All instruction is but a finger pointing at the Moon. Those whose gaze is fixed upon the finger miss the Moon. Even if one should catch sight of the Moon, still one cannot see its beauty. Mindfulness, recollection, and contemplation are all forms of sati necessary for liberating insight.Buddhism is a finger pointing at the Moon. It is only a finger, not the moon. Only a map, not the territory. Only instructions for practice, not the practice. This approach cuts at the root of fundamentalism and eliminates acrimony between groups of religious practitioners.
The Moon was more significant in the past. For it was the basis of the lunar calendar defining the months (moonths?) It gave agrarian societies their basis for success by helping them reckon the seasons and plant accordingly.Its diffuse and glistening light, which stands in stark contrast to the dark, is a welcome guide. It is a cool respite from the blazing Indian sun. It came to be a powerful symbol of good luck. The rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, and this is the Year of the Rabbit (until Jan. 22, 2012).
It also served to define the lunar observance days in Buddhism ("sabbath" or Sunday equivalents).
Lunar Day Observance
Wikipedia edit
The Uposatha (Sanskrit, Upavasatha) is the Buddhist day of observance. It has been in existence since the time of the Buddha. It is still kept in Buddhist countries today. The Buddha taught that these specially set aside days are for "the cleansing of the defiled mind." This results in inner calm and joy. On this day, lay followers and monastics intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and understanding, and renew their commitment through millennia-old acts of lay-monastic reciprocity.