Tibetan calendar debunks doomsday rumors

Astrology and calendar experts said Wednesday that the 1,000-year-old Tibetan calendar refutes popular rumors regarding the coming end of the world.

"Astrological calculations can be used to figure out what the calendar will be like in 2150," said Yupa, director of the institute of astrology and calendar calculation under the Hospital of Tibetan Medicine in Lhasa.

"Friday's 'doomsday event' is not possible. Otherwise, we would not be able to calculate the following years," he said, adding that the rumor is groundless and is being exploited by some for commercial gain.

Yupa said the Maya calendar, which has been cited by some as proof of the coming apocalypse, is based on the solar calendar, adding that Dec. 21, 2012 is merely a "new beginning" in the Maya calendar and a common day in the Tibetan calendar.

Observations conducted by NASA and other groups specializing in physics and astronomy have not shown any abnormal findings, Yupa said.

"Rather than needlessly worrying about the end of the world, we'd prefer to raise concerns about the ecology of the Earth. Human beings will destroy her if we don't treasure her and protect her fragile environment," said Tseten Dorje, deputy director of the institute.

The Tibetan calendar originated from the Indian calendar in the 11th century, although some of its elements have been borrowed from China. It has provided accurate forecasts for solar and lunar eclipses, blizzards and earthquakes throughout history.