What's the most mysterious mountain in world? Mt. Sumeru or Mt. Kailash?
(Motech) July 24, 2024: The Mount Kailash Mystery: To date, close to 7,000 different people have scaled Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world (unless that's K2). But there is one mountain thousands of meters shorter and not even in the Top 100 highest peaks in the world that no one has climbed and no one even dares to try to climb, not even the most experienced mountaineers. That mountain is Mount Kailash -- which has many features that suggest it may be the mythical "mountain" at the center of Buddhist cosmology, as well as that of Hindu and Jaincosmologies. The mountain is also central to the indigenous Bon shamanism of the Himalayan range. That mountain, the axis mundi, is Mt. Sumeru ("Good Mount Meru"). #kailash #mystery #mountain
Mount Meru (Sanskrit and Pali मेरु, "Mountain High") is also known as Mt. Sumeru, Sineru, or Mahā Meru.
It is the sacred mountain of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain cosmologies. It is considered to the center of all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes [1], [the axis mundi of a multiverse, which is not to say every multiverse in the omniverse].
This mysterious "mountain" (or magnetic lines of force extending out of the atmosphere and into space where the heavenly planes are physically located) is also mentioned in some scriptures of non-Dharmic religions such as Taoism, which was influenced by the arrival of Buddhism in China [2].
There is no clear identification of Mt. Sumeru with a particular geophysical location, but it is always located in the Himalayan or Aravalli ranges. Many famous Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples have been built as symbolic representations of this mountain.
Why is this one bead different than the others?
The "Sumeru Throne" (须弥座 xūmízuò) style base is a common feature of Chinese pagodas. The highest point (finial bud) on the pyatthat, a Burmese-style multi-tiered roof, represents Mount Meru.
THE NAMEmeru derives from Sanskrit and means "high." The proper name of the mountain is Meru (Sanskrit Meruparvata), with the prefix su-, resulting in the meaning "Excellent or Sublime Mount Meru" [3]. Meru is also the name of the central bead in a string of rosary beads or mālā [4].
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Motech, 7/24/24; Pat Macpherson, Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki edit Mount Meru
What is it with Thailand, the Apple Corporation, and Buddhist temples lately? First, abbot of the Dhammakaya temple said that former Apple CEO Steve Jobs is kickin’ it in the afterlife as a mid-level deva with his own celestial palace in space. Now a temple in Thailand’s Chom Phra district has decided that the Buddha carries around an iPad with him wherever he goes.
Ban Jabok-Ban Nong Leg temple in Thailand’s northeastern Surin province is now trying to send a message by making the Buddha hold an iPad in their next statue, says The Bangkok Post:
Traditionally, Phra Sivali, a pose of the Buddha, carries a walking stick, an umbrella, and a bowl, and is worshipped for those seeking love, luck, and prosperity.
But the one to be built by the temple will have one hand carrying the umbrella -- and the other one clutches one of the innovative bestsellers launched by the late Steve Jobs instead of the stick.
[WQ: This is quite incorrect. Venerable (Phra) Sivali
is not "a pose"; he was a famous enlightened Buddhist monk, now a popular
and powerful source of veneration because of his incredibly good karma and resultant good luck. He easily obtained all he wanted.
Many Thai good luck charms and amulets are based on him as a well known arahant. Theravada Buddhism
does not have many such prosperity figures, so Southeast Asia loves Great Sivali. Therefore, this entire Bangkok Post story is misleading: It will not be "the Buddha" holding a posh iPad, a modern symbol of abundance and cool, but Sivali.]
This might seem like an attention-grabbing gimmick, and maybe it kind of is. But the message the temple wants to send is good and forward-facing. They want to stress that monks need to embrace the technology of the modern world in getting their message across:
“Monks have to catch up with the changes and use those gadgets, such as the iPad, to lure the [younger] generation to the temple. Monks can use them to teach Dhamma to those who live their life with new communication technologies,” a temple spokesman said.
Apple CEO reborn in space? Seven Dharmachari and Amber Dorrian, Wisdom Quarterly (COMMENTARY)
Bright golden complexion of the Buddha entering nirvana, Thailand (Luped/flickr.com)
Would a Buddha statue carry an iPad? Yes, if... it were in Thailand. The Buddha himself, not so much. In his day he delighted in letting go of those things which are powerful sources of grasping and clinging in the world.
In his day he instructed his disciples in pursuing the joy and liberation that comes from letting go of impermanent, unsatisfactory, impersonal things and, moreover, the personal phenomena we cling to as ourselves. That can only be let go of through wisdom, as insight uproots what is otherwise impossible to drop.
But Thailand's massive lay meditation movement, known as Dhammakaya ("body of the Dharma"), is kidding about Steve Jobs in "heaven," right?
Buddhism is atheistic? No There is no all-producing creator God; there are many gods (brahmas), many of whom are creative and powerful. Buddhism is scientific? Maybe. It is certainly the spiritual tradition most consistent and amenable to science. Buddhism is nihilistic? No.
Unlike modern nerds who think or hope or fear everything ends at death, that's not what happens. Conventionally speaking, life carries on like nothing happened. Ultimately speaking, "we" are dying from moment to moment and do not need to wait for bodily collapse/death to start crying about it or feeling relieved.
"Everything (all conditioned phenomena) is hurtling towards destruction; work out your liberation with diligence," the historical Buddha is reputed to have said (Mahaparinibbana Sutra, DN 16). These were his last words before passing into final nirvana. The fully enlightened do not die, because"death" entails being reborn (as well as currently existing in some ultimate sense). But we do die, conventionally speaking. And Steve Jobs has. With the coming together of the aggregates, there is renewed-becoming an instant later.
And there are many worlds in space to be reborn in. "Space" (akasha) to the ancients was called "sky." That "celestial" world above is the endless blue that goes to black nightly. There are many levels superior to the human plane. It is not too difficult to be reborn into these worlds of devas ("shining ones"), which are increasingly more subtle and refined, brilliant and long-lived. The first two "heavens" are far more advanced technologically and closely related to this world. The proof, the scientific evidence?
They can be seen now before dying. Because the knowledge is filtered and kept from us does not mean it is concealed form all scientists. And when they become whistleblowers telling us what they've seen and worked on, the knowledge-filterers tell us they're bonkers and not to be listened to. There are two ways to see, internally and externally. The first is harder but more convincing; the second is tough but will leave one feeling bonkers.
(What is it? Get a job in a scientific field in academia or the private sector then get recruited to work on black budget project, top secret stuff. Go to Washington through underground highspeed trains through tunnels beneath this country and scattered around the planet, or to Area 51, or Dreamland, or the Skunkworks, or any other secret site).
The first is developing insight (vipassana) and wisdom (prajna). This does not come from studying and thinking, but from intensive serenity-concentration and mindfulness-contemplation. Good luck. It takes effort. So for everyone who would rather study, the texts are there. Drink deep, for a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
We won't like the answer we see; it's too much like the Christianity we laugh at as moronic and senseless. The truth is more mystic than systematic. But Buddhist practice is great for being systematic resulting in mysticism, rather than mysticism resulting in confusion.
All religious traditions teach something worthwhile. It is not their fault if we do not understand what they are trying to say. The shamans were right, the mystics were onto something. But how do we get from here to there? There's an eightfold path that lays out the basics. And there is a very detailed 37 Requisites of Enlightenment that lays bare all the Buddha taught as necessary for seeing and experiencing enlightenment in this very life.
Steve Jobs in a heaven (akasha deva world)? It could be, but we doubt it. After selling millions of human beings out to the monsters on the planet who would spy on everyone, control us, damage our DNA, entrance us, lull us into sleep, enslave us, wipe us out? If he was a man caught up in his work, obsessed with innovation, okay. Great.
But if he was a man who sold the world for earthly success and fame, then... It doesn't look good for him. A "bad" person can go toa heaven. Christianity understands this, but Christians don't. It is not by being forgiven or absolved for our karma. It is by being fortunate at the moment of passing from this life to the next, by having a skillful, useful, lovely act (deed, karma, intention, will, fruition, impulsion) come up for us.
That will be a lot easier to do if we begin to calm our minds/hearts now and store up many more beneficial acts than detrimental ones. Why do harm when it only comes back around to us to harm us? What did Jobs do? What else did he do? He surely did terrible things (just ask the FBI and CIA and NSA). But all his hands toting iProducts love him, too. Look, there's a Buddha statue holding one!
So if he did acts motivated by nongreed, nonhatred/fear, nondelusion, then he is quite possibly in a better place. These heavens are not permanent, but they are much longer-lived than this human realm. There are other human and human-like realms, too. Here is a simplification that sounds an awful lot like Christianity and even Islam, like what shamans see and rabbis teach. Rather than laugh, ask: In what way is this true, too? More (with insert photos explained for those activating Google Translate)
Sakka a "shining one" (deva) from space (akasha-loka), Nordic alien -- a Thor and Saint Michael figure from ancient India, Sumeria, and mythologies worldwide (SMW).
SPACE, Earth - Sakka [Magha of Macala], King of the near Earth orbit Devas (Devanam-Indo), is the world's most famous extraterrestrial Buddhist. As Indra, Indo, Maghavant, and "Saint Michael the Archangel" he appears in many forms across traditions including the Judeo-Christian Bible.
There he is referred to as "St. Michael," a "son of God" (devaputra) often confounded with primary godson Christ, who tossed Lucifer (Satan) out of heaven in Christian lore. It would be more correct to say that Christianity picked up the strand of this ancient pre-Buddhist tale, popularized by the Buddha who explained many aspects of it, and modified the story to retell legends of ancient wars in the heavens.
Sakka's Titles Because he is the "Lord" (Indo, sovereign) of Second Heaven (Tavatimsa, the Space Realm or Realm of the Thirty-Three) and because the 33 after which this world is named are lords there as well, Sakka is known as the "Lord of Lords," often literally and misleadingly translated as "king of the gods."
Because he is the "king" of First Heaven (Catumaharajika, the Realm of the Four Great Kings, spanning the quadrants of the cardinal directions) and because those regents are called kings (rajas), Sakka is also called the "King of Kings."
Because he is not a human, although he can assume human guise at will, but has left this world and been reborn among the devas (beings of light), he is a devaputra (literally, "Son of God"). This does not mean God had a son; it merely means that the word "god" is being used as a loose translation for deva, and putra (lit. "son") indicates birth among devas.
He is an "archangel," one reborn in heaven (sagga, the deva loka or "world of devas," any of numerous space worlds in Buddhist cosmology).
Celestial devas do not give birth. Rather, one appears "spontaneously" (fully formed without parents) in proximity to them by the workings of karma, more or less as their offspring, children, ruler, or in some cases servants. We are all potential devaputras, capable of being born among devas.
Catholic and Christian conceptions of wars in "heaven," rooted in biblical texts derived from ancient Sumerian lore, are not as preposterous as they first sound (turnbacktogod.com).
Vedic Brahmanism, the ancient Indus River Valley Civilization traditions inherited by Hinduism (created by Adi Shankara only a few centuries ago), called Sakka "Indra." He had other titles such as Indo and Maghavant, but only came to be called "Sakka" by the Buddha. He was at war in "heaven" (near Earth space) with the Titans (demonized Asuras).
The Buddha told us more about Indra/Sakka than was known before. Sakka appears in numerous sutras, with a whole section (the Sakka Samyutta consisting of 25 discourses) dedicated to stories about him. One of the most touching and educational is about HOW Sakka got to be Sakka.
Sakka famously asked questions of the Buddha and entered the first stage of enlightenment, stream entry, as a result (Sakkapañha Sutta). This weaves Buddhism into ancient Indian mythology/history but with innovations.
In Buddhism many names are stations in the world system more than individuals. There have been many Sakkas, many buddhas (enlightened rediscoverers and proclaimers of the Dharma), many maras (destroyers), and brahmas (creators), and others. The sutras speak mostly of those in "office" now, but mention is made of others in the past.
Chariots (vimanas) of the gods (devas) in ancient Asian conception, heavenly platforms capable of flight (Thailand-Delights.com)
In the past, Magha of Macala (also Maghavā, Maghavant) is called Archangel "Michael," the mythological figure famous in the West via Bible stories of his feats tossing Lucifer (Vepacitti, chief of the Asuras) out of "heaven" (Tavatimsa) because of his rebellious nature in the sight of the divine (Maha Brahma).
Magha's karma led to his rebirth as chief of the space shining ones (akasha-devas) in two worlds. The Buddha explained that the future Sakka had vowed to make merit by engaging in particularly good acts (karma, actions, deeds).
Sakka as St. Michael the Archangel subduing a Naga, a "dragon" or reptoid alien (catholictradition.org).
These are recorded by Buddhaghosa and Burlingame as seven lifelong vows, which having made him famous in the "heavens" are echoed in the Judeo-Christian Bible as being of preeminent importance to getting in up there, literally in advanced space worlds:
supporting mother and father
honoring elders
avoiding backbiting
living free of avarice, generous in renouncing (not clinging to but sharing) what is mine, with open hand, delighting liberality, attentive to requests for help, delighting in distributing alms
speaking the truth (honesty)
remaining free of anger
and, if anger should arise, quickly getting rid of it
Nearby space worlds "heavens" are not true paradises of glorious cherubim, seraphim, and Amazon warrior goddesses, but ETs have those elements
What does Sakka do now?
The nicest thing about lore regarding Sakka (St. Michael) is that as he defends two heavens, he also keeps a protective eye on humans.
There are space beings among us, light beings other traditions call "angels." Sakka rules in Second Heaven and oversees First Heaven of the 31 Planes of Existence.
There he has ordered the Four Great Sky Kings of the four directions and their UFO fleets (vimana craft) to keep an eye on the human world (D.ii.207f; iii.194f). These kings and their retinues are:
They report back their finding regarding our general moral state at regular bimonthly meetings in a spaceport called the Hall of Truth. Such concern with virtue and restraint (sila) is characteristic of anyone who attains the first stage of enlightenment, because such individuals recognize the supreme value of virtue, which leads to the mind collecting (and a serene heart), which makes liberating-insight possible. The truth -- as hard as it is to believe -- is what sets one free.
These kings are mentioned (D.ii.257f) as protectors of the Buddha and his followers (DhA.ii.146; iii.96) in the Atānātiya Sutra.
Indo-Island (the formerly Buddhist nation of Indonesia) was the site of this anomalous security cam footage of a light being descending to Earth (scottcwaring blog).
Sakka is, of course, a devoted follower, incapable of taking another teacher, having directly realized the Truth the Buddha made known. Sakka referred to Maha Moggallana as "brother" when the latter visited his Vejanta mansion in space and stirred partiers their to consider their transient enjoyments, the danger in craving, and their unsatisfactory life of luxury (Cula-tanha-sankhaya Sutra).
The Four Kings are recorders of the proceedings in the assemblies of the protective devas (D.ii.225). On the eighth day of the lunar half-month, they send council members into the human world to discover if humans are cultivating righteousness and virtue. On the 14th day they send their sons (putras), and on the 15th day they themselves appear in the world.
All of these visits having the same purpose: At the assembly of the devas, they submit their report to the lords of the Realm of the Thirty-Three, who rejoice or lament depending on whether humans prosper in virtue or not (A.i.142f.; more details at AA.i.376f).
The "World of the Four Great Kings": east, Dhatarattha, king of gandhabbas; south, Virulhaka, king of kumbhandas; west, Virupakkha, king of nagas; north, Vessuvana, king of yakkhas. Three Groups of Devas in this realm: BhummatthaDevas (earthbound demigods) who dwell in nature. Rukkhattha (tree-bound demigods) who reside in mansions above trees or are otherwise associated with trees [e.g., dryads]. AkasatthaDevas (space-bound demigods, who have vimanas, which are flying craft and other lofty platforms). The average lifespan is 500 celestial years (9,000,000 human years, 1 celestial day being 50 years). Source
The Four Great Kings (Catu-maha-rajika) appear to have been regarded as recorders of the happenings in the assemblies of the devas (D.ii.225). On the eighth day of the lunar half-month, they send their councillors out into the human world to discover if men cultivate righteousness and virtue.
On the 14th day they send their sons. On the 15th day they themselves appear in the world. All these visits have the same purpose. Thereafter, at the assembly of the devas, they report their findings to the devas of Tāvatimsa, who rejoice or lament according to whether humans prosper in virtue not (A.i.142f.; AA.i.376f).
These Four Great Rulers surpass the other inhabitants of their respective worlds in ten ways -- beauty, length of life, and so on -- because their merit is greater than that of the others there (A.iv.242).
Besides these Regent "Gods" and their followers, other types of beings dwell in these worlds: the Khiddāpadosikā, the Manopadosikā, the Sitavalāhakā, the Unhavalāhakā, and the devaputras ("sons of god") Candima and Suriya (VibhA.519; MNidA.108).
Life in the Cātummahārājikā world lasts, by human reckoning, ninety-thousand years (DA.ii.472, 647, but see Kvu.207). Beings are reborn there as a result of various wholesome acts (kusala) and confidence (saddha) which, however, are based on not very exalted motives (A.iv.60).
The Cātummahārājikā world is situated halfway up Mount Sineru -- or, as a sphere, a distance from the earth's surface equivalent to that height. Some of the devas of that world dwell on Sineru, others in the sky.
More on godlings, see Moulton: Zoroastrianism 22-7, 242.
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