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Document Details :

Title: Astrological Determinism in Indian Buddhism
Author(s): KOTYK, Jeffrey
Journal: Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies
Volume: 41    Date: 2018   
Pages: 145-167
DOI: 10.2143/JIABS.41.0.3285741

Abstract :
This study surveys the presence of astrological determinism (i.e., the belief that celestial bodies influence or signal fated developments) within Indian Buddhism, from early literature until late-Tantra, in which passive belief in astrology is more often expected than rejected. It is argued that a tradition of ‘Buddhist astrology’ did, in fact, exist with a clear evolution over time. This demonstrates that many Buddhists were comfortable with astrology alongside a belief in karma. The increasing incorporation of astrological elements into Buddhist texts also reflects the growing appreciation of astrology in Indian culture over the course of the first millennium CE.

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