Astrology in Tipitaka

Abstract

This academic article aims to study and analyze astrology in the Tripitaka. It is a study from the Tripitaka and related documents. The results of the study found that;
Astrology is a science of prediction that has a long history by relying on the stars as the main tool for making predictions. Astrology is divided into 4 groups: 1) prediction using omens that occur naturally, 2) prediction using psychic powers or citing divine powers, 3) prediction using symbols related to people, and 4) prediction by taking a chance.
In Tripitaka, there are many stories about astrology appear. All of which are related to the Buddha. Which can be divided into 3 issues: 1. receiving a prophecy from another person, such as receiving a prophecy that one will become the Buddha, receiving a prophecy in the case of the Buddha's mother dreaming of a white elephant, and receiving predictions about characteristics from 108 Brahmins, etc. 2. Receiving predictions yourself, such as interpreting the dreams of King Pasenadi Kosala, forecasting his own dreams, etc. 3. Involving astrology, for example, he studied the subject of Chotisaat, which is a subject that studies stargazing, etc. However, the Buddha had a negative attitude towards astrology. It is considered to be a Derachana Vijcha. Because it is not a subject directly to Nirvana. Therefore, he issued a Vinaya law prohibiting monks from studying astrology. But he allowed the study of stargazing only to be useful for traveling and determining the seasons.