Apech

splish splash

poodles

OK

stash

Hello!?

@ZYD Again thanks. The sword thing contrasts with Islam mostly but also the vigorous 'Hindu' rulers which emerged in Medieval India. However the main point about the debates is that they were politically motivated and illustrate that religion and politics don't combine well. Witness the behaviour of modern Buddhist states - not good generally. The sub-point is that from reading around this subject most of the critique aimed both outside Buddhism and between various sects in Buddhism is a critique of bad practice. Very often the targets practice and techniques are represented in a corrupt form (which may have been prevalent at the time of writing) and then 'defeated'. As I suggested above I have a half baked theory which may attribute features of the Mahayana and also the Yogacara school to the influence of China. Things flow in both directions.

Some interesting points made in this thread. I'm sure that Donald is right when he says that the impact of Buddhism on China was disruptive - almost as disruptive as the arrival of Western rationalism and Christianity + plus attendant technology and political ideologies. There are quite a lot of stories of Buddhist masters travelling to China from Tibet and debating/challenging/ overcoming Daoist priests - and my impression is that they are all about the political influence exerted by the Tibetans as spiritual advisors to various emperors. And though they may have occurred in some form or another i think they are unlikely to be as reported. There's a tendency to think of India's impact on China through Buddhism as being the main issue here - but having read a little on the history of Buddhism what is not included fully is China's impact on Buddhism. You have to remember that Buddhism in India was in slow decline from around the time of the Guptas (550 AD) until 1200/1300 when it had died out entirely. Even when Chinese Buddhists visited India in the 5th century they found it was in decline. At one period there were more Mahayanists in China than there were in India. While Buddhism was under attack in India from Islam and resurgent Hinduism (both quite aggressive) it went to China with no swords involved.

Han City 3 - Warring States United 0

Just to clarify a few things about Egypt and so on. The Papyrus of Ani is one example (18th Dynasty) of the Book of the Dead which was in use throughout the New Kingdom. The Coffin texts are Middle Kingdom and earlier - and even earlier are the Pyramid texts - the earliest of these being dated to 2350 BC. There are Middle Kingdom Tombs 'decorated' with the earlier Pyramid texts and also some of the Chapters of the Book of the Dead are more or less identical to some of the Coffin texts - and so it is fair to assume an unbroken tradition which lasts from at least 3000 BC to the Late Roman era. There is nothing in the Papyrus of Ani or any other Book of the Dead which describes a yoga-like system of exercises. This term Smai Tawi is most likely the phrase 'union of the two lands' which has its own symbol and meaning. The idea that it is a yoga-like system seems to come from modern Kemeticism which is a 20 century revival of traditional Egyptian religion founded by a woman who proclaimed herself high priestess. Make of that what you will. However - it is true that the Egyptians had the following: - a wrestling style martial art similar perhaps to Judo or Ju Jitsu - a set of exercises (there is even an illustration of people doing the full lotus which I cannot find to link to right now) - a set of channels in the body which were used for healing - use of dreaming for healing and divination - use of magic for healing etc. - shamanistic practices particularly related to death/after death states - understanding of energies (ka, sekhem etc) Yoga itself as a Sanskrit word is often thought to be Vedic in origin but there are reasons to trace its origin back to the Indus Valley Culture. This most ancient Indian culture was a contemporary of both Mesopotamia and Old Kingdom Egypt. There is evidence of trade between Indus Valley and Mesopotamia - and between Mesopotamia and Egypt - so its not a stretch to say that with trade goes cultural exchange between the three. It is most likely in my opinion that all these cultures and also the oldest Chinese cultures inherited a vastly older tradition which came from (at least) the Neolithic peoples which today we might call shamanism but in fact was much broader and incorporated all the practices which were later expressed through the 'civilisations' we are talking about. I can't prove this - but I can't see either how it could be otherwise. So if you are looking for a connection you might start way back

Thanks Jessup2 very interesting stuff. By the way what is a 'chirp wave?'

Hi everyone, I would like to resurrect the Interviews section with some fresh interviews - but first a few questions: 1 ) do people read the interviews? 2 ) do you find them interesting/useful? 3 ) is there anything that can be done to make them better? 4 ) do you have any suggestions on who we could invite to interview? Please leave answers below. Thanks everyone! Apech

We could play 'spot the dummy'.

Will you be wearing latex when I interview you?

I could interview you while drinking and smoking.

Perhaps, I wonder, from the look of her in that latex suit, if she is struggling with the concept of emptiness?

I might just be able to squeeze her in ...

Do you want this in General Discussion where it probably belongs?

By the way Chang here's a boring Buddhist for you ... https://tricycle.org/magazine/buddhist-life-damcho-dyson/?utm_source=Tricycle&utm_campaign=c7cd5ab392-Newsletter_12_18_17_NS&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1641abe55e-c7cd5ab392-307593213

Well thank you Chang. My position is that I think good interviews up the quality of content on DBs - but to collect a reasonable number of them would be some level and time and energy input which if people don't value them I would put into something else like a productive, creative hobby such as drinking or smoking. I'm not really bothered either way. And yes I would try to get some Buddhist interviews to reflect members interests - and no I will not interview Mo Pie Guy. If people just seek controversy that's their problem.

I'm slightly underwhelmed by the response to this. Do people want more interviews or is it meh.

flux knows what that is.

Three prostitutes

It is clearly vajrayana so not mo pai or nei dan. Not sure why you are asking.

ham-stir