Buddhist botany: What plant was 'Soma'?

The shamanic Fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) is used as a European entheogen.

(Rajada's World) "Soma: The Psychedelic Origins of Religious Experience"

Altered states of consciousness? The first ever monthly Universal Quest Salon (universalquest) was held on Sunday, August 23, 2015, in Conference Room 2 inside the India International Centre IIC). Founder, filmmaker, and inner-explorer (psychonaut) Raja Choudhury gave a talk and presentation followed by an open Socratic discussion in the company of Dr. Singh and friends, exploring how India's religions (and most religions of the world) have their origins in the psychedelic (entheogenic and sometimes hallucinogenic) experiences of shamans (priestesses and priests), seers, and mystics and how Soma became a sacred and integral part of Indian religious life even after its hallucinogenic use was abandoned with the evolution of advanced forms of Yoga and other inner-techniques.

Confusion and Denial: Historical Attempts to Identify the Soma Plant, Part 1

We can trade these worldwide

(On Paradise Earth) The exclusive use of poetic and metaphorical language to describe the soma-plant [the secret ingredient in the drink known as amrita or Greek ambrosia] in Vedic hymns is one of various explanations for the failure of modern linguists to ascertain the botanical identity of India's famous "plant of the gods [devas]."

Yet, related uses of symbolic and iconographic imagery in mythical literature during classical time periods provide additional evidence on which to base our general impressions of the plant itself, its habitat preferences, and the manners in which the plant was employed during libation ceremonies.

• Soma (a name for the moon deity, moon, and Monday) was also called the "elixir of life" [longevity, immortality = ionic (eternal now/timeless) life]."
• INGREDIENTS: Wasn't soma Afghani cannabis (ganja) steeped in fermented mare's milk (kumiss) with blue lotus (utpala)? No asafoetida. Add some Fly agaric or psilocybin and, pow, right to the moon, because these are forms of DMT (the Spirit Molecule in magic mushrooms)
• Isn't it strange that what we call "LSD" or "acid" is actually a mushroom (ergot fungus)? Now science distinguishes plants and fungi, but people do not. From ancient times, mushrooms were just very strange plants popping up. So might an ingredient have been contaminated rye or barley?
• Harvard doctor (Wm. Hurt) becomes obsessed with Altered States

Community of seekers (psychedelicsangha.org)

Scholarly efforts have yet to settle on an agreeable determination of the soma-plant's identity.

But many conjectures and hypotheses on the issue have been proposed over the last two centuries, with many specialists favoring the plant's identification as an Ephedra species from the arid steppes of Central Asia.

What do entheogens do to perception?

Nevertheless, from a strictly botanical perspective, most if not all previous proposals on soma's identity are questionable at best.

This video explores some of the latest hypotheses and considers their unlikely relevance to soma's enigmatic nature and identity.

[It surely had to include a strain or variety of cannabis, perhaps referring to more than one brew (elixir), the way ayahuasca is composed of different sets of ingredients that have the same effect so are all simply called ayahuasca, yage, caapi, or natema.]

• On Paradise Earth, April 13, 2023; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Graham Hancock: Buddhist cave temple

We agree. Humans did not build this. The devas ("shining ones," extraterrestrial visitors from two planes of existence up, from a world known as the World of the Thirty-Three or Tavatimsa deva loka) came down and used their space technology with human help and alien tools.

Scientists discover ancient Buddhist structure carved inside of a mountain that defies all logic

Ellora Caves Buddhist temple complex, India, Kailasanatha Temple 2 (Wiki)

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Map of the many Ellora Caves

(LifesBiggestQuestions) May 14, 2024: Prepare to be amazed. Scientists have stumbled upon an ancient Buddhist structure carved [laser cut] directly into a rock mountain that defies all logical explanation.

This mind-blowing discovery challenges our understanding of history and engineering. Let's delve into the mysteries surrounding this incredible Buddhist archeological site known as the Kailasa Temple in the Ellora Cave complex, exploring its intricate carvings, baffling architecture, and the theories about who built it and why.

• Ellora Caves, Kailasanatha Buddhist Temple, a wonder of Ancient India (Wondermondo)

Kailasanatha Temple, Ellora Cave complex, Maharashtra, India (Y. Shishido/wiki)

Rock cut Buddhist site, Kailasanatha Temple (Kunal Mukherjee/flickr.com/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Could this be evidence of a lost civilization [or extraterrestrial workmanship with advanced technology and rock-cutting or melting abilities]? Join LBQ as we unravel this extraordinary enigma.

Subscribe to Life's Biggest Questions: bit.ly/2evqECe. For business inquiries, please contact lifesbiggestquestion@gmail.com. #knowledge #technology #ancient #history #india #science #facts #grahamhancock #secret #lbq #lifesbiggestquestions.

• Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

How to make contact with space ETs (video)

How to communicate with extraterrestrials | Dr. Steven Greer, MD

(Michael Sandler's Inspire Nation) July 26, 2022. #StevenGreer #Extraterrestrial #InspireNation. Information about space aliens and UFOs (not UAPs) is hard to come by, with lots of questions and few answers...until now.

We have figured out a way to communicate with ETs. Want to speak with higher dimensional beings? Dr. Steven Greer, MD, knows how. Dr. Greer regularly communicates with these beings.

Dr. Greer is a leading UFO expert, founder of the Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence (CSETI), the Disclosure Project, the CE5 Contact app, and the creator of numerous extraterrestrial documentaries helping us find the truth about ETs.

There is a Guided Meditation so anyone can call in higher dimensional beings and ETs right now.

• ET Contact: Join Dr. Greer and the CE5 (close encounter of the fifth kind) team for the 3-day ET Contact, in person or via Webinar. Streamed LIVE (drstevengreer.info/ETCC)
• Check out the Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind documentary
• Visit: drstevengreer.info/ETCC and siriusdisclosure.com
• 🌟 FREE! Get a daily dose of high vibrational goodness: dailywoohoo.com
• ❤️Join YouTube membership for behind-the-scenes access ➡️ youtube.com/channel... 🌠 Join Michael's School of Mystics ➡️ inspirenationuniversity.c... ✍️ Automatic Writing 101 – Thurs, Feb 16th, 2023 👉Turn journaling into channeling ➡️ Reserve spot hinspirenationuniversity.c... and save 50 dollars
• #InspireNation #StevenGreer #Extraterrestrial #ExtraterrestrialContact

Hidden Holy Place in Buddhist mythology

Eds., Wisdom Quarterly; Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia (ChinaBuddhismEncyclopedia.com)

Shambhala has a sort of downward extension. It is a subterranean region known as Agharti or Agarttha, the “inaccessible.” This place, it seems, has a large population and spreads a long way underground.

The leader of Shambhala rules over Aghartha also. Lamas who spoke of him to travelers early in the 20th century described him as the "King of the World"... More

 

Bridget? No, Maria O.

Bridget Nielsen of Sedona talks about the civilizations that inhabit Middle Earth, which supports the hollow earth theory. In spiritual circles this is commonly known as the networks of Agartha, which are comprised of many underground crystal cities such as Telos inside Mt. Shasta.

The most compelling story was shared on Cosmic Disclosure hosted by David Wilcock (formerly Edgar Cayce in a past life).

Corey Goode shared his experience of meeting with these beings during his Inner Earth experience: spherebeingalliance.com. Source

(TUM) Explanation of Hollow Earth follows U.S.Admiral Byrd's interview.


Admiral Byrd revealed his experiences in a posthumously published diary. 

• VIDEO: Dr. Brooks Agnew's scientific view
• VIDEO: Top secret footage of Inner Earth
• VIDEO: Hopi Tunnels to Inner Earth
• Hollow Earth, Mt. Meru, Agartha, Himalayas 

Dolores Cannon: Past Life Regression and ETs

Janson Media, May 17, 2022; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Alien Chronicles (S1, E2): Dolores Cannon, space aliens, and UFOs

(Janson Media) Primarily known as a past life regression therapist, Dolores Cannon reveals her experiences as an extraterrestrial alien and U.F.O. investigator, citing compelling cases of alien abductions and communications with ETs:

• 

  The 31 Planes of Existence in Buddhism

  missing time (lost time that cannot be accounted for),
• the seeding of earth by space aliens,
• the extraterrestrial cover-up,
• crashed UFO cases,
• what the Greys truly are, and
• humankind's future on the New Earth

are but a few provocative topics Cannon discusses.

From the dawn of humankind, they have been here guiding us, monitoring us, perhaps helping us with our advancement but also manipulating us to some kind of end game. No, we are not alone and never have been. From the true stories of credible eyewitnesses, learn fascinating insights into the alien presence on Earth and what it may mean for humankind.

#TV #Aliens #UFOs #FullEpisode

Near Death Experience: We Never Really Die

Beyond Death, Aug. 5, 2022; Pat Macpherson, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Near Death Experience: We Never Really Die

(Beyond Death) Today's near-death experience (NDE) comes from Cynthia Y, who describes dying and meeting "God" and two angels (akasha devas or celestial "shining ones") on the other side. She also talks about what God told her before sending her back. Music: "Dreaming in 432Hz" by Unicorn Heads.

► Email your own NDE to narrate beyondthislife22@gmail.com

Full Moon July 13 🌕 5 Things to Know

Full Moon July 13 🌕 5 Things We Need to Know NOW

(Josie Grouse, streamed live on July 7, 2022) 5 Things You Need To Know About Full Moon July 13, 2022 This full moon is mega-powerful, as the number 13 is the magical lunar number. Download free ebook: “11:11 Angel Prayer Book. Powerful Prayers for All Occasions” at JosieGrouse.com SUBSCRIBE to the channel and SHARE loving kindness ❤️😇 New Popular Video: Spirit Caught on Camera...

• 5 Things We Should Never Do During Full Moon

Ajanta Buddhist Caves of India (video)

Madras Documentary Co, 9/16; Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit

British architect James Fergusson 1945 drawing of one rock cut chamber in Cave 19.

Ajanta: The History and Mystery

Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra state, India - In the midst of breathtaking beauty, surrounded by the magnificence of nature, Buddhist monastics or visitors from space (akasha-loka devas) must have devoted their lives to the Shakyamuni Buddha.

Stupa, columns, high ceilings all cut out of rock

He was their fully awakened teacher, and they spent their lives in quiet meditation and systematic contemplation, making a virtue of simplicity, soon becoming an integral part of the awe-inspiring environment.

It takes but a moment to enter these caves, to close one's eyes and conjure up the aura of all that has gone on here. Listen to the chanting monastics. Watch the murals and sculptures come alive under the magical fingers of gifted artisans. Feel the touch of Nature and brush up against the past.

It took the conviction of generations and efforts of centuries to create these caves. We owe it to unknown artists to study their works with the reverence they deserve.

Who, what, where, when, why?

Theravada monks pay homage inside (wiki).

(Wiki) The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments that are thought to date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.

The caves include exquisite paintings and rock-cut sculptures that are among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose, and form.

According to UNESCO the masterpieces of this world heritage site are Buddhist religious art that influenced the Indian art that followed.

The caves were built in two phases, the first phase starting around the 2nd century BCE, second phase around 400–650 CE, according to older accounts, or in a brief period of 460–480 CE. More

How to know the future ahead of time (video)

Ashley Wells and Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Spike (indra.com/8ball); Boomtown Rats

PegasusProject.net

Some people say there's no such thing as time travel. They say this while swiftly traveling into the future. Look at the "future." It's unfurling all around us. Sometimes the past reveals it's not over; it's still with us affecting things. Karma (personal "action" with the power to bring about subsequent fruits and results, phala and vipaka, in the future) is like that. There probably is no such thing as time in an objective sense. But there certainly is in a subjective sense. We're running out of time "Like Clockwork," according to Bob Geldof.

So we need to know this future we're heading into. Enter, the Magic 8-Ball. Thanks to Spike it's now digital for everyone's convenience. There are other ways to know: work with Dr. Bruce Goldberg, the hippest hypnotist around; stand next to future President Andrew D. Basiago, Esq.; get to know the devas (lit. "shining ones") on higher planes of existence where time is different enough that they can easily see our future coming, or meditate. Meditation reveals all, as we gain powers that make unseen devas (divinities, other-dimensionals) visible. Of course, we could just spin the Magic 8-Ball to divine the future while we're waiting.

How to achieve UFO disclosure: CE-5 (video)

Dr. Steven M. Greer, M.D. (ce5film.com, siriusdisclosure.com); Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

About the Film: CE-5

Become a part of history by supporting the crowdfunding campaign to create the most important documentary of our time, Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind: Contact. Consciousness. And the Human Future.

This film is intended to reach millions of people with the vision and knowledge of open contact with extraterrestrial civilizations that are awaiting humanity's peaceful response to their presence.

CE-5 (a "close encounter of the fifth kind") is how this interface can be explored to make human‐initiated, peaceful contact with ETs.

This movie explores:

• CE-5 contact techniques
• amazing evidence of contact with ETs
• consistent results of people doing CE-5 experience
• connection between consciousness and space, time and matter
• nature of consciousness as an unbounded field of awareness that transcends the limits of space, time, and matter — and yet is fully present in every point of space and time
• infinite field of consciousness is present within every awake, sentient being — human and ET
• how ET electromagnetic communications systems interface with our consciousness and coherent thoughts in such a way that any human with a peaceful, sincere intent can make contact NOW
• remote viewing — a way to view distant (non-local in time and space) events
• scientific evidence that proves that mind-consciousness is not limited to our bodies or brains
• consciousness is a seamless field of awareness that connects all times, places, and matter
• how 1% of the population meditating and making peaceful contact can cause a "phase transition" shift that transforms the entire planet and moves humanity onto a peaceful future that is interstellar
• go behind the "alien mask" of deceptive CIA events and phenomena
• how deceptive events are created by shadowy USAPs ("unacknowledged special access projects") in the military and intelligence communities that are designed to cause fear and division among humans regarding the ET presence.

Only the truth will set us free from the military-industrial intelligence complex's lies and deceit!

The deeper truth will be presented so that 1% of humanity — the critical mass needed to shift us — is reached. At that point, humanity and Earth will transform into a world of peace and enlightenment different from the world of today.

This is the ultimate disclosure event: millions of humans making CE-5 peaceful contact, manifesting so much intent and power that it overwhelms the suppression and deception that has kept UFOs and ETs secret for decades.

All of us uniting together can create a force of peace that shifts the destiny of humanity away from endless war, fear, greedy consumerism, and harmful destruction into a time of universal peace and enlightenment.

Become a part of history, and support this historic undertaking. The more funds raised, the more that can be done to create the best ground-breaking film possible.

The goal is to reach 75 million people — 1% of the earth’s population — to unite and create an enlightened future that is peaceful, conscious, and sustainable!

Join us today, and thank you for being part of CE-5. More + SUPPORT

Happy Mother's Day (sutra)

SuttaCentral.net edited by Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Crystal Quintero, Wisdom Quarterly

WARNING: There is implicit sexist bias in this discourse, so take it with a grain of salt.

.

With Nakula’s Mother on the "Lovable Gods"

The Buddha had two mothers.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the Land of the Bhaggas on Crocodile Hill, in the deer park at Bhesakaḷā’s Wood.

The housewife Nakula’s mother went up to the Buddha, bowed, and sat respectfully to one side. Then the Buddha said to her:

“Nakula’s mother, when females have eight qualities -- as their bodies break up after death -- they are reborn in company with the Devas of the Lovable Group. What are the eight qualities?

“Take the case of a female whose mother and father give her to a husband wanting what’s best for her, out of kindness and compassion. She would get up before him and go to bed after him, and be obliging, behaving nicely, and speaking politely.

 

I raised my sister's son for our husband.

“She honors, respects, esteems, and venerates those whom her husband respects, such as mother and father, as well as wandering ascetics and Brahmins. And when they arrive she provides them with a seat and water [with which to wash their feet].

“She’s skilled and tireless in her husband’s household duties, such as knitting and sewing. She understands how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work.

“She knows what work her husband’s domestic servants, employees, and workers have completed and what they’ve left incomplete. She knows who is sick, who is fit or unwell. She distributes to each a fair portion of various foods.

 

Buddha's biological mother shown as a sal tree dryad

“She ensures that any income her husband earns is guarded and protected, whether money, grain, silver, or gold. She does not overspend, steal, waste, or lose it. 

 

“She’s a lay follower who has gone for guidance to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha [the noble Sangha, who having been guided by the Buddha and Dharma have become enlightened].

 

“She’s ethical. She does not kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct [explained as having intercourse with the ten forbidden persons], lie, or use alcoholic drinks that cause negligence.

“She’s generous. She lives at home freed of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

When they have these eight qualities females -- when their bodies break up, after death -- are reborn in company with the Devas of the Lovable Group.

She would never look down on her husband,
who is always keen to work hard and
always looking after her,
bringing her whatever she wants.

A good woman never scolds her husband
with jealous words.
Being astute, she reveres
those respected by her husband.

She gets up early, works tirelessly,
and manages the domestic help.
She is lovable to her husband
and preserves family wealth.

A lady who fulfills these duties
according to her husband’s wish,
is reborn among the devas
called ‘Lovable’.”

QUESTIONS

Q: Wait, Buddhism has heaven?

A: No, Buddhism has heavens (sagga) of the akasha-deva-loka or celestial-shining ones-world, the many deva worlds and planes of existence reborn into by merit and good karma and by meditation and the stilling of the mind on a single object to the point of absorption (jhana, zen, dhyana, or chan).

Q: Buddh-ism is sexism?

A: Yes, well, it's not sexism but it has sexist elements added to it. It arose in very sexist societies -- or societies which used to be very openminded and inclusive and got torn up by invasions and conquering and became sexist, patriarchal, and regressive. But the Buddha and Buddha's teaching were not that way. And particularly in the West, our Buddhism will not be that way. It's back to basics and letting go of the cultural overlay...so we can add our own openminded overlay with our sensibilities. To think there is no sexism because there shouldn't be will disappoint when the texts or some teachers are regressive or chauvinistic or displaying the biases and prejudices of a given society where Buddhism took hold.

Q: Are there women in Buddhism?

A: Yes, and they love it. But with the treatment of females after the loss of the Buddhist Nuns' Order, not everyone loves it. We need equality. We need to bring back the magic, modernity, and really progressive things the Buddha taught.

Q: The Buddha had two mothers?

A: Yes, his biological mother (Maha Maya Devi) passed away a week after he was born and his mother's sister and King Suddhodana's other wife (Maha Prajapati Gotami Devi) raised him as her own from that day on. Maya had agreed to be reborn here, it is said, to give birth to the Bodhisattva ("Buddha-to-be"), so once that task was done, it was back to the Tusita world. The Buddha out of love for his mother taught her the Dharma in the Tavatimsa world so that she could benefit from what he had discovered in his last birth.

Disclosure: ETs, UFOs, free energy ("Sirius")

Dr. Steven Greer, MD (sdisclosure); Pat Macpherson, Ananda M., Wisdom Quarterly



FULL MOVIE FREE: Sirius

Native American legend of the Pleiades (video)

Medicinal Rock (video); Xochitl, Ashley Wells, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Indian Legends: The Pleiades (Ojibway, Okt-kwa-tah)

What is the Pleiades star system called the Seven Sisters, and what does it have to do with the Native Americans, the First Nations people of Quebec, Canada? Mohawk and Ojibway legends tell a story, a cautionary tale and creation myth.

The Sky's Gone Out: Full Eclipse 2017 (video)

GreatAmericanEclipse; Dhr. Seven, Crystal Quintero, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

(Bauhaus) Original Goth music "The Sky's Gone Out" from the classic album of the same name.*

A total solar eclipse is unlike anything else we see in our lives. As totality approaches on August 21st, we will see the astonishing sight of day turning to night and the Sun's corona ("crown") blazing in the sky.

The approaching spectacle is truly a great American eclipse because totality will sweep the nation from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Nearly everyone in the USA can reach a place to see a total solar eclipse within a day's drive.

Where can I see the full eclipse in the US?

An eclipse is a cosmic billiard shot -- the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up to reveal the Sun's "atmosphere," its corona. Eclipses on Earth occur only because of an amazing celestial coincidence [or because the space people, the akasha devas who placed our Moon exactly where it is had a reason for doing so. The God? No. "Intelligent" Design? Sort of.] More + VIDEO

 

What did the Buddha say about it?

Samudra manthan bas-relief at Cambodian Buddhist/Hindu temple Angkor Wat shows Vishnu (Kurma avatar), center, with titans (asuras) and devas on sides. See annotated version.

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(WQ) The many "gods," be they devas or brahmas, tampering and tinkering with this colony -- this "generation" and its many humanoid species and other creatures over the aeons -- vivified our planet. This is what histories and mythologies from India affirm. According to the Buddha, life on Earth began when... More
  
Buddhist mythology
Borrowed from ancient Vedic tradition; Wikipedia edit by Wisdom Quarterly

The Buddha is a wise teacher who knows.

The titan Rahu is mentioned explicitly in a pair of scriptures from the Samyutta Nikaya of the Pali canon.

In the Candima Sutra and the Suriya Sutra, Rahu attacks Suriya (the Sun deity) and Chandra (the Moon deity) before being compelled to release them by the recitation of a brief stanza conveying the deities' reverence for the Buddha.
 

The titan Rahu makes trouble in space (W).

The Buddha responds by enjoining Rahu to release them, which Rahu does rather than having his head spontaneously "split into seven pieces" (Suriya Sutra).

The verses recited by the two celestial deities and the Buddha have since been incorporated into Buddhist liturgy as protective verses (pirith or paritta) recited by Buddhist monastics as protective chants (Access to Insight, summary in the Devaputta-samyutta section).

• Great Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the Fields Medal, dies at the age of 40
• Outcaste Ram Nath Kovind is elected President of India
• Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese pr-democracy activist, political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dies at the age of 61

*Bauhaus: The Sky's Gone Out (full album)