Dharma Data: Astrology

The Buddha taught that one’s future is conditioned primarily by one’s kamma, not by the stars and he condemned astrology and expressly forbid his monks and nuns to practice it. One story in the Jataka pokes fun at those foolish enough to make decisions based upon astrological predictions. Despite this astrology is widely believed and practiced in most Buddhist countries and not uncommonly monks act as astrologers.