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Astrology plays an important role
in the life of the Bhutanese, who believe that
supernatural power, both good and evil, as well as
the stars and planets, exert a profound influence on
human life. The Bhutanese turn to astrology and not
only to understand these influences, but also to
ward off potentially unfavorable times and heighten
the effects of favorable periods. Thus the Bhutanese
will consult astrologers on the birth of a child,
before setting out on a journey, on the occasion of
a marriage in the family, prior to construction of a
house, to ascertain the auspicious hours for a
funeral and for numerous other purposes. Horoscopes
are also cast at the beginning of each year to have
a forecast of the year’s ill fortunes and to
determine appropriate remedies.
Since astrology is closely linked to astronomy, both
occupy a position of honor in traditional Bhutanese
scholarship. While Bhutanese astrology is derived
from the Indian system, its astronomy is of Chinese
origin.
The evolution of the unique Bhutanese system known
as Dandue Thunmongi Tsizhi owes it self to Kunkhen
Padma Karpo, the great spiritual ancestor of the
Drukpa Kargyu tradition. It was formally adopted in
the seventeenth century, after lama Lhawang Lodroe,
the chief tutor of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal,
meditatively authenticated its veracity of Chari
Dorjidan, the main seat of Drukpa Kargyu tradition
in Bhutan.
The twelve and sixty year cycles of Jupiter are used
respectively for reckoning short and long periods of
time, each year of the former bearing the name of
one of twelve cyclic animals: mouse, ox, tiger,
hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird,
dog and hog.
In the sixty years of cycles, the names of years
consist of a combination of one of these animals and
one of the five elements of wood, fire, earth, iron
and water, which in turn is associated with a pair
of animals, the first of which is male and the
second female. Thus, one year may be designated an
Iron-Mouse Year and another a Wood- Tiger Year.
Bhutanese astrological calculations derive to a
large extent from assigning a specific meaning to
each of these various elements and animals. To cite
a simple example, water extinguishes fire, and
therefore a man and a woman under these respective
symbols would be ill- suited to each other as
marriage partners. |
