A STUDY OF ASTROLOGY BELIEF OF LANNA BUDDHISTS

Abstract

The purposed of this article entitled “Astrology Belief of Lanna Buddhsits” are as follows:  
1) to study the astrology that appears in Buddhism. 2) to study the belief of astrology of Lanna 
Buddhists. and 3) to analyze the astrology belief of Buddhists in Lanna. 
The findings of this research as follows: 
The astrology derived from Sanskrit. which comes from “Ahõ” and “Rãtrî” (night) means 
knowledge or subject about stars what can be divided into 2 types. including astrology for predicting the 
future. The history of Western astrology is divided into 5 eras as follows: 1) Mesopotamia Age is a group 
of Chaldean. 2) Greek Age. 3) Middle Age. 4) Renaissance Age. and 5) New Age. In the part of the eastern 
hemisphere. the astrology appeared in the Buddhist scriptures that are very popular in India. such as the 
prediction of the 32 great characteristics of the Buddha by the dreaming prediction of Pasinadi. 
The astrology in Lanna Buddhist society was caused by a mixture of influences of beliefs 
in Buddhism and traditional Lanna beliefs. Buddhist monks in Lanna must have knowledge in 
astrology; Buddhist monks will perform the ceremony and act as astrologer for helping villagers 
who causes the rituals that are different from other societies. such as long life ceremony 
(Suepjatã); change one's bad fortune through a ceremony (exorcism). and withdrawal ceremony 
(Thon Khut) etc. As well as applying astrology continuously in the auspicious time of the 
Brahmajãti textbook by having an effect on beliefs. rituals and traditions along with resulting in 
both positive and negative. 
From the astrology analysis is only for forecasting. preparing. coping with upcoming 
events which is not entirely for the cessation of suffering completely. Buddhism and Astrology are 
therefore conflicting sciences. but astrology can be applied to Buddhism by insertion of the 
principles. including the principle of Kamma. the principle of four noble truths. Thus. Buddhist 
monks who apply the astrology in practice they must respect for the disciplines. set a desire to 
apply the astrology with compassion without gain to worship and do not induce people in 
credulity. For Buddhists. there should have the principles in using the astrology appropriately 
without adhering to astrology as a refuge seriously and should apply the astrology in promoting 
Buddhism and applying together with modern science.