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lyon-77 · 27 days ago

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Hello! Big fan of your Erlang Shen posts 😍 Gimme more. I’m curious—what’s the deal with his third eye? Not gonna lie, as beautiful as he is in the game, it was his third eye that really drew me in. I’ve heard it’s called the “Eye of Heaven,” so is it a rare ability? Is that what makes him so powerful, like more powerful than the other deities? What's the history behind it? What can it do exactly?

Thank you! Really glad you're enjoying the read 😊

That's a fantastic question, and, as always with Erlang, the answer is more complicated than it seems 😂 In short, Erlang didn't actually have a third eye until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), so he's without the "eye of heaven" in both JTTW and Investiture of the Gods. Quite counterintuitive, right? It feels like he uses associated powers in both stories—and that impression isn't wrong.

Erlang Shen has always been famed for his instinctual ability to see through illusions and trickery. In JTTW, this perceptive power is on full display during the OG duel between him and Sun Wukong. Besides being a skilled shapeshifter himself, Erlang's sharp perception allows him to consistently see through Wukong's transformation, giving him an upper hand as he adapts his tactics in response to Wukong's. Only Guanyin, the bodhisattva, possesses a similar "wisdom eye" with the aid of her vase and lotus. It's pretty cool that Black Myth: Wukong pays homage to this legendary detail, having Erlang counter the Destined One's transformation and provide specific comments on each transformation choice.

In Investiture of the Gods, Erlang’s perceptive ability is depicted as an extraordinary capacity to see through complex illusions and schemes. Unlike many other characters who rely on magical artifacts or spells, Erlang’s vision appears to be an innate “divine insight” (or just him being a smart ass) that allows him to detect hidden truths and reveal the true forms of both enemies and allies alike. Even without a third eye, Erlang’s perceptive prowess aligns him with selected higher-ranking immortals, giving him a tactical edge that reflects his reputation as a discerning and formidable deity in Chinese mythology.

These stories frame Erlang's special vision through the lens of Buddhism and Daoism, both of which contributed to the semi-canonization of his third eye in later centuries. However, Erlang's perceptive prowess predates those interpretations and can be seen in oral traditions and folk operas. This ability of his likely originated from the eye-worship traditions in Sichuan's folk belief system, a theme evident in Bronze Age artifacts and chorography records dating back to the 4th century. In Sichuan's local traditions, special eyes are associated with omniscience and authority, qualities fitting for Erlang as the chief god of the region.

How Erlang gained an actual third "eye of heaven" is another multi-layered story. It involves Daoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, the rise of three-eyed Dharma protectors during the Ming Dynasty, and the geo-temporal overlap of ritual practices linking Erlang to one such deity. Since Erlang already possessed extraordinary perceptiveness, adding a third eye to his visual representation seemed to make perfect sense and thus became a permanent feature in popular imagery over the last century or two.

I could expand the last two paragraphs into separate posts for more depth, but I hope this covers most of your questions without going too far down the rabbit hole!

#erlang shen #third eye #journey to the west #sun wukong #black myth wukong #investiture of the gods #yang jian #chinese folk religion #chinese mythology #chinese literature

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ljones41 · 6 months ago

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"LOST" Retrospect: "Who Ordered the Dharma Initiative Purge?"

Years ago, I had a written an article that speculated on which character from the ABC series, "LOST", was responsible for an incident called "the Dharma Purge". After a few re-watches of the series, I wrote this revision of the ARTICLE.

"LOST" RETROSPECTIVE: "WHO ORDERED THE DHARMA INITIATIVE PURGE?"

Seven years ago, I had written this article about a major incident on the ABC television series, "LOST". This incident happened to focus on the murders or "Purge" of the scientific research organization known as the Dharma Initiative. It happened on December 19, 1992; nearly twelve years before the series began and before the crash of Oceanic Airlines 815 flight.

In the Season Five episode, (5.10) "He's Our You", Oceanic Flight 815 survivor and later, time traveler Sayid Jarrah tried to murder young Ben Linus in 1977. In the following episode, another Oceanic time traveler, Dr. Jack Shephard, refused to treat the badly wounded Ben, who was near death. Eventually, two other time traveling castaways, James "Sawyer" Ford and Kate Austen, had taken Ben to the Others aka the Hostiles aka the Natives, a group of island inhabitants who served as its protectors on the behalf of the main protector Jacob, for treatment via Dr. Juliet Burke's instructions. Within a decade-and-a-half, Ben ended up ousting future billionaire Charles Widmore as leader of the Others.

Ever since the series had first aired, many fans had been uncertain of when Ben's tenure as the Others' leader had began - before or after the Purge. As I had stated earlier, the Purge occurred in December 1992, on the same day as Ben's birthday and during the same month as the Others' rejection of Widmore as their leader. Many fans and television critics had automatically assumed Ben had ordered the Purge. I have heard comments that compared Ben to Adolf Hitler. I have also heard comments that compared Ben’s younger self to a "young Hitler". Many people have claimed that it was Ben who had ordered the deaths of the Dharma Initiative members. However, I have my doubts.

During Seasons Three and Four, Ben had offered contradicting comments on whether or not he had ordered the Dharma Initiative Purge. In (3.23) "Through the Looking Glass", he had claimed responsibility of the Purge to Jack:

"Not so long ago, Jack. I made a decision that took the lives of over forty people in a single day"

Unfortunately, Ben had contradicted this claim in two other episodes. In the Season Three episode, (3.20) "The Man Behind the Curtain", he had said this to Oceanic survivor John Locke, while he displayed the remains of Dharma members at a mass grave:

"This is where I came from, John. These are my people. The Dharma Initiative. They came here seeking harmony, but they couldn't even co-exist with the Island's original inhabitants. And when it became clear that one side had to go, one side had to be purged, I did what I had to do. I was one of the people that was smart enough to make sure that I didn't end up in that ditch. Which makes me considerably smarter than you, John."

Ben never claimed responsibility for ordering the Purge to Locke. He had confessed to participating in the Purge. That same episode made it clear that his participation involved killing his abusive father, Dharma Initiative worker, Roger Linus. In fact, Ben also made the same thing clear in the Season Four episode, (4.11) "Cabin Fever", when he had the following conversation with another Oceanic castaway, Hugo "Hurley" Reyes:

HURLEY: So... This is where you shot Locke and left him for dead, huh? BEN: Yes, Hugo, I was standing right where you are now when I pulled the trigger. Should have realized at the time that it was pointless, but... I really wasn't thinking clearly. [Hurley steps back a little] HURLEY: Is that why you killed all these people, too? BEN: I didn't kill them. HURLEY: Well, if the Others didn't wipe out the Dharma Initiative -- BEN: They did wipe them out, Hugo, but it wasn't my decision. HURLEY: Then whose was it? BEN: Their leader's. HURLEY: But I thought you were their leader. BEN: Not always.

Interesting. He had admitted to trying to kill Locke in "The Man Behind the Curtain". But he denied being the one who had ordered the Purge. Also, Ben had been truthful when he told Hurley that he had not always been the Others' leader. The series had featured three other leaders - the ageless Richard Alpert (who eventually became the future leaders' advisor), Eloise Hawking and Widmore. Although some fans remain convinced that Ben had ordered the Purge, there are a good number of fans who hold Widmore responsible.

Thanks to a flashback in the Season Five episode called (5.12) "Dead Is Dead" - viewers learned that Widmore had definitely been the leader of the Others back in 1988. And in another Season Four episode called (4.09) "The Shape of Things to Come", viewers learned in a flash forward scene set in London that Ben had taken the leadership of the Others away from Widmore:

WIDMORE: I know who you are, boy. What you are. I know that everything you have you took from me. So... Once again I ask you: Why are you here? BEN: I'm here, Charles, to tell you that I'm going to kill your daughter. Penelope, is it? And once she's gone... once she's dead... then you'll understand how I feel. And you'll wish you hadn't changed the rules. [Widmore shifts in his bed.] WIDMORE: You'll never find her. [Ben turns to leave.] WIDMORE: That island's mine, Benjamin. It always was. It will be again.

I found it interesting that Widmore had regarded the island as "his". And there were other aspects of Widmore that I found interesting. The Season Five episode, (5.03) "Jughead", had revealed Widmore as a member of the Others, as far back as 1954 (when he was seventeen years-old). As one of the Others, Widmore (along with Richard and Hawking) had participated in a previous purge - that of U.S. Army personnel, who had brought a hydrogen bomb nicknamed "Jughead" with them to the island. On other occasions, Widmore had this inclination to kill anyone he deemed a threat to the island's secrecy. He killed a fellow Other to prevent the latter from leading Locke, Sawyer and Juliet to Richard's location in 1954. The 1988 flashback from "Dead Is Dead" revealed Ben's refusal to kill Danielle Rousseau and her baby, Alex. Instead, he claimed Alex as his child and threatened Danielle to stay away. This decision had angered Widmore, who had expected Ben to kill both. Why were Danielle and Alex's deaths that important to Widmore? Ironically, Widmore finally got his way regarding Danielle and Alex, thanks to Martin Keamy, the mercenary he had sent to the island to snatch Ben in Season Four.

So, when did Ben Linus replace Charles Widmore as leader of the Others? Before December 19, 1992? Or after? The photograph below from "The Man Behind the Curtain" hints that Ben had remained a worker for the DHARMA Initiative during that period, despite joining the Others sometime in the 1980s:

But had Ben assumed leadership of the Others by then? If not, does that mean Charles Widmore was still leading the Others in December 1992? Both the LOSTPEDIA and the WIKIPEDIA sites claimed that Richard Alpert had led the Others' purge against the Dharma Initiative in 1992. But neither site made it clear who had ordered the Purge. And "Dead Is Dead" never gave a clear date on Widmore's exile.

One would assume my choice for the man responsible for ordering the Purge would be Widmore. And you would be right. There seemed a good deal of evidence making him responsible. He had already participated in an earlier purge back in 1954. Ben had revealed time and again his willingness to use violence - even kill those he deemed a threat to himself or for emotional reasons. But the series had also revealed Widmore's willingness to do the same and especially kill in the name of protecting the island. And that included ordering Ben to kill an emotionally unstable Danielle Rousseau and her infant child. Widmore had also sent the murderous Martin Keamy to the island in late Season Three-Season Four to snatch Ben. He had claimed to Locke in (5.07) "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" that he had done so to give Locke the opportunity to become the Others' new leader. Yet, his words to Locke contradicted his words to Ben in London, when he had claimed the island as "his". This scene had occurred nearly a year or more after the events of Season Four.

There is also the matter of whether Keamy had another agenda - namely to kill any of the Oceanic survivors that remained. In "Cabin Fever" he had demanded Sayid reveal the number of other Oceanic survivors and their location. Fortunately, the latter had refused. In a confrontation with the freighter's Captain Gault, Keamy revealed his intentions to "torch" the island. Some claimed that this had been Keamy's angry reaction to his men being attacked by the Smoke Monster. Yet, in (4.08) "Meet Kevin Johnson", Ben had accused the freighter crew of plans to snatch him and kill the island's inhabitants. The only freighter personnel in the room - spiritualist Miles Straume - had remained unusually silent. In the following episode, (4.09) "The Shape of Things to Come", Miles claimed that Keamy and his men were around to serve as security guards for a captured Ben. But there was the revelation that Widmore had set up a false location for the missing Oceanic 815 plane - with a plane wreck and dead bodies included. This is merely an assumption of mine, but I believe Widmore had sent Keamy to not only snatch Ben, but kill the remaining Oceanic survivors as well to maintain the narrative. I found a good deal of clues that led me to suspect Widmore had ordered the Dharma Purge.

After watching the series more than once, I find it increasingly difficult to hold Ben responsible for the Purge. His actions against the Oceanic castaways had featured spying, kidnapping, harassment, threats and manipulation. He rarely resorted to murder - aside from his attempt to kill Locke and his order to kill Sayid, Jin Kwon and Bernard Nader during the events in the Season Three finale, (3.23) "Through the Looking Glass, Part 2". If Ben was truly capable of ordering the Purge, he would have wiped out (or tried) the Oceanic survivors after getting Jack to remove the tumor from his spine. The man had proved incapable of following Widmore's orders to kill Danielle and Alex.

In the end, viewers know that Charles Widmore had been the leader of the Others in 1988-89, when he had ordered Ben Linus to kill Danielle Rosseau and her infant daughter. Viewers know that Ben had refused. Viewers also know that Richard Alpert had led a group of Others in the Purge against the U.S. Army in 1954. He also led the Others' purge against the Dharma Initiative on December 19, 1992. On that same date, Ben killed his father, Roger Linus, in a similar manner – by toxic gas. And viewers know that Ben had eventually replaced Widmore and exiled the latter off the island. Personally, I suspect Widmore had ordered the Purge against Dharma. But I suspect it was an order he had not issued lightly, given the number of years the Others had been in conflict with the Dharma Initiative.

But I cannot say with any authority that Widmore had ordered the Dharma Initiative Purge. If we only knew exactly when Widmore had been exiled, perhaps this mystery of the Purge will finally be cleared.

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13lunarstar · 20 days ago

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About Varnas

Let's dive deeper into some other interesting concepts used in Jyotish. One of them is called Varna or social class or categories that define the roles, responsibilities, and duties of individuals. These Varnas are not merely occupational classifications but also represent a framework for understanding the inherent qualities and purposes of individuals within the larger social hierarchy. Traditionally, different varnas are associated with different natural elements.

4 CLASSIC TYPES OF VARNAS (FROM THE HIGHEST TO LOWEST)

Brahmins ( the priests and people of higher knowledge - water element)

Kshatriyas (the warriors - fire element)

Vaishyas (the merchants - earth element)

Shudras ( the servants - air element)

Note: this classification is a classic one, created in ancient times when the highest hierarchy included the priests, doctors, teachers and occultists, in other words, people who had access to secret knowledge, which wasn't accessible to simple people. Historically, the Varna system has faced criticism, especially with the emergence of the caste system, which imposed rigid and often discriminatory practices. Nowadays, this classification looks different due to modern occupations, however, the core meaning and order remain the same- from water to air elements, from brahmins being on the top of the classification to shudras at the bottom.

Brahmins (water)

Role: Brahmins are the spiritual leaders, priests, and scholars of society. They are considered the highest Varna and are responsible for preserving and disseminating sacred knowledge.

Qualities: they are typically characterized by wisdom, knowledge, and a commitment to spiritual practices. Brahmins are seen as guardians of the Vedas (sacred texts) and are often involved in rituals, education, and guiding others on spiritual paths.

Duties: their primary duties (dharma) include performing religious ceremonies, teaching the scriptures, and providing counsel on spiritual matters. They also play a crucial role in upholding ethical standards and guiding society in moral and philosophical issues.

Occupations: common occupations include priests, those who are involved in medicine and healing, scholars, educators, spiritual leaders, and astrologers.

Element: water, representing the depth of the personality, wisdom and sacred knowledge

Kshatriyas (fire)

Role: Kshatriyas are the warrior and the second ruling class, responsible for protection, governance, and maintaining law and order in society.

Qualities: they embody bravery, leadership, and a sense of duty. Kshatriyas are seen as protectors of the realm and upholders of justice.

Duties: their right activities involve protecting the people, engaging in warfare when necessary, and governing with integrity and fairness. They are responsible for ensuring the safety and prosperity of the community.

Occupations: common occupations include kings, military leaders, politicians, state officers, surgeons, sportsmen, business people managing large corporations, law enforcement officials.

Element: fire, representing action, protection, dominance and power

Vaishyas (earth)

Role: Vaishyas are the merchant and agricultural class, responsible for trade, commerce, and economic activities that support society.

Qualities: they are characterized by resourcefulness, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Vaishyas play a vital role in managing wealth and resources for the community.

Duties: their activities involve engaging in agriculture, trade, marketing, sales and administration, as well as ensuring the availability of goods and services. They contribute to the economic development of society.

Occupations: common occupations include farmers, traders, merchants, middle business owners, entrepreneurs and administrators.

Element: earth, representing stability, groundedness, material resourcefulness and support

Shudras (air)

Role: Shudras are the labouring class, responsible for service and entertainment-oriented roles that support the other three Varnas.

Qualities: they embody qualities such as humility, diligence, ability to work with routines and practicality. Shudras provide essential services and labour that facilitate the functioning of society.

Duties: Their activities involve performing various forms of labour, craftsmanship, maintenance and service work. They serve the needs of the other three Varnas and contribute to societal stability.

Occupations: common occupations include artisans, labourers, people involved in construction, service providers, craftsmen, actors, singers, people involved in beauty industry and arts.

Element: air, representing an easy-going and service-oriented attitude, communication and dexterity.

Conceptual Framework of Varna

The Varna system is often viewed through the lens of guna (qualities) and karma (action). Each Varna corresponds to different qualities:

Brahmins are associated with sattva (purity and knowledge).

Kshatriyas are linked to rajas (action and passion).

Vaishyas are connected with rajas as well but with a focus on material and economic pursuits.

Shudras embody tamas (inertia and stability) but are essential for societal functions.

The importance of Varnas from the astrological point of view

Understanding one's Varna is important to determine the general psychological portrait of a person when analyzing a chart. The predominance of certain elements can give insights into the temper and potential of a person that he or she can strengthen further or those elements he or she simply lacks. Especially it is beneficial knowledge when it comes to questions of changing or identifying the best suitable professional domains, societal occupations and in general, life trajectory. Quite often, individuals have mixed results meaning that they have a certain percentage of each or almost each element.

Typically, the prevailing Varna is calculated by analyzing the elements of the planets and planetary strengths. The more planets in a certain element a person has, the more predominant a certain Varna is.

In short, Brahmins are Jupiter and Venus;

Ksatriyas are Sun and Mars;

Vaishyas are Moon and Mercury

Shudra is Saturn

Rahu and Ketu are not included in Varna calculation

Another reason to learn one's Varna

"...For twenty years a person is engaged in some activity, for example, reading Roman law, and on the twenty-first – suddenly it turns out that Roman law has nothing to do with it, that he does not even understand it and does not like it, but in fact he is a subtle gardener and burns with love for flowers. This happens, one must assume, from the imperfection of our social system, in which very often people get to their place only at the end of life." (с) Mikhail Bulgakov

DM me if you want to find your Varna, I will calculate for you and will give you personal recommendations

#vedic astrology #jyotish #varna #varnas #13lunarstar

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magumsilvarum · 11 months ago

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Spirits and their common uses and misconceptions

So today I wanted to talk about a few spirits which, not much is so far known of through literary writing, but more so through celestial knowledge. (each spirit will have its own section)

The Pythoness - many Christian and Judea religions view the pythoness spirit as a demon like spirit that is meant to steer one away from Gods path and imbue one with negative thoughts such as death and sickness through the mind, yet I've personally found and many civilizations prior and after that the story is not as such. In yogic practices there is a certain breathe and practice of the kundalini. Kundalini is the term for "a spiritual energy or life force located at the base of the spine", conceptualized as a coiled-up serpent. The practice of Kundalini yoga is supposed to arouse the sleeping Kundalini Shakti from its coiled base through the 6 chakras, and penetrate the 7th chakra, or crown. This allows for an open pathway as a connection to God, elevated spirits and the spirits of the afterlife, our ancestral spirits, within celestial planes. In buddhism giant serpents were seen as protectors of the dharma, the truth that liberates us, standing strong against any attack. Many psychics, seers, mediums, witches and tarot card readers tend to have a spirit who knows one of two things about divination, prophecy and esoteric knowledge, but the pythoness spirit is looked at more like the all seeing eye or the eye of ra and horus. In greek mythology Leto the great she-wolf was cursed to never give birth upon the land as Hera set her out to be cursed by her daughter and for Gaia to not allow her to give birth to her two children. Through Zeus' interference Leto was able to give birth to both Artemis and Apollo. Later Apollo went to go slay a Snake that had threatened Leto and therefore gained the ability to turn into a snake himself. He declared the island previously known as Pythos to be Delphi and as the God of prophecy later became a hub for those seeking answers from great oracles once a year, known as Pythias. These women were great prophets and witches alike that danced with fire and tamed snakes to dance along with them protecting the island from attacks and monsterous threats as to pay respect to Apollo. These were women and men of wild nature who allows there instincts to guide them through the understanding of the great divine. One with nature they became medicine workers, prophets, seers, musicians, dancers, pyromancers, snake charmers, witches and mages and dream weavers.

These great spirits are revered as a highly elevated court in spiritualist practices, sometimes just perceived as the spirits of tarot decks or oracular objects they are forgotten as being far too complex to be seen as just that. Through the force of light they bring great aid to those they are on spiritual journey's with, they rid of hexes, curses and spiritual illnesses. They guide through prophetic dreams, clairvoyancy, clairsentience, clairaudience and mediumship. They are capable of conjuring powerful spirits and the spirits of the dead (necromancy), as well as a straight line communication to God, gods and goddesses. They move through the celestial tides of the universe and bring forth great health, wealth, abundance, freedom and spiritual knowledge to those they favor. They are quite benevolent spirits who help bring in death or the spirit of change for the better and to rid old stubborn ways of the past. They are great teachers of dark and light magic. They aid in learning and music as well. Helping those with charisma and the ability to enchant and/or charm enemies and others alike. They have such affinity towards chocolates, gold, silver, wine, fire, candles, light, mirrors, divination tools, water, flowers and floral scents, perfumes, snakes and music. There number is 7 and their flower is the rose, particularly the white rose, but other colors are fine as well. They also enjoy sunflowers, as they venerated Apollo, and the Anise star. Their colors are Red, burgundy, gold, emerald green, white, silver, purple, and brown. Yet each is different and might prefer a royal blue for all we know each spirit is different to another so getting to know ones spiritual court is quite important. Stones like diamond, ruby, jade, emerald, citrine, labradorite and amethyst can be given to such spirit as well as Selenite and Amber each representing Artemis and Apollo. These spirits can sometimes be confused with a better known spirit Santa Martha la Dominadora. You may even have both within your spiritual court, but they two hold many similarities.

Prayer to the Pythoness

O Blessed Pythoness, I invoke your humble yet wild nature into my life, I give you thanks for the visions told and untold and for the sight to see my path clearly. May your connection to God and all living things be great and full of love and respect. May your tides of wisdom bring peace to the land and bestow upon me and my loved ones a blessed hand. Lady of the fire, imbue me with your holy flames may they burn away all evil done unto me by others or by my own hand. May your light charm those who seek no good into doing acts of kindness and greatness and may your soothing voice bring sweetness and riches to the land and seas. You the one who tamed the dragon and serpent to your gracious hand. Tame my enemies and bring good fortune to those in need. Help the world against devastation and may your great cobra bring forth the promise land. Lady of the land and sea, conjure your celestial winds to protect me and bring good news from the heavenly lands. Through the eye of the one who can see I plea to you humbly and in need. As it is. So mote it be. Amen

Say this prayer with Psalm 91 3x and Psalm 4 3x under the flame of a white(or yellow) light end with a Glory be. It will help receive divine messages through divination or prophetic dreams and help transmute negative energy and protect against evil eye.

Oracion a La Pitonisa

O Bendita Pitonisa, Yo invoco tu humilde y salvaje espiritu de naturaleza entre mi vida, te doy las gracias por los visiones contado y no contado y por la vista para ver mi camino claramente. Que tu conexión a Dios y a todas criaturas vivas sea lleno de gran amor y respeto. Que las olas de sabiduria traen paz a toda la tierra y otogar a mi y mis seres queridos tu mano bendicida. Mujer de los fuegos, envuelvame con tus llamas benditas que me liberan de cualquier maldad sea enviado por enemigos o que han nacido de mi propia mano. Que tu luz encandile a los que no buscan el bien y les transformas hacer actos de carino y grandeza y que tu voz encantadora trae dulcisimiento y riquezas a la tierra y los mares. Tu que haz vencido el serpiente y el dragon con tu mano graciosa. Ayuda al mundo contra la devastación y que tu tierra prometida sea traido por tu gran cobra. Mujer de la tierra y mar, protejame con los vientos celestiales y que traen buena noticias del cielo. A través del ojo del que puede ver te suplico humildemente y de necesidad. Como es. Asi sera. AMEN

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journeytothewestresearch · 1 year ago

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Peng Doesn't Like Farts

Fans of Lego Monkie Kid, as many of you may already know, Peng is based on an ancient monster king appearing in chapters 74 to 77 of Journey to the West (Xiyouji, 西遊記, 1592). In the end of his arc, he is trapped above the Buddha's throne and submits to Buddhism. But you may not know that this very same character appears in a later novel, The Complete Vernacular Biography of Yue Fei (Shuo Yue quanzhuan, 說岳全傳, 1684 CE; a.k.a. The Story of Yue Fei). Peng is exiled from paradise for ... and I'm not joking ... killing a stellar spirit for farting during the Buddha's sermon.

Chapter one of Yue Fei's biography reads:

Let’s talk about the Buddha Tathagata at the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Paradise. One day, he sat on a nine-level lotus throne, and the Four Great Bodhisattvas, the Eight Great Vajra Warriors, the five hundred Arhats, the three thousand Heavenly Kings, nuns and monks, male and female attendants, all of the heavenly sages who protect the Dharma, gathered to listen to his lecture on the Lotus Sutra. His words were like flowers and precious jewels raining from the heavens. But, at that time, a star-spirit, the Maiden Earth Bat, who had been listening to the lecture from beneath the lotus throne, couldn’t bear it any longer and unexpectedly let out a stinky fart. The Buddha was a great, merciful lord, so he didn’t mind even the slightest bit. But don’t sympathize with the Dharma protector above his head, the “Great Peng, the Golden-Winged King of Illumination,” whose eyes shone with golden light and whose back was a scene of auspiciousness. He became angry when he saw the nasty, filthy Maiden Earth Bat, and so he unfurled both his wings and dropped down to kill the spirit by pecking her on the head. The light-point of her soul shot out of the Great Thunderclap Monastery and went to the Lands of the East (China) in the world below to find a mother and reincarnate. She was reborn as a daughter of the Wang clan. She would later marry the Song Prime minister Qin Hui (1091-1155) and come to cruelly kill the righteous (i.e. Yue Fei) as a means to get revenge against today’s enemy. We will talk about this later. Let’s return to the Buddha, who saw what happened with his all-seeing eyes and exclaimed, “Good! Good! It turns out that this is an episode of karma (cause and effect).” Then he called the Great Peng bird to come closer and shouted, “You evil creature! You already took refuge in my teachings. How can you not follow the five precepts by daring to commit such a horrible crime? I don’t need you here; you will descend to the mortal world to pay off your (karmic) debt and wait until you have fulfilled your work. Once that is completed, only then will I allow you to return to the mountain to achieve the right fruit (Buddhist merit).” The Great Peng complied with the decree, flying out of the Great Thunderclap Monastery directly to the Lands of the East to be reincarnated. We will stop here (translation by me). 且說西方極樂世界大雷音寺我佛如來，一日端坐九品蓮臺，旁列著四大菩薩、八大金剛、五百羅漢、三千偈諦、比丘尼、比丘僧、優婆夷、優婆塞，共諸天護法聖眾，齊聽講說妙法真經。正說得天花亂墜、寶雨繽紛之際，不期有一位星官，乃是女土蝠，偶在蓮臺之下聽講，一時忍不住，撒出一個臭屁來。我佛原是個大慈大悲之主，毫不在意。不道惱了佛頂上頭一位護法神祗，名為大鵬金翅明王，眼射金光，背呈祥瑞，見那女土蝠污穢不潔，不覺大怒，展開雙翅落下來，望著女土蝠頭上，這一嘴就啄死了。那女土蝠一點靈光射出雷音寺，徑往東土認母投胎，在下界王門為女，後來嫁與秦檜為妻，殘害忠良，以報今日之讎。此是後話，按下不提。且說佛爺將慧眼一觀，口稱：「善哉，善哉！原來有此一段因果。」即喚大鵬鳥近前，喝道：「你這孽畜！既歸我教，怎不皈依五戒，輒敢如此行兇？我這裡用你不著，今將你降落紅塵，償還冤債，直待功成行滿，方許你歸山，再成正果。」大鵬鳥遵了法旨，飛出雷音寺，徑來東土投胎不表。

#Great Peng #Golden-Winged Peng #Peng #Great Roc #Journey to the West #JTTW #Sun Wukong #Monkey King #Lego Monkie Kid #LMK #Azure Lion #Demon Bull King #Yellow Tusk Elephant #Celestial realm #sworn brothrs #smelly farts #farts

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paapi · 2 months ago

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This little protector of my Dharma ✨

Bhagwan mujhe kuch de na de, lekin isse sabse zyada khushi, sampati aur healthy life de

#you know who you are #mutual gems 💎

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odaclan · 2 months ago

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Nobunaga and the "Dairokuten Maō faith"

This was described in a tourism website, so it might not be necessarily true. That being said, the article claimed that the reason why Nobunaga called himself the "Dairokuten Maō" was because he might be someone who is a participant of the Dairokuten Maō worship/faith.

To explain this a little: I once mentioned that the Dairokuten Maō is actually worshipped in some areas. There are various possible reasons, but one possible reason is that in non-Buddhist faiths, this "demon king" is viewed as a guardian.

As a demon, the Maō tempts people away from Buddhist enlightenment by worldly possessions. Gold and riches and lustful pleasure. Therefore, if someone doesn't believe in Buddhism, it would make sense for them to think that this is actually a good thing and perceive the Maō as some kind of god of prosperity instead.

Slightly related to the above, there were also some medieval texts linking the Dairokuten Maō to Amaterasu and/or other deities. I'm not sure if this is in any way relevant to the worship of the Maō, but it might be relevant to Nobunaga's actions.

This is a narrative that supposedly came from the Taiheiki (possibly a more modernised translation):

「イザナギ・イザナミの第一の御子神が、「この国の主と成て」伊勢に鎮座したとき、第六天魔王が現れた。魔王は、この日本の国に仏法が広まると力を失うという理由から、天照大神の働きを妨害しようとした。

そこで天照大神は、魔王に「私は仏・法・僧の三宝には近づかない」と誓った。魔王は怒りを鎮め、その血で契約書を書き、天照大神に手渡した。「世界が滅び去るまで天照大神の末裔をこの国の主とする。もし、天皇の命に従わず、国を乱し、人民を苦しめるものがあれば、魔王の眷属が必ず罰を与え、死をもって��いさせよう」

［太平記］

When Izanagi and Izanami's first deity offspring "became the ruler of this land" and settled down in Ise, the Dairokuten Maō appeared. Since he would lose his power if Buddhism spread throughout the land of Japan, the Maō attempted to interfere with Amaterasu Ōmikami's actions.

Therefore Amaterasu Ōmikami swore to the Maō, "I will not come near the Three Treasures of Buddhism; the Buddha, Dharma, and the monks". The Maō's anger was appeased, and he wrote a contract in his blood which he gave to Amaterasu Ōmikami. "Until the world perishes, the descendants of Amaterasu Ōmikami shall be the rulers of this land. Supposing that anyone disobeys the Emperor's order, disturbs the country, or causes suffering to the people, the Maō's kin and house will surely punish them and repay it with death."

Some articles I've seen claim that there are also similar narratives where the ones who made the deal with the Maō were Izanagi and Izanami instead. As they were the creator-gods, this version escalates the Maō's importance even further. Though, I haven't seen any quotes of the actual text of this version yet.

The Taiheiki is a classic that I would expect the samurai lords of Nobunaga's time are familiar with. The idea that Nobunaga called himself the Dairokuten Maō based on the above Taiheiki text would lend some credence to the theories saying that Nobunaga might have been aiming to abolish the shogunate to restore power to the emperor.

As seen above, the Maō proclaims to be the emperor's protector, and also someone who safeguards peace in the nation. Even if Nobunaga doesn't particularly worship the Maō, he might have been inspired to view himself as that "Maō's kin and house" who puts to death those who disturbs the nation in service to the emperor.

Edit: It slipped my mind a little when I was originally writing this, but the argument against this would be that at the time of the Enryakuji burning, the head abbot of the temple was actually the emperor's brother. Nobunaga's attack on Enryakuji can be perceived as slight against the imperial household.

On the other hand, you could also argue that the Maō's protection only extends to the sitting emperor. Therefore, if Nobunaga was acting based on the Maō's promise written in Taiheiki, attacking Enryakuji is not against that principle.

#oda nobunaga #dairokuten maou #dairokuten maoh #demon king of sixth heaven #demon king of the sixth heaven #japanese history #sengoku #sengoku period #sengoku era #samurai #warring states #warring states era #warring states period #theory #feudal japan

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mahayanapilgrim · 23 days ago

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Dagyab Rinpoche: Essence of the Buddha’s Teaching

Emptiness and dependent arising eliminate all faults.

What is the Essence of the Buddha’s Teaching?

A Doorway to a Precise Understanding in Forty Verses

by Loden Sherab Dagyab Rinpoche 2013

1. The Buddha is omniscient and teaches (accordingly).

That makes him unexcelled as Sage and Teacher.

To the Buddha, who sees dependent origination

And has given these teachings, I bow.

2. This tremendous leader of beings

Made clear the quintessential way of the Dharma,

Such as relativity and dependent origination –

As peerless refuge, I commend him a hundred times!

The essence of the Buddha’s intended meaning.

3. Through the dependent relationship between cause and effect,

And dependent designation, through these two modes,

All aspects of samsara and nirvana arise.

This is the discerning teaching he gave.

4. Causes and conditions can produce

Only corresponding results.

Without any dogma and without pressurizing others

He gave this freely accessible teaching.

This is how he taught.

5. By relying on the coordination

Of the two realities (1) as basis,

And the corresponding skillful means and wisdom as the path,

The fruitional two bodies (2) are attained. This is how he taught.

6. One who knows the (truth of) suffering

And abandons its cause, finds its true cessation.

In order to attain this, one travels the path.

These four truths are the quintessence of the teaching.

This is how he taught.

7. Since the taints are transient

They cannot produce everlasting suffering.

Even though there is no sin and punishment,

We have to experience the ripening of our karma.

This is how he taught.

One must liberate oneself

8. The result of the path is enlightenment.

It is not given to us by anyone else,

And no-one can claim it as a possession.

One must be one’s own protector.

This is how he taught.

9. One whose mind is patient, content,

Mindful, and helpful to others

Will become an ‘outstanding person’.

This is the foundation to protect ourselves.

This is how he taught.

10. By refraining from pride, envy,

Abuse and slander, etc.

One will always guard one’s sense perceptions.

Dharma is to watch one’s mind.

This is how he taught.

11. One who has not tamed their own mind

Has no chance to tame another’s mind.

We have to build up our own courage.

There is nothing else we can rely on.

This is how he taught.

How we can liberate ourselves:

and what is to be adopted and what discarded in Dharma (practice)

12. Since pursuing one’s own happiness is a mass of problems,

And all happiness comes from (seeking) others’ happiness,

By training oneself in love, compassion and constructive behavior,

One becomes an excellent person.

This is how he taught.

13. The view of dependent arising And nonviolent action, these two aspects,

Form the basis of Buddhadharma.

One who has gained inner certainty about that

Has understood the intention of the Buddha.

This is how he taught.

14. First by understanding dependent arising,

And based on that, the four seals of the Dharma,

And then accepting the Three Jewels as refuge,

One becomes a Buddhist. This is how he taught.

15. Emptiness and dependent arising

Eliminate all faults.

Therefore this is the refuge in the authentic teaching.

Through this the Buddha (as a teacher) and the Sangha (as an example)

Also become a refuge for those seeking liberation.

This is how he taught.

16. Without discernment, With blind faith just bowing, offering,

Reciting, praying, supplicating, and seeking blessings –

This is not the essential Dharma.

This is how he taught.

17. Out of love for one’s own religion, one should not try

To convert others by using power and material support.

Instead, one should appreciate others’ religions

And learn from them.

This is how he taught.

18. In order for many kinds of beings to live well together,

The religious traditions need to maintain a harmonious relationship.

They are supposed to maintain a pure view and learn from each other.

Religious people should give up everything harmful.

This is how he taught.

The Buddha’s teachings are always in tune with the way things are.

19. Although the Buddha’s teachings on the profound and vast Dharma

Were given like refined gold,

Still it is not just to be revered,

But rather to be investigated first and then put into practice.

This is how he taught.

20. In order to hear the Dharma,

you are not supposed to follow the external form of the teacher,

And consider everything they do as good.

One should abandon this illusory dance,

And rely only on authoritative (teachers).

This is how he taught.

21. Not to follow blind faith

But to acknowledge the reality of things as they are,

And make reason principal over scripture,

Is the way to enter the Buddhadharma.

This is how he taught.

22. When modern scientists investigate how

In the Buddhist teachings by utilizing an inner science

A system of mind is presented,

It should be praised as analysis of the teachings.

This is how he taught.

23. (Nevertheless) modern methods

orientate themselves towards external matter.

Therefore, their findings are preliminary and cannot refute

What is found in the most profound ancient scriptures

Of scholars and realized beings of India and Tibet.

This is how he taught.

24. (Investigating) the Buddha’s great scriptures

One should discern:

(1) Laws of nature (found) by means of (Buddhist) sciences;

(2) Systems of views and approaches that are connected to these laws;

(3) Practice of the inner Dharma.

This is how he taught.

What can be of benefit both to Buddhists and non-Buddhists

25. Those following the view and approach of (Buddhist) science

Investigate the objects of knowledge in great detail,

But they are not particularly concerned with spiritual practice.

Therefore all people without exception can make an effort in it.

This is how he taught.

26. Since the scriptures of (the ancient monastic university of) Nalanda

Are of benefit even for those without any religion,

Monks and nuns, lay persons, male and female,

Old and young, should all learn from them.

This is how he taught.

27. Those who think, out of personal confusion,

That they will be liberated although poor in learning,

Are claiming to belong to a (karmically) special group of persons;

Such arrogance gives rise to doubts.

This is how he taught.

28. By listening, reflecting and meditating in the correct order

On the word of the Buddha and its commentaries,

One learns and thereby gains liberation.

The necessity to proceed in this way is praised as the teaching.

This is how he taught.

It is necessary to align one’s behavior with the intention of the Buddha

29. Since buddhas and beings

Are equally helpful in attaining ‘the phenomena of buddhahood’,

Why be respectful (only) to the Buddhas

And not to beings? This is how he taught.

30. According to this teaching it is wrong,

When showing our respect to others,

To see males as superior to females and discriminate

By caste and origin. This is how he taught.

31. In Mahayana teaching ordained and lay persons, male and female,

Are the same in being able

To become enlightened, and in the Mantrayana precepts

One must not despise women, instead they are objects of respect.

This is how he taught.

32. What is considered to be religious behavior

Is often influenced by traditional customs.

This is to ignore the root and seek after the branches;

It is not the way to preserve the teaching.

This is how he taught.

33. There are no records whatsoever

that the seventeen panditas and siddhas (3) (of Nalanda) –

Used beating drums, sounding cymbals and wrathful offerings

To invoke gods and demons.

We should preserve the teachings flawlessly.

This is how he taught.

34. While expert scholars never end

Their explanations of provisional and definite meanings,

One should dwell free from concepts

In that protective tent that serves us as a refuge.

This is how he taught.

The need for artful skill in achieving both (self and others’) aims

35. In order to learn how the Buddha used skillful means

Without being partial, one should focus on

The six perfections (4) and the four ways to gather (students) (5)

According to the inclinations of (others).

This is how he taught.

36. One who, rather than using praise and encouragement

To generate a faithful and virtuous attitude, instead creates fear in others,

Should be seen as someone who teaches violence as religion.

So be careful.

This is how he taught.

37. It is best to achieve the two aims (for self and others)

By giving up all forms of coercion, now and in the long-term,

And by relying on the four immeasurables (6)

(7) And the four kinds of virtuous trainings (8).

This is how he taught.

38. One who wishes to benefit migrant beings

And strive extensively for the benefit of others,

Needs to know their background, and also what is harmful and what is beneficial for them.

It is important that one’s behavior is in accordance with the world.

This is how he taught.

Summary and a verse stemming from my faith

39. By applying intense continual effort

Combining the two accumulations, one will progress on the stages and paths.

One has (to practice) the Dharma sincerely

And continuously over the days, months and years.

This is how he taught.

40. From having filled my heart’s vessel

With the nectar of these infallible instructions,

With my faith gained through understanding,

Hundredfold blossoms opened in the lotus garden of my mind.

Colophon

This was a message, called ‘What is the Essence of the Buddha’s Teaching? A Doorway to a Precise Understanding in Forty Verses’

It is most valuable to search for the actual meaning of the Buddha’s teaching relying only on genuine reasoning. However, because of the influence of the customs of our own and foreign countries, of superstition, culture, tradition etc. which have been continually maintained, and also because additions have been made on many occasions by people who were just seeking their own advantage, for a long time different forms of leaves have obscured the actual fruit.

#buddha #buddhist #buddhism #dharma #sangha #mahayana #zen #milarepa #tibetan buddhism #thich nhat hanh #enlightenment spiritualawakening reincarnation tibetan siddhi yoga naga buddha #amitaba buddha #dewachen #sukhavati

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