| Monday, October 3, 2005 |  |
| Statues of Ancient Goddesses Discovered | 0 comments |
| 3 Oct 2005 @ 02:37 Statues of Ancient Goddesses Discovered By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS, Associated Press Writer Fri Sep 30, 2:58 PM ET The life-sized marble statues of two ancient Greek goddesses have emerged during excavations of a 5,000-year-old town on the island of Crete, archaeologists said Friday. The works, representing the goddesses Athena and Hera, date to between the second and fourth centuries — during the period of Roman rule in Greece — and originally decorated the Roman theater in the town of Gortyn, archaeologist Anna Micheli from the Italian School of Archaeology told The Associated Press. "They are in very good condition," she said, adding that the statue of Athena, goddess of wisdom, was complete, while Hera — long-suffering wife of Zeus, the philandering king of gods — was headless. "But we hope to find the head in the surrounding area," Micheli said. Standing six feet high with their bases, the works were discovered Tuesday by a team of Italian and Greek archaeologists excavating the ruined theater of Gortyn, about 27 miles south of Iraklion in central Crete. Micheli said the goddesses were toppled from their plinths by a powerful earthquake around A.D. 367 that destroyed the theater and much of the town. The statues fell off the stage, and were found just in front of their original position, she said. "This is one of the rare cases when such works are discovered in the building where they initially stood," she added. Hopes are high that other parts of the theater's sculptural decoration will emerge during future excavations. "Digging has stopped due to the finds, but we suspect there may be more statues in the area," she said. Gortyn, the Roman capital of Crete, was first inhabited around 3000 B.C., and was a flourishing Minoan town between 1600-1100 B.C. It prospered during classical and Roman times, and was destroyed by an Arab invasion in A.D. 824. Greek mythology has it that the town witnessed one of Zeus' many affairs — with the princess Europa whom the god, disguised as a bull, abducted from Lebanon. Europe was named after Europa, who conceived her first son with Zeus under a plane tree in Gortyn. The Italian School of Archaeology has been digging at the site since the early 20th century, in cooperation with Greek state archaeologists. So far, excavations have revealed fortifications, temples, baths, a stadium and an early church of St. Titus, who preached Christianity in Gortyn. |
| Wednesday, June 1, 2005 | |
| Sadhus | 4 comments |
| 1 Jun 2005 @ 05:24 Sadhus...reality of a different nature. More >  |
| Wednesday, October 15, 2003 | |
| Jesus In India | 0 comments |
| 15 Oct 2003 @ 13:11 Jesus In India By Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian THE FOUNDER OF THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM 1989 ISLAM INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION LTD Reproduced under the responsibility of RAM Service. Copyright © 1996 RAM Service Inc. All rights reserved. Jesus's escape from death on the cross and journey to India This is an English version of an Urdu treatise written by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908). The theme is the escape of Jesus from death on the cross, and his journey to India in search of the lost tribes of Israel. Christian as well as Muslim scriptures, and old medical and historical books including ancient Buddhist records, provide evidence about this journey. Jesus is shown to have reached Afghanistan, and to have met the Jews who had settled there after deliverance from the bondage of Nebuchadnezzar. From Afghanistan Jesus went on to Kashmir, where other Israelite tribes had settled. There he made his home, and there in time he died; his tomb has been found in Srinagar. |
| Thursday, July 10, 2003 | |
| A Black Week for Sea Turtles | 1 comment |
 10 Jul 2003 @ 14:53A Black Week for Sea Turtles By Pilar Franco The culinary traditions of Holy Week in predominantly Catholic Mexico are a threat to the survival of this millennia-old species. MEXICO CITY - Consumption of sea turtle meat and eggs reaches alarming levels during the Catholic Church calendar's Lenten season observed by the faithful in Mexico, who are adherents to questionable culinary traditions, say environmentalists. The number of turtles killed each year to supply the black market in Mexico and the United States reaches 35,000, poet Homero Aridjis, president of the environmental International Group of 100, told Tierramérica. Sea turtles are categorized in two families: Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae, and six genus: Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), black (Chelonia agassizi), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), green (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta). Until 1960, sea turtle exploitation in Mexico, one of the world's richest countries in terms of biodiversity, was limited to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean areas. But the rise in demand for the turtle's meat and eggs, and the production of luxury items made from its leather, shell and oil, contributed to pushing the species into the endangered category. The over-exploitation, especially of reproductive adults, the collection of eggs in nesting areas, the loss or degradation of critical habitat, and certain fishing practices are other major threats to the sea turtle's survival. For the second consecutive year, the Group of 100 and the U.S.-based Sea Turtle Conservation Network of the Californias carried out a campaign that included an appeal to Pope John Paul II to urge the Catholic faithful, in Mexico and elsewhere, not to eat turtle meat during Holy Week. Consumption of turtle meat reaches its peak during Lent, which is why "we appeal to the ecological conscience of the Vatican, because the Church hierarchy could contribute a great deal towards disseminating the notion of respect for animal life," said Aridjis. "If the Vatican would officially clarify to the Catholics who observe the period of abstinence (from consumption of beef, pork, poultry or lamb) that turtle is not fish, it would help protect an endangered species, one of extraordinary biological value," the poet-environmentalist explained. The campaign included announcements and public events in Mexico and in the U.S. states of Texas and California, where the communities of Mexican origin have taken their traditions -- including turtle meat, through smuggling, says Aridjis. The United States banned sea turtle hunting in 1973, and in Mexico a total ban on the capture and sales of these animals or their byproducts went into effect in 1990. But consumption of turtle meat and trade in its shell and leather continue, said the activist. Mexico is famous for its varied and sophisticated cuisine. The states of Jalisco, Campeche, Michoacán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Baja California and Chiapas -- each with its own culinary personality -- include among their typical dishes turtle soup and other preparations of turtle meat. Biologist Jorge Téllez López, of the University of Guadalajara, says the established turtle nesting areas in Mexico are vital for the survival of the species and must be protected, as should the sea turtle migration routes along the Pacific, Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. Conservation groups, scientific and education institutions are working in the field, taking the direct approach to protecting the sea turtle. Téllez López explained that temporary security fences are set up around nesting areas. Unearthed eggs are reburied and incubated under strict controls until the turtles hatch. More > |
| Monday, July 7, 2003 | |
| A Milestone in the History of Buddhism | 0 comments |
 7 Jul 2003 @ 13:30A Milestone in the History of Buddhism The Great Enlightener Golden Crown Dharma King Los Angeles, July 4, 2003 Buddhism began with Buddha Shakyamuni. The transmission of Buddhadharma, or the esoteric lineage, reached its first culmination with Bodhisattva Nagarjuna. Nagarjuna passed the esoteric lineage to Nagabodhi, Nagabodhi to Vajrabodhi, and Vajrabodhi to Amoghavajra. Amoghavajra passed the lineage to Huiguo in China. History records that the esoteric lineage went on to Japan and had became extinct in China. Today, most seekers of Dharma would either seek the teaching from the Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu or Gelug traditions of Tibet, or from the Shingon tradition of Japan. Who knew the true lineage of Buddhadharma, which is with the holder of Mahavairocana, from Nagarjuna to Amoghavajra, has continued in China as Hanmi Buddhism. In 1989, a discovery was made in the Heaven Chamber of the North Pagoda at Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province. They found sharira, or relics of the Buddha, sutra and tantra engraved in silver plates in Chinese, two Chinese Stupas of the Garbhadhatu (Womb Realm) and of the Vajradhatu (Diamond Realm), and the Stupa of the Five-Wisdom-Buddhas. Later, a Hanmi mandala was also discovered in the Earth Chamber of Famensi (Dharma Door Temple) at Fufeng County, Shanxi Province. Interestingly, Chaoyang's old name was Longcheng, which means the Dragon, and Fufeng, which means the Phoenix. Meeting of heaven and earth, dragon and phoenix, an auspicious sign in the East. These discoveries predict the revival of Hanmi -- the key lineage of Buddhism. A historical moment is gradually unfolding, like a sudden dawning of light, in the ancient East. Beijing, June 26, 2003. The Blue Jewel Crown Vajra Dharma King, H.H. the 19th Tilopa Rinpoche of the Kagyu tradition, personally delivered the Golden Crown to the residence of Dechan Jueren, the 49th Great Acharya, or Mahavairocana Tathagta Dharmaraja, which means the Great Enlightener Dharma King. The living Buddha Tilopa presented the Golden Crown and addressed Dechan Jueren as "The Great Enlightener the First Golden Crown Dharma King -- the 49th Great Acharya", and informed that the enthronement ceremony will take place on September 14 at Agui Vajra Temple in Inner Mongolia. Agui Temple, over a thousand years old, is a highly revered temple of the Nyingma tradition and is at a place where Padmasambhava had meditated. After thorough investigation and verification by the religious circle, many rinpoches, in their past life, were the students of the Great Dharma King. The Golden Crown is an offering from the 17th Karmapa, the 19th Tilopa and many rinpoches. The Golden Crown was deliver by special envoy from India to Hong Kong, where it was adored for seven days, and later under the protection of four Hong Kong police officers it was escorted to Beijing. There were about 100 living Buddhas, lamas and venerable monks receiving the arrival of the Golden Crown at the airport. The Golden Crown was escorted by everyone to Yonghe Gong (the Palace of Harmony) and was adored for three days. Finally, in the care of H.H. the 19th Tilopa, the Golden Crown was delivered to the residence of the Great Dharma King. Dharma King Dechan Jueren's lineage, thought to be extinct, has now been official recognized, meaning the word will spread and more of us will benifit from what Buddha brought to people of all faiths. For more information go to the Hanmi Introducty SlideShow at http://www.buddha-dharma.org or Dari Rulai |