The Moon Is A Very Important Symbol In Tibetan Buddhism
The moon is one of the most important symbols in Tibetan Buddhism. The calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and is composed of either 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added approximately every three years.
The two Tibetan Moon photos on this page are courtesy of Dianne Aigaki.
In Tibetan Buddhism there are certain rituals like the taking of vows, self-initiation and the making offerings that should be practiced on the full and new moon days. They are considered very auspicious days.
In the language of Tibet, Monday is called 'Day of the Moon' or Moonday which is very similar to Monday in english!
Blissful Buddhist chant from the album "The New Moon of East" from Azul Music.
Moon in Tibetan words is 'Dawa' written in the Tibetan script above. It is one of the more popular names for a male in Tibet. I have a female friend named Dawa but it is not a common name for a girl.
People born on Monday will often be called Dawa. Monday is 'Sa' or 'Za Dawa', Za meaning planet. People born on Sunday will often be called Nyima. Yes, you got it, Nyima means 'Sun'. Sunday is 'Za-Dawa'. The other days of the week are named after planets.
According to one of the more popular Tibetan myths, Yama, the lord of death lives in the moon. When there is a solar eclipse, the Tibetan people say that 'Yama is eating the moon!'.
