Live Recording (4min 36sec) of Ajahn Dhammasiha, Ajahn Moneyyo and Ven Dantacitto chanting 'Canda Paritta' ('Moon Protection') right at the maximum of the Vesak total lunar eclipse. The mood was really magic, you can hear the insects chirping in the background.

In Buddhist mythology, an eclipse means that the moon deity Candimā is swallowed by the demon Rāhu. The Pali Chanting relates how Candimā takes refuge in the Buddha in his distress. The Buddha chants one gāthā pointing out that the moon deity has taken refuge, and Rāhu finds it impossible not to quickly let go of Chandimā.

Of course, astronomically an eclipse has nothing to do with the moon being 'swallowed'. But that's not the point, what counts is the symbolic meaning: The real battle of good and evil takes place in our mind. We can see Rahu as representing the forces of darkness, and the moon as a symbol of light and goodness. If we truly take refuge in the Buddha, the forces of darkness will not be able to 'swallow' our heart, and 'seize' us in gloomy states of anxiety and depression. Instead, our mind will rise above evil, our light will shine forth again like the moon freed from the eclipse.

You can read more about the symbolic meaning of this Protective Chant, including full text in Pali and English here: https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/letters/dhammagiri-news-92-vesak-lunar-eclipse-defeating-the-forces-of-darkness

The full live program of during lunar eclipse, with guided meditation and Dhamma encouragement how to lift our mind out of darkness, can be watched on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=184j0XvdpjI

May all of humanity emerge from the great pandemic and anti-pandemic measures into health and well being; may our hearts rise above all dark states of depression, anxiety and anger, and shine again bright like the moon in the night sky!

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