Every Bit Helps

According to certain respected sociologists, persons active in an organized religion are a bit better than the average person in the general population in two ways: there is a bit less criminal behavior among them, and they are a bit happier.

Agastya, Holy Sage

Agastya, respecter of things Tamil, friend of the early Rishi, carrier of the blood of gods, husband of She Who Plays, Lalita.

Religion in Maritime South East Asia

Old Javanese sources from the 1100th century mention three religions under the supervision of the central government: Saivas(worshipers of Siva), Buddhists, and Reis Brahmins). Important Tantric rites were performed by Buddhist monks and court Brahmin. In Java, then as now, there were other religions and sects at greater distance from the large centers of power. Saints referred to by Saivas of the time were: Kusika, Garga, Maitri, Kurusya, and Patanjali. They also mention he teacher Agastya.


It is good to realize that from, at least, 400 BC to 1300 AD there is nearly constant sea commerce with India and more intermittent commerce with China and Maritime SEA.


As we well know Islam later became the main religion of  Maritime SEA with the exception of the Philippines. Buddhism became the main religion of mainland SEA. Islam took hold in SEA more than 6 centuries after the foundation of Islam in the Middle East. The first center of power for Islam in SEA was probably a Aceh, of recent tsunami fame. Islam rose in Malacca and spread in all directions, including Patani in southern Thailand. 

Dhaka: Some old Sketches and Pics of Dhaka City

Dhaka: Some old Sketches and Pics of Dhaka City

Bangladesh.

A great Blog related to an interesting variety of happenings about this modern and ancient capital city.

Many beautiful and representative photographs and other visuals.

Religion in Early South East Asia

I have posted on SEA religion before, but, as usual, their is more to say.


Of what we might call the world great religions, Brahmanism seems to have been the first to take hold in maritime South East Asia, as it was in much of the mainland realm. It was followed by Saivism and Mahayana Buddhism before the arrival of Islam.


Brahmanism, without much evidence of the caste system was evident in most of SEA before the 7th century AD, and was almost certainly there several centuries earlier.


These are my honest opinions and best guesses at the moment. I will be honored by and grateful for all the corrections or additions you may make. You will find me a willing leaner.

Tolerance

There are those who would burn a person for being a Quaker; those who would hang  person for being a Later Day Saint. Those who would deny a person the vote for being a Catholic.

Is it surprising that they would be willing to do the same to a person for being Islamic?

How much burning, hanging, and denial can we safely tolerate?

Where does safety and justice lie?

What do you stand for?

Zoroaster

He seems to have shown and taught men a path to freedom of moral choice. But what do I know. Still, I have have heard that he believed and taught that good deeds generally proceed from good intentions, and that seems right. He suggests to me that the great value in a great religion is its morality. Still I have known religious men who knew right from wrong, and chose wrong. He suggests that an important value in a religion is that it uphold a man in his good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I go along with that today.

Zoroaster seems to value man's inward relationship with truth. Zoroaster seems a wise and holy man and I go along with him in this too.

Ahura

     I drove a little Mazda pick-up for over a decade. I loved that little truck.
Does that make me a Mazdayasna?


An important part of Iranian history is the impact of Zarathsushtra on what it is to be Iranian. I am writing of the personage whose name came to us through the Greek as Zoroaster.
I loved Zoro in the Movies. Could that make me a follower of Zoroasterism?
Did the Magi deliver their gifts in a Mazda?


I'd guess that Zoroaster wrote his Gotha's about 600 BC. Those writings at that date are significant in that they comprise an early manifestation of morality in a monotheistic religion.


It is likely that he came from eastern Iran or perhaps Afghanistan.


There remains  about 3/4 of this little story I planned yet to be told, but I tire. I expect to finish it, or at least continue it, soon. Remind me.


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