Wednesday, August 2, 2023

167 - Butsumetsu

【仏滅、butsumetsu】

One of the Rokuyou, a "day so unlucky even Buddha perished (仏を滅ぼす)", one should avoid games of chance, weddings, and such on this day.

Originally, however, it was called "Kuubou" or "Kyobou" [both use a Kanji for 'void' and the Kanji for 'death'] in China, and was believed to be the day when all things come to nothing.

When it was introduced to Japan, it came to be called "物滅 (Butsumetsu)", meaning "the day when all things perish", which in turn became "仏滅 (Butsumetsu)".


Although it had no connection whatsoever with Buddha's death, February 15, his death anniversary, is "Butsumetsu" every year according to the old Japanese lunisolar calendar.

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