History and Features of the Tsurphu Lunar Calendar system

[JKhedrup]

I was wondering how the Karma Kagyu tradition came to develop its own unique calendar, known as the Tsurphu calendar. Is it much different from the standard Tibetan calendar, and is it also used by the other Kagyu lineages?

[conebeckham]

I think that the Karma Kagyu are the only ones who use the Tsurluk system, which was developed by 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. The Phukluk is the one in common use.

Nitharta used to publish a calendar that combined both--not sure if they still do....

I'm no expert at all. Interested to hear any more knowledgeable responses...

[kirtu]

I think that the Karma Kagyu are the only ones who use the Tsurluk system, which was developed by 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje. The Phukluk is the one in common use.

Nitharta used to publish a calendar that combined both--not sure if they still do....

They do.

Why did Karmapa Rangjung Dorje develop the Tsurluk calendar?

Kirt

[Jinzang]

The Tibetan calendar is based on the Kalachakra Tantra and like other tantras it is ambiguous, even encrypted, and stands in need of interpretation. The commentators on the Kalachakra Tantra which bothered to comment on the astronomy gave different interpretations, hence we have different calendars. Since Kamstang Kagyu follows the Karmapa, they are going to give a lot of weight to the Karmapa's interpretation of the Kalachakra and use his calendar.