Lunar Eclipse - Generating Merit

Eclipse days are powerful times to focus on generating merit.  On July 4th the lunar eclipse will begin at 9:07 pm MST  (8:07 pm PST) and ends at 11;52 pm MST (see time table below or link here) Since PMC is still  closed due to COVID- 19, Rinpoche encourages you to recite mantras on your own--Rinpoche specifically mentioned Vajrasattva and Vajra Guru mantras--and/or practice meditation to receive the benefit. Rinpoche also mentioned the importance of abstaining from harmful, violent actions on the day of an eclipse, for example being vegetarian for the day (no eggs either), refraining from alcohol and drugs that alter the mind, smoking cigarettes, and instead offering beneficial acts like donating to a food bank or homeless shelter. During this eclipse, the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times whether or not the eclipse is visible. Remember to set your intention well at the beginning, and dedicate the merit at the end of your session or while you make an offering. Best wishes for your practice!   Lunar eclipses can be visible from everywhere on the night side of the Earth, if the sky is clear. From some places the entire eclipse will be visible, while in other areas the Moon will rise or set during the eclipse.

Event	UTC Time	Time in Denver*	Visible in Denver
Penumbral Eclipse begins	Jul 5 at 03:07:23	Jul 4 at 9:07:23 pm	Yes
Maximum Eclipse	Jul 5 at 04:29:51	Jul 4 at 10:29:51 pm	Yes
Penumbral Eclipse ends	Jul 5 at 05:52:21	Jul 4 at 11:52:21 pm	Yes

* The Moon is above the horizon during this eclipse, so with good weather conditions in Denver, the entire eclipse is visible.