1492: The Prequel
"The historical record makes clear, for example, that it was not some sudden impulse of extroversion that led to Zheng He's achievement. It grew, rather, out of a long sailing tradition. Chinese accounts suggest that in the fifth century, a Chinese monk sailed to a mysterious "far east country" that sounds very much like Mayan Mexico, and Mayan art at that time suddenly began to include Buddhist symbols. By the 13th century, Chinese ships regularly traveled to India and occasionally to East Africa"
20040727
my view on spirituality
on wednesday, and afterwards, i felt God is as close as my heart, not unlike Oyasama of Jodo Shinshu.
aftermath of a brain injury
On July 19, 2004 between the time of 3:15 AM and 3.30 AM I was assaulted on the job at a worksite, near where I live.
The area is notorious for being a drug haven and hooker stroll.
I will only refer to the worksite as "the bingo hall in a small strip mall."
As for myself, I am a security guard.
After being punched repeatedly in the head by a drug-craazed male, I fell unconscious. According to what I was told over the next two days in the Emergency Ward, I'd been rushed to the hospital by 3.40 AM.
Thanks to the Emergency Ward staff I regained consciousness within 3 hours. By July 23, I recovered full use of most of my senses to discover all the guy who beat me up wanted was the work cellphone my employer provides me.
A week later, here is what I repress: most of the memory of the assaulting me. He wanted my money, and threatened to kill me. Today, I just think of it with some puzzlement.
side effects of the concussion suffered at work:
headaches and dizziness.
aches in pain in legs and backside due to reduced walking.
Good news: physically I improved rapidly over the week I was in the hospital. As well, I was in denial about the extent of my injuries to prevent depression from overwhelming me.
Tomorrow I go for a CAT scan to see how well my brain's improved.
The area is notorious for being a drug haven and hooker stroll.
I will only refer to the worksite as "the bingo hall in a small strip mall."
As for myself, I am a security guard.
After being punched repeatedly in the head by a drug-craazed male, I fell unconscious. According to what I was told over the next two days in the Emergency Ward, I'd been rushed to the hospital by 3.40 AM.
Thanks to the Emergency Ward staff I regained consciousness within 3 hours. By July 23, I recovered full use of most of my senses to discover all the guy who beat me up wanted was the work cellphone my employer provides me.
A week later, here is what I repress: most of the memory of the assaulting me. He wanted my money, and threatened to kill me. Today, I just think of it with some puzzlement.
side effects of the concussion suffered at work:
headaches and dizziness.
aches in pain in legs and backside due to reduced walking.
Good news: physically I improved rapidly over the week I was in the hospital. As well, I was in denial about the extent of my injuries to prevent depression from overwhelming me.
Tomorrow I go for a CAT scan to see how well my brain's improved.
20040717
Entry of Mania
I am in a manic phase. Though I will be the most polite, most articulate, and thoughtful of others, in order to ensure the survival of others.
At the root of this, I confess, is absolute fear. Thus, fearlessness is empowered. For fear is my friend, my companion. Shemotivates me to choose survival of the group.
I agree with the world.
At the root of this, I confess, is absolute fear. Thus, fearlessness is empowered. For fear is my friend, my companion. Shemotivates me to choose survival of the group.
I agree with the world.
20040707
King Ashoka: His Edicts and his Times
After 2 years of warfare due to politics and intrigue by ministers of Taxila, during which an elder half-brother died, King Ashoka succeeded to the throne. After eight years of relative peace, during which time he was a harsh ruler, he made war on Kalinga.
Having seen all the horrors of that war, with sons and daughters made orphans, wives widow, and people suffering from the losses of war, Ashoka firmly resolved to renounce war and performed merit in the name of the Buddha. This included breaking apart old stupas containing the relics of the Buddha and redistributing them in new stupas throughout his kingdom. Throughout his kingdom. he also had royal proclamations written in stone for his subjects to read.
Eventually he begged for alms (food), and gifted the widow who gave the clothes off her back. Again, Ashoka gifted the poor elderly couple who sought to become slaves of a rich man for seven pieces of gold if they could not repay him in seven days.
Once called Ashoka the Fierce, King Ashoka became Ashoka the Righteous.
Links
In Asoka - gives a brief history of Ashoka and retells the popular tale about Ashoka making his pilgrimage to all the Buddhist holy sites.
The author, a Dutch Buddhist nun who joined a temple in Thailand, then mentions her pilgrimage to those same sites accompanied by her fellow Buddhist monks.
Having seen all the horrors of that war, with sons and daughters made orphans, wives widow, and people suffering from the losses of war, Ashoka firmly resolved to renounce war and performed merit in the name of the Buddha. This included breaking apart old stupas containing the relics of the Buddha and redistributing them in new stupas throughout his kingdom. Throughout his kingdom. he also had royal proclamations written in stone for his subjects to read.
Eventually he begged for alms (food), and gifted the widow who gave the clothes off her back. Again, Ashoka gifted the poor elderly couple who sought to become slaves of a rich man for seven pieces of gold if they could not repay him in seven days.
Once called Ashoka the Fierce, King Ashoka became Ashoka the Righteous.
Links
In Asoka - gives a brief history of Ashoka and retells the popular tale about Ashoka making his pilgrimage to all the Buddhist holy sites.
The author, a Dutch Buddhist nun who joined a temple in Thailand, then mentions her pilgrimage to those same sites accompanied by her fellow Buddhist monks.
20040703
Deep Listening Awakens Knowledge of the Self
What I know about myself:
when relaxed my sense of hearing is so acute it is possible for me to tell which direction one or two vehicles are coming from.
It is also possible to know what to say to people in an appropriate manner, politely and thinking from a heart filled with love and compassion.
It isn't stupid of me to be inappropriate - those rare times are when I am not centered in love and compassion.
This usually occurs when I am both tired and hungry.
One way of centering myself is to be willing to listen to others, to not impose my view on them, and thus to treat them civilly.
In this way love and compassion is expressed through deep listening.
when relaxed my sense of hearing is so acute it is possible for me to tell which direction one or two vehicles are coming from.
It is also possible to know what to say to people in an appropriate manner, politely and thinking from a heart filled with love and compassion.
It isn't stupid of me to be inappropriate - those rare times are when I am not centered in love and compassion.
This usually occurs when I am both tired and hungry.
One way of centering myself is to be willing to listen to others, to not impose my view on them, and thus to treat them civilly.
In this way love and compassion is expressed through deep listening.
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