Showing posts with label elephant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elephant. Show all posts

Monday, May 26, 2025

140K-y-o lost city found on bottom of ocean


A team of scientists has unearthed a concealed city beneath the ocean, potentially offering the first solid evidence of the mythical lost world.

Excavations revealed a Homo erectus skull, believed to be 140,000 years old, along with over 6,000 fossils from 36 species, such as Komodo dragons and elephants, in the Madura Strait off Indonesia.

Hypothetical sketch of monophylitic origin and diffusion of 12 varieties of men from Lemuria
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Sundaland fossils offer tangible proof.
Reported by the Daily Mail, these remnants were entombed under sediment in an area that was once part of Sundaland (Malesia), a massive Southeast Asian land bridge.
  • Hidden city built 140,000 years ago discovered at bottom of ocean (Osheen Yadav, May 24, 2025) Buried beneath the sea off the coast of Indonesia, scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could rewrite the story of human origins. The skull of Homo erectus, an ancient human ancestor, was discovered over 140,000 years after it was first buried, preserved beneath layers of silt and sand in the Madura Strait between the islands of Java [site of the world's largest excavated Buddhist temple known as Borobudur] and Madura. Experts say the site may be the first physical evidence of the lost world, a prehistoric landmass known as Sundaland that once connected Southeast Asia in a vast tropical plain. More: Daily Mail Online
Marks on some of the animal bones suggest early human hunting practices. The discoveries provide a window into the behaviors of our ancestors and their responses to shifting environments. More:

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

To save Los Angeles' elephants (sutra)

Elephants are especially social and wise animals

L.A. Zoo elephants' whereabouts a mystery amid relocation battle
(ABC7) May 21, 2025: Where are LA's elephants Billy and Tina? The Los Angeles Zoo's two remaining manacled/shackled Asian elephants appear to have been transferred in the dark while demonstrators let their guard down. abc7.com/post/activists...
  • UPDATE: The elephants have been secreted away overnight (May 21, 2025) and shipped via truck to the Tulsa Zoo rather than the animal sanctuary anti-animal-cruelty demonstrators were demanding.
  • Animals in Buddhism
  • To herald the coming birth of the Future Buddha, pregnant Queen Maya dreamed that she conceived of Prince Siddhartha when a white double tusker royal elephant entered her side: Queen Maya's Dream
  • In Buddhism, elephants get names like Parileyya and Girimekhala, usually after the woods in which they reside.
'Not another zoo': Critics want LA Zoo elephants moved to sanctuary
(TODAY) May 13, 2025: Elephants Billy and Tina, the last two Asian elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo, were set to be relocated to another animal prison at the Tulsa Zoo, but there is pushback from animal-loving demonstrators and critics online alleging, “They will suffer in an inhumane environment.” NBC’s Morgan Chesky reports for TODAY. #elephant #animals #zoo
Conscious elephants in Buddhism: The Full Moon Honey Offering Festival

Animal karma (deeds) also bear karmic results
The Honey-Offering Festival is a Buddhist religious ceremony that commemorates the service and sustenance provided by animals to the Buddha.

It was during the Buddha's tenth Rains Retreat (Vas or Vassa) in Parileyya Forest.

According to legend, during his retreat to solitude, a wild monkey brought an offering of a honeycomb to give to the Buddha to eat, as an elephant named Parileyya brought fruit and protected the Buddha from fierce animals in the forest.

The 31 Planes of Existence
When the Buddha accepted the gift of the honeycomb, the monkey became so overjoyed that he began to leap from tree to tree, and in his exuberance fell to his death due to his reckless jubilation. However, because of his generous gift, that monkey was immediately reborn on a celestial plane called the World of the Thirty-Three (Tavatimsa), the second of the six heavens in the Sensual Sphere (below many other heavens of the Fine Material Sphere and Immaterial Sphere).

Since these events are believed to have taken place on the day of the full moon, the occasion has come to be commemorated as Madhu Purnima, or “Honey Full Moon.” The festival is observed on the full moon of the tenth lunar month in Theravada Buddhist countries in South and Southeast Asia. More

Conscious elephant karma
The “Four Harmonious Friends,” Bhutan
The Commentaries (e.g., DhA.i.48ff.; iv.26 ff. UdA.250f.; see Thomas, op. cit., 117 n) say that the elephant's name was Pārileyya (also Pārileyyaka) and describe in vivid detail the manner in which the elephant looked after the Buddha, omitting nothing, even to the extent of finding hot water for his bath.

Later, when the Buddha's attendant Ananda came with many others to invite the Buddha to return to Sāvatthi, the elephant Pārileyyaka provided all of them with alms food. The Buddha agreed and returned.

But such was the attachment the elephant had formed toward the Buddha that he died of a broken heart when the Buddha left the forest.

However, as a result of all his good deeds (wholesome karma) toward these enlightened beings, he was immediately reborn as a deva (angel, offspring of the gods) in Tāvatimsa in a golden palace (vimana, mansion) said to be 30 leagues high, where he is now known as Pārileyyaka devaputta.

This elephant is also identified with the elephant in the Bhisa Jātaka (J.iv.314). Source
  • Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation) (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Monday, April 14, 2025

Series of earthquakes hits SoCal


Not all elephants get high. These smart animals followed their instincts to circle the wagons and protect the young of the herd in response to a natural temblor rocking the United Mexican States (Mexico) and former-Mexico (now calling itself the USA) north of the border in and around San Diego. Even the rockers rocking Coachella felt it, and they definitely were getting high.


Elephants form protective circle amid California earthquake
(TODAY) April 15, 2025: People across Southern California were jolted by a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in San Diego County Monday morning that was felt from Mexico to Los Angeles. Video from the San Diego Safari Zoo shows a herd of elephants instinctively forming a circle around their young to protect them from threats. NBC’s Liz Kreutz reports for TODAY.
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Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Psychedelic elephants: animals get high

The drunkard said, "They're here, they're there, pink elephants [are] everywhere!"
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Oh no, it's not just humans. Elephants and other animals SEEK out psychedelics. (Think of the magic mushroom-loving reindeer of the Arctic circle, who not only search for Amanita muscaria or Fly agaric hallucinogenic mushrooms in the snow but also lick "yellow" snow in the hopes that the reindeer responsible for the deposit found some, just as shamans filter the strong entheogenic compounds in magic mushrooms for their followers and patients). There are humans and animals in Nepal, Turkey, and the Hindu Kush region who feast on hallucinogenic "mad honey," derived from rhododendron (grayanotoxins) and other plants collected by bees.

Don't get high, Kids. Meditate to see visions.
Mushrooms, contrary to what many might think, are not plants. They are a whole different kingdom, the fungi studied by mycologists. But there are plenty of plants -- like the components of Ayahuasca of the Amazon Jungle/Rainforest, which is comprised of three plant pharmacy ingredients, strangely, not the same three -- that are entheogens. There is Syrian Rue, there are alkaloids galore in rainforests, and animals are looking:
  • Even in the Buddha's time, among the Sakas (Shakyas, Indo-Scythians), there was a "magical" entheogenic/psychedelic drug known in Vedic Sanskrit as soma (haoma in the Avestan language of the Indo-Iranians/Aryans west of ancient Jambudvipa). No one knows what exactly was in this concoction, but it seems to have included powerful local cannabiskumis, and the mysterious psychedelic known as blue lotus. Did wandering ascetics (sramanas, shamans) partake of it for divine visions or did warrior princes imbibe it for guidance and/or to go berserk in battle like Berserkers?
Hallucinogenic plants
Oh no, Dumbo, it's bad trip time! Set and setting!
Deep within the heart of Africa, a captivating spectacle unfolds — one that challenges our understanding of animal behavior and the natural world.

Elephants, the majestic titans of the savanna (grasslands), have been observed engaging in a curious ritual: seeking out and consuming plants known for their psychoactive properties.

So that's why they stink so much: detoxing
[This is in addition to elephants' penchant to visit fallen fruit that has fermented and the ground (by the natural activity of yeasts and bacteria) and gorge themselves on it until they are as drunk as skunks, if skunks could get drunk, which they can if enough fruit falls on the ground to pique their interest or if Uncle Kelly leaves his glass of the "water of life" (Gaelic fuisce, whisky) out overnight after passing out and they come searching for Seamus the Dog's food bowl for freebies.]

This behavior, both fascinating and enigmatic, raises intriguing questions about the motivations and experiences of these gentle giants.

As we delve into this phenomenon, we uncover a tapestry of ecological interactions, evolutionary adaptations, and mysterious quests for altered states of consciousness. [Wow, suddenly AI started writing this intro for MSN?] Let's read on: The Psychedelic Elephants of Africa: How Some Animals Seek Out Hallucinogenic Plants

Does Wisdom Quarterly advocate (entheogenic) drug use?
Experimentation beyond science?
Certainly not. Drugs are bad and go against the fourth of the Five Precepts incumbents on Buddhists. If any thing (drug, food, behavior) occasions heedlessness (the violating of precepts or engaging in any of the Ten Courses of Unwholesome Conduct), it should and must be avoided and abstained from. Who in their right mind would take something that destroyed all one's virtue. One often hears of people who say, "I would never [fill in the blank with any bad thing]...unless I were drunk or high." Therefore, one should not get drunk or high because to do so is to engage in harmful karma that will come back to one, and it won't matter that one was high, as when drunk drivers get imprisoned just for driving drunk even though they didn't hit anyone yet. And when they do hit someone, it will not have been "on purpose" (with intention), so how can they be held liable? They can. They are. If one murders or steals while high, it does not matter to judges, juries, or the general public that the perpetrator excuses the behavior by saying, "Yeah, but I was high." Stay sober. Praise sobriety. Study plants:
Oh, much better, trippin' on reality
Get high on life or the ecstatic meditations (jhanas), with samadhi in mind, opening the third eye (dibba cakkhu), stimulating the pineal gland in natural and nonharmful ways. Try pranayama to alter consciousness in a way that does not destroy one. There's a fine line between character-building and soul-destroying (even though "soul" is not really the best word to use as it has misleading connotations) experiences. Drugs are a kind of Russian roulette. Find a shaman, a guide, a discipline before f'ing around and finding out. Will kids find out? Don't they always? It is an explorer's function to go on a quest. So let it be a spiritual quest of mind-expanding "soul" searching that brings about the end of suffering by heightening compassion and wisdom. That's what Wisdom Quarterly is saying. Read Dr. Ammon Hillman's The Chemical Muse to see just how long this has been going on in Western culture. Then read John Allegro's banned magic mushroom text about the real meaning of Christianity. Antihero Homer Simpson is the perfect example of what not to do, besotted on the couch being programmed by TV's hypnotic influence, accomplishing nothing.
  • DiscoverWildScience via MSN.com, April 8, 2025; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Woolly Mammoth MOUSE created


These mice might be the key to reviving woolly mammoths

This squeaker might be called Frankenmouse
A regular mouse sits near a genetically modified woolly mouse. The latter has been genetically modified to have the longer, golden hair, and fat stores of a woolly mammoth.

Who is responsible for this DNA monstrosity? Colossal Biosciences (colossal.com). We've all heard of the woolly mammoth. But how many have heard of the new woolly mouse?

This chimera was genetically modified by the Dallas-based biotech company Colossal to have the same "woolly" fur and fat appearance as the ancient elephants known as mammoths. Why would a corporation create a genetic chimera?

Let's CRISPR this mutation in and ask them how they feel about it.
The mouse, Colossal says, is a key step in the longer venture to de-extinct the original woolly mammoth. NPR's Rob Stein takes us to the Frankensteinian lab where it all happened. (Will it come with a GMO label if scientists decide to eat them?) More: Short Wave: NPR
  • VIDEO: Russians find woolly mammoth carcass with liquid blood (Associated Press) May 30, 2013: Russian researchers say they have discovered a perfectly preserved woolly mammoth carcass with liquid blood on a remote Arctic island, fueling hopes of cloning the Ice Age animal. Hopes of making it de-extinct are nothing new. [Blend this un-freezable blood with a DNA contribution from a well-mannered modern Asian elephant and shazam.]
  • AP, May 30, 2013; TIME News; The Project; NPR; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Friday, February 28, 2025

Stories: Urgency of spiritual practice


Motivational stories to calm the mind
(Buddhist Insights Journey) In today’s fast-paced world, finding peace can feel difficult. However, the timeless wisdom of the historical Buddha reminds us that true tranquility lies within. The "Buddha Story Motivational and Calm Your Mind" brings inspiring tales from the Buddha’s life, offering lessons to uplift, soothe, and guide toward inner peace. These stories help overcome challenges, reduce stress, and find harmony, showing that calm begins with the mind and has the power to transform life.
  • 00:00 Intro: Buddha motivational stories to calm the mind
  • 00:41 1. The Parable of the Burning House
  • 04:44 2. The Bamboo Grove and Patience
  • 09:21 3. The Story of the Lost Ox sound
  • 13:41 4. The Buddha and the Mirror
  • 17:28 5. The Parable of the Poisoned Honey
  • 21:44 6. The Fasting Monk and Compassion
  • 26:09 7. The Story of the Generous King
  • 30:08 8. The Monk and the Tree
  • 34:40 9. The Story of the Rich Man and His Wishes
  • 40:43 10. Story of the Buddha and the Beggar
  • 44:32 11. The Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant
  • 47:46 12. The Buddha and the Robe of Gratitude
  • 51:05 13. The Lesson of the Golden Fish
  • 55:46 14. The Serial Killer Angulimala who became a Saint
  • 01:04:03 15. The Buddha and the Broken Bowl
  • 01:07:03 16. The Parable of the Snake
  • 01:10:36 17. Story The Buddha and the Hungry Tigress
  • 01:14:30 18. The Farmer and His Troubles
  • 01:19:28 19. The Buddha and the Flower Sermon
  • 01:24:54 20. The Buddha and the Glass of Water
  • 01:28:11 Thanks for listening
Thanks for joining us on this journey through the wisdom of the Buddha. Found these stories inspiring and helpful in calming the mind? Remember to like this video and subscribe to the Buddhist Insights channel for more motivational content and spiritual guidance. Stay connected for more teachings that bring peace, clarity, and wisdom into daily life.

DISCLAIMER: The materials and the information available at this channel are intended for general and educational purposes only. All the videos, pictures, and music used in videos have a license that allows commercial use.

COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

#story #stories #buddhastory #buddhastories #storymotivational #calmyourmind #buddha #buddhist #buddhism #buddiststory #buddhistinsightsjourney #buddhistinsights #buddhastorytocalmyourmind #buddhastorymotivational #buddhastorymeditation #buddhastorymoral #buddhastorieswithmorals #buddhastoryforpeaceofmind #buddhiststoryonmindcontrol #buddhiststoryonmindset #storiesbuddha #storybuddist #storybuddha #wisdomstories #wisdomstory #buddhistinsights #buddhistinsightsjourney 
  • Buddhist Insights Journey, Nov. 28, 2024; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Mice problem? The "Buddhist Solution"

Editor-in-Chief Waylon Lewis (ElephantJournal.com); Shambhala Buddhist Community; Pfc. Sandoval, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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Why would you want to kill us? We're cute!
Mice are cute and smart and feeling and have families, but they poop and pee, shred and get into foods in our houses. So they have to go, but how?

Let’s avoid torturing, poisoning, killing, or freaking ’em out. No torture, no death, and NO cost.

Look, I’ve got mice all over my kitchen countertops and in my cabinets and even in my toaster. I'm doing this tonight:

Mice walk into tube, fall into can.
“This ingeniously simple mouse trap really works. Thank you!”

UPDATE: I’ve now caught four mice this week, three the first two days, and haven’t seen any traces of new mice activity around my kitchen or elsewhere.

They’re really cute and sentient [feeling] and freaked out. I kinda like ’em. I don’t get this whole attitude of “exterminate/poison my own house.” It’s expensive, it’s aggressive, it’s stupid, and it’s bad for ME, too. This is way easier.

This query was sent to the Shambhala Buddhist community:
  • If you have experience removing mice from your building in a sane and compassionate way, please send your thoughts. ~ Thank you, Noah
Many replies, many compassionate solutions
I just caught three mice the humane way for catch and release. (See below for photos).
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Need a monkey? Use a monkey trap.
Hi, Noah. If you can find where these little beings are entering your dwelling, you can block the entry with a spray foam product: "Great Stuff: Insulating Foam Sealant." You’ll need to reinforce the foam with some steel wool, however — otherwise they can chew their way back in. ~ Cheers, Mike

Dear Noah, et al., here at the Halifax Shambhala Centre, and also in my flat [apartment], we use the high-pitched frequency sound producers that plug into electrical outlets in all rooms. They are sold at hardware stores [about $20]. It takes about a month for them to move elsewhere, but the mice seem to hate it so much they do leave – and new ones just pass through very briefly. ~ Cheers, David

Mice are smart, kind, but reproduce too much
I’ve used cheap, simple Have a Heart-style traps I found on ebay.com by searching ‘mouse trap’… I put a little peanut butter inside, then let the mice go [catch here and release elsewhere] a few blocks away in a park. I haven’t had mice now for six months, and I used to have a ton of them, eating stuff on counters and pooping everywhere.

[Fear] And their poop is supposed to be awful. Some sort of disease is related to it. Would love to hear from others on what they’ve done, so I can share with our readers who want to be compassionate when it comes to this common problem. ~Yours, Way

Everyone, until we plugged in our high frequency sound repeller thing, we used the Have-a-Heart traps successfully. However, here in the Haight Ashbury [neighborhood of San Francisco] the mice prefer organic crumbly feta over organic crunchy peanut butter. (Your mice may vary). ~ Sean

I have used the “[ultra-high frequency] sound” [no sound to you] device also, but find a product called Shake Away which you can get online. This is an organic repellent of bobcat and fox urine. No odor to you. You place it in the holes they come in. Under conditions of snow and rain it is best sprinkled around the perimeter of the building. It works well and is not harmful to anyone.
I use the number online to order direct, which saves money for me but may be a moot point for you as you will have it shipped to Canada. Perhaps, in Canada there is a product made there. Humane collection of the urine is assured.

Make sure all food products or any other attractive mice materials are not available, i.e., good housekeeping practices. The shake away is not harmful to us or pets, and I have read the sound [device] does not harm pets or animals. I have one in my chicken coop with no effect on the birds. ~ Cheers, Merle

Concluding advice: I find marching around with a flute gets them to follow me and then I can lead them out the door. ~ Yours, Chris Easy. It's a free, humane method, and they don’t die of fright.

Cats are great, but not if you like mice/rats. (You know folks have rodents as pets. They’re smart, sweet, and can do as many tricks as dogs)… Cats also have issues with destroying birds if they’re outside, and they may not be fully happy living inside only, but that’s another question others will know more about.

Don't worry. You're about to be released into wild
Anyways, this is what I do: …paper towel roll or brown bag, peanut butter or something on one end, half off the counter over a (tall) trash can. They fall, get the peanut butter and something to hide in, you put the lid on, walk/bike/take them to nature/a park or put ’em outside as you would with humane traps, yay!

I have to do this somewhat regularly, but it keeps them out of the house for weeks on end and prevents them from making a mouse hotel in the basement or whatever. (They can’t settle in). They’re cute, so don’t kill ’em! ~ Metta

Bonus: From an expert: Creative Ways to Drive Out Mice. More ideas and photos: Ban Glue Traps: Here’s an Easy Alternative. via Imgur, Reddit: This f'ing ingeniously simple mouse trap really works. Thank you, Reddit! More

Compiled by Waylon Lewis, founder of Elephant Journal and how of Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis. He is a first-generation American Buddhist "Dharma Brat." Voted #1 in U.S.... BIO

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Sutra: Simile of Elephant's Footprint (MN 28)

 

Sutra Study: Middle Length Discourse, Simile of the Elephant's Footprint (MN 28) with American monk Abbot Bhante Suddhaso (Buddhist Insights @ Empty Cloud) Ven. Suddhaso translates MN 28 from the exclusively Buddhist language Pāli, while explaining the meaning of the discourse.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Graham Hancock finds Ark of the Covenant

Future Unity, March 28, 2023; Sheldon S., Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Graham Hancock finally found the Ark of the Covenant in this cave
(Future Unity) March 28, 2023. Welcome to Future Unity, which explores the fascinating world of science, technology, and the universe. From the inner workings of the human body to the outer reaches of space, it delves into the latest and most interesting discoveries that are shaping the world. Whether it's science or just looking for mind-blowing facts, FU has it covered. Join as it uncovers the mysteries of the world around us and discovers new frontiers in the fields of science and technology. Get ready for a journey that's educational and entertaining.

Disclaimer Fair Use: 1. The videos have no negative impact on the original works. 2. The videos made are used for educational purposes. 3. The videos are transformative in nature. 4. Only the audio component is used or tiny pieces of video footage only if it's necessary.

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Disclaimer: This channel is based on facts, rumors, and fiction. For copyright issues, contact: stienlemane2379(at)gmail.com

Friday, February 10, 2023

Pema Chodron quote when we don't feel right

Nicole Cameron (elephant journal, 1/11/23); Ananda (DBM), Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
You want to watch the Big Game rather than come with me to yoga class to get closer?
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Author Nicole Cameron (elephant journal)
Lately, I’ve had the sensation that I’m crawling out of my skin. It’s a constant state of discomfort -- of not being able to sit without feeling antsy.

[It's a feeling] of not being able to lay down without adjusting and readjusting, of feeling like there’s something I’m forgetting to do, of wanting things to feel “just right” but not being able to reach that imaginary point.

I’m not drowning in unhappiness, and I’m not facing major personal drama at the moment. In fact, things feel relatively calm on one level.
Listen to my podcast, Nicole! I'm Sahara Rose!
On another level, there’s a buzz of excitement…of plans and moments that I’m looking forward to. And still, my mind and body struggle to relax. I try to rest, to listen to meditations and will my mind to settle. I pray and light candles and sage [smudge] my space until I get scared I’m going to set the smoke detector off.

I move my body. I stretch and do yoga sun salutations. I dance salsa and swing my kettle bell. I breathe and bend and squat until it feels like my legs are begging for mercy. But that current of discomfort remains a quiet, nagging whisper.

Kendall is miserable when she gets anxious.
My anxiety likes to convince me that this feeling is proof that something is wrong or that if something isn’t wrong right now, it’s most certainly coming ― so I better be ready.
My stubbornness tells me that I just haven’t found the right cure, the right mix of self-care practices, that will allow me to chill the f*ck out. That maybe a different meditation or podcast or ritual will do the trick.

My optimism tells me that I just need to be more gracious, that I need to be outwardly thankful for all the good in my life. That if I can focus more on the positive, those antsy feelings will slowly disappear. 

American Buddhist nun Pema Chodron understands
My anger tells me that I’m holding something in that needs to burst out, that it’s time to take all my latent frustration out on whoever is closest, consequences be damned.

My rational mind tells me I need to call my therapist. The truth is that I could try all of these things and still feel like I want to bust out of my skin.

...Instead, I can be guided by these words from American Vajrayana Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön:

“We think that if we just meditated enough or jogged enough or ate perfect food, everything would be perfect. But from the point of view of someone who is awake, that’s death. Seeking security or perfection, rejoicing in feeling confirmed and whole, self-contained and comfortable, is some kind of death. It doesn’t have any fresh air. There’s no room for something to come in and interrupt all that. We are killing the moment by controlling our experience.”

As crappy as this feeling is, it is also proof of life ― of my life in this moment. It is my fresh air. More