SIDDHARTHA

In a small country in what is now southern Nepal a clan called the Shakyas ruled. The head of this clan, and the king of the country, was Shuddodana Gautama. His wife, Mahamaya, was expecting their first child and as was the custom of the day, when the time came near for Queen Mahamaya to give birth, she traveled to her father's kingdom for the birth (this is still practiced in some places in India today). On the way she went into labor in the small town of Lumbini. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy whom she named Siddhartha. She died seven days after the birth and Siddhartha was raised by his mother’s sister, Mahaprajapati until he was seven.

King Shuddodana eager for his son to be a king like himself, decided to shield him from anything that might result in him taking up the religious life. And so Siddhartha was kept in one of their three palaces, and was prevented from experiencing much of what ordinary people consider common. Siddhartha enjoyed the lavish court life while his father shielded him from all of the troubles and worries of life.

Despite all the amenities of palace life, Siddhartha became restless and unsatisfied with fleeting pleasures. His inquiring and contemplative nature drove him to seek something deeper. One day, he left to see what life was like beyond the palace walls. During his foray into the real world he encountered what up until then had been hidden from him. He saw an old man, a diseased person, a corpse being cremated, and a sadhu (holy man, or hermit). Siddhartha realized for the first time that there is suffering in the world and that people ultimately have little control over their lives. It was the fourth sight, his experience with this holy man or Brahman priest, that provided the inspiration which led to a dramatic change in his life.

In about 533 b.c., on the night of his 29th birthday, Siddhartha gave up his life as a prince and secretly left the court. He traveled far and wide for the next five years or so; he became a penniless homeless vagabond. He led a life of self-mortification and spiritual study, becoming first a disciple of several then famous Brahman teachers, later attracting his own disciples. He was looking for a solution to the problem of suffering.

After a long and exhausting period of searching and self-mortification, he became disillusioned with the Indian caste system, Hindu asceticism, and the religious doctrines of his time. He gave up the ascetic life and lost all of his disciples as a result, but he continued his search for truth through the practice of meditation. In the spring of 528 b.c. while meditating under a Bodhi tree in Bodh-Gaya, Siddhartha experienced the Great Enlightenment, which showed him the way of salvation from suffering. He spent seven weeks meditating near the Bodhi tree and became a fully realized Buddha at the age of 35.

In the summer of 528 b.c. Buddha found his former disciples and in his first sermon he taught them what would become the foundation of Buddhism based on ascetic Hindu teachings. In the 45 years following his enlightenment, Buddha traveled around Northern India teaching the tenets of Buddhism. The whole thrust of his teachings is to cease suffering by desiring nothing. His Four Noble Truths are to be pursued by doing the works of the eightfold path. In 483 b.c. he died at the age of eighty as a result of food poisoning.

What is important to know about Buddhism in relation to Indian history is that its growth came about because of a shift in the religious climate in India (and Nepal, there was no India at the time). The reflective and ascetic meditations that had become common for the Brahman priests in his time were what made Buddhism so easily acceptable. In “Sacred part 2” I wrote about the Upanishads which were the latest of the Shruti texts, written in the time of the Buddhism reformation. As you read those texts you find many Buddhist ideas even though it is a Hindu text. Buddhism did not catch on immediately. It was not until King Ashoka in the late 300’s b.c. that it began to spread like wild fire. But before that happened there was another major historical event that took place. The Invasion of the Macedonian Army led by a military leader named Alexander…

FIVE

Wanted to say a massively huge THANK YOU to the many people who have so generously sent money in to help me get to India. I am really looking forward to the experience of a culture so different from our own. If you know me you know that love new things and experiences, I love to understand culture and why people view the world the way they do.

If you have read any of my previous posts you know that as I am studying and reading up on the history of India I have been sharing some of the things that I have uncovered that I know have impacted the Indian culture today. So thanks for reading and joining me on this journey.

Next week I will begin posting on some of the prep I have been doing to get ready for my trip. Can you believe I leave in just under FIVE weeks!!!?! It is coming up quickly!

Thanks again for your support, I am at almost 90% of the money that I am trying to raise to get to India. I would not be able to do this without you! Thank you for partnering with me in this amazing opportunity before me.

SACRED part 2 of 2

As the first millennium b.c. progressed the Vedic culture settled into the Ganges River basin and developed a more stationary, agriculturally based society. The more mobile nomadic society of their ancestors had faded and the Vedic people were living in one place for longer periods of time. Clans fought with one another and annexed land from neighboring clans creating larger and larger kingdoms.

The Vedic religion continued to go through changes as well. Since the society was more stationary Brahmans, holy men of the priestly caste, were making their homes in the forests where they would meditate and contemplate reality and the meaning of life. The fourth and final of the Hindu Shruti texts was written by these hermit holy men as they practiced their religious meditations.

If you have not read “SACRED part 1” what you essentially need to know is that there are two kinds of Hindu texts: “Shruti” which means “revealed” i.e. from a divine source, and “Smrti” which means “remembered”. There are four Shruti collections of texts; I talked about the first three in "SACRED part 1." The fourth of the Shruti texts is called the Upanishads.

The Upanishads reflect the wider cultural shift taking place in the region being written roughly between 800 and 300 b.c. In the Upanishads there is a distinct turn away from many of the Vedic ideas and practices which mirror the shift in the wider culture. The hermit-sages who composed the Upanishads sought something more-ultimate, eternal salvation. Thus they spoke about and believed in a single, eternal, impersonal, divine force that animates and permeates the entire cosmos - Brahman.

The word "Upanishad" comes from a Sanskrit term that means "to sit near." It refers to a student sitting near a teacher and learning directly through questions and answers. The Upanishads hold that since everything is Brahman, the individual is also Brahman. Individuals think that the things that make them who they are, such as one's relationships, or appearance, or even thoughts, are real. The Upanishads hold that these are merely elaborate illusions (sounds a little like Platonic dualism).

If one wishes to realize the ultimate, then one must detach oneself from all of these unreal things through ascetic meditation. One must go off and meditate on the reality of Brahman, which begins with meditation on the self, which is in essence the same as Brahman. In doing this you can be free from desire. If you think that sounds like Buddhism you are about to find out why.

And so it was that with the societal changes came the emergence of clan leaders and even kings who ruled over large areas of land and many people. One particular king, King Suddhodana, ruler of the Sakya tribe, which straddled present day India and Nepal, had a son whom he loved very much. His son was born around 560b.c. When his son had grown up he decided to venture outside of the protective walls of the palace where he lived to see what life was really like. He saw four things that changed his life, the fourth thing he saw is what was crucial. The fourth thing he saw was a person, a hermit actually. One of these priestly seers of the Brahman caste who lived out in the wilds where he would meditate. This hermit-sage had found the Hindu prince and talked with him about contemplation, meditation and the meaning of life. He returned to his palace home but at the age of 29 he left it all and headed for the wilderness himself. This prince’s name was Siddhartha Gautama; he would later become known as Buddha.

Buddhism did not do so well at first. Then Alexander the Great showed up...

SACRED Part 1 of 2

As the political and social life shifted to the east and south and the economy shifted from semi-nomadic tribes to agricultural and cattle raising kingdoms the religious life of the people went through some changes as well. Many of these changes can be traced through their sacred texts.

The sacred texts of Hinduism are an enormous collection of oral and written scriptures that include myths, rituals, philosophical perspectives, devotional poems and songs, local histories, and more. There are two basic categories within this vast collection: Shruti (revealed) and Smrti (remembered). The word Shruti is from the Sanskrit meaning “heard” suggesting that they are not from the mind of man but “revealed” or “heard” from a divine source. There are four sacred Shruti texts: the Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and the Upanishads.

The Shruti Texts:
The earliest set of Shruti texts are the Vedas. The word veda comes from the Sanskrit word vid, meaning to know. Not unlike the Greek root from which we get gnosis - "knowledge." In early Hinduism seers, known as risis, “heard” the Vedas and developed them into a range of oral traditions. The Vedas were never intended to be texts, they were always intended to be experienced through the dynamic activation of voice giving them life and texture. The Vedas were composed over a period of time from about 1700 b.c. to around 1000 b.c. There are four sets of Vedic texts which lumped together are often called Samhitas.

1. The Rig Veda - mainly composed of songs of praise to various Vedic gods who are personifications of natural forces like the Sun, the storm or rain, harvest, and so on.
2. The Yajur Veda - deals with sacrificial formulas recited as rituals were being performed.
   
3. The Sama Veda - The word sama meaning melody shows us that these Vedas are melodies and hymns sung to the gods to request basic necessities.
4. The Atharva Veda - Contains perhaps hundreds of magic formulas

When the Vedas had been around for a while some members of the higher caste who were seen as priests, began to collect the Vedas. As they did they developed what amounted to commentary to help explain the Vedas. The Brahmana - the second group of sacred texts are commentaries attached to the Vedas that explain the rituals of the Vedas. In fact the word brahmana means the utterance of a Brahman (Brahman is one who is of the priestly caste). Again this reinforces the idea that these were intended to be spoken instead of written. They were considered sacred because it was the Brahmans who were speaking them. From around 900 b.c. to around 700 b.c. the Vedas were gathered together into Samhitas, which means - “collections” that the Brahmans then attempted to explain through the Brahmanas.

The third group of sacred wisdom which was eventually written down is the Aranyakas which is Sanskrit for “Forest Book”. The Aranyakasa developed later than the Brahmanas but held a similar function. Composed in India about 700 to 600b.c. the Aranyakas are different from the Brahmanas in that they develop ideas on secret rites to be carried out only by certain persons, and they are more philosophical in nature. They were intended to be studied only by properly trained individuals. These individuals were either studied hermits who had withdrawn into the forest and no longer took part in Vedic rituals (hence "Forest Book") or pupils who were given instruction by their teachers in the seclusion of their huts in tucked away places.

These first three groups of sacred writings outline the religious life and practice of the culture. These practices were intended to be performed by a priestly caste of people while the common person learned about them by listening to the priests not by reading scripture on their own. There was a strong communal aspect to the religion. As the society - and culture with it - moved east and south and settled along the Ganges River Basin some Brahmans began to settle in the forests and other secluded places. Think of them as the Druids of ancient India. With this move came a gradual shift away from the rituals and the hymns to a more contemplative practice and form to Hinduism. This is reflected in the sacred literature which demonstrates a move towards commenting on and contemplating the the purpose and meaning of life.

In part 2 I will trace the connection between this slow cultural shift, the writing of the fourth group of sacred texts - the Upanisads, and how this impacted the culture and paved the way for Buddhism.

VEDIC

The people who moved into Northern India around 1500 b.c. were Aryans, also referred to as Vedic people. Their culture was Vedic and their language was Vedic Sanskrit, which is related to other Indo-European languages including Greek and Latin among others. Indo-European speakers had a common linguistic origin known by scholars as Proto-Indo-European or PIE. The years following the Aryan migration are shrouded by a lack of substantial archeological artifacts but there are a few things we do know.

By 800 bc the Aryans ruled in most of northern India, occasionally fighting among themselves or with the peoples of the land they were settling. As they slowly moved south and east along the Ganges River Basin their lifestyle evolved from a semi-nomadic way of life to an agrarian way of life. Their social and political structures evolved as well. Instead of a warrior leading a tribe, with a tribal assembly as a check on his power, an Aryan chieftain ruled over territory, with its society divided into family units like clans. This societal shift was the beginning of the caste system. The four castes that emerged from this era were the Brahmans (priests), the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), the Vaisyas (merchants, farmers, and traders), and the Sudras (artisans, laborers, and servants). More on that in a later post.

By about the 7th century bc territories combined and grew, giving rise to larger kingdoms that stretched from what is now Afghanistan to the state of Bihar. By the 6th century bc, Indian civilization was firmly centered in the eastern region of the subcontinent, and certain tribal leaders or chieftains became increasingly powerful. The Kingdom of Magadha conquered and absorbed neighboring kingdoms, giving rise to India’s first empire. At the head of the Magadha state was a hereditary monarch in charge of a centralized administration. This empire continued to expand, extending in the 4th century bc into central India and as far as the eastern coast.

Hinduism continued to evolve as well. While the Aryan people settled in the Ganges River Basin, they encountered people groups and assimilated their culture and religious practices into their own. Reform schools of Hinduism emerged, challenging the orthodox practices of the Vedic tradition and presenting alternative worldviews.

One of those schools was led by a discontented Hindu prince by the name of Siddhartha Gautama, later known as Buddah.

MOTHER

I have a mother-in-law who is a mother, a sister who is a mother, a mother who is a mother, and a wife who is a mother. They each bring their own identity to - "mother". They each show in their own way what it is to be a mom. Here are some reflections:

My Mother-in-Law: I suppose not everyone can say nice things about their in-laws without lying. Fortunately for me I can say nice things and be honest. Maria is one of the rare ones who is at good listener and easy to talk to, but is also easy to listen to. Maria is a great cook which I am thankful for because it rubbed off on her daughter, my wife. Maria also watches over Samuel three days every two weeks which is a huge sacrifice on her part and is a huge help to us. She says she does not mind and, well, I believe her because, look at the little guy she is watching for that time. She loves the outdoors and is very active which has also rubbed of on her daughter:) Maria is selfless and giving.

My Sister: Okay so as a kid one of her nicknames was "tiny tornado" that gives you an idea as to how her two daughters, my two nieces, like to play. Brooke loves to play with her kids, record them when they do silly things and then post the video to face book. Brooke walks side by side with with her kids. She is the kind of mom who would get out the coloring books for her kids and instead of using it to keep them occupied, she would grab some crayons and start coloring with them. Brooke always wants to spend time with her kids.

My mother: Well, I moved out of the house a while back, but being away for years now I look back and see a few things that I really appreciate. I appreciated the way the house smelled around the big family holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. I appreciated the way the house was decorated (even though we all participated mom was the director of decorations) I appreciated the way my mom would wait on us when we were sick. I still remember getting the small 13inch black and white T.V. for the day when I was home sick. It was a great excuse to watch all the junk on T.V. when I was not really allowed to. I appreciate that my mom chauffeured me around to Soccer, little league baseball, football, and church events. Those are just a few reasons, but altogether she is the reason I have warm and loving feelings and thoughts when I think of the word "mother".

My Wife: So... I am not exactly sure how she does it, but this woman has super powers to rival those of Superman. She gave birth to an amazing baby boy, and six weeks later went back to work to help cover some bills, and was back to work full-time in three months. Working minimum forty hours per week, while at the same time keeping track of a quickly growing bundle of energy who is our son, is a feat of epic proportions. Not only that, but her occasional "experiments" in the kitchen end up like four course works of art - Picasso on a plate!

Her water broke while she was helping that cable guys set up internet in her office... yeah, she was helping them; she gave birth to a baby with no pain medication! In the middle of a snowstorm she straps on our son in a baby carrier and decides to see if she wants to pick up snowshoeing by throwing on my snowshoes and slogging through two feet of snow (while I was shoveling out the car). She decides that snowshoeing is not for her so instead picks up cross-country skiing. The name Sara means princess, but she is really more of a warrior princess. Probably the biggest deal about this new mom; the reason she is a warrior princess, is that she puts up with me and my nutty schedule. I am telling you... super powers...

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers in my life. We would not be here if it were not for you...

JUSTICE Part 2 of 2

Most of us would say that we want justice for the wrongs that we have endured. Justice is one of those American values that we aspire to maintain. When the towers fell on September 11th and we soon discovered who was responsible, we felt emboldened and righteous as we sought the one responsible and those who were helping him. We were fighting for the great American value of Justice.

If you read through Bible you will find many stories of people who fought for justice after experiencing injustice. One the most unique stories is the story of God fighting for justice. In all the reading I have done in Hinduism and Buddhism in the last year and a half as well as some of the Greek and Roman mythology I have not come across anything like it.

I was recently reading how, in ancient near eastern culture, when a criminal was caught, the punishment that was agreed upon by village elders was equal and opposite to the crime. One example I came across was that if a man were to punch a pregnant woman in the stomach and she were to lose her child as a result, the punishment would not be for that man to be killed, but for one of his children to be killed.

In those times, much of the economy was based on your name, your reputation. To defame the character and reputation of a man would be to destroy his standing in the community, no one would interact with him. It was as serious as committing murder today.

A name or reputation was extremely valuable in that culture; If you did not have your name you did not have anything. Why do you think the third of the ten commandments is not to take God's name in vain. He does not want his name associated with anything that is not from Him. Our sin is like defaming or slandering God's name and thereby Him. Not living to the standards of holiness that God has established is like saying, "to me, God is dead" or "to me, God does not exist". An equal and opposite punishment for that? Paul really meant it when he said, "The wages of sin is death." (Rom 6:23)

We have no hope of ever living up to that standard; our lives will be a hopeless mess of falling short. When justice is served on us it means death. We have committed injustice (some of us have committed lots of injustice;-) against God; God in turn seeks and renders justice. But this is where the story takes a turn for the unbelievable.

At the moment when injustice becomes justified by death we notice that we are not the ones who have died. Instead, the one who was wronged is the who has died and served the full sentence with his own life. You and I, though we perpetrated injustice, do not pay for our injustice with our death. God pays for our injustice against him by accepting our punishment on himself and once the criteria for justice has been met he gives us credit for justice being served. This means, innocence by association. (When we draw close to God he draws close to us.)

Most Americans feel that justice has been served for 9/11 now that Osama bin Laden is dead. And even according to his own beliefs justice has been served. I've got to admit, I'm really grateful that God's justice works differently than American justice...

Just a Meandering Thought...

JUSTICE Part 1 of 2

Most of us would say that justice is a good thing; it is one of the values that make America, America. We want justice to be served. When we are wronged or a crime is committed what we want is justice. We want someone to be responsible for the wrongs, the injustices. Then we fight for justice. That is who we are as Americans.

When the towers fell on September 11th, 2001, the entire nation reeled at the massive injustice that had been brought to our soil. We grieved, we searched, we pulled away rubble, we sifted through ashes. Even if we did not personally know someone who died, we still somehow felt the gaping hole. In the days following we learned who was responsible and soon we were in the fight - for justice.

The last ten years will likely go down in the history books as a decade that America sought closure and justice. For the lives that were taken from us, we wanted justice; for the hearts that were broken for their loss, we wanted justice; for the nation that was attacked, we wanted justice; for the memories that were seared into our souls of two towers burning and collapsing, we wanted justice. On May 1st, 2011 justice was served with an American bullet (66 years to the day after Hitler died from his own bullet).

It has been said that justice is about giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. To the 2992 people who died in the attacks (minus the perpetrators) our voice on your behalf has been heard. We never forgot you. We all wanted justice for those who lost their lives. Yet if we were to receive justice ourselves for even the little things we have done we might think twice. Justice is a liberating event when you are the one wronged.

2000 years ago justice of a different kind was served with a cross and some nails. But you and I don't get justice, instead we get mercy. We don't get what we deserve, we get what He paid for. Because God never forgot or abandoned us. He hears the voice of those who call to him. I know this for sure, God is present in the places where injustice happens - to comfort those who have to walk that road. He sticks around to see that justice happens. Whether it is justice he accomplishes on our behalf, or just his presence in the stairwells of collapsing towers, God does not leave us but gives a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.

Just a Meandering Thought...