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| Chariots of the Gods? |
_-_R_1_-_Area_di_Zurla_-_Nadro_(ph_Luca_Giarelli).jpg) |
| Antropomorfi detti astronauti, Area di Zurla, Nadro (ph Luca Giarelli) - Ancient astronauts |
(Eyewitness News ABC7NY) Young Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78 of lung issues, having overcome cancer.
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grateful. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Dead: Grateful Dead's Weir, 'Dilbert' creator
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
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| Mexican Barbie gets in on the holiday |
Today, Nov. 1, is Día de los Muertos. It’s a time when people celebrate the lives of those who've passed on -- a time to remember family members, close friends, pets, even strangers, perhaps all of humanity.
The Mexican American holiday holds a special place for many people as a way to grieve those who have died and keep their memory alive.
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| Catrina beauty contest winner in Los Angeles |
People usually celebrate with an ofrenda or offering altar that has photos of their loved ones, their favorite meals, orange marigolds, pan de muerto [bread for the dead, dead bread, soul cake offerings], sugar skull candies, and other items that have special meaning to those being remembered.
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| Home altar feels like Halloween |
LAist heard from people across Southern California about those favorite moments. This digital ofrenda is meant to highlight those memories.
Remembering loved ones
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| Offerings (ofrendas) to benefit the deceased who are grateful to be remembered by the living |
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| Photos of the dead on home altar |
“Thinking about it now really brings me tears because it just brought them so much joy. It brought them close together,” Pineda said. “For me to be there, to see that, how special it was to them I just think about it all the time.” More
Coco (by Pixar/Disney)
- VIDEO: "Day of the Dead" catches on in the U.S.
- David Rodriguez and Gillian Morán Pérez, LAist.com, "Angelenos are celebrating Día de los Muertos. Here’s who they’re honoring today," Nov. 1, 2025; Crystal Q., CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Friday, October 31, 2025
American Day of the Dead (Nov. 1)
What is the Day of the Dead?
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| Buddhist saint who saved his mother from hell |
- In Buddhism, HOW can we transfer our merit (good karma) to benefit the grateful dead, the dearly departed, those who have gone beyond so that it gets to them today?
- Buddhist Saint Mulian rescues his mother
The Aztec Lady of the Dead: Mictēcacihuātl
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| Does beauty lure and lead us to Death? |
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| Aztec Goddess the Lady of the Dead |
Her role is to watch over the bones of the dead and preside over the ancient festivals of the dead. These festivals evolved from Aztec traditions into the modern Day of the Dead after synthesis with invading Spanish traditions. She now presides over the contemporary festival as well. In this respect, the pseudo-Catholic cult of Santa Muerte owes much to her. More
Devoted to Death: Santa Muerte
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| Devoted to Death (Chesnut) |
Although condemned by mainstream churches, this folk saint's supernatural powers appeal to millions in Latin America, the USA, and beyond. Devotees believe the Bony Lady (as she is affectionately called) to be the fastest and most effective miracle worker, and as such, her statuettes and paraphernalia now outsell those of the Virgin of Guadalupe and Saint Jude, two other giants of Mexican religiosity.
Folk Saint Death
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| Aztec St. Muerte, Tepito, MX |
Yet, Saint Death plays other important roles: she is a supernatural healer, love doctor, money-maker, lawyer, and angel of death. She has become without doubt one of the most popular and powerful saints of both the Latin American and American religious landscapes. More
Dark Tales and Myths from History: ✨ Support on Patreon: cinzia. 💌 Newsletter: tinyurl.com/4j3rhdkm 🎥 Productivity channel: theclassicalacademic. 🎙 Podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1zQ7J1g... 📩 Episode request form: tinyurl.com/2db5a7ar. 🌍 Website/blog: ladyofthelibrary.com. SOCIALS: 📚 Goodreads: c-dubois.
- Religion for Breakfast, Oct. 24, 2021; R. Andrew Chesnut (book); Cinzia DuBois, Sept. 5, 2023; AZTLAN (song); AJ+, 2015; Crystal Quintero, Pfc. Sandoval, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Ghost Month continues: Shadow Realm
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| Get outta my way! Hungry ghosts are after me! |
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| Guanyin feeding (Stephen Asma) |
The Hungry Ghost Realm: A Buddhist Teaching of Hope in Addiction
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| Maha Moggallāna (Ven. Mulian) |
The journey of one of the Buddha's chief disciples, Maha Moggallāna (Sanskrit Maudgalyayana, Chinese Mulian), to this realm provides a first step for how to break the vicious cycle of addiction borne of trauma.
Many of us have a "hungry ghost" (peta, preta) lurking inside of us. If anyone is struggling, please reach out to a professional as there are many great organizations, including @TWLOHA, filled with people trained and willing to help.*
Politics of hungry ghosts: Israeli imperialism
Trump trashes countries of the world at UN in front of the world’s leaders (Ian Masters, Background Briefing, Sept. 23, 2025, KPFK.org)
TIMESTAMPS
- 00:00 Introduction
- 00:31 Bhavachakra at Punakha Dzong, Bhutan, photographed by Bernard Gagnon, licensed under Creative Commons
- 00:49 The Six Realms of Birth, Edo Period Japan, British Museum
- 01:13 Ghosts from the Bangkok National Museum
- 01:26 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
- 02:06 Unending Hunger
- 02:09 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
- 02:50 Haunting Ghosts from the Thirty-Seven Nats
- 03:15 Dr. Gabor Maté, In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
- 03:54 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
- 04:39 Maudgalyayana [Maha Moggallana] Rescuing His Mother, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum
- 05:05 From Darkness
- 05:08 Ven. Maha Moggallana at Wat Olak Madu, Kedah, photographed by Ven. Anandajoti Bhikkhu, licensed under Creative Commons
- 05:38 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
- 06:37 Yulanpen Sutra, Mahayana canon
- 07:12 Shakyamuni Buddha from the Dazu Rock Carvings, photographed by Michael Gunther, licensed under Creative Commons
- 07:42 Mulian Saves His Mother, 19th Century China
- 08:26 Into Light
- 08:30 Silk Roundel with Endless Knot Symbol, 19th Century China, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- 09:00 Rahans Receiving Offerings, 19th Century Burma
- 09:18 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum
- 09:57 Offering at Hong Kong Ghost Festival, photographed by Rose Tim Wing Mxuiek, licensed under Creative Commons
- 10:10 Begging monk in Himeji, photographed by Nesnad, licensed under Creative Commons
- 10:20 Mukaebi of the Bon Festival, photographed by Batholith
- 10:55 Conclusion
- 10:59 Homeless man in New York, photographed by CGP Grey, licensed under Creative Commons
- 11:09 The Drinker by Albert Anker
- 11:26 Sinhalese manuscript, photographed by Wellcome Images, licensed under Creative Commons
- 11:51 Floating Lanterns, photographed by San Lie, licensed under Creative Commons
- 12:25 Hungry Ghost Scroll, Kyoto National Museum Ambient - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
ABOUT: Mythos and Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story and Meaning.”
Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation.
Patreon: mythosandlogos. The purpose of this channel is to share the important stories at the foundation of human cultures throughout history. These include mythology, legends, folktales, religious stories, and parables from the dawn of history to the modern day. This channel provides interpretations and insight into these stories, to find and apply their meaning to contemporary life. All stories covered are treated academically. This channel makes no claims regarding the historical, scientific, or religious truth of these tales. Rather, its goal is to find the meanings understood by their authors and apply them to the modern world.
*All channel income from October 31-November 30, 2021, donated to To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) to help the Hungry Ghosts around us every day. Thanks for supporting an organization that helps those who are struggling.
- Parittas: Protective Buddhist Chants (Theravada Pali canon)
- Mythos & Logos, Oct. 31, 2021; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Monday, September 8, 2025
Mexican 'Day of the Dead' Barbie (video)
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| Hi. I'm La Calavera Catrina. Buy me. |
Barbie doll looks luminous wearing a long, black ruffled gown with intricate, colorful detailing and embroidered sugar skulls. Her orange headband highlights her updo and evokes the festival's iconic marigold flowers.
Calavera (skull) face paint and bright pink accessories complete her festive look. While sold separately, both Barbie [Beltran] and Ken [Castro] dolls wear complimentary patterns, making them a perfect set and the ultimate keepsake that inspires joy and elegance.
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| Day of the Dead doll is not the first Mexican Princess Barbie in an original box (Etsy) |
Barbie® Dia de Muertos doll
designer: Javier Maebe. Label: Black
Face Sculpt: Lina
Body Type: ModelMuse. Includes certificate of authenticity to avoid cheap knockoffs. Barbie Club 59 members get a deal. Buy Día de Muertos Barbie doll at MattelCreations.com while supplies last. During this time, the doll may also be available at participating Target and Walmart locations, as well as Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com. Dolls cannot stand alone. Doll stand included. Colors and decorations may vary. Purchase limits subject to change at the sole discretion of Mattel. SKU#: HRM72
- Music: Avenged Sevenfold - "Mattel" (official video)
- Reaction: Rayaction to A7x "Mattel"
- Día de Muertos Barbie | Mattel Creations
- Crystal Quintero, CC Liu, Seth Auberon (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Giving Buddhist Gratitude (Lion's Roar)
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| "Grrr!" like a lioness roaring for American Buddhism |
The Spiderman theme is such a catchy earworm to get stuck in your head that it's good to convert it into these season-appropriate lyrics:
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| How can you be so happy? |
Does whatever a spider could
Spins a web any size
Catches thanks just like flies
Look out, here comes some gratitude!
Is it strong? Listen, Bud:
It's got super-magnetic suds
Can it spring from a thread?
Take a look overhead
Hey there,
There goes that gratitude!
In the chill of night
At the scene of a crime
Like a streak of light
It arrives every time!
Gratitude, gratitude
Friendly neighborhood gratitude
As for fame, it's ignored
Action (karma) is
Its reward
To it
Life is a great big bang up
Wherever there's a hang up
You'll find some
GRATITUDE!
Fake Buddha quote gone good -- a wise teaching
Gratitude (Lion's Roar)
Gratitude is a crucial part of Buddhist spiritual practice, helping practitioners to live mindfully, compassionately, and peacefully, with a heart opening attitude of gratitude.
In Buddhist Pali terms, "gratitude" is kataññutā (or kataveditā), literally, “to have a sense of what was done [for us, for our benefit],” gratefulness.
It is more than just a feeling or a verbal expression of thanks. It is an important part of spiritual practice. Practicing gratitude can help us cultivate mindfulness, compassion, an awareness of the interconnectedness of all beings and things, and a peaceful, open-hearted attitude toward life and our fellows all around us.
Buddhism and gratitude are connected in a variety of ways, including:
- Appreciation for life [particularly our chance at this human life, which was brought about by our past karma, which had to have been good to produce this result and which was helped by others because there are just as many or more bad influences in the universe]
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| What a teacher can do for students, I have done. |
- Appreciation for others
The contemporary American Theravada Buddhist teacher Ven. Thanissaro (Geoffrey DeGraff) notes that the Buddha pointed out that there are two kinds of people who are hard to find in the world, “The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.” This is the Buddha saying that because they are rare, we should be both kinds.
- The Lessons of Gratitude (Ven. Thanissaro)
- The Monastery of Open Doors (Soto Zen)
Mindfulness
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| Ever mindful, wakeful, present in this moment |
Buddhism places a strong emphasis on being fully present in this moment with awareness and non-judgment. Practicing mindfulness helps us attune to the beauty and richness of each moment, the ever-present NOW, fostering a sense of gratitude for presence and, by extension, for life itself.
Impermanence
Contemplating radical impermanence — one of Buddhism’s “Three Marks of Existence” — can lead to a sense of gratitude for the opportunities and joys that arise and even for life’s unwelcome challenges.
- Two excellent Buddhist reminders of this are American Tibetan Buddhist nun Pema Chodron (Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World and the classic When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times) and British Thai Theravada Forest Tradition Buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm (Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties about seeing opportunity in what we regard as the sh*tty or dunglike things that happen to us in life)
Letting go/Generosity
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| I'd never let go of my beautiful hair except for... |
Loving-Kindness (Metta)
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| Making love at insightla.org with Trudy & Co. |
- Gratitude (kataññu-katavedi) Abhayagiri Monastery
- Eckhart Tolle: gratitude, allow, radically accept
- Lion's Roar (lionsroar.com); edited and expanded by Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly, Thanksgiving 2024
Friday, November 1, 2024
Night in the cemetery: Day of the Dead
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| Día de Los Muertos Ofrenda Exhibition | Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel |
What is the Day of the Dead? A night in the cemetery in Oaxaca
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| Isn't that right, Madam Presidente Sheinbaum? |
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| He lives in Orange County. |
Of course, love. Of course, honor. Of course, remember. The dead are grateful. The dead may need our help (so we can transfer merit to aid them out of a bad way they may have fallen into.
After all, what is "family"? It extends seven generations out, and among all those people it is said that it is impossible that not one of them has fallen into a bad way (niraya), an unfortunate destination. (Is it a coincidence that the Indigenous people, the Native Americans, also concerns themselves with seven generations?) So what we offer, if it is not needed by that particular person for whom we make the offering or ofrenda at the altar, other extended family members in need may partake of it and be given ("transferred") good karma, which is needed everywhere at all times.
Buddhism's "Transfer of Merit"
nails it down in Theravada texts and commentaries explained below*
Mexican Buddhists
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| Somos Aztecas y Maya, y si no se van las almas (los muertos) al cenote (la tierra), donde van? |
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| Nuestra Senora Guanyin of Guadalupe |
Why would anyone contemplate it? Just as traditional filial piety says to hold on to loved ones, to cling to them, to never forget, Buddhist wisdom says to let go, detach, set them free. In this way they can come back, are not stuck, and go on living.
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| The ruling sky-gods are hard to please. |
*Transfer of merit
Ven. Nyanatiloka, Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Doctrine, Terms edited by Wisdom Quarterly
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| What do hungry ghosts need and want? |
The merit of morality (sila), especially that which is acquired by giving alms to monastics and the needy, can be transferred to others. This is so that one's own good deeds may become to others, especially to departed relatives and friends reborn in the ghost realm, an inducement to a happy and morally wholesome state of mind. (That is the secret of how it works).
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| Naked hungry ghosts in rags, hounded by dogs |
It is one of the ten "bases of meritorious action" (puñña-kiriya-vatthu, where it is called pattānuppadāna, App.).
- For more, see The Doctrine of Reversible Merit by F. L. Woodward, Buddhist Review (London), Vol. I (1914), p. 38.
COMMENTARY
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| Let's party till we're dead then go to the cemetery |
Halloween is celebrated on Oct. 31 because it is based on All Hallows' Eve (the Catholic Church version attempting to usurp the heathens), making All Hallows' Day Nov. 1, the exact date of the events of the commencing of the original Day of the Dead.
Nov. 2 is the wrapping up of the previous night's celebration. Therefore, this "day" is carried out over two days.
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| We're here to civilize you. - With that Book? |
It's odd how the ancients knew this was a special time for peering between realms. Irish Scottish Celtic Samhain (Sauin), European paganism, Wicca remembered that before they were all but exterminated by Judeo-Christianity's Old Testament God of Genocide.
- Andy Spits, YouTube, Jan. 29, 2020; Julian Daizan Skinner; Mexican Buddhists Crystal Quintero, Pfc. Sandoval, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly COMMENTARY
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