A "roast" is a form of insult comedy, originating in American humor, in which specific individuals, the guests of honor, are subjected to jokes at their expense, followed by genuine praise and tributes.
The assumption is that the roastee can take the jokes in good humor and not as serious criticism or insult and so avoids offense as the audience vicariously relieves steam and tension by seeing the truth exposed in a nonthreatening manner.
The individual roastee is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment during the evening.
The host of the event is called the roastmaster, since it rhymes with and plays on the term toastmaster.
Anyone mocked in such a way is said to have been "roasted."
There is a parallel tradition in some countries in which the host of formal events, such as award ceremonies and annual dinners, is expected to good-naturedly mock the event's attendees. In some cases, this has caused controversy when the host is seen as being too insulting [1,2] or accurate. More
The Buddha did not have a "tomb" but rather various stupa mound sites that served as repositories of his cremation ashes and relics divided among the major rulers of his day.
Bones of the Buddha (S12, E6) premiered July 23, 2013 (NR) The mystery surrounding the bones [actually the cremation remains and relics or ÅarÄ«ra] of the Buddha dates back more than 100 years ago, when British colonial estate manager William Peppe set his workers to the task of digging up a mysterious "hill" (actually an ancient, buried stupa) in Northern India. Peppe had no idea what they would find a little more than 20 feet below the surface. They unearthed an astonishing discovery: a huge stone coffer, containing five reliquary jars (urns) and more than 1,000 separate jewels and gold and silver ornaments.
PBS is dedicating a full evening to the Buddha [in the summer of 2013], anchored by an intriguing new Secrets of the Dead episode called "Bones of the Buddha."
This documentary presents a convincing collection of evidence that suggests an amateur archeologist discovered a portion [1/8th] of the historical Buddha’s sacred relics more than a century ago.
Bones of the Buddha first aired Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 10:00-11:00 pm (ET) on PBS (check local listings).
Preceding Bones of the Buddha is a rebroadcast of The Buddha, acclaimed filmmaker David Grubin’s documentary about a royal [Central Asian] prince who fled the opulence of the palace more than 2,500 years ago.
Journeying on his quest for enlightenment for six years, he witnessed human suffering for the first time and had a great awakening, that eventually led to the establishing of a new religion, Buddhism.
American Buddhist Richard Gere narrates the two-hour film airing Tuesday July 23, 2023, 8:00-10:00 pm (ET) on PBS (check local listings).
The mystery surrounding the bones (cremation remains) of the Buddha dates back more than 100 years ago, when British colonial estate manager William (Willie) Peppe and his workers began digging at a mysterious hill in Northern India.
Peppe had no idea what they would find just a little more than 20 feet below ground. They unearthed a stupa that contained an astonishing discovery: a huge stone coffer, containing five reliquary jars full of
more than 1,000 separate jewels
carved semi-precious stones
gold and silver treasures
ash and bone fragments.
One of the jars bore a Sanskrit inscription which, when translated, stated the jar contained the remains of the historical Buddha himself.
Doubt and rumors of forgery have overshadowed this remarkable find, dividing Buddhist scholars for more than 100 years. Many believe the whole thing could be an elaborate hoax. Others insist the burial mound on Peppe’s estate is one of the final resting places of the leader of one of the world’s great religions, a [Scythian, Indo-Sakan] sage who died attained final-nirvana and passed away nearly 2,600 years ago.
For doubters, suspicion focuses on a key figure from the time, disgraced forgerer German archeologist Dr. Anton FĆ¼hrer.
Renowned historian Charles Allen sets out to solve this extraordinary mystery once and for all. Is the little-known monument in Northern India really the Buddha’s burial mound enshrining his relics in a coffer tomb? Is this find genuine? And if it is, who created it and when?
Allen begins his journey in England at the home of Neil Peppe, the grandson of William Peppe. From there he travels 4,000 miles to Birdpore House in India, built by the Peppe family in the 1840s.
The mysterious hill known as Piprahwa where the tomb was found sits on the northern edge of the Birdpore estate.
Allen traces Peppe’s steps to authenticate the find, uncovering how the discovery became shrouded in scandal and where the Piprahwa ashes and bones reside today.
But is the inscription on the jar stating “these are the relics of the Buddha – the Lord [Bhagwan]” genuine?
Allen meets with Prof. Harry Falk at Germany’s oldest institute of Indology, the world’s leading authority on ancient Indian languages, to authenticate the ancient Brahmi script.
Though Falk’s findings may finally clear William Peppe’s name and resolve the mystery surrounding his find, Allen must still unravel who built the mound and buried the remains of the Buddha with a treasure of artifacts 2,600 year ago.
Bones of the Buddha is an Icon Films Production for THIRTEEN in association with WNET, ARTE France, and National Geographic Channels. Executive producer for Icon Films is Harry Marshall. Executive in charge for WNET is Stephen Segaller. Executive producer for WNET is Steve Burns. Coordinating producer for WNET is Stephanie Carter.
Archaeologists uncover an untouched pyramid stuffed with treasure
What is buried in the sand?
Reports of archaeologists opening an untouched pyramid chamber overflowing with treasure have raced across social feeds, framed as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime discovery that rewrites Egyptian history.
When I trace those claims back to their sources, however, the story that emerges is less about a single sensational find and more about how modern audiences consume, amplify, and sometimes distort real archaeological work in Egypt’s pyramids.
Instead of a verified new pyramid packed with gold, the available evidence points to a swirl of older excavations, educational explainers, speculative commentary, and click‑driven headlines that have been stitched together into a viral narrative.
Understanding how that happened is essential if we want to separate genuine breakthroughs from unverified tales while still appreciating the very real wonders that Egyptian archaeology continues to reveal.
The ET Sumerian King's List of the Middle East - Worth more than gold in ancient times: jade
How a “sealed pyramid” story went viral
Which other pharaohs got a mask?
The core claim behind the viral posts is simple and cinematic: a 4,000‑year‑old pyramid, supposedly untouched since antiquity, is opened to reveal a chamber stacked with treasure and perfectly preserved artifacts.
That framing appears in multiple sensational write‑ups, including one widely shared piece describing a “sealed Egyptian pyramid” whose opening allegedly “shocked” archaeologists, language that is echoed in a similar narrative carried by a separate online news story.
Both accounts lean heavily on dramatic description, but neither provides the kind of concrete details that would normally accompany a major archaeological announcement, such as the pyramid’s precise designation, the lead excavation institution, or peer‑reviewed documentation. More
Alexander Clark, Morning Overview
via MSN, "Archaeologists uncover an untouched pyramid stuffed with treasure"
(WION) After 20 years of construction, the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum finally opens, but rather than showing the world all that this cultural marvel might contain, Zahi "Indian Jones" Hawass has succeeded in burying the truth about the construction of the pyramids and underworld caverns, hollows, caves, and cities. Once fired for all his cover ups and claims that modern Egyptians are related to the builders, now he goes unquestioned, likely due to corrupt leadership in a nation controlled by Israel, CIA, and USA.
(Encyclopaedia Brittanica) Diwali (Dipa-wali) is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism [not Buddhism], lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika.
(The corresponding dates on the Gregorian calendar usually fall on late October and November). The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. More
Los Angeles, California Diwali and Annakut Celebration
(BAPSChannel) Experience the lights, festivities, and joy of Diwali and Annakut at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on the outskirts of Los Angeles, For more details, visit: https://www.baps.org/News/2024/Diwali... #BAPS #BAPSDiwali #diwali #diwali2024 #festivaloflights #na50 #diwalicelebration #diwalifestival #losangeles
National Hispanic Heritage Month continues until the middle of October, as we approach Halloween, Samhain, and El Dia de Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). Many Southland Latinos fondly remember Armenian AM DJ Art Laboe.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (Spanish Mes nacional de la herencia hispana) is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture to the nation's achievements, culture, and history [1][2].
Bones of the Buddha is a documentary about the British excavation of one of the eight stupas (Buddhist burial mound and reliquary found in Piprahwa, now India, near the border with Nepal) where the historical Buddha's cremation remains (sarira or relics) were placed after the Buddha's final nirvana (parinibbana). More
Ranajit Pal's Non-Jonesian Indology and Alexander makes sense of the ancient history of proto-India and India and sheds light on the real motives of Alexander the Great in his Gedrosian expedition.
The discovery of treasure troves always makes for interesting stories. One such incident comes from Thailand, where workers found a massive collection of gold, silver, and bronze while digging a drainage system, states Popular Mechanics.
The workers were digging four feet below the famous reclining Buddha statue in the Wat Thammachak Sema Ram Temple complex in Northeastern Thailand when they came across the mind-blowing collection.
The community was stunned that the Buddha statue they had been venerating for years was lying on such a valuable treasure.
The crew spotted the treasure inside a container. In total, the collection had 33 ancient ornaments, made from gold, silver, and bronze, according to Thailand’s Fine Arts Department. There were several kinds of jewelry pieces inside the container, ranging from rings, earrings, to hoops.
Researchers believe that the ornaments were 1,300 years old, based on their designs. The style of the found jewelry was very similar to what was popular in the Dvaravati period, which lasted from the 6th to the 11th century in Thailand.
Researchers think that the collection could be offerings to the Buddha Shakyamuni, as the temple was massively popular during the Dvaravati period, according to Interesting Engineering.
The work on the jewelry pieces is clearly indicative of the exceptional artistic talent within the community back then. Similar collections have been spotted in places like Phu Khao Thong in Ranong Province and Tha Chana in Surat Thani.
This implies that in the past, there was an extensive network of cultural exchange throughout the Southeast Asian country. More
Somdatta Maity, Front Page Detectives via MSN.com, May 16, 2025; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Egyptologists discover NEW pharaoh's tomb after 100 years
(Dig It With Raven) Premiered Feb. 23, 2025: Here's some BREAKING ARCHEOLOGY NEWS! Egyptologists have found the first new tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh since King Tut (the disabled boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun).
Bright Insight tells Joe Rogan facts about Egypt - Stonecutters know Egypt was not pounded out
You heard that right! It’s the first pharaoh’s tomb to have been found in over a century. This is absolutely wild. This channel doesn’t do much news much, but I HAD to share this.
Any discovery of a pharaoh’s tomb is a big deal, but the last one was found so long ago, this is big news. It is the last undiscovered royal tomb of the 18th Egyptian dynasty, the husband of the legendary Queen Hatshepsut. That’s right. They’ve found King Thutmose II’s tomb.
My top archeology 101 book: amzn.to/2EcgVtQ. Some of these are affiliate links, which means purchases from these links may earn me a small commission, which really helps to support the channel. I am not promoting anything that I do not 100% recommend or would not use myself.
#ancientegypt #pharaoh #thutmoseII #tutankhamun #archaeologicaldiscoveries#archaeologicaldiscovery
Dig It With Raven, Feb. 23, 2025; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Ancient Civilizations: The advanced Aztec Empire | full history documentary
(Get.factual) April 17, 2024: Mexico City, known in ancient times as TenochtitlƔn, is the "Venice" of Mesoamerica with its canals and immense architecture far surpassing anything in Europe at the time.
The Aztecs: within a very short time they created a huge empire, the capital (today's Mexico City) of which as a metropolis, a perfectly organized floating garden city on the Mexican plateau.
At its head were kings who may have sacrificed humans to feed the demands of rapacious Reptilian "gods." This full history documentary tells the true story of the rapid rise and tragic demise of a unique people.
(Moving to Mexico) Nov. 28, 2024: BUCERĆAS. I moved to Mexico and I did not expect THIS. You, too, can make a difference! Support Casa de La Paz ("House of Peace") by donating today at CDELAPAZ.org/donate. Let's meet Alana, who began a new chapter of her life when she moved from Vancouver, BC, Canada, to BucerĆas, Nayarit, Mexican coast, in 2022. She opens up about her journey, sharing the surprises she encountered despite thorough research before making the move. Alana offers tips and advice for anyone considering a similar transition, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the local Latin and large foreign (tourist) community. She highlights volunteering as a powerful way to build connections, sharing her personal experience of joining Casa de La Paz after being inspired by this video: Two Expats Take on a Life-Changing Mi... My Mexico Survival kit: Stay cool: amzn.to/3V9V79R Stay connected: amzn.to/4gcVicW Prevent Dengue Fever: amzn.to/3ZclAF5 Hangover Cure: amzn.to/3BcXSR2.
The Buddha was born a Scythian (Shakyian, Saka) prince in the Indo-Scythian region of Sakastan (Gandhara, modern Afghanistan). See the work of maverick Indian historian Dr. Ranajit Pal, particularly his breakthrough work Alexander. In Proto-India (Magadha and other kingdoms), the Buddha was considered a "foreigner" because he was a Saka (Scythian, Shakya, Sakai) and treated as such, particularly much later by Sri Shankara who created a systematic "Hinduism" (Indus-ism) out of the ancient indigenously Indian Vedic (Indus Valley Civilization "knowledge books") and Brahminical (Brahmanism) traditions of the Brahmin priests.
These mysterious people, intrepid horsemen and women, have left a real desire for archeological discovery. From the 1st millennium BC onwards, the Scythians constituted a moving and formidable empire established in the vast Eurasian steppes.
The only traces they left us of their existence and significance are their graves: the kurgans (barrows, tumuli, cairns, tells, stupaslike the unimaginable Takht-e Rostam, Afghanistan).
In April 1999, a Franco-Italian and Kazakh scientific team announced the exceptional discovery in Kazakhstan of a 2,400-year-old Scythian tomb.
A true archeological treasure, the contents of the tomb reveal, among other things, 12 horses entirely harnessed in gold, whose precious adornment testifies to the social rank of the deceased, whom they accompany to their final resting place.
All the objects discovered are unique and shed new light on the life of the mysterious people of intrepid horsewomen and men. More
AWARDS: Youth Jury Prize, Researchers' Film Festival 2001, Nancy (France) Special Jury Mention, Filmobidos Festival, Obidos, Portugal - May 2001 Best Archaeological Film Award, Human Adventure Festival 2001, Castellana Grotte (Italy) Grand Jury Award, Nyon Archaeological Film Festival 2001 (Switzerland) Audience Award, Nyon Festival, Switzerland - March 2001 Bronze Medal, New York Film Festival 2001, (USA) Scientific Adventure Grand Prize, Scoop Festival 2000, Angers (France)
(Best Documentary) Feb. 8, 2024: RAJASTHAN
This land rich in history embodies all the magic of India. Located in the northwest of India, it is the ancestral land of the maharajas "great kings" and Rajputs (rajaputras) or "sons of kings." Let's meet inhabitants and travelers of this isolated state between plains and mountains in the most inhabited desert in the world.
Director: Laurent Cadoret. Original title: "Somewhere on Earth: Rajasthan"
The big blue supermoon outside, becoming full tomorrow night on Moonday, had us thinking about the Buddhist lunar observance day (uposatha).
It stands to reason and it used to be that the "fasting day" would be held on the Sunday closest to the full moon. (This month was different due to other events like the great benefactor's birthday, Sri Lanka Day, and an odd cultural ceremony).
Dancers from island of Sri Lanka
Rushing off at 8:00 am Sunday morning, with Alan Watts on the Buddhist Radio (KPFK 90.7 FM, Los Angeles), arriving at the temple after a crowd had gathered.
Everyone was dressed like an islander, reminiscent of Indian garb. The boys had their shirts off like MÄori warrior-trainees. The monks were sitting silently to the left of the giant Buddha statue.
Lunar observance Day, Aug. 2024
Eight girls and three boys were bowing to their parents then dancing in the style of kathak or tarian/saman to giant bongo drums as many looked on, including a multimillionaire guest donor, Dr. Walter Jayasinghe. This was the strangest all-day meditation retreat ever. When everyone broke for lunch, it became clear that the lunar observance was last week. This was a Sri Lankan cultural event from an academy Dr. J set up nine years ago.
This is the Rains Retreat ("Lent") period, so every Sunday at 5:00 pm there are two Dharma talks, one in English in the Dhamma Classroom and one in Sinhalese in the main hall. Today's topic was the cultivation of loving-kindness as a meditation subject. The discussion included chanting and culminated with delicious Sri Lankan island-cuisine on the patio. It is a giant center the size and feel of a small hospital.
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There is a parallel tradition in some countries in which the host of formal events, such as award ceremonies and annual dinners, is expected to good-naturedly mock the event's attendees. In some cases, this has caused controversy when the host is seen as being too insulting [1,2] or accurate. More
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