RongzomFan

Its not the feminism I had a problem with. Its the constant putting down of Indian culture by people who always get basic facts wrong when you check their sources. Indian culture spread to Afghanistan, China, southeast Asia and even Japan while also transporting the 1st major Indian religion, Buddhism. As the center of this cultural empire we should get the same respect as the Roman Empire.

When I saw this quote, I knew it was written by a Westerner. And I was right.

What are you talking about? There are female goddesses in every Hindu temple with Brahmin priests.

I forgot to add that India has had female prime ministers. And this was a long time ago as well. Some western countries never even had female presidents yet.

You might be interested in Dr. Richard Carrier who has a PhD in Ancient History from Columbia. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=richard+carrier&filters=long&lclk=long

Man you are confusing me. I thought the quote was from the video.

http://www.amazon.com/Invading-Sacred-Analysis-Hinduism-Studies/dp/8129111829 This book documents that there is no basic fact checking in western scholarship on Hinduism.

It seems they are saying there are some patriarchies of different types. However besides the recent gang rapes and the male Brahmin priests, Indian hindu culture is matriarchal in my experience. There is a strong tradition in parts of India, where the bride keeps her family name. Compare that to the west, where you adopt the groom's family name. The mangalsutra has both families' gothrams on it. There are the female deities, which atleast traditionally were considered the highest deities.

I've seen that. I don't see how that's relevant to Indian religions.

What "dominant patriarchal culture" are you talking about?

Are you trying to make some point?

There were a couple of Upanishads that came before Buddha. But even these are based on the Sramana religion, which is the predecessor to Buddhism.

Regarding your Christ/Hebrew analogy. Yes, Hinduism is based on Buddhism. For example the Upanishads are based on Buddhist philosophy. The Yogas Sutras of Patanjali are based directly on Buddhist ideas. The royalty used to do pujas to idols of Buddha, before Shiva and Vishnu. You noted that Buddhism spread far and wide throughout Asia. This is because Buddhism was the major religion of India. So when Indian culture spread far and wide, it naturally took Buddhism with it.

I don't see them as light years apart. Whats so hard to understand?

Islam is a new religion dude. Mohammed lived around year 600.

Have you ever read, you know, like a reputable book? Instead of all this dubious crap?

As an Indian raised Hindu, I can assure you that you have no idea what you are talking about.

My understanding is that you just do whatever you practice during the day in the lucid dream state.

What the fuck are you talking about? Buddhism was the major religion of India for hundreds of years.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

What do you mean? Its called the practice of the night. Its a recognized practice.

Long before? Are we back to prehistory again? You are obviously not a historian.

I looked in John Keay's China history book, and he says Taoism is first century. I always thought he was excellent historian, so I'm going with that.

5000-7000 years ago is prehistory, so that can't be right.

Taoism is just a Chinese copy of Buddhism. This is obvious to anyone who has read Taoist texts. But if you want an academic reference, here you go: http://books.google.com/books?id=2HS1DOZ35EgC&pg=PA280&dq=Taoism+copy+of+buddhism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=THYeUay1BLOt0AH2o4DoDQ&ved=0CF4Q6AEwBzgK#v=onepage&q=Taoism%20copy%20of%20buddhism&f=false