If the Ten Commandments of Christianity, as borrowed or modified by Judaism because they come in varying official lists from the all-knowing, never wrong, and never ever misquoted or misunderstood God of All Things, are foolish. Not because rules are bad. Rules good. Clear instructions good. Boundaries good. Kindness and fairness to all, very good.
The foolishness derives from the fact that the religion can't even agree and these rules straight. Then we hear that the Black Egyptian Jew Moses (of the founding myth, aka the Exodus that never happened, who has now been scrubbed and completely Ashkenazified) dropped another list and broke the tablet, or perhaps he threw it in anger. In any case, the list changes. Who knew the list ever changed?
The Ultimate Creator (the Demiurge, the El, the god, Baal, Molech, Yahweh, YHWH, Yaldabaoth, Jehovah, God thirsty for sacrificial blood when nothing else will do but black magic for the forgiveness of sin even if it means killing His son, the Big Whomever, Lord of the Universe and Children's Playgrounds and Hell because He rules all, knows all, decides all, wills all, controls all, and is never wrong not to the slightest, which is why He never changes His mind or His word or His law, unless someone talks to Him and gets a personal variance or exception) is said to have decreed them, so who can argue with them? They are the law, the Ritual Decalogue, the Finger of God pointing and cursing when He doesn't get His patriarch way. So OBEY and shut up.
What about them? The Buddha advised all human beings to restrain themselves and keep the precepts -- five, eight, ten, 227, 311, or more, in accordance with one's wishes for the future. A minimum of the basic five should remain inviolate because the wholesome (skillful) karma (actions, deeds) of doing so benefits beings here and hereafter, in this world and the next (a reference to many future worlds one finds oneself in in the future). These are not "commandments," not even for Buddhist monastics (nuns, monks, maechis, anagarikas, temporary novices and spiritual retreatants). They are undertaken voluntarily and violated voluntarily. The goal is not to "please" some god or God. It is to bring about peace of mind and purification of view by insight, which leads one to see things as they truly are. And in seeing them that way, one wishes no harm or suffering on anyone.
How dare Buddhism outline a standard of conduct for individuals/communities! Is that "Zen"?
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How did the Buddha know and care so much?
Also note that none of the precepts is self-serving. There's no "Love Thy Buddha and worship Him above all" or "I am Thy Lord Your God, Obey me, you speck of dust!" or any such thing. All human societies would agree and have agreed for millennia and aeons (kalpas), that everyone is happier and has much more peace of mind when no one is going around killing, stealing, sexually misconducting themselves, lying (bearing false witness), or becoming so intoxicated that they are heedless to these guidelines for human conduct. The additional vows or precepts to temporarily abstain from luxuries, adornments and self-beautification, or eating at inappropriate times are all excellent aids to mindfulness (presence of mind), meditation (absorption), health (vigor and longevity), and undistracted focus.
Right action is just one factor of eight
What a heavenly world this would be if living beings here just kept these five. Rebirth in better worlds is possible just from better conduct here. And liberation from rebirth in any world is possible, making an end of all possible future suffering, is within reach. Maybe that's not what most people want or are aware of, but it is attainable. If all anyone ever wanted out of Buddhism were health, wealth, wishes, beauty, fame, and influence, that is all within reach through karma, here and now and there and then.
Last month's blue moon was really June's? The Gregorian calendar really fails us, making the lunar calendar of 13 months (moonths, since every year has 13 full moons, one each moonth) or even the Chinese lunisolar calendar look very appealing by comparison.
How long is a moonth? It is four weeks. How long is a week? It is seven days. How long is a day? About 24 hours or so. And the surprise is that, agreeing on all of these numbers as most Westerners will, what number __ x 28 (four weeks or a month) will give us 365 days?
Mmm, is it 12? - No, it is not. - Oh, is it 11 then? - No, and you're only getting colder. - You don't mean it's 13, do you, because that's bad luck! We can't have 13 anywhere or bad luck will happen, and I'm already afraid that you brought it up! It's 12, right? It has to be 12 because 12 months equal one year!
The number is 13 because 13 x 28 = 364 + plus 1 turnaround (New Year's) day to reset for the next year. This is astronomy in action, only we've been lied to for so long and taught to fear the evil, wrong, bad "thirteen" with superstitions and stupidity for so long that we do not even question it.
It's like a Roman religion, and we all just do what we're told. But 13 is a holy number with many excellent attributes, not the least of which is that's how many natural full moons and months we have each year. The ancient Vedas and Sumerian texts were onto something, so why did moderns try to take that away from us, detach us from our celestial clock, our connection to the seasons, solstices, sabbaths (a word that literally means "Saturdays," which we have been conned into thinking is synonymous with solar worship on Sundays), and a more reliable calendar?
There is a way to construct it so that holidays do not jump around in a haphazard way necessitating a priestly caste to interpret the signs for us every time we want to commemorate something. The indigenous people knew it, as did the aboriginal, and the wise women (cursed as "witches"), the pagans, and the heathens, the Gnostics and the Buddhists. The Buddha set aside one day a week to observe the uposatha or "fasting" day (because one only eats between dawn and noon and not after) of observing the Eight Precepts.
Of the four weeks in a month, the full moon observance is the most obvious so it seems the most special, as in if you're only going to follow one a month, this would be the one. Anyone can look up and see that it is time to reflect on the Dhamma, invest in our meditation practice or sadhana, and hear the Teachings of the Awakened One.
It was a beautiful moonlit night, though Luna (Soma) did not appear until just after the ceremony officially wrapped up, low to the southeast and reddish. One hundred and ninety Buddhist monastics from about 13 Buddhist countries came together from a cross-cultural, multi-school spectacular. Dhammakaya is a kind of loving cult that is all about giving dana in expectation of rich rewards here and hereafter. It is a big movement in Theravada Buddhist Thailand, boasting the largest Buddhist monument in the world, a spaceship (deva vimana) looking structure out by the Bangkok Int'l Airport topped by a million golden Buddha statues. Quietly nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the American international meditation center (DIMC) is a peaceful place to meditate the Dharma-body way.
Dhammakaya literally translates from the Pali as "Dhamma body." The focus of this meditation is not the breath but a visualization of a small crystal ball entering the nostril (right for males, left for females), traveling to seven points in the body, and coming to rest two finger widths above the navel. This clear magic crystal, a kind of nimitta or produced image, vibrates along the way. Its sound emanation or mantra is sammaarahan. This literally means "right full-enlightenment." The crystal starts at the nostril for three repetitions, moves up the nose to the corner of the eye for another three, slowly moves to the center of the skull for another three, down behind the throats, and so forth. Instructions are offered free on weekends. Donations (dana offerings) welcome.
We never thought of the place as an actual cult -- though the many women who surround the place wearing white, do act awfully strange and suspicious, very "nice" but always watching and on edge -- until self-appointed investigative reporter Cori Ander went out and paid the mother center a visit. She doesn't find much, but there are scandals and rumors of scandals, mainly to do with money. If the SGV is a hollow (valley or canyon) then this temple complex is just a holler from the largest Mahayana Buddhist temple complex in the western hemisphere against the hill to the southwest, Coming West Temple.
“Hsi Lai Temple, translated as 'Coming West,' is dedicated to spread the [mostly Mahayana] teachings of the Buddha to the Western hemisphere and help people find inner peace and happiness in their life. It devotes its effort in providing everyone in the society with joy, hope, faith and service.” More: hsilai.us
May 2026 is a special occasion because Prince Siddhartha Gautama (the Bodhisattva) was born on the "Full Moon Day in May," and it's also the day he later became enlightened, and the same day he reclined into final nirvana. This is, therefore, "Buddhist Christmas" but as a thrice blessed day, it is even more significant. This year, because May 2026 has two full moons (according to the Gregorian Calendar forced on us), gives us two opportunities to practice and celebrate. Wisdom Quarterly is teaching at the Eight PreceptFasting Day at the Sri Lankan North Hollywood Temple (Sarathchandra Vihara) by day and attending a grand ceremony representing all Buddhist countries in Los Angeles at the Thai Theravada monastery Dhammakaya in Azusa. Both events are free and open to all.
🙏 INVITATION: CELEBRATE PEACE AND MINDFULNESS AT LANKARAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE: The Los Angeles Sri Lankan Theravada monks of Lankarama are honored to invite everyone to join in a profound Vesak celebration, marking the birth, great enlightenment, and final passing of the BuddhaSiddhattha Gotama (Shakyamuni).
This sacred event is an opportunity for community, introspection, and spiritual growth.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
🕔 Time: Starts at 5:00 pm (PT)
Who? Everyone is welcome!
All participants are encouraged to observe the Eight Precepts and join us for a meditation retreat throughout the Vesak program. It is a wonderful chance to deepen practice and find inner tranquility.
La Puente is a suburb in the SGV of LA County
How to join: 📍 ON SITE (in-person): Experience the celebration firsthand at Lankarama Buddhist Temple, 398 Giano Ave., La Puente, Los Angeles County, California, USA.
💻 ONLINE (virtual): If unable to attend in person, join live on: Facebook, YouTube, or TikTok.
Follow and subscribe to @BhanteDevananda for livestreams and updates. For more information or inquiries: 📞 Phone: (626) 913-0775 📧 Email: LankaramaUSA@gmail.com. May all beings be well and happy!
A total lunar eclipse will occur at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 [1], with an umbral magnitude of 1.1507.
A lunar eclipse allegedly occurs when our Moon (Luna, Soma, Chandra) moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow.
Buddhist Lunar Observance
Holy Family: Rahula, the Buddha, and Ananda
An Uposatha (Pali uposatha, Sanskrit Upavasatha) day is a Buddhist day of special observance, in existence since before the Buddha's time (600 BCE), and still kept today by Theravada Buddhist practitioners [1, 2]. The Buddha taught that the Fasting Day is for "the cleansing of the defiled mind/heart," resulting in inner calm and joy [3]. On this lunar day, both lay and monastic members of the spiritual community (sangha) intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge of the Teachings, and express communal commitment through millennia-old acts of lay-monastic reciprocity. On these days, lay Buddhists make a conscious effort to keep the Five Precepts or (as the tradition suggests) the Ten Precepts. It is a day for practicing the Buddha's Teachings and meditation. More
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Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller.
The Dharmic religions have a different reason for eclipses, noting the existence of another planetoid object, Rahu. Of course, our Sun and Moon are also local and chasing after each other in the sky, as the CIA found in published and subsequently declassified texts. But the West scoffs at all that, insisting the cockamamie story the news tells us is the truth, the only truth, and the whole truth with nothing else being possible. Any "scientist" foolish enough to believe such claims is doing little to serve her or his science and its ideals. But who dares to stand up to the consensus reality until the herd does?
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The Moon's apparent diameter will be near the average diameter because it will occur 6.7 days after perigee (on Feb. 24, 2026, at 18:15 UTC) and 6.9 days before apogee (on March 10, 2026, at 9:45 UTC) [2].
This lunar eclipse will be the third of an almost tetrad, with the others being on March 14, 2025 (total); Sept. 8, 2025 (total); and Aug. 28, 2026 (partial). During the eclipse, the Moon will occult NGC 3423 over North America.
Deep-sky objects are rarely occulted during a total eclipse from any given spot on Earth [3]: 161. This eclipse will fall on the Lantern Festival, the first since Feb. 11, 2017. More
This is the time of mooncakes and the traditional Sabbath Day or uposatha. That means it's the best time to observe the "fasting day," which means not eating before daylight or after noon. This is part of observing the Eight Precepts, an ancient tradition the Buddha praised as something worth continuing.
How do Buddhists observe the uposatha service?
(Buddhism Reflections) Uposatha days hold a special significance on the Buddhist calendar, particularly in the Theravada tradition. These weekly observance days are aligned with the phases of the moon, including the full moon, new moon, and two quarter moons.
During these times, both lay Buddhists and monastics engage in various practices that enhance their spiritual journeys. On the one hand, lay practitioners often take on additional precepts, dedicating themselves to deeper spiritual activities and community involvement.
Monastics, on the other hand, focus on reflection and purification, reciting the Patimokkha ("Path to Moksha"), a summary of the major rules of the Monastic Code of Discipline, which is a vital aspect of their monastic life.
The uposatha service is not just about individual practice; it also fosters a sense of community as laypeople gather at monasteries to support monks and nuns through food preparation and participation in rituals (pujas).
This day is steeped in tradition and serves as a reminder of the commitment to the Dhammaor Teachings of the historical Buddha.
The observance of uposatha varies slightly among different sects and countries, adding a unique flavor to this rich tradition.
Let's delve into the practices and significance of uposatha days in Buddhism and discover how they contribute to spiritual growth and community bonding. #BuddhaTeachings #Buddhism #Mindfulness
For the entire month following the Rains Retreat or Vassa, the super meritorious Kathina ceremony is performed at Theravada Buddhist temples (viharas) across Buddhist countries. Los Angeles has countless Buddhist temples from all parts of the world -- on par with the most concentrated number of different Buddhist temples on earth, Bodh Gaya ("Enlightenment Grove"), Bihar, India. But that is an anomaly with spiritual embassies sent from around the Buddhist world (Buddhadom) and only tiny communities to look after them or receive visitors during the high season when weather allows. Los Angeles, however, has Buddhist communities from all over the world and not all of them with their own temples yet built. This week, beginning Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, the Sarathchandra Buddhist Vihara of North Hollywood, has all night paritta chanting. This is with its Mexican American monk (bhikkhu), Ven. Los Angeles Sanatha Vihari Bhikkhu. Their larger Kathina ceremony is on Sunday, with hundreds in attendance, providing free food and dana (charitable support) to the resident and visiting Theravada Buddhist monks. FREE. Wear white as is the Sri Lankan island custom. Lunch and refreshments served. There is also a big Burmese celebration in the San Gabriel Valley on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025:
Burmese Theravada tradition: Pa Auk Tawya, L.A.
The most meritorious giving for lay Buddhists
Buddhism and dana made it to ancient Greece in Gandhara, Bactria, and other outposts.
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Kathinais a Theravada Buddhist festival that comes at the end of the Rains Retreat or "Buddhist Lent" (Vas or Vassa), the three-month rainy season intensive practice period for Theravada Buddhists in South and Southeast Asia:
Burma (Myanmar)
Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Thailand (Siam)
India
Bangladesh (where it is known as Kaṭhina Cībar Dān)
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam
Malaysia
Singapore [2][3].
The Rainy Season during which a monastery may hold its culminating Kathina ceremony is one month long, beginning after the full moon of the 11th month on the Lunar calendar (usually October).
It is a time of practicing letting go, generosity, giving, sharing (dana, donating), a time for lay Buddhists to express gratitude and support to Buddhist monastics (bhikkhus and bhikkhunis) [4][5].
Lay practitioners bring donations (requisites such as robes, food, medicines, necessities) to Buddhist monasteries, nunneries, and temples, especially premade new robes or cotton cloth and dyes for monastics to sew new patchwork robes.
The gift of the Eight Requisites [6] (aṭṭha parikkhārā or atapirikara in Sri Lanka) is also part of the offerings [2][4][5].
Origins at the time of the Buddha
Kaṭhina (also Kaṭina) is a Pali word referring to the sturdy wooden frame used to measure the length and width by which Buddhist monastic robes are cut [7].
As the legend goes, 30 monks were journeying with the intention of spending the Rains (Vassa) with the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) [2]. However, the Rains began before they reached their destination and they had to stop at Saketa [2][8].
According to the Buddha's guidelines for Vassa, mendicant (wandering ascetic) monastics should not travel during the rainy season, as this may cause unintentionally harm to crops and insects during the journey [9]. This is an ancient custom that preceded the Buddha but to which the Buddha agreed.
As such, wandering Buddhist monastics had to stop [2][8]. They passed their time together without conflict, intensively practicing the Dhamma (the Buddha's Teachings). So afterwards, the Buddha rewarded them by demonstrating a way to practice sharing and generosity.
A lay Buddhist disciple had previously donated pieces of cotton cloth to the Buddha, so he gave these pieces to the group of monks and told them to make it into a sturdy outer robe then offer it as a gift to the one of them who had practiced most in line with the monastic rules.
The frame, called the Kathina, was used to hold those pieces while they were being made into one robe [2][8]. This ancient tradition continues to this day in Theravada monasteries and nunneries around the world. More
San Diego residents express excitement for first supermoon of the year
Full moon over Los Angeles, California, downtown skyline (Jesus Curiel/Unsplash)
(CBS 8 San Diego)
Oct. 6, 2025: October's full moon, also called the "Harvest Moon," is happening Monday night with full illumination at 8:47 pm PT. It is the first supermoon for three for 2025. More
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Full moon calendar for 2025 with lunar phases
The year’s first supermoon rises over L.A. tonight — looking 30% larger and 14% brighter than usual. This evening, make sure to gaze skyward [in the direction of New York as seen from Los Angeles] to catch the first supermoon of 2025 at its peak brightness over LA.
The first supermoon of 2025, the biggest and brightest of the year, will peak over California at 8:47 pm. tonight, Monday, Oct. 6th, 2025. Make sure to find a great spot to sky watch and catch the stunning Harvest Moon lighting up Los Angeles' skies.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, October’s full Harvest Moon will be the first of three supermoons in 2025. Rising low on the horizon, it will create a strikingly dramatic view against the Los Angeles skyline.
The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, which occurred this year on Sept. 22nd. Traditionally, this moon rises around the same time for several nights, giving farmers extra light to finish their harvests.
One way to calm and focus the mind is mandalas
This year’s Harvest Moon is also a supermoon because it coincides with the moon’s perigee, or its closest approach to Earth. NASA notes it will appear about 30% larger and 14% brighter than an average full moon.
The next two supermoons of 2025 are the Beaver Moon on Nov. 5th and the Cold Moon on Dec. 4th.
Where to watch the supermoon in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is expected to have clear skies tonight, making it an ideal spot to see the supermoon. It reaches peak brightness at 8:47 pm PST on October 6th, though it will appear full for several days. The Year's First Supermoon Rises Over L.A.
One of the largest Buddhist temples (like Chaung Yen Monastery in upstate NY) in the Western hemisphere is also a good place to see the moon: Hsi Lai Temple
This is the time of mooncakes and the traditional Sabbath Day or uposatha. That means it's the best time to observe the "fasting day," which means not eating before daylight or after noon. This is part of observing the Eight Precepts, an ancient tradition the Buddha praised as something worth continuing.
How do Buddhists observe the uposatha service?
(Buddhism Reflections) Uposatha days hold a special significance on the Buddhist calendar, particularly in the Theravada tradition. These weekly observance days are aligned with the phases of the moon, including the full moon, new moon, and two quarter moons.
During these times, both lay Buddhists and monastics engage in various practices that enhance their spiritual journeys. On the one hand, lay practitioners often take on additional precepts, dedicating themselves to deeper spiritual activities and community involvement.
Monastics, on the other hand, focus on reflection and purification, reciting the Patimokkha ("Path to Moksha"), a summary of the major rules of the Monastic Code of Discipline, which is a vital aspect of their monastic life.
The uposatha service is not just about individual practice; it also fosters a sense of community as laypeople gather at monasteries to support monks and nuns through food preparation and participation in rituals (pujas).
This day is steeped in tradition and serves as a reminder of the commitment to the Dhammaor Teachings of the historical Buddha.
The observance of uposatha varies slightly among different sects and countries, adding a unique flavor to this rich tradition.
Let's delve into the practices and significance of uposatha days in Buddhism and discover how they contribute to spiritual growth and community bonding. #BuddhaTeachings #Buddhism #Mindfulness
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