The “Seven Day Buddhas” is a concept found in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and other Theravada Buddhist countries, reflecting a deep intertwining of Buddhism with astrology and local beliefs.
This concept assigns a specific Buddha image or posture to each day of the week, and it is believed that the Buddha image corresponding to the day of one’s birth can offer personal significance, protection, and guidance. This tradition is a unique aspect of Buddhist practice in Myanmar and showcases the cultural adaptation of Buddhism in local contexts.
Table of Contents
The Seven Day Buddhas
Sunday Buddha: Standing, Protection Against Fear
The Sunday Buddha stands upright with his right hand raised, palm facing outward in the Abhaya Mudra, symbolizing protection and peace. This posture is inspired by an episode where Buddha stopped a rampaging elephant sent to kill him by projecting calmness and fearlessness.
This posture is often associated with those born on a Sunday, suggesting qualities such as leadership and charisma.
- Character Trait: Leadership qualities, charismatic.
- Likely Occupation: Politician, CEO, or any leadership role.
- Lucky Color: Red.
- Lucky Day: Tuesday.
- Unlucky Color: Blue.
- Unlucky Day: Friday.
Monday Buddha: Sitting, Peace and Calm
The Monday Buddha is seated in a meditative posture, hands resting in his lap in Dhyana Mudra, symbolizing meditation, concentration, and the attainment of spiritual perfection. This reflects Buddha’s serene and meditative nature, emphasizing the path of inner peace and enlightenment.
- Character Trait: Peaceful, thoughtful, and introspective.
- Likely Occupation: Teacher, writer, or counselor.
- Lucky Color: Yellow.
- Lucky Day: Saturday.
- Unlucky Color: Black.
- Unlucky Day: Wednesday.
Tuesday Buddha: Standing, Protection and Courage
The Tuesday Buddha is standing with his hands raised in the gesture of stopping the ocean’s waters, symbolizing protection and courage. It commemorates a story where Buddha calmed a flood, showcasing his ability to protect and bring peace to his followers. This is believed to represent individuals who are brave and protective.
- Character Trait: Brave, protective.
- Likely Occupation: Police officer, firefighter, or in the military.
- Lucky Color: Pink.
- Lucky Day: Thursday.
- Unlucky Color: White.
- Unlucky Day: Sunday.
Wednesday Buddha: (Morning) Sitting, Holding a Bowl; (Afternoon) Protected by an Elephant
Wednesday is split into two to mark a significant event in Buddha’s life—the moment of his conception in the morning and his enlightenment (or descent from Tavatimsa Heaven) in the afternoon.
Morning Appearance: The morning Wednesday Buddha is depicted sitting, holding an alms bowl. This represents Buddha’s humility and his life as a mendicant.
Afternoon Appearance: The afternoon Buddha is represented standing with an elephant behind him, symbolizing mental strength and the ability to overcome obstacles.
- Character Trait: Altruistic, mentally strong.
- Likely Occupation: Doctor, nurse, or humanitarian worker.
- Lucky Color: Green.
- Lucky Day: Monday.
- Unlucky Color: Orange.
- Unlucky Day: Tuesday.
Thursday Buddha: Meditating, Enlightenment
The Thursday Buddha sits in the lotus position with a meditative gesture, symbolizing calm, serenity, and the pursuit of enlightenment. This posture reflects the intense meditation Buddha underwent on the night of his enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of meditation in achieving spiritual awakening.
- Character Trait: Thoughtful, seeking knowledge.
- Likely Occupation: Researcher, monk, or philosopher.
- Lucky Color: Orange.
- Lucky Day: Wednesday.
- Unlucky Color: Purple.
- Unlucky Day: Saturday.
Friday Buddha: Standing, Casting Away Fear
The Friday Buddha is standing with hands gesture of casting away fear, offering protection from evil and harm. This signifies the protective nature and the ability to overcome obstacles.
- Character Trait: Protective, overcoming obstacles.
- Likely Occupation: Engineer, problem solver, or strategist.
- Lucky Color: Blue.
- Lucky Day: Sunday.
- Unlucky Color: Red.
- Unlucky Day: Monday.
Saturday Buddha: Sitting, Protected by Naga
The Saturday Buddha is seated in meditation, protected by the coils of the naga king, Mucalinda. This statue often shows the naga’s hood spread out, sheltering the Buddha. This image is inspired by the legend of the naga king sheltering Buddha from a storm during his meditation, symbolizing protection and the harmony between nature and enlightenment.
- Character Trait: Resilient, faces challenges head-on.
- Likely Occupation: Entrepreneur, environmentalist, or lawyer.
- Lucky Color: Purple.
- Lucky Day: Friday.
- Unlucky Color: Yellow.
- Unlucky Day: Thursday.
The Seven Day Buddhas are not only religious symbols but also serve as cultural markers that influence daily life, from choosing names for newborns to making decisions about important life events. Temples in Myanmar often have separate altars for each of these Buddha images, allowing devotees to pray or make offerings to the Buddha corresponding to their day of birth. This practice emphasizes the personalized nature of devotion in Myanmar’s Buddhist tradition, integrating astrology, local beliefs, and Buddhism into a cohesive spiritual and cultural framework.
Difference between Myanmar & Thailand Seven Day Buddhas
There are differences between the Seven Day Buddhas in Thailand and Myanmar, though the concept is broadly similar, reflecting the influence of Buddhism intertwined with local astrology and cultural practices in both countries. The primary differences usually lie in the specific postures or attributes associated with the Buddha images for each day of the week and the emphasis placed on certain aspects of these images due to local beliefs and traditions.
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