The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

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thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

The Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calender
(Celebrations of Solemnities/Commemorations of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Dharma Protectors and Patriarchs, common to Chinese Mahayana Buddhism and the Chinese Lunar Calender system for 2009)

(Western Date/Month => Chinese Lunar Date/Month => Event)
Apr 11th (16th Day/3rd Month): The Solemnity of Maha Cundi Bodhisattva
Apr 28th (4th Day/4th Month): The Solemnity of Manjusri Bodhisattva
May 2nd (8th Day/4th Month): The Solemnity of Sakyamuni Buddha's Nativity
May 9th (15th Day/4th Month): The Vassa of the Chinese Mahayana Tradition
May 9th (15th Day/4th Month): The International Vesak Day
June 5th (13th Day/5th Month): The Commemoration of Sangharama Bodhisattva or Jie Lan Pu Sa
July 24th (3rd Day/6th Month): The Commemoration of Skanda Bodhisattva or Wei Tuo Pu Sa
Aug 9th (19th Day/6th Month): The 2nd Solemnity of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Enlightenment
Sept 1st (13th Day/7th Month): The Solemnity of Mahastamaprapta Bodhisattva
Sept 3rd (15th Day/7th Month): The Solemnity of Ullambana /Sangha Pravarana Day (End of Vassa)
Sept 12th (24th Day/7th Month): The Commemoration of Patriarch Nagarjuna
Sept 18th (30th Day/7th Month): The Solemnity of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva
Nov 5th (19th Day/9th Month): The Third Solemnity of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's Renunciation
Nov 16th (30th Day/9th Month): The Solemnity of Bhaisajya-Guru Buddha
Nov 21st (5th Day/10th Month): The Commemoration of Patriarch Bodhidharma

The Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Days of Monthly Upavasatha Observance (Chinese Lunar Calendar)
The Six Days of Observance: 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd and final two days of the month
The Ten Days of Observance: 1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 23rd and last three days of the month.

The Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Annual Twenty-Two Days Observance:
1st Lunar Month: 8th Day
2nd Lunar Month: 7th, 9th, 19th Days
3rd Lunar Month: 3rd, 6th, 13th Days
4th Lunar Month: 22nd Day
5th Lunar Month: 3rd, 17th Days
6th Lunar Month: 16th, 18th, 19th, 23rd Days
7th Lunar Month: 13th Day
8th Lunar Month: 16th Day
9th Lunar Month: 19th, 23rd Days
10th Lunar Month: 2nd Day
11th Lunar Month: 19th, 24th Days
12th Lunar Month: 25th Day

From the Japanese Pure Land:Jodo Shinshu and Jodo Shu
http://www.hongwanji.or.jp/english/calendar.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.jodo.org/about_js/annual_ceremo.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

From the Worldwide Zen Calendar: (Assuming annual fixated days using the Gregorian calendar)
http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVLPages/ZenPag ... endar.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some Western based Mahayana Buddhist organisations have departed from using the traditional Chinese/Japanese Lunar calendars and adapted it to the Gregorian one.
For example, if a celebration falls on the 8th day of the 4th Month in the Lunar Calendar, they will adapt it to become the 8th of April in the Western/Gregorian Calender,perhaps to suit local needs and adaptation.

Namo Amitabha Buddha!
Last edited by thornbush on Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

Re: The Chinese Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

Dear All,
Image
The Solemnity of Maha Cundi Bodhisattva is celebrated by the Chinese Mahayana Tradition today
(Chinese Lunar Calender: 16th Day of the 3rd Lunar Month, Western Calender: 11th April 2009)

The Sutra: http://www.e-sangha.com/alphone/cundi.html

Excerpts from: http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index. ... t&p=663452
Maha Cundi Dharani
With the translation of Cundī-devī-dharanī (准提陀羅尼經 Taisho T20:185-186) by Divākara 唐.地婆訶羅 in the seventh century, the feminine aspect of Kuan-yin in the form of Āvalokiteśvarā was established in China. Prof. Edward Conze says, "She is called 'mother of the Buddhas' because of the habit of devising feminine deities from Prajñā pāramitā (Prefection of Insight) as prototype."
In Esoteric Buddhism she is identified with Saptakotibuddha-mātā 七俱胝佛母, the fabulous mother of seven kotīs of Buddhas, a Marīci devi 摩利支天 or 準提觀音 Cundī Āvalokiteśvarā, one of the six forms of Āvalokiteśvarā.
In Vajrayana, Maha Cundi is the seated figure with 18 arms which symbolize (the Hindu way, not exactly a celestial body) the many skillful means of tantra. She is the source of all the Buddha of past, present and future and had unimaginable power of blessings. Those who practice this bodhisattva will attain wisdom, victory in debate, harmonious and respectful family, and improved relations with others, longevity, healed sicknesses, removed of negative karmas, and other wishes fulfilled.

MAHĀCUNDĪ DHĀRAṆĪ 準提神咒
From: Maha Cundi Dharani Sūtra translated by Amoghavajra, Chinese Tripitaka Taisho Edition, Esoteric section T20, No. 1077
七俱胝佛母所說准提陀羅尼經 -不空譯, 大正新修大藏經 第二十卷 密教部 藏經編號 No. 1077.
http://www.buddhist-canon.com/SUTRA/JMi ... 00185a.htm
The English translation of the Sūtra with an Introduction to the Aspects of maha Cundi:
http://www.e-sangha.com/alphone/cundi.html

稽首皈依蘇悉帝, 頭面頂禮七俱胝, 我今稱讚大準提, 惟願慈悲垂加護
I bow my head and place my reliance in her wonderful achievement,
My face is on the ground to pay adoration to seven billions (Buddhas),
Now I praise the Great Cundi,
Beseech her compassion and mercy to bestow her protection.
NAMAḤ SAPTĀNĀṂ SAMYAK-SAṂBUDDHA KOṬĪNĀM
TADYATHĀ: OṂ CALE CULI CUNDI SVĀHĀ

Adoration to seven (sāptā) billions (kotī) perfectly, completely enlightened beings
Thus: Oh! awake, arise, purity* is auspiciously completed!

Or, Cale, Cule, use of a note, which is common in Veda mantra. The mantra is simply a loving play on her name Cundi. "C" sometime is pronounced as "Ch" as in "China", not as "k" in "can". Thus: aum! cha'le chu'le Chun'di, svaha! The mantra is translated from Chinese (Tang [618-907 AD] dialect) back into Sanskrit, we don't really know how people spoke 1000 years ago. Here is an introduction to mantra, not an introduction to Sanskrit language.

Note*: The Translation of Cundi Sūtras (Chun-t'i-ching hui-shih 準提經會釋**), in the Three-Chuan (Ch. scroll) Glossarial 詞彙式三卷, ed. by Hung-tsan 清.弘贊 (1611-85) (Zokuzokyo, pt.1, case 37/3 續藏經一37第三冊) neglect to explain the mantra.
Oda Tokuno 織田得能 (1860-1911), who is followed by some Chinese and Japanese scholars, interprets it as "purity, in praise of the purity of mind and nature" (Bukkyo daijiten [Buddhist Dictionary], rev. ed. Tokyo 1954, p. 993b, s.v. "Juntei 準提"), which denotes the Dharma-kāya (Truth body 法身 or buddha nature). Fo Guang (Buddha Light 佛光) Buddhist Dictionary, ed. by Ding Fubao (丁福保 Ting Fu-pao 1874-1952) follows this interpretation.
**Ref (in Chinese): http://www.cbeta.org/result/normal/X23/0446_001.htm

Glossary:
Marīci 摩利支, 摩梨支,末利支: Rays of light, the sun's rays, said to go before the sun; mirage; also interpreted as a wreath.
A devi (goddess), independent and sovereign protectress against all violence and peril.
In Brahmanic mythology, the personification of light, offspring of Brahmā, parent of Sūrya.
In popular Chinese Buddhism (not in Mahayana sūtras), she is identified as a form of Guanyin, or in Guanyin's retinue.
Among Chinese Buddhists Marīci is represented as a female with eight arms, two of which are holding aloft emblems of sun and moon, and worshipped as goddess of light and as the guardian of all nations, whom she protects from the fury of war.
Marīci is regarded as the queen of heaven 天后 or Dame of the Bushel 斗姥 in Taoism.
Images:
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/imagesa.html
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/18a/18aa.html
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/4a/4aa.html
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/8a/8aa.html
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/26a/26aa.html
http://www.fodian.net/world/cundi/more/morea.html

Video/Audio Chants:
Sanskrit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JkcwhBnGaE
http://www.immmusic.com/product/eng/mpl ... 1025ii.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imGVyGhs ... E9&index=7

Chinese:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzuZ4ohm ... E9&index=8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irJpkews ... E9&index=6
thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

Re: The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

The Solemnity of Manjusri Bodhisattva is celebrated by the Chinese Mahayana Tradition today (Chinese Lunar Calender: 4th Day of the 4th Lunar Month, 28/04/09)

He manifests in many Sutras requesting for the Dharma from the Buddha on behalf of those present in Dharma Assemblies. Here’s some examples:

Image

Links/Articles:
The Demonstration of the Inconceivable State of Buddhahood Sutra
Sūtra of Mahā-Prajñā-Pāramitā Pronounced by Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva Manjusri
Manjusri, the Gentle Glory Bodhisattva
Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom
Manjusri Bodhisattva

His Invocation:
Mañjuśrī & Mañjughoṣa
Monju Bosatsu
Video 1
Audio 2

His Image:
Manjusri Images

Praise to Manjusri Bodhisattva, from the Chinese Mahayana Liturgy
Of utmost lofty kindness, is 'Admirable Auspicious',
In Three Periods, Mother of the Awakened Ones, Immeasurable Wisdom,
On His Left, Wields an Affliction Severing Sword,
On His Right, a Blue Lotus, Hallmark of His Virtue,
His Vahana are the Peacock and the Lion,
Deadly Nagas and Fearsome Brutes are subdued, cool and pure,
His Provisional Manifestation, A Fivefold Topknot Pure Youth,
Formerly, He is 'Happy Treasury Tathagata',
Homage! One of Pure and Cool Summit, Golden Realm, Greatly Wise Manjusri Bodhisattva!
Namo Wonderful Auspicious Manjusri Bodhisattva (recite while circumnambulating)

A reflection:
http://www.fodian.net/world/0475_09.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Manjusri replied, "Good sirs, you have all spoken well.
Nevertheless, all your explanations are themselves dualistic.
To know no one teaching, to express nothing, to say nothing, to explain nothing, to announce nothing, to indicate nothing, and to designate nothing - that is the entrance into non-duality."
Then the crown prince Manjusri said to the Licchavi, Vimalakirti,
"We have all given our own teachings, noble sir.
Now, may you elucidate the teaching of the entrance into the principle of nonduality!"
Thereupon, the Licchavi Vimalakirti kept his silence, saying nothing at all.
The crown prince Manjusri applauded the Licchavi Vimalakirti:
"Excellent! Excellent, noble sir!
This is indeed the entrance into the nonduality of the bodhisattvas.
Here there is no use for syllables, sounds, and ideas."
Namo Amitabha Buddha!
thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

Re: The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

The Solemnity of Sakyamuni Buddha's Nativity is celebrated by the Chinese Mahayana Tradition tomorrow
(Chinese Lunar Calender: 8th Day of the 4th Lunar Month, May 2nd 2009)

Image

(The Infant Buddha Statue on a Multiple Fountain Lotus Pedestal at Mt Ling, Wuxi, China)

Sutra:
The Sutra On The Merit Of Bathing The Buddha
The Life of the Buddha

Bathing the Buddha Gatha
Now do I bathe all Tathagatas,
Adorned of Pure Wisdom, Storehouse of Merit and Virtue,
May sentient beings of five turbidities steer off defilement,
Together attain the Tathagata’s Pure Dharma Body.
thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

Re: The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

2 Events on May 9th 2009:
The Summer Retreat/Vassa of the Chinese Mahayana Tradition starts today (Chinese Lunar Calender: 15th Day of the 4th Lunar Month) [Traditionally said by some sources to conclude on the 15th Day of the 7th Month, on the Pravarana Day, also known as an Ullambana Day, where the Laity make offerings to the Triple Gem (akin to the Theravada Kathina Day)]

Image
Commemoration of the Thrice Sacred Day of Vesak: The Birth, Enlightenment and Great Parinirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. More on Vesak here:
http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
An Internationally recognised celebration:
http://vesakday2008.com/lichsu/index.ph ... 40&nid=204" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
thornbush
Posts: 609
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:21 am

Re: The Mahayana Buddhist Liturgical Calendar

Post by thornbush »

Image
Today marks the Commemoration of Sangharama Bodhisattva or 'Jie Lan Seng Zhong Pu Sa' or 'Jie Lan' (His Dharma Name), 'Seng Zhong Pu Sa' (the Bodhisattva of the Sangha Monastery). Also known as 'Guan Yu/Guan Di/Guan Gong' of The Three Kingdoms fame who was known for his heroic valor, righteousness and justice and now as a Buddhist Dharma Protector is celebrated by the Chinese Mahayana Tradition today (Chinese Lunar Calender: 13th Day of the 5th Lunar Month)
See link: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/his ... ti-txt.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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