Dencandy Posted April 13, 2008 Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!Today is New Year's Day in Sri Lanka where I now live. It is a joyful occasion celebrated by both Singhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus. From this beautiful but presently troubled island I would like to wish all Forum subscribers, members and visitors a Very Happy and Peaceful New Year.May all beings learn to live in peace and harmony.Dencandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted April 13, 2008 Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 I would like to return all your good wishes. What year is it now, and does it last for just over 365 days as in the Gregorian calendar? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchful Posted April 13, 2008 Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 I'll drink to those sentiments Dencandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted April 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 What year is it now, and does it last for just over 365 days as in the Gregorian calendar? :DAccording to most of the religions of the East time does not have a known beginning, therefore it seems pointless to try to give the years a number (although there is a quite separate year numbering system for Buddhists based on the month & year when he was born - we are now in the year 2550 according to that system).The actual beginning of each new year is decided by a quaint mixture of astronomy and astrology and is calculated to coincide with the moment when the sun is believed to be exactly above an ancient Hindu shrine to the sun god at a small town called Koggala on the west coast. Who makes the decision & does the calculations, I do not know.This means the new year rarely begins at midnight. This year, for example, I think it began at 6.29 am on Sunday 13 April Sri Lankan time. But, yes, the year does last just over 365 days, on average, since it is based on the position of the sun as it "moves" over the island during the year, rather than a system based on the number of days in a year (which never quite fit).Other countries of South East Asia have similar systems. Thailand's new year was a few days ago, for example, due to its different latitude & longitude position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artist Posted April 13, 2008 Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 Happy New Year to you too...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catgate Posted April 13, 2008 Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 Who makes the decision & does the calculations, I do not know.Is this why they are all at each others throats and why it is necessary for you wish...May all beings learn to live in peace and harmony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted April 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2008 Who makes the decision & does the calculations, I do not know.Is this why they are all at each others throats and why it is necessary for you wish...May all beings learn to live in peace and harmony. But the New Year is at least one thing everyone accepts and is happy with here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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