Tag: Moses
What was the History of the Jews?
Jews have a long past, and they have particularly influenced Asian history. Consider just one example. Karl Marx, who conceived and promoted communism as an economic and political theory in Europe was Jewish. His ideas spread from Europe to Asia, which witnessed the Mao-led Communist revolution in China. Then communist takeovers of North Korea and…
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.…