Showing posts with label bon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bon. Show all posts

Friday, 1 August 2014

Science and the Mysteries of TIBET (video)

Guru Rimpoche Padmasambhava, six fingered mystery figure in Tibetan Buddhism (wiki)
 
Wisdom Teachings with David Wilcock: [#69] Science and the Mysteries of Tibet Video
Wisdom Teachings with David Wilcock (#69)
The transfiguration into a rainbow body of light has long been shunted to the realms of mystical experience and Eastern philosophy.

However, there are Western scientific concepts, which we have already learned about in previous episodes, to validate the reality of this ascension [transmogrification] process.


David Wilcock, who formerly existed as Edgar Cayce, begins to weave together the science and philosophy of the rainbow body transformation before presenting physical examples of Padmasambhava’s ascension in this presentation originally webcast July 7, 2014.  
[#3] Beyond Cosmic Consciousness - Part 1  Video
Beyond Cosmic Consciousness - Part 1 (Season 1, Episode 3) Wilcock explains how to connect with the galactic center in order to boost our psychic abilities, the positive impact of the "meditation effect" upon the world, and how light affects DNA. Discover how we can begin to...

Who is David Wilcock?
(Disclosure Truth TV, June 7, 2014) In "The Hidden Science of Lost Civilizations" David Wilcock exposes some of the greatest scientific secrets of our time -- from DNA transformation to multidimensional time -- to unlock the mysteries humankind have always struggled to answer: Who are we? How did we get here? And where are we going? 

[#1] Introduction to Source Field - Part 1  VideoIn his book The Synchronicity Key, he goes beyond this new understanding to investigate how our universe works. Using history and astrology, as well as new research into fractals, spiritual geometry, and quantum physics, Wilcock demonstrates that there is a hidden architecture within time which guides individuals and nations through a system of "enlightenment" (which Joseph Campbell called the "Hero's Journey" or Heroine's Journey, as we all go through it).

What is it? Historical events occur in shockingly precise and repeating cycles of time. And once the hidden laws governing our "fate" our destinies, which we influence all along the way, through seemingly random events Jung termed "synchronicities," are identified, we are left with a remarkable blueprint of how to lead our lives in an uncertain world.

Synchronicity is more than a happy accident. It is an effect of the connectivity of the universe. It is proof that everything is a part of a unified, connected whole.

It is an affirmation of life. Wilcock's understanding of the living fabric that binds the universe together is behind his knowledge of synchronicity, the Law of One, and how we are guided by it.

 
Synchronicity is a means to awaken us to our true identity, the thoughts we think, and the actions we take (karma) are being guided by hidden cycles that repeat, as our guide to this new world of knowledge explains.

http://www.gaiamtv.com/easy-signup
David Wilcock and Wynn Free co-authored the book The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce? in 2004. He is also the author of the 2011 book The Source Field Investigations, which debuted at No. 18 on the New York Times Best Sellers list on Sept. 11, 2011. His second book, The Synchronicity Key, debuted at No. 8 on the same list on Sept. 4, 2013.

Wilcock has appeared on several radio programs, including semi-regular appearances, and he had a role in the Syfy documentary "2012." He was a proponent of the theory that a large segment of humanity would undergo ascension in the year 2012. He also appeared in several episodes of the History Channel series "Ancient Aliens." Beginning in early 2013, he began hosting a weekly program entitled "Wisdom Teachings with David Wilcock" on Gaiam TV.

Friday, 11 July 2014

Obon means ghosts and remembering the dead

Ashley Wells, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Japanese-city.com; NHBT

I went into the sanctuary and could feel the ancestors around me (rpv-team/flickr).

What is Obon?
Animist, Buddhist, Pagan, and Catholic Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles may have the Day of the Dead (just after all ironic, nominal Christians celebrate Halloween).

But Japanese Buddhist and Shinto practitioners have much the same thing in this month's Obon Festival, which is being celebrated concurrently with the unrelated Lotus Festival and commencement of the annual Rains Retreat just a few miles apart.

Obon is an annual Buddhist event for commemorating one's ancestors. It is believed that each year during Obon, the ancestors' spirits return to this world in order to visit their relatives.
 
Traditionally, lanterns are hung in front of houses to guide the ancestors' spirits, Obon dances (bon odori) are performed, graves are visited, and food offerings are made at house altars and temples
 
At the end of Obon, floating lanterns are put into rivers, lakes and seas in order to guide the spirits back into their world. The customs followed vary strongly from region to region.

Obon is observed from the 13th to the 15th day of the 7th month of the year, which is July according to the solar calendar. However, since the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Obon is still observed in mid August in many regions of Japan, while it is observed in mid July in other regions. 
 
The Obon week in mid August is one of Japan's three major holiday seasons, accompanied by intensive domestic and international travel activities and increased accommodation rates. In recent years, travel activity in mid August.
  • Event Location: Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
  • 815 First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
  • Obon Festival + Bon Odori Schedule: http://bit.ly/bLkTf
Japanese Obon Festival and Bon Odori Schedule

    Thursday, 5 June 2014

    Life in Buddhist India, circa 1999 (video)

    Amber Larson, Wisdom Quarterly; Norton Simon Museum
    "In the Land of Snow" Buddhist Art of the Himalayas" (nortonsimon.org)


    A group of young Tibetan monks living in India's Himalayas find themselves torn between their spiritual pursuits and their love for soccer in the true-life comedy "The Cup." Soccer's World Cup fever had swept the globe, finding its way into a remote Buddhist monastery nestled in the Himalayas of northern India. While their teachers, elder lamas, try to keep the young monks focused on their studies, they will do just about anything to watch the final match.

    Even if that means finding a satellite dish and setting it up on top of their quiet hermitage. An inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades, and daring secret plots is all set against the rich traditions of Tibetan/Bhutanese Vajrayana Buddhism and art. (Rated G, Tibetan with English subtitles, showing tonight FREE at the Norton Simon Museum of Art, Pasadena, as part of the Himalayan Buddhism exhibit).
    • Date: Friday, June 06, 2014
    • Time: 7:00 pm - 8:40 pm
    • Director: Khyentse Norbu

    Friday, 25 April 2014

    Buddhist/Bon Sherpas of Mt. Everest (audio)

    Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; David Leveille (The World, pri.org)
    The mighty Himavanta/Himalayas (Raimond Klavins/artmif.lv/artmif/flickr.com)
    Buddhist and Bon family members of the Nepali mountain-guides lost in the Mt. Everest avalanche wait for the bodies of loved ones to arrive at Sherpa Monastery in Kathmandu on April 19, 2014. The avalanche was the deadliest in eight years (Navesh Chitraka/Reuters).

    .
    Pasang Y. Sherpa (Penn)
    The avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas last week may be a turning point in the history of Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) expeditions -- a time to reflect on the Western climbing culture and on the risks faced by the mountain's unsung heroes that make that culture possible, the Sherpas.
     
    The World asked Pasang Yangjee Sherpa, an anthropologist and lecturer at Penn State Univ., to answer some questions about Sherpa culture. She didn't have any immediate family or relatives killed in the avalanche but says the tragic accident "is something that is really sad for every Sherpa." We've lightly edited the interview for clarity.

    When you have Sherpa in your name, what does that indicate?
    Beyond Everest in Bhutan (Soultravelers3.com)
    It indicates that we belong to this ethnic group called Sherpas.

    The term Sherpa is often used synonymously with expedition workers, or porters, because historically those were the jobs that Sherpas did. But it kind of takes our attention away from who Sherpas really are and does not differentiate the ethnic group from the job.
     
    Buddhist Himalayas from K2 to Bhutan
    Sherpas currently live in different parts of the world, but the largest communities are in Nepal and the Everest region. And there are large communities of Sherpas living in [metropolitan] Kathmandu and New York City. 

    Why are Sherpas so skilled at mountaineering?
    We have been living in the mountains for a very long time, and that's where we come from, so we know the area. We know how to live and survive and adapt. But we need to understand that Sherpas do not climb mountains for a hobby or as a sport. They do so to earn money for themselves and their families so the families can have a better life.
     
    Buddhist novices of India behind the Himalayas, Ladakh (SylvainBrajeul/flickr.com)
     
    How do Sherpas generally view the Himalayan mountains?
    The devas' resort (kerdowney.com)
     The mountains are not just [inanimate] objects in front of them. The mountains are places where deities [devas and other shapeshifting creatures visible to shamans and mystics] reside.

    So we go to the mountains and we actually pray [do puja to honor them] and make sure the mountain [or the being associated with the mountain] is not upset, and we make sure the mountains are happy to allow Sherpas, or anyone, to climb.

    Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal
    Every time one of the expeditions goes up, the Sherpas do a pujah -- a ritual to appease the deity and to make sure everyone's happy and it's okay for them to climb. But this time, because so many lost their lives, this was seen as a sign by the Sherpas that their god[s are] not happy. They thought it was a good reason to stop climbing [and risking their lives] this year. 

    Does the worst accident in the history of Everest expeditions mark a turning point for Sherpas?
    My friends and I are hoping this will be a turning point. The cycle of people feeling pressured to go to the mountain, then getting injured or dying, then the families grieving -- I think this cycle has to end. We think this incident should be a turning point for everyone. And for the expedition workers, in particular. More
    South East European Film Festival, Los Angeles (seefilmla.org)
    L.A. Asian Film Festival 2014 (asianfilmfestla.org)

    A Himalayan pilgrimage (yatra): A Green Odyssey (padyatra.com)

      Monday, 21 April 2014

      Free College Night: Himalayan Buddhism

      Ashley Wells, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly; Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena
      Buddhist prayer flags flutter in the Himalayas (Bhakti Omwoods/facebook.com)


      College Night is an evening at the Museum just for college students. 

      Meet the curators, attend tours, and listen to gallery talks with exclusive behind-the-scenes information about favorite paintings and sculptures. 

      Learn about the 20-foot-tall Tibetan Buddhist silk thangka in the special exhibition In the Land of Snow: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas.

      Lamayuru gompa, Ladakh (DT)
      et inspired by the photography exhibition Face It: The Photographic Portrait, and then channel that inspiration as by drawing in the galleries and enjoying music, food, and drinks with fellow art lovers in the Museum’s sculpture garden.

      Students receive 25% off all food for sale in the Garden Café. Visit the Norton Simon College Night page for more information.
      • Friday, April 25, 2014, 7-9:00 pm
      • Open House, FREE with valid college I.D.
      • Registration recommended but not required

      Thursday, 10 April 2014

      Land of Snow: Buddhist art of the Himalayas

      Dhr. Seven and CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly; Norton Simon Museum of Art
      The world-famous Norton Simon Museum of [Buddhist] Art, Pasadena, California
      The road to the top of the world, be it K2 or Everest, is the path-of-practice (RTI/WQ)
         
      In the Land of Snow: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas
      Buddhist Goddess, 1450 Nepal (NS)
      This is the Norton Simon's first large-scale exhibition of Himalayan Buddhist art.

      It will bring together exceptional Indian [Ladakhi, Sikkim, HP], Nepalese, and Tibetan Buddhist sculptures along with significant thangka (wall hanging "flat field") paintings from throughout the Himalayan region from the Museum's permanent collection and generous loans.

      Himalayas (MickeySuman/flickr)
      One monumental thangka, which measures over 20 feet in height, depicts the "Buddha of the Future," Maitreya, flanked by the 8th [NOTE: We are currently at the 14th] Dalai Lama, Jamphel Gyatso, and his tutor, Yongtsin Yeshe Gyaltsen. This is only the second time this extraordinary painting has been on view at the Museum.

      The exhibit runs from March 28-August 25, 2014, but three related events begin tomorrow (see below).

      Himalayan Maitreya, the Buddha-to-come, Diskit, Ladakh, India (PaPa_KiLo/flickr.com)

       
      1. MANDALA MAKING (Family Art Night)
      Bhavacakra (thangka-mandala)
      Date: Friday, April 11, 2014, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm

      Mandalas are cosmic diagrams that help us understand how the universe is organized. Create a mandala of your world with yourself at the center, surrounded by the people and things that are important to you. Meets in Entrance Gallery (FREE with admission), designed for families with children ages 4–10. No reservations needed
      Maitreya thangka, Tibet 1793 (NS)
      Join a Norton Simon Museum educator for a one-hour tour of the exhibition "In the Land of Snow: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas." Meets in Entrance Gallery (FREE with admission). 

      3. LECTURE: Enter the Mandala: Cosmic Centers and Mental Maps in Himalayan Buddhism, Saturday, April 19, 2014
      Jeff Durham (Asian Art Museum of San Francisco) Mandalas are geometric maps of Vajrayana Buddhist visionary worlds. Appearing in both painting and sculpture, mandalas typically consist of nested squares and circles. These geometric forms define the center of the cosmos... 3:00-5:00 pm