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| A pink full moon in the dark night sky (© InspireMore via msn.com) |
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Let’s keep our eyes on the skies tonight. We don’t want to miss the pink full moon.
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we’ll be able to get the perfect view around 7:49 pm ET. That’s when “peak illumination” occurs.
As full moon peeks above the horizon, it’ll be at its brightest and most vibrant to our eyes.
Where should we go in order to get the best experience during the pink full moon? The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests heading somewhere with a generous view of the open sky. Find a place where the horizon isn’t obscured by tall buildings or trees.
What’s in a name?
Although the pink full moon will certainly be a beautiful sight, it unfortunately isn’t actually as colorful as it sounds. It will have a rich amber tone at first, but it will fade to the usual silvery white as it rises into the night sky.
One might be wondering why it’s called a "pink moon" if it doesn’t look pink.
USA Today reminds us that many of
the full moon names we use today come from much
older Native American traditions. These names were usually connected to what was happening in nature that month.
What to know about Tuesday night's pink moon? April happened to be the time of year when
Phlox subulata, also called creeping phlox or moss phlox, started to bloom. These
rosy-hued blossoms were also sometimes called “moss pink,” which is how the pink full moon earned its title.
In February, we watched the “
snow moon” ascend into the sky. Last month brought the “
worm moon,” whose slightly less appealing name comes from the appearance of worms in nature during early spring.
According to
Space.com, next month will bring us the “flower moon.” May's full moon is so named for the many blooms we’ll see during this phase of spring.
In Brief: The Lunar Observance Day
Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.), Saṁkhitt-ūposatha-Sutta, Aṅguttara Nikāya, "The Book of the Eights" (AN 8.41); edited by Dhr. Seven and Crystal Q., Wisdom Quarterly  |
| If Budai were a buddha, would he fast? |
Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One (the Buddha) was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove in the millionaires (Anāthapiṇḍika)’s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the meditators:
“Meditators!”
“Venerable sir!” they replied. The Blessed One said: “Meditators, observed complete in eight factors, the lunar observance (uposatha) is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive. And how is it observed complete in eight factors so that it is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive?
(1) “Here [within this Doctrine and Discipline], meditators, a noble disciple reflects: ‘As long as they live the fully enlightened (arahants) abandon and abstain from the destruction of life; with the rod and weapon laid aside, conscientious and kindly, they dwell compassionate toward all living beings. Today, for this night and day I, too, shall abandon and abstain from the destruction of life; with the rod and weapon laid aside, conscientious and kindly I, too, shall dwell compassionate toward all living beings. I will imitate the fully enlightened in this respect and observe the fasting day.’ This is the first factor it possesses.
(2) “‘As long as they live the arahants abandon and abstain from taking what is not given; they take only what is given, expect only what is given, and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft. Today, for this night and day, I too shall abandon and abstain from taking what is not given; I shall accept only what is given, expect only what is given, and dwell honestly without thoughts of theft. I shall imitate the fully enlightened in this respect and observe this fasting day.’ This is the second factor it possesses.
(3) “‘As long as they live the fully enlightened abandon sexual activity and observe celibacy, living apart, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the common person’s practice. Today, for this night and day I, too, shall abandon sexual activity and observe celibacy, living apart, abstaining from sexual intercourse, the common person’s practice. I will imitate them in this respect and observe.’ This is the third factor it possesses.
(4) “‘As long as they live they abandon and abstain from false speech; they speak truth, adhere to truth; they are trustworthy and reliable, not deceivers of the world. Today, for this night and day I, too, shall abandon and abstain from false speech; I shall speak truth, adhere to truth; I shall be trustworthy and reliable, not a deceiver of the world. I will imitate them in this respect and observe.’ This is the fourth factor it possesses.
(5) “‘As long as they live they abandon and abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, the basis for heedlessness. Today, for this night and day I, too, will abandon and abstain from liquor, wine, and intoxicants, the basis for heedlessness. I will imitate them in this respect and observe.’ This is the fifth factor it possesses.
(6) “‘As long as they live they eat once a day, abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time. Today, for this night and day I, too, will eat once a day, abstaining from eating at night and from food outside the proper time. I will imitate them in this respect and observe.’ This is the sixth factor it possesses.
(7) “‘As long as they live they abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and unsuitable shows, and from adorning and beautifying themselves by wearing garlands and applying scents and creams. Today, for this night and day I, too, shall abstain from dancing, singing, instrumental music, and unsuitable shows, and from adorning and beautifying myself by wearing garlands and applying scents and creams. I will imitate them in this respect and observe.’ This is the seventh factor it possesses.
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| (Dylan Sauerwein/Unsplash/InspireMore) |
(8) “‘As long as they live they abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds; they lie down on a low resting place, either a small bed or a straw mat. Today, for this night and day I, too, will abandon and abstain from the use of high and luxurious beds; I will lie down on a low resting place, either a small bed or a straw mat. I will imitate them in this respect and observe this fasting day.’ This is the eighth factor it possesses.
“It is in this way, meditators, that the fasting day is observed complete in eight factors, so that it is of great fruit and benefit, extraordinarily brilliant and pervasive.”
- Bianca Wooden, InspireMore via MSN.com, April 23, 2024; Bhikkhu Bodhi (suttacentral.org); Dhr. Seven, Crystal Q., Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
