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Vairocana - the problem with native spirituality and beliefs is that they
rely more heavily on oral traditions than other types of mythology.
This leaves us with relatively few viable historic reference points but I agree they do have a lot to offer in terms of beneficial concepts. Using the Native American nations as an example, there are very few universal themes other than in a very broad sense. Where they relied on the world around them and particularly animals as the basis of their constructs, we see broad themes such as shape shifting animal deities but specific to animals of each region and the level of isolation relevant to each nation from another. The wolf, eagle and bear all appear with regular frequency throughout North American Native mythology which is a testament to the wide ranging habitats of these animals.
The biggest difference in the dynamics of the ancient mythologies of the old world versus the new world has to be the simple exchange of ideas between cultures. These exchanges we can assume fostered and facilitated by the trading of goods and other cultural interactions. This particular trade enabled dynamic did not exist amongst indigenous cultures of the new world and Africa, at least anywhere near to this degree. Still, we can see the melding of old world religious constructs with native mythology condensed in the teachings of the native prophets such as Handsome Lake
posted by
gomedome
on February 18, 2008 at 11:44 AM
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Transcendental_Child - no, it is not a wonder but it is not fair to say
that all wars have religious beliefs as their causes.
Sometimes good old fashioned human greed is the cause of war.
posted by
gomedome
on February 18, 2008 at 10:22 AM
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Xeno-x -absolutely, with so many versions of the same myths hanging around
the only way to make yours the winner was to get rid of the competition.
It really is that simple. Then once the policies of obliterating the words, icons and artifacts of other religions is instituted, an unstoppable momentum is attained.
posted by
gomedome
on February 18, 2008 at 10:19 AM
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Is it any wonder that the
only people who have not given up their mythical gods... are also the only ones involved in bloody wars?
posted by
Transcendental_Child
on February 18, 2008 at 5:11 AM
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yep
and you wonder why the early Church had much literature from these religions destroyed -- was it to eliminate the clues to the connection?
posted by
Xeno-x
on February 18, 2008 at 5:02 AM
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Re: Vairocana - The Trikaya doctrine is another legitimate path in following
It is unfortunate that we do not have access to all the literature pertaining to this subject (the destruction of the library at Alexandria comes to mind here) and a lot of history is kept hidden because of the destructive elements in our lives. Perhaps once we are truly free from domination by the greedy and bloodthirsty we will have access to much that is now kept hidden around the world. Have a look at the religious teachings of the "last to be conquered" tribes in the "primitive" cultures and you will be surprised at the depth of their spiritual knowledge (if you disregard the "western" propaganda about them). The Indians of the two americas and the pacific islanders and some tribes in africa have a lot to offer on just this subject of religion and history.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on February 18, 2008 at 2:15 AM
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Great post, gomedome.
posted by
saul_relative
on February 17, 2008 at 10:20 PM
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Kabu - but there is no depth here
Look at the artwork itself. I get a kick out of the little guy with light beaming from his head. No wonder he got a few promotions in the immortal world during his career. The light from head rendering was a favorite amongst early historic artist stone carvers. It was easy to reproduce with hammer and chisel, the further use of a goatskin template drawing for quick layout, helped its popularity as well.
posted by
gomedome
on February 17, 2008 at 6:32 PM
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ZenMom - that quote is both too cruel and too true
Religion most certainly can be defined as "mis-interpreted mythology" . . . The opposing dynamic influence could be referred to as "Religious mythology shaped by human will" In any event, we have distorted and porous chronicles to make sense of it all.
posted by
gomedome
on February 17, 2008 at 6:25 PM
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As you say, interesting! sam
posted by
sam444
on February 17, 2008 at 4:05 PM
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out of my depth here, I'll just read and move along!
posted by
Kabu
on February 17, 2008 at 1:49 PM
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Vairocana - The Trikaya doctrine is another legitimate path in following
the development of the trinity concept.
The problem I have with it however as a precursor to later definitions of the holy trinity, is the geographical relationship of Buddism to the Roman Empire and especially its political isolation from same. And yep, every set of eyes that reads a religious manuscript of any type, determines what it says differently than the next person.
posted by
gomedome
on February 17, 2008 at 1:38 PM
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Joseph Campbell wrote: "religion can be defined as mis-interpreted mythology". This was my introduction to these concepts. I think I'll look him up again. Thanks.
posted by
ZenMom
on February 17, 2008 at 1:35 PM
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Hi
My preffered trinity is:
Dharmakaya
Sambhogakaya
Nirmanakaya
It is the shuffling and misinterpretation and misrepresentation that caused the multitude of religions and their disruptive qualities.
posted by
AardigeAfrikaner
on February 17, 2008 at 1:17 PM
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