Category: Through the ancient Hebrew Bible
The Promised King: Coming In Signs of ‘Seven’
The number ‘seven’ has commanded great reverence and mystical wonder across cultures and nations since ancient times, especially in Asia. Buddhist tradition states that Siddharta Gautama, after achieving enlightenment by the Bodhi Tree, spent the next seven weeks in seven locations to consider his enlightenment experience. The Qixi (七夕) festival, held on the seventh day of…
The Coming Noble King: Named Hundreds of Years Beforehand
Asia has had a long history, with diverse nationalities, and potent societies. Therefore countries across Asia have historical kings and emperors that command our admiration today for their past accomplishments. Consider these examples and observe how military achievements, cultural contributions, and historical feats all feature into their assessment of greatness. Great Past Kings of Asia Prophetic…
Sign of the Branch: Like the Persistent Bodhi Tree for Everybody
The Bodhi, Bodhi Fig, or Bo Tree (Ficus Religiosa) is among the most revered trees for Buddhists. It was under the Bodhi Fig Tree that Siddharta Gautama achieved enlightenment at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India. King Ashoka, a devout follower of the Buddha, built a Temple complex, the Mahabodhi Temple, around the Bodhi Tree. Thus, this site…
Where does ‘Christ’ of Jesus Christ come from?
Buddha Gautama and Jesus Christ are often compared as founders of two world religions. They are also similar in another important respect – one which gives rise to some misunderstanding. Many people assume that the term ‘Buddha’ forms part of the name for Gautama Buddha. In reality his name was Siddharta Gautama. The term ‘Buddha’ associated with…
Great World Empire of the Past… and the Global Kingdom Promised to Come
Genghis Khan (born Temüjin, 鐵木眞; 1162 –1227 CE) was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. This empire, after his death, became the largest single landmass empire in history. One of the most important conquerors of all time, he was a brilliant and ruthless military campaigner whose armies conquered across Asia, west into…
What Ancient Prophetic Oracles Speak Today?
The Dalai Lama remains the foremost spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists. Devotees consider him to be a line of incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The 14th and current Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso, who lives as a refugee in India. He has become one of the most recognized religious leaders in the world today. He…
Luck of Laughing Buddha but Cursed Like a Preta: How Moses’ Blessings & Curses Echo Today
Budai (布袋; 포대; 布袋; Bố Đại) was a Chinese monk usually identified with good fortune and luck. Statues and stories depict him as jovial and fat because of all the good food he eats. This explains his nicknames “Laughing Buddha” and “Fat Buddha”. His figure appears throughout Asian culture representing both contentment and abundance. People today hope to get some…
The Five Precepts and the Ten Commandments
The Five precepts gives the basic code of ethics for observant Buddhists to respect. They are meant to develop mind and character, enabling progress to enlightenment. Keeping the five precepts forms part of regular devotional practice, both at home and at the local temple. Society upholds the Five Precepts through ceremonies whereby monks lead assemblies reciting…
Riddle of the New Year’s Full Moon Festival
The Lantern Festival (元宵節, 元宵节, Yuánxiāo jié), or Shangyuan Festival (上元節, 上元节, Shàngyuán jié) concludes the Chinese New Year celebrations. The Lantern Festival is celebrated on the first full moon in the new year of the traditional Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar, and other Asian calendars, combines lunar months and solar years into a lunisolar calendar.…