Astrology in Sri Lanka

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The astrology of Sri Lanka is of great interest to sociologists because of the central role that it plays in the rural life of the country. ^[1]

The type of Astrology commonly used in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) derives from Vedic Astrology, with some modification according to Buddhist teachings.

In Sri Lanka, astrology has mainly been taught by Buddhist monks in secret to their disciples. Those teachers and schools were known as “Jyotishaya Gurukula”. However, some seers, doctors of herbal medicine, teachers, and farmers were also famous as astrologers.

Sri Lankan kings had great respect for astrology as a spiritual science and in important matters—such as the determination of the most auspicious time to begin some major undertaking—the opinion of astrologers was generally sought after. The Pollonnaru Era, Dambadeni Era and Kotte Era are considered the golden ages of Sri Lankan astrology. The astrologers of these times were famous for making predictions.

In Sri Lanka, astrology is closely associated with science of Mantra, which allegedly uses sounds to engage the aid of gods, devils and ghosts in accomplishing tasks that are beyond human capability. At the Sinhalese New Year, on either April 13 or 14th, astrological concepts and auspicious times are given great attention in order to secure good fortune in the coming year.

Devaghangha Kamadenuwa, a popular ancient Sri Lankan astrological book, was authored by the high-ranking Buddhist monk, Anomadassi Thero. If we go back to very early history, even earlier than literal history, the demon king Ravana and the great King Manu are said to have formulated many historic books related to astrology and mantra. Some other distinguished early Sri Lankan astrologers are “Gurunnanse”, “Ganitaya” and “Nekath Rale”, who could calculate a birth chart almost instantly, without even reference materials such as an ephemeris. Today also, there are sage astrologers in rural villages whose can calculate the birth chart mentally.

At the present time Sri Lankan astrology is mainly used to predict functions of daily life: matching couple's charts for marriage, finding out auspicious times for starting new tasks and to check houses plans under astrological rules. Modern literal astrology started in 1857 when Mr. Don Pilip De silva Apa wrote Apa Panchanga Litha. This was a national ephemeredes used to calculate birth charts. Later in the 19th century Mr. Hendrik De Silva who formerly thought astrology was totally superstitious, went on to write a popular astrology hand book called “Jivitaya Saha Garayo”. He went to India to learn Vedic Astrology then came to Sri Lanka as a great astrologer^{[citation needed]} and wrote a number of Sinhalese astrology books.

Normally all rules, theories, and concepts in Sri Lankan Astrology are identical to Vedic Astrology. But some modern Sinhalese astrologers only use the KP System^{[further explanation needed]} as scientific astrology rather than respect the traditional theories. Sri Lankan people normally conduct Buddhist ceremonies, chant Buddhist verses and ask for help from Buddhist gods.

See also

• Sinhala and Tamil new year
• Culture of Sri Lanka
• Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• Festivals in Sri Lanka

References

External links

• http://www.PremStory.com
• http://jyotisha.00it.com
• http://www.lankawisdom.com/
• http://www.lankalibrary.com/
• http://www.srilankaastrology.net/
• ලක් හඳහන http://www.lakhandahana.com/