續一切經音義 5.53

5.53

Eclipse (搏蝕: the first character is pronounced *bu* + *ge* [= *bó*]; the *Shuowen jiezi* says it means to strike; the second character is pronounced *shi* [= *shí*]; the *Shiming* says when the moon wanes it is eclipsed, being eaten away little by little like insects eating the leaves of plants and trees; the *Calendar of the Nine Luminaries and Five Elements* says: "Rāhu, also named the Eclipse Spirit, usually remains hidden and invisible; whenever it encounters the sun or moon, an eclipse occurs; furthermore, when the sun and moon share the same position and colour, the moon covers the sun, causing a solar eclipse"; it also states: "The sun's counter-point is as large as the sun, where the sunlight does not shine, called the dark void; when the moon encounters it, a lunar eclipse occurs").