune in all our activities.

How to request a Puja

While some prayers are of universal benefit, there are others that help with specific problems. It is always advisable to ask a lama or other knowledgeable person for advice on what puja is suitable for one's specific situation or problem.

There are three types of obstacles:

1. Affecting our  day to day life,relationships, business, and finances. 
2. Affecting mental and physical health in the form of strong emotions, confusion, and associated physical problems.
3. Obstructing the attainment of wisdom, experienced as difficulties in Dharma practice.

Pujas can be performed for various purposes:

1. To help pacify their mind, and decrease fear during the time of death.
2. To bless and guide their mind to a higher state of rebirth and liberation. 
3. To remove obstacles to mental and physical health.
4. To remove obstacles to success in all activities, be they worldly or spiritual.

Thank you for reading, may you find peace and great bliss. With your support it helps to spread the precious Buddha’s precious Dharma and turning the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease

But increase further and further.

Nagarjuna's Dedication of Merit

By this merit may we obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrong-doings.

May we liberate migrators from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness and death.

*Note

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