moon, god of the ［月天］ ( Chandra;  Gatten): A deification of the moon in Indian mythology, incorporated into Buddhism as a tutelary god. The moon played an important role in Indian civilization, which employed a lunar calendar. Hindu and later Buddhist rites were observed in accord with this calendar, which was based on a year defined by complete cycles of the moon’s phases. These rites were held regularly, for instance, on the day of a full moon or a new moon. Buddhist scriptures often mention the god of the moon in conjunction with the god of the sun.