Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

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Mantrik
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Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Mantrik »

Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Grigoris »

Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
Well, it is really f'ing cold here today and that is pretty significant for me: a Buddhist that rides a motorcycle. :P
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Tiago Simões
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Tiago Simões »

Grigoris wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 12:17 pm
Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
Well, it is really f'ing cold here today and that is pretty significant for me: a Buddhist that rides a motorcycle. :P
I remember, I think it was DJKR, saying that the world needs more buddhist bikers. :tongue:

I would also like to know the op question. Tara Mandala in the US has an event for winter solstice. But I've never seen any other center give importance to solstice.
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Mantrik
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Mantrik »

Grigoris wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 12:17 pm
Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
Well, it is really f'ing cold here today and that is pretty significant for me: a Buddhist that rides a motorcycle. :P
Ah. I remember those days - beard a solid block of ice and hands welded to the grips.
Retro bikes are the new craze here so maybe I'll get meself a nice Enfield .......... in the summer.
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Malcolm
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Malcolm »

Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
A good day to read the Mon lam stobs po che, the aspiration of Adibuddha Samantabhadra.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by weitsicht »

weitsicht wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:55 am Today 17h28 CET is Winter Solstice.
Time for Kunzang Monlam if you may
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o5ig16auajxjf ... o.pdf?dl=0
is there a Forum etiquette against citing oneself?

Also,

what is more dangerous: riding the motorbike or alpinism?
Both need be good tummo-ists -just in case
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Mantrik »

Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:30 pm
Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
A good day to read the Mon lam stobs po che, the aspiration of Adibuddha Samantabhadra.
Thanks. :)
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Mantrik »

weitsicht wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:33 pm
weitsicht wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:55 am Today 17h28 CET is Winter Solstice.
Time for Kunzang Monlam if you may
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o5ig16auajxjf ... o.pdf?dl=0
is there a Forum etiquette against citing oneself?

Also,

what is more dangerous: riding the motorbike or alpinism?
Both need be good tummo-ists -just in case
And Phowa, possibly!

Couldn't open the link but the suggestion is clear enough. Thanks. :)
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Suvarna Pakshaya Dheemahe
Thanno Garuda Prachodayath

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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by weitsicht »

Ho! All the possible appearances and existences of samsara and nirvana have the same source, yet two paths and two results arise as the magical display of awareness and unawareness.
HO NANG SRI KHOR DAE THAMCHE KUN ZHI CHIG LAM NYI DRAE BU NYI RIG DANG MA RIG CHOM THRUL TE
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:30 pm
Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
A good day to read the Mon lam stobs po che, the aspiration of Adibuddha Samantabhadra.
Other than this Dzogchen practice, is there any other text or practice suggested?
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Malcolm »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:19 pm
Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:30 pm
Mantrik wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:44 am Today is the Winter Solstice.

Is there any significance given to the Solstices in the Buddhist calendar, or any particular rituals associated with them, for example in Vajrayana?
A good day to read the Mon lam stobs po che, the aspiration of Adibuddha Samantabhadra.
Other than this Dzogchen practice, is there any other text or practice suggested?
This is the only text I know of that specifically recommends it be recited on solstices and equinoxes.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:20 pm
Nicholas Weeks wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:19 pm
Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:30 pm

A good day to read the Mon lam stobs po che, the aspiration of Adibuddha Samantabhadra.
Other than this Dzogchen practice, is there any other text or practice suggested?
This is the only text I know of that specifically recommends it be recited on solstices and equinoxes.
Is this (or any) Solstice, a merit multiplying time, generally speaking?
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Malcolm »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:26 pm
Malcolm wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:20 pm
Nicholas Weeks wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:19 pm

Other than this Dzogchen practice, is there any other text or practice suggested?
This is the only text I know of that specifically recommends it be recited on solstices and equinoxes.
Is this (or any) Solstice, a merit multiplying time, generally speaking?
Not as far as I know.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Tiago Simões »

Oh and based on the calendar I use, today you should avoid taking newborn babies out. 📆👶
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by pemachophel »

Yes, it is a karma-multiplying day, but I forget the traditional number. In any case, a really important day to do as much as one can to generate merit for all sentient beings: lighting candles, making offerings (water, flowers, delicious foods and drinks, incense, etc.), doing prostrations, saying aspiration prayers, doing sang and/or sur, doing any kind of charity, doing sadhana, meditating, etc., etc., etc.
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Simon E. »

tiagolps wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:59 pm Oh and based on the calendar I use, today you should avoid taking newborn babies out. 📆👶
Out of what???? :shock:
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Mantrik »

Thank you. :)
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Re: Winter Solstice - significance in Buddhism

Post by Tiago Simões »

Simon E. wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 7:23 pm
tiagolps wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:59 pm Oh and based on the calendar I use, today you should avoid taking newborn babies out. 📆👶
Out of what???? :shock:
Good question.
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