Buddhist Terms

astrological = two reforms of the Burmese calendar in A.D. 78 and A.D.

640 respectively, accordin to astroloical predictions and
re!uirements.
Benefics " planets with a #enin influence
cult of the Nine Planet " whether the cult of the $ine %lanets was superimposed on
e&istin native cults or otherwise it was definitely non'
Buddhist, and all non'Buddhist reliious cults, whether
native or alien in oriin, were suppressed after Buddhism
#ecame the official reliion of the Burmese under
Anawrahta.
formula of dispersal " After the ods of the planets have #een invo(ed, the )aster
of the *eremony remains silent for a few minutes and then
he recites the formulas of dispersalfor each planet a
particular formula is used ++ ,he formula of dispersal is
really a formula of e&pulsion or e&orcism.
gods of the planets " -unday planet rides on a Galon, the Burmese name for the
%ali Garuda, a mythical #ird, who is the eternal enemy of the
Naga.ate planet rides on an /Animal of 0ive Beauties1, a
mythical animal with the antlers of a deer, the tus(s and
trun( of an elephant, the mane of a lion, the #ody of a $aa,
and the tail of a fish.
invoke <-> disperse " ,he ods of the planets are invo(ed in the order of the
cardinal points, and the chief planet, .ate, is invo(ed last. ++
,he Buddha and the Arahats are never invo(ed nor
dispersed, #ut the nine ods are not only invo(ed #ut
carefully dispersed.
Malefics " planets with an evil influence
master of ceremonies " A master of ceremonies is enaed for a fee.
miniature monastery " ,he )aster spends the whole day in ma(in a miniature
monastery of #anana stems, and in ma(in paper um#rellas,
paper fla'poles with steamers, and paper prayer'flas. 2n
towns, however, the )aster has a ready'made miniature
monastery of wood.
miniature " miniature monastery+ um#rellas+ prayer'flas+ poles+ flower'
pots+ #ein #owls
Nine Gods " ,he ceremony of the $ine 3ods #eins with the issue of
invitations #y the head of the household to relations and
friends.
paraphernalia " when dar(ness has fallen, the )aster of the *eremony
comes to the house with all his paraphernalia
attitude of orship " carvin the fiures of the $ine %lanets and the 0ive 4indu
3ods and 3oddesses in an attitude of worship.
Phrases
the ods were inferior to the Buddha
supporters of the reliion
reliious persecution
ritual and ceremony
the followers of the cult of alchemy
all the pre'Buddhist cults were suppressed.
spirit mediums
5eneration to 4im, the )ost 6&alted 7ne, the %urified and the -upremely 6nlihtened
Buddha.
-%66*4
!cting "irector#s $peech
82 am rateful for the honour iven me to #e the Actin Director of this important )eetin.
Also, 2 feel happy over the welcome accorded to the new faces in this )eetin #y our
Director Dr. -ony. 9e are particularly delihted to have many visitors from the land of the
Buddha and Aso(a. And 2, on #ehalf of my all colleaues in the Buddhist Discussion 3roup,
:oin Dr. -oni, our Director, in wishin )r. D. $. BA.-42 #on'voyae #ac( home to the land
of Aso(a.
..
2n today1s )eetin, which will #e under the *hairmanship of -ayayi ; 4la %e, B.A., B.<.,
B.6d., there will #e three -pea(ers to initiate the theme 8,he Aso(an 2deals and <essons for
,oday=. After the >ecess there will #e an open session for discussion on issues raised #y the
-pea(ers.
$ow 2 call upon -ayayi ; 4la %e to honour us #y ta(in the *hair. 2, as the Actin Director,
have the pleasure of handin over the )eetin to him.=
%hairman#s $peech
2t is a reat honour #estowed on me to preside over this important -eminar.
Terms
horoscope
$unday-&orn' Monday-&orn' etc(
)rdination *all
a standing Buddha+statue
concoction = 4tamane is a concoction of lutinous rice, coconut slices,
sesame seeds, peanuts and enerous amount of coo(in oil.