What does it mean to be a "Mexican Buddhist"? Born and raised in Los Angeles, which is still in many ways Mexico just like it originally was, I went to visit my brother in Orange County. We had recently returned from skiing at Mammoth, where I would meditate in the snow for fun outside the sliding glass door. I didn't realize his young daughter would watch me. So as I'm talking to him in his very modern kitchen, she yells, "Tio! Tio, look!"
Alyssa's a Mexican Buddhist, too
I stick my head into the living room, where she is wearing a Peruvian cap with tassels seated in full lotus with perfect poise focused on her breath. "I've been practicing!" I didn't know what I was looking at. I thought I was the Mexican Buddhist (Chicano/a, Latin, Hispanic, whatever). Oh, to have had a phone camera in hand at that moment! In lieu of that, we've tried to reenact the moment with a mannequin.
Happy Mexican Independence Day (El Grito deDolores, "The Cry of Dolores [Hidalgo]," whose name literally means "pains"), which is NOT today. That's on Sept. 16th every year.
It's largely celebrated only in South Mexico, mostly in the state where an important act of colonial resistance took place. Here in Middle Mexico (Los Angeles, SoCal, extending from San Diego up to about Fresno), we celebrate the 4th of July after the 5th of May (lit., Cinco de Mayo) in much the same way. But they're not the same, and no one cares.
The Avian (Eagle) Bird People?
In the ongoing fight to resist European colonial occupation and exploitation, it's important to remember a "free and sovereign state" called Puebla in the United States of Mexico (Mexico's official name, Estados Unidos Mexicanos), is celebrating today. Is it the arrival of Buddhism? No, most Mexicans have no idea that la Dharma arrived in California, the Southwest, and Mexico in ancient times long before Christianity, Catholicism, or Columbus' aftermath the Conquistadors.
"Mexico" [a, b] is officially called the United Mexican States [c] and is a country in NORTH America, not south, not even central. But to distinguish it from its two other parts (the USA and Canada), it sometimes gets referred to as Mesoamerica.
It borders the USA to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the southeast, while having maritime boundaries with the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the southeast, and the Gulf of Mexico (which would seem to be part of the Atlantic Ocean) to the east.
Racism/colorism in Mexico?
Where did Mexico's racist "caste (casta) system" come from? Spain
Mexico covers 761,610 square miles (1,972,550 km2) [12] and is now the thirteenth-largest country in the world by land area, having had a giant portion of its land occupied and stolen by the USA.
With a population exceeding 130 million, Mexico is the tenth-most populous country in the world (possibly the largest country if its annexed land and population were restored) and is home to the largest number of native Spanish speakers [1].
Its religion would likely be Buddhism (due to the influence of early Buddhist missionaries from Afghanistan and China because the West Coast from BC to Mexico is the mysterious land Chinese Buddhist explorers found, wrote about, and named fUSAng), Indigenous shamanism (animism, polytheism), or Native American spirituality were it not for colonial imposition of imperial Roman Catholicism, which rode in on the back of the Virgin Mary and her local appearance as La Virgen de Guadalupe). The Buddhism that thrives there today is a recent arrival, likely unaware of earlier missionary work.
AI, what is Cinco de Mayo? - Let me explain, Gringo.
The Mexica speak Nahuatl
Mexico City is the capital and largest city, which ranks among the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. (Los Angeles, a Mexican pueblo and city for most of its history, is similarly large -- a megalopolis on par with its Asian twin Bangkok in Buddhist Thailand).
Mexico is also the northwesternmost country in Latin America.
The human presence in Mexico dates back to at least 8,000 BC. Mesoamerica, a great cradle of civilization, was home to numerous advanced societies, including the:
Aztec Mexica goddess: Queen Cali
Olmecs,
Maya,
Zapotecs,
Teotihuacan civilization,
Purépecha.
Spanish colonization overthrew and enslaved the dominant Aztec Empire (from Aztlan, possibly Atlantis or Great Tartary), establishing the Southwestern European colony of "New Spain" (full of soldiers and priests from the Iberian Peninsula) with its capital at Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City).
Mexico became a major center of the transatlantic economy, fueled by the massive mining of silver that changed the world economy and the forced labor of Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans [descendants of Afro-Caribbeans, Olmec-Africans, Black skinned indigenous peoples of the Americas and/or Polynesia?]
Who's the current imperial power around here?
The 1810–1821 Mexican War of Independence ended colonial Spanish rule and led to the creation of the First Mexican Empire, which quickly collapsed into the short-lived First Mexican Republic. In 1848, the new USA (an extension of British Empire) stole nearly half the territory of Mexico during what the U.S. calls the "Mexican–American War." More
Hindus [and Buddhists] in ancient America? Shocking discoveries in Grand Canyon
(Harry Sahota) July 23, 2024: Are Native Americans of Indian origin? If not, why is the American government scared to reveal the discovery of an underground city and advanced civilization in the Grand Canyon?
The Canyon's Egyptian names are just for fun
Episode 6, the "Lost Cities of the Ancient World," uncovers the incredible story of the Smithsonian's G.E. Kincaid and his mysterious find in the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
In 1909, G.E. Kincaid, an explorer working for the Smithsonian Museum, set out on a final expedition to explore the Grand Canyon.
After arriving and speaking with locals, he learned of hidden mysteries, treasures, and an underground city said to be full of Egyptian hieroglyphs and East Indian statues (the Buddha).
With rumors abounding that the U.S. government would soon restrict access to this entire area, Kincaid seized this last opportunity to investigate.
While navigating the Colorado River, Kincaid discovered strange sedimentary rocks and a hidden cave entrance high up from the shore. Entering, he found carved markings on the walls, indicating previous human habitation.
As he ventured deeper, he encountered passageways leading in various directions, with walls adorned with what seemed to be ancient language symbols.
Local tribes had mentioned a secret underground city, said to have been discovered by their ancestors. Fascinated, Kincaid continued exploring, finding over 100 rooms containing copper and clay utensils and weapons. Among the artifacts, he discovered a Buddha statue sitting cross-legged, holding a lotus or lily flower.
Realizing the enormity of his find, Kincaid sent artifacts and a letter to the Smithsonian Museum. The museum quickly dispatched Professor S.A. Jordan and a team of experts.
Jordan's team found evidence of a sophisticated society, including kitchen areas, large granaries, and dining rooms. They estimated that around 500 people once lived there.
As they delved more deeply, they found a cavernous hall full mummies, all male, possibly warriors. The resemblance of some artifacts to those of ancient Indian and Egyptian civilizations baffled the team.
Despite their efforts, their research remained incomplete due to dangerous areas within the cave.
Written records not good enough
News of the discovery leaked, leading to a lengthy article being published in the Arizona Gazette. The American government swiftly intervened, halting research, sealing off the area, and making it a restricted zone, which it remains.
Kincaid and Jordan were mysteriously disappeared, and the Smithsonian Museum denied any records of their existence or expeditions. This contradicted the local newspaper reports and local claims about the Smithsonian confiscating giant's skeleton found at the site.
In 2009, the Smithsonian dismissed the Arizona Gazette's article as make believe, but many believe the government is hiding something.
The area remains under restriction with no exploration allowed (as is the case with the majority of the Grand Canyon that requires permits to visit that are never granted, with debates and theories about the true nature of Kincaid's discovery continuing to this day.
What do you think about this story? Is it a fabrication, or is there something the U.S. government is hiding? Share comments.
Keywords: Grand Canyon, G.E. Kincaid, Smithsonian Museum, hidden cave, ancient civilization, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Indian statues, underground city, American government, Arizona Gazette, Professor S.A. Jordan, ancient mysteries, Lost Cities of the Ancient World, ancient history, conspiracy theories, ancient artifacts, mummies, restricted area, archaeological discovery, ancient languages, hidden treasures.
(HISTORY) These full-length episodes take a deep dive into some of North America's greatest secrets. This is an epic 3-hour full episode marathon of America Unearthed. See more in this marathon from America Unearthed. #AmericaUnearthed
America Unearthed, the History Channel, June 21, 2023; Xochitl, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Okay, Mexicans we get. But what is a Chicano/a? - It is a blend of American and Mexican.
In the Zocalo of Mexico City, el presidente waves the bandera and cries out, Viva Mexico!
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Mexicans are romantic Latino/as
Happy Cinco de Mayo (Spanish "5th of May"), an American holiday most celebrants think is the Mexican equivalent of the "4th of July." That day is actually the 16th of September, celebrated on the eve of.
The "Cry from Dolores" (Grito de Dolores) occurred in Dolores ("Pains"), Mexico, on September 16, 1810, when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang his church bell and gave the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence [from European colonial forces].
Isn't that right, young Mexicans at Sick NW?
The Cry of Dolores is most commonly known by the locals as El Grito de Independencia ("The Cry of Independence").
Every year on the eve of Independence Day, the president of Mexico reenacts the cry from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, while ringing the same bell Fr. Hidalgo used in 1810.
During a patriotic speech, the president calls out the names of the fallen heroes who died during the War of Independence and ends the speech by shouting Viva Mexico! ("Long live Mexico!") three times followed by the Mexican National Anthem. More: Cry of Dolores
How shall we celebrate? - Let's eat! We'll have the vegan gluten-free Mexican Buddha Bowl
Real Americans (of the Americas) know Spanish
Looks delicious!
It's good to bear in mind when attempting to learn or speak Spanish that Spanish is NOT the indigenous language of Mexico or the Latin America. Spanish is a colonial European language from Europe's Iberian Peninsula used by Spain to take over, forge an empire, and dominate the "New World."
To think Spanish is the way to the heart of the culture is like imagining that learning "American" is the way to get to know the US of A. There are many languages the U.S., the tongues of immigrants, with many more dialects and accents.
Fortunately, we have a standardized English so that newscasts from around the country are mutually intelligible. But try speaking New Yorkese in the South, and you're in for a surprise or that stuck up Nor'easter Harvard Square jabber in laid back California and someone will hand you a decongestant (or laxative).
With enough time, these would all divide into unique languages. Originally, the First Nations had their own languages and it's unclear that there was a way for them all to communicate by verbal means. They managed but were not merged into an "empire" as we are today, with England and English on top.
Edward Vining's map (1885) of journey of Buddhist missionaries from Buddhist China and Afghanistan to California and Mexico, following coastline north all the way up then east and south down along the Pacific coast.
What does Mexico have to do with Buddhism? That's a good question. Buddhist missionaries arrived in Fusang (Mexico, California, and the Pacific coast) before either Catholic priests or Christian missionaries.
(Everything said about the Four Noble Truths is wrong and misleading, except for the fourth truth)
Retired government worker talks about the ancient Egyptians in America
Buddhist and Egyptian art were found in caves.
(Terry Carter) Nov. 16, 2018: Retired government worker talks, Kent Smith shares stories about evidence of ancient Egyptians in Utah and surrounding states of the US Southwest. Plans are being made for expeditions in these areas to find out the truth.
Forbidden History Revealed: The Egyptian Presence in the Americas and the Pacific Rim (the Great Smithsonian Cover-up) by Steve Quayle is an eyewitness account of the Smithsonian cover-up for forbidden archeology in the Americas and in the USA in particular. There were giants, treasures, other cultures, Buddhist monuments reminiscent of Indonesian and Cambodian stone carved marvels. This suggests that the great cultures of the past were aware of one another and had contact. There was overseas travel, and the USA (ancient fUSAng) was visited by Chinese () and Afghan (Gandharan) Buddhist missionaries, just as Edward P. Vining documented in 1885.
It was documented in writing.
All of this has been covered up the Smithsonian institution, which seems more dedicated to coverups and deception than revealing truths that would upset world history, Darwinism, medical and military technology, the existence of and human interaction with many extraterrestrial species or the Star People. Another interesting note is the name of this continent as America. If European occupiers and invaders had their way, the USA would be called Columbia after the titular goddess of the capital, DC (District of Columbia) and the many drawings and depictions of her in early American art. But some force kept it as "America," it is said, because that is what the reptilians called it for millennia (nothing to do with Amerigo Vespucci or map making), and they were not going to have it changed every time short-lived humans wanted to establish or change borders and political alliances.
(Dream Poet) Feb. 21, 2022: Chet the Dream Poet says, come anchor down for another vlog as we talk about a mysterious Egyptian temple that was found during the construction of the Norris Dam along the Clinch River in Tennessee.
The ancient Chinese traveled by boat clinging to the coast, going up toward Alaska and back down toward Mexico. They found a wondrous land that is now the West Coast of the USA and Mexico.
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Mexico became a major center of the transatlantic economy, fueled by the massive mining of silver that changed the world economy and the forced labor of Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans [descendants of Afro-Caribbeans, Olmec-Africans, Black skinned indigenous peoples of the Americas and/or Polynesia?]
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