Against the superstition of auspicious/inauspicious days

 

Question: I saw many Buddhist calendars on various Buddhist websites who mention “auspicious” or “inauspicious days” for doing various activities from cutting one’s hair, to Dharma activities. What is the view of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism on this matter?
 
My answer: I am glad to say that in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, and based on the words of Shakyamuni Buddha himself, we do NOT believe in propitious/auspicious or unpropitious/inauspicious times. The Power of Amida and all Buddhas surpass any influence caused by spirits, gods, bad energies, elements, etc that might create unpropitious times.

Propitious/auspicious or unpropitious have a meaning only for superstitious samsaric beings who don't experience the Power and guidance of Buddhas in their lives. However, for those who take refuge in the Buddhas, in the Dharma and Sangha, who say the Name of Amida or any Buddhas or their mantras, such things have no influence and must be treated as mere illusions in an illusory world composed of illusory phenomena.

Here are just two quotations from the sutras used by Shinran Shonin in his works:

"Chapter Eight, 'Evil Spirits' Attainment of Reverent Trust', part one, of the Great Collection 'Moon-Matrix' Sutra, fascicle five, states:
The Buddha said, 'venerating the Three Treasures, you will not trust in gods. Adopting right views, you will not decide propitious or unpropitious times according to the season, day or month. [...] parting from views of annihilation and eternality, you will believe in the law of causation".
(Shinran Shonin, Kyogyoshinsho, chapter VI, Kyogyoshinsho - The Collected Works of Shinran, Shin Buddhism Translation Series, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, Kyoto, 1997, p.259-260)

“Those who take refuge truly and wholeheartedly, freeing themselves from all delusional attachments and all concern with the propitious or unpropitious, must never take refuge in false spirits or non-Buddhist teachings.”
(Sutra of the Ten Wheels of Ksitigarbha, quoted by Shinran in Kyogyoshinsho, chapter VI
Kyogyoshinsho - The Collected Works of Shinran, Shin Buddhism Translation Series, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, Kyoto, 1997, p.273)

Shinran Shonin lamented over the attachment to the idea of favourable/auspicious that was present even during his time in medieval Japan just like in other parts of the Buddhist world (Tibet, China, etc):

"As a mark of increase in the five defilements,
All monks and laypeople of this age
Behave outwardly like followers of the Buddhist teaching,
But in their inner thoughts, believe in nonbuddhist paths.
How lamentable it is that monks and laypeople
Select ‚fortunate times’ and ‚auspicious days’,
And paying homage to gods of the heavens and earth,
Engage in divination and rituals of worship.
Monks are no different, in their hearts, from nonbuddhists,
Brahmans, or followers of Nirgrantha;
Always wearing the Dharma-robes of the Tathagata,
They pay homage to all gods and spirits."
(Shinran Shonin, Hymns of the Dharma Ages, The Collected Works of Shinran, Shin Buddhism Translation Series, Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, Kyoto, 1997, p.422-423)

May the above words enter the hearts and minds of all Buddhists, help them abandon magical superstitions and entrust to the Power of the Buddhas. Please ask yourself - what faith is stronger in your heart? Faith in the Buddhas or faith in magic, superstition, auspicious and inauspicious? 

Please don't waste your life in vain!