DOCSLIB.ORG

Ikeda Wisdom Academy the Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Ikeda Wisdom Academy The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra Review May 2013 Study Review The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra, vol. 1, Part II - Section 5 The introduction of the characters that assembled at Eagle Peak to hear the Buddha preach starts the journey of the assembly’s progression from the realm of daily reality, to the realm of enlightenment, and back to the realm of daily reality. In the first ten chapters of the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni Buddha preaches to his disciples at a vast gathering on Eagle Peak, which is considered the first meeting at the first location. Then in the eleventh chapter, suddenly the earth opens and an enormous treasure tower adorned with jewels emerges from the earth and is suspended in the air. Shakyamuni transports the entire assembly from Eagle Peak to the treasure tower, which begins the Ceremony in the Air. In the fifteenth chapter, the Bodhisattvas of the Earth emerge from the earth. The assembly remains in the Ceremony in the Air until the twenty- second chapter when the ceremony concludes. This is considered the second meeting at the second location. Then from the twenty-third to twenty-eighth chapter, the assembly returns to their original location. Shakyamuni and his disciples return to Eagle Peak and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth go back to the earth to carry out their mission for the future. This is the third meeting but at the original location. Collectively, the assembly’s progression from Eagle Peak, to the Ceremony in the Air, back to Eagle Peak is referred to as the “three meetings in two places”. Details of the characters initially at Eagle Peak provide insight to the message that the Lotus Sutra ultimately delivers in light of the “three meetings in two places”. Key Passages Key Passage #1 Ajatashatru, we may recall, murdered his father, King Bimbisara, attempted to kill his mother, Queen Vaidehi, and plotted against Shakyamuni. The Daishonin describes Ajatashatru’s betrayal as an example of the principle that ‘the reverse relationship and the positive relationship are ultimately one.’ This principle explains that both those who oppose and those who follow the Lotus Sutra can ultimately attain enlightenment. Therefore, even those who commit evil can attain Buddhahood through their reverse relationship formed by slandering the Law when they finally overcome their disbelief in the Lotus Sutra as well as the poisons of greed and ignorance in their lives (WLS-1, p. 87). • Those that gathered on Eagle Peak formed various relationships with the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra can save even those who form adverse relationships with it when they overcome their disbelief in the sutra. Key Passage #2 The dragon king’s daughter’s enlightenment in the “Devadatta” chapter is a well-known example of the Lotus Sutra’s teaching that women share the same potential for Buddhahood as men… Bodhisattva Never Disparaging addresses everyone he encounters, men and women alike, with the promise: “You will all practice the bodhisattva way and will then be able to attain Buddhahood” (LSOC, 308). Viewed in its entirety, the Lotus Sutra takes it for granted that there is no distinction between men and women in attaining Buddhahood (WLS-1, p. 88). • The dragon king’s daughter’s enlightenment shows that there is no discrimination between men and women in their ability to attain enlightenment. Men and women are completely equal under the Mystic Law. Key Passage #3 The Lotus Sutra is not for human beings alone. It exists to save all living creatures. Interestingly, gods that were worshiped in different localities of ancient India before the birth of Buddhism are described as assembling on Eagle Peak to hear the Lotus Sutra being preached. This is because the new teaching of Buddhism viewed such gods not as external existences governing human lives, as the non-Buddhist teachings had regarded them, but as functions inherent in human life and the life of the universe. The enlightenment of the Buddha penetrates deeply into the very essence of life, and the Lotus Sutra illuminates the one fundamental Law permeating that essence. That is why the practitioner of the Lotus Sutra is a champion of life who can influence even the heavenly deities. Nichiren Daishonin writes, “Since my heart believes in the Lotus Sutra, I do not fear even Brahma or Shakra…” (WND-1, 303). It is also interesting to note that inveterate enemies such as the heavenly beings and asuras and the dragons and garudas have gathered to hear the sutra. The message here would seem to be: Religions that fan the flames of ethnic hatred are inferior religions. The Lotus Sutra is a teaching of peace and equality (WLS-1, 91). • The Buddha has the power to influence all the functions of the universe inherent in human life. This influence manifests itself in the daily life of the practitioner of the Mystic Law. • The Lotus Sutra has the power unite even enemies under the Law. Its teachings provide the basis for peace and complete equality. Key Passage #4 The Ceremony in the Air represents the vast and unbounded state of the Buddha, the state of enlightenment. This realm of ultimate reality and truth transcends both time and space. Spatially, it extends infinitely throughout the universe. In “The Emergence of the Treasure Tower,” where the Ceremony in the Air begins, we see the event known as “the three transformations of the land,” during which Shakyamuni purifies and transforms the saha and countless other words into a vast, unbounded Buddha land. Also, in “Supernatural Powers of the Thus Come One” and “Entrustment,” where the Ceremony in the Air concludes, the Buddha, using one of his ten mystic or supernatural powers, reveals that all of the lands in the ten directions (the eight points of the compass, as well as above and below) are one unobstructed Buddha land. Temporally, this realm of ultimate reality is eternal. The Ceremony in the Air begins with Many Treasures Buddha of the past and Shakyamuni of the present seated side by side in the treasure tower. Then Bodhisattva Superior Practices, a Buddha of the future, is called forth, and the teaching is entrusted to him. The past, present and future are all encompassed by this ceremony. Indeed, there is perhaps no more fitting way to express the eternal and limitless state of Buddhahood than by using the Ceremony in the Air — a setting that breaks all boundaries of time and space (WLS-1, pp. 94–95). • The Ceremony in the Air represents the life state of Buddhahood, which is an eternal and a universal realm. • This realm extends to all living beings that exists in all corners of the universe, unbounded by space. • This realm extends into eternity, transcending the three existence, unbounded by time. Key Passage #5 The progression from the assembly at Eagle Peak to the Ceremony in the Air and then back to Eagle Peak parallels the movement from reality to the state of enlightenment and then back to reality. Or, more accurately, it flows from reality prior to enlightenment to the state of enlightenment and then to reality after enlightenment… This is the perspective from the air — the perspective of Buddhism and the perspective of faith. Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is the practice that enables us to achieve this perspective. The Daishonin also declares: “Now when Nichiren and his followers chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and maintain their faith in it, they are ‘suspended in the air.’ They are ‘suspended in’ or participating in the Ceremony in the Air” (OTT, 91). By exerting ourselves in faith, chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and reciting the sutra before the Gohonzon, we immediately become a part of the assembly in the air. Nothing could be more wonderful than this. Mr. Toda often said, “In the daily lives of us ordinary people, there is no place as sacred as the place where we recite the sutra and chant Nam-myoho- renge-kyo.” To “rise into the air” means to elevate our state of life through our determined and unwavering faith. This is the significance of sutra’s progression from the first assembly on Eagle Peak to the Ceremony in the Air (WLS-1, pp. 96–97). • The “three meetings in two places” starts in the reality of our daily lives, then to the state of enlightenment, and then back again to reality. When coming back to reality, one is transformed through experiencing the state of enlightenment, and applies that life state in daily life. • Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo with faith in the Gohonzon is the means by which we experience the life state of enlightenment. Key Passage #6 Daily life equals faith, and faith equals daily life. The Lotus Sutra is never divorced from reality. That is its greatness. Once we have dwelt in the Ceremony in the Air, the reality of daily life, however contemptible it may have formerly seemed, becomes a means for demonstrating our Buddhahood to others. Sufferings and problems enable us to deepen our faith and, by overcoming them, to show actual proof of the benefit of faith. This is the meaning of the Buddhist principles ‘earthly desires are enlightenment’ and ‘changing poison into medicine.’… From real life to the Ceremony in the Air and then back to real life—this continuous back-and-forth process is the path of human revolution, the path of transforming our state of life from one motivated by the ‘lesser self ’ to one inspired by the ‘greater self’ (WLS-1, pp. 97–98). • Faith is never divorce from the reality of our own lives. • The progression of the “three meetings in two places” constitutes human revolution and the transformation of our actions based on the ‘lesser self’ to one of the ‘greater self’.
Recommended publications
  • Eric Kurlander. Hitler's Monsters

    Eric Kurlander. Hitler's Monsters

    130 Book Reviews / Correspondences 5 (2017) 113–139 Eric Kurlander. Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich. New Haven/London: Yale University Press, 2017. ISBN: 9780300189452. Among the steady stream of publications devoted to the relationship between esotericism and National Socialism, Eric Kurlander’s study is one of the rare examples of a serious contribution to an old debate. It offers a most welcome critical perspective that sets it apart from the scholarship of recent decades, most significantly Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke’s The Occult Roots of Nazism (1985) and Corinna Treitel’s A Science for the Soul (2004). In contrast to these studies, which were highly cautious about claiming actual links between esotericism and National Socialism, Kurlander establishes the central argument that “ National Socialism, even when critical of occultism, was more preoccupied by and indebted to a wide array of supernatural doctrines and esoteric practices than any mass political movement of the interwar period.” (xiv) By covering a vast spectrum of topics and sources, and by taking into consideration an impressive amount of secondary literature, the ambitions of Hitler’s Monsters are high: In the three chapters of Part One, Kurlander investigates the emergence of National Socialism since the late 1880s and its relationship to what is termed “the supernatural”; Part Two, again consisting of three chapters, discusses the relationship between the National Socialist state and the supernatural; while the last three chapters of Part Three deal with the period of the Second World War until 1945. Despite a range of important arguments and inspiring thoughts, Hitler’s Monsters is at times a highly problematic book that leaves an ambivalent impression.
  • Ragnarok Worksheet

    Ragnarok Worksheet

    Ragnarok 231 RAGNAROK Also known as “the Twilight of the Gods,” Ragnarok, the Norse Doomsday, is the ultimate battle between good and evil—an event similar to the apocalypse of the Bible. According to the Norse myths, Ragnarok will contain a number of specific events, which are related here. But is it the end of the world—or just the beginning of a new one? hat tidings are to be told of Ragnarok? First, there W will come a winter called the Fimbul‐winter, where snow will drive from all quarters, the frost will be so severe, and the winds so keen and piercing that there will be no joy to be found— not even in the sun. There will be three such winters in succession without any intervening summer. Great wars will rage over all the world. Brothers will slay each other for the sake of gain, and no one will spare his father or mother in that carnage. Then a great supernatural tragedy will happen: The two wolves of darkness that have pursued the sun and moon since the beginning of time will finally catch their prey. One wolf will devour the sun, and the second wolf will devour the moon. The stars shall be hurled from heaven. Then it shall come to pass that the earth and the mountains will shake so violently that trees will be torn up by the roots, the mountains will topple down, and all bonds and fetters will be broken and snapped. Loki and the Fenrir‐wolf will be loosed. The sea will rush over the earth, for the Midgard Serpent will writhe in rage and seek to gain the land.
  • Dr. Eric Kurlander Professor of Modern European History Stetson University

    Dr. Eric Kurlander Professor of Modern European History Stetson University

    Dr. Eric Kurlander Professor of Modern European History Stetson University Department of History Office: (386) 822-7578 Elizabeth Hall, Unit 8344 (386) 822-7535 421 N. Woodland Blvd. Fax: (386) 822-7544 Stetson University Email: [email protected] Deland, FL 32724 EDUCATION HARVARD UNIVERSITY Cambridge, MA PhD, Modern European History. 2001 MA, Modern European History. 1997 BOWDOIN COLLEGE Brunswick, ME BA, summa cum laude. History and English (minor). 1994 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Professor, History Department, Stetson University Spring 2015 - present Professor and Chair, History Department, Stetson University Fall 2013 – Fall 2014 Associate Professor and Chair, History Department, Stetson University Fall 2010 – Spring 2013 Visiting Professor and Fulbright Fellow, History Department, Freiburg Pädagogische Hochschule January 2012 – July 2012 Associate Professor, History Department, Stetson University Fall 2007 – Spring 2010 Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, History Department, University of Bonn/Berlin December 2007 – June 2008 Thyssen-Heideking Fellow, Anglo-American Institute, University of Cologne June 2007 – February 2008 Assistant Professor, History Department, Stetson University Fall 2001 – Spring 2007 Assistant Senior Tutor, Currier House, Harvard University Fall 2000 – Spring 2001 Teaching Fellow, History Department, Harvard University Fall 1999 – Spring 2001 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS (2001 – present) Books Hitler’s Monsters: A Supernatural History of the Third Reich. New Haven and London: Yale University Press (under contract). The West in Question: Continuity and Change. v. II. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press (under contract) Monica Black and Eric Kurlander, eds., Revisiting the Nazi Occult: Histories, Realities, Legacies. Rochester: Camden House, 2015. Joanne Miyang Cho, Eric Kurlander, and Douglas McGetchin, eds., Transcultural Encounters between Germany and India: Kindred Spirits in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, New York and London: Routledge, 2014.
  • The Supernatural World of the Kawaiisu by Maurice Zigmond1

    The Supernatural World of the Kawaiisu by Maurice Zigmond1

    The Supernatural World of the Kawaiisu by Maurice Zigmond1 The most obvious characteristic at the supernatural world of the Kawaiisu is its complexity, which stands in striking contrast to the “simplicity” of the mundane world. Situated on and around the southern end of the Sierra Nevada mountains in south - - central California, the tribe is marginal to both the Great Basin and California culture areas and would probably have been susceptible to the opprobrious nineteenth century term, ‘Diggers’ Yet, if its material culture could be described as “primitive,” ideas about the realm of the unseen were intricate and, in a sense, sophisticated. For the Kawaiisu the invisible domain is tilled with identifiable beings and anonymous non-beings, with people who are half spirits, with mythical giant creatures and great sky images, with “men” and “animals” who are localized in association with natural formations, with dreams, visions, omens, and signs. There is a land of the dead known to have been visited by a few living individuals, and a netherworld which is apparently the abode of the spirits of animals - - at least of some animals animals - - and visited by a man seeking a cure. Depending upon one’s definition, there are apparently four types of shamanism - - and a questionable fifth. In recording this maze of supernatural phenomena over a period of years, one ought not be surprised to find the data both inconsistent and contradictory. By their very nature happenings governed by extraterrestrial fortes cannot be portrayed in clear and precise terms. To those involved, however, the situation presents no problem. Since anything may occur in the unseen world which surrounds us, an attempt at logical explanation is irrelevant.
  • Will This Manhattan Projects Original Artwork Cliffhanger Make Another

    Will This Manhattan Projects Original Artwork Cliffhanger Make Another

    COMICS COSPLAY TV/FILM GAMES SUBMIT CGC Search … Will This Manhattan Projects Original Artwork Cliffhanger Make Another Big Splash? Posted by Mark Seifert March 19, 2014 0 Comments Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Reddit [The Manhattan Projects #18 has been out for a couple weeks, but still — if you haven’t read this issue and plan to, you might want to skip this post for now.] Several years into the digital era for both comics reading and comics production, I still love to look at original comic art up close. The look and feel of the art board, the subtle texture of the ink, the faint traces of changes and corrections… it all adds up to a little extra insight into the time and circumstances behind the comics book’s creation. We’ve mentioned a bunch of noteworthy original art sales here in recent times — from that awe-inspiring Golden Age Action Comics #15 cover by Fred Guardineer, to this Silver Age Fantastic Four #55 page by Jack Kirby, to this Bronze Age classic Amazing Spider- Man #121 cover by John Romita Sr, down to the current record holder for a piece of American comic book art with this Amazing Spider-Man #328 cover by Todd McFarlane. And increasingly, original art sales from much more recent comics are turning heads as well. It’s probably no surprise that Skottie Young original art is highly sought after, or that Walking Dead original art — even panel pages — can command some eye- popping prices. But modern comic art collectors have broadened their interests to many other artists and titles of quality in recent times, such as this Pia Guerra Y: The Last Man panel page that recently went for $1000.
  • Episode 47 – “A Very Merry Supernatural Christmas”

    Episode 47 – “A Very Merry Supernatural Christmas”

    Episode 47 – “A Very Merry Supernatural Christmas” Release Date: December 24, 2018 Running Time: 1 hour, 11 minutes Sally: Kay. Fuck, marry, kill. Sam, Dean, Cas. Emily: Ah, fu-- (laugh) Brie: I feel like that’s easy. (laugh) Emily: That’s super easy. Sally: I just -- we gotta start the episode somehow. Emily: OK, kill Sam, obviously. Brie: Duh. Yeah, no, duh. Yeah. Emily: Yeah. Brie: Yeah. Mm. Sally: (laugh) Emily: Uh, then I guess I’d marry Cas? Brie: Yeah … Sally: Fuck Dean? Emily: Yeah. Sally: That’s where I was sitting too. Brie: Yeah. Sally: So we’re all in agreement. Brie: Yeah. Emily: I just -- Cas actually has a personality I can stand. When he actually develops a personality, which is later, I guess, in the series. Sally: Yeah. Brie: I do think, though, that, like, the emotional parts of Dean -- Emily: Yeah. Brie: If that -- if that was, like, turned on all the time. Marry. Emily: My idealized version of Dean -- Brie: Yeah. Emily: I would marry. Brie: Yeah. Yeah. Emily: But the Dean that’s actually on the show? Mm-mm. Fuckin’ leave. Sally: OK! (all laugh) Emily, singing: Have a holly, jolly Christmas … Sally: Um, earlier I was reading an article called -- Brie: Oh! Oh, yeah. Yeah. Emily: Don’t repeat it. It’s the worst. Sally: (laughing) Emily: I know we’re an explicit podcast, but this might be the line of what’s too explicit. Brie: (laugh) Sally: K, it was an article about monster erotica, and the title of the article is also a title for the book.
  • ABSTRACT the Women of Supernatural: More Than

    ABSTRACT the Women of Supernatural: More Than

    ABSTRACT The Women of Supernatural: More than Stereotypes Miranda B. Leddy, M.A. Mentor: Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D. This critical discourse analysis of the American horror television show, Supernatural, uses a gender perspective to assess the stereotypes and female characters in the popular series. As part of this study 34 episodes of Supernatural and 19 female characters were analyzed. Findings indicate that while the target audience for Supernatural is women, the show tends to portray them in traditional, feminine, and horror genre stereotypes. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: 1) to provide a description of the types of female characters prevalent in the early seasons of Supernatural including mother-figures, victims, and monsters, and 2) to describe the changes that take place in the later seasons when the female characters no longer fit into feminine or horror stereotypes. Findings indicate that female characters of Supernatural have evolved throughout the seasons of the show and are more than just background characters in need of rescue. These findings are important because they illustrate that representations of women in television are not always based on stereotypes, and that the horror genre is evolving and beginning to depict strong female characters that are brave, intellectual leaders instead of victims being rescued by men. The female audience will be exposed to a more accurate portrayal of women to which they can relate and be inspired. Copyright © 2014 by Miranda B. Leddy All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS Tables
  • Download Passv146.Pdf

    Download Passv146.Pdf

    EM AD IA C S A C I A E SCRIPTA VARIA 146 I N C T I I F A I R T V N M O P Edited by JOACHIM VON BRAUN, THOMAS KAUFFELS, PETER RAVEN, JOHANNES VOGEL, MARCELO SÁNCHEZ SORONDO SCIENCE AND ACTIONS SCIENCE AND ACTIONS FOR SPECIES PROTECTION ACTIONS AND SCIENCE FOR SPECIES PROTECTION Noah’s Arks for the 21st Century Noah’s Arks for the 21st Century the 21st for Arks Noah’s Libreria Editrice Vaticana Vatican City 2020 Science and Actions for Species Protection. Noah’s Arks for the 21st Century Pontificiae Academiae Scientiarvm Scripta Varia 146 The Proceedings of the Conference on Science and Actions for Species Protection. Noah’s Arks for the 21st Century 13-14 May 2019 Edited by Joachim von Braun Thomas Kauffels Peter Raven Johannes Vogel Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo EX AEDIBVS ACADEMICIS IN CIVITATE VATICANA • MMXX The Pontifical Academy of Sciences Casina Pio IV, 00120 Vatican City Tel: +39 0669883195 • Fax: +39 0669885218 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.pas.va The opinions expressed with absolute freedom during the presentation of the papers of this meeting, although published by the Academy, represent only the points of view of the participants and not those of the Academy. ISBN 978-88-7761-098-0 © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, pho- tocopying or otherwise without the expressed written permission of the publisher. PONTIFICIA ACADEMIA SCIENTIARVM LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA VATICAN CITY “The earth’s resources are also being plundered because of short-sighted approaches to the economy, commerce and pro- duction.
  • Supernatural Dallas Schedule of Events

    Supernatural Dallas Schedule of Events

    SUPERNATURAL DALLAS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 NOTE: Pre-registration is not a necessity, just a convenience! Get your credentials, wristband and schedule so you don't have to wait again during convention days. VENDORS will be open too! PRE-REGISTRATION IS ONLY FOR FULL CONVENTION ATTENDEES WITH EITHER GOLD, SILVER, COPPER OR GA WEEKEND. NOTE: If you have solo, duo or group photo ops with Jared, Jensen, and/or Misha, please VALIDATE at the Photo Op Validation table BEFORE your photo op begins! START END EVENT LOCATION 3:30 PM 7:45 PM Vendors set-up Main Hallway 7:00 PM 9:30 PM BRI & DICK 'S PJ PARTY!!! If you’d like to register tonight, you may join the line after the party ends. SOLD OUT! Spring Glade 7:45 PM 8:30 PM GOLD Pre-registration Main Hallway 7:45 PM 10:00 PM VENDORS ROOM OPEN Main Hallway 8:30 PM 9:00 PM SILVER Pre-registration Main Hallway 9:00 PM 9:30 PM COPPER Pre-registration Main Hallway 9:30 PM 10:00 PM GA WEEKEND Pre-registration plus GOLD, SILVER and COPPER Main Hallway FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2019 *END TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE. PLEASE SHOW UP AT THE START TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS ANYTHING! WE CANNOT GUARANTEE MISSED AUTOGRAPHS OR PHOTO OPS. Light Blue: Private meet & greets, Green: Autographs, Red: Theatre programming, Orange: VIP schedule, Purple: Photo ops, Dark Blue: Special Events Photo ops are on a first come, first served basis (unless you're a VIP or unless otherwise noted in the Photo op listing) Autographs for Gold/Silver are called row by row, then by those with their separate autographs, pre-purchased autographs are called first.
  • “Who's SS-Scared?” to “Zoinks!”: Scooby Doo and the Embracement

    “Who's SS-Scared?” to “Zoinks!”: Scooby Doo and the Embracement

    From “Who’s S-S-Scared?” to “Zoinks!”: Scooby Doo and the Embracement of Technology through the Rejection of the Supernatural Saturday mornings of my childhood always included the cartoon Scooby Doo, which premiered in September of 1969. Requested by Fred Silverman, the head of daytime programming at CBS, Scooby Doo was meant to be a high school version The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, with the addition that the characters played in a band together and solved mysteries. There was to be a horror feel about the show, since Silverman was a huge fan of horror films. William Hanna and Joseph Barbara’s writers’ first attempt was a literally version of Silverman’s request: A band consisting of five members who solver crimes between gigs, and their dog Too Much. After revision, the show, titled Who’s S-S-Scared?, was rejected by CBS executives for being too scary. It was rejected a second time for being too boring. The final version was based on the dog character, bring comedy into contrast with the “scary,” and Silverman suggested the name of the new dog star be the scat line from Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night”, “doo-be-doo-be-doo.” Scooby Doo had its beginnings, crushing its competition when it premiered, and 48 years later, it’s still going strong. In this paper, I explore one reason for the cartoon’s success. I argue that through Scooby Doo, Hanna- Barbara and later Warner Bros, are exploring the same fears of industrial revolution – including technical and digital revolution - that Mary Shelley explored in Frankenstein.
  • Newsletter Essay, 2012-2013

    Newsletter Essay, 2012-2013

    LISA SETTE GALLERY 2012-2013 FALL / VOLUME 15 way self-interest manifests in society: “That thread of desire has always been there in my work… SIRI DEVI KHANDAVILLI What is it that moves people, or what is it that moves the world?” Darpana Sundari, a startling and sensuous bronze sculpture that artist Siri Devi Khandavilli Khandavilli’s artistic journey toward the ever-expanding cosmology of human longing is echoed sometimes mischievously calls her “Golden Poodle Deity,” was made in the manner of the countless in her life’s trajectory: after a traditional, religiously observant Hindu childhood and time spent temple idols of Hindu mythology. Khandavilli carved a beeswax figure, borrowing the stylized studying under her aunt, an accomplished Indian miniature painter, Khandavilli traveled to the lines of Indian miniature painting, and at an idol-making foundry near her home in Bangalore, a United States at the age of 19 to be with her husband through arranged marriage. “When I arrived mold was rendered using a mixture of termite mound, river mud, and brick dust. Lost-wax casting in the US,” she says, “I knew nothing. I was able to explore every opportunity.” The change was so produced the final version: a glistening, multifaceted bronze figurine with the haughty snout of a dramatic, she says, “I now think of my life in parts: before, during, and after.” show poodle and the sensuous body of a Hindu temple goddess. Now, back in India, Khandavilli revels in the process of making an ultra-modern goddess of vanity Says Khandavilli, “At this workshop I go to, my sculpture is cast along with hundreds of temple and desire in the manner of a traditional temple sculpture.
  • Theology of Supernatural

    Theology of Supernatural

    religions Article Theology of Supernatural Pavel Nosachev School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; [email protected] Received: 15 October 2020; Accepted: 1 December 2020; Published: 4 December 2020 Abstract: The main research issues of the article are the determination of the genesis of theology created in Supernatural and the understanding of ways in which this show transforms a traditional Christian theological narrative. The methodological framework of the article, on the one hand, is the theory of the occulture (C. Partridge), and on the other, the narrative theory proposed in U. Eco’s semiotic model. C. Partridge successfully described modern religious popular culture as a coexistence of abstract Eastern good (the idea of the transcendent Absolute, self-spirituality) and Western personified evil. The ideal confirmation of this thesis is Supernatural, since it was the bricolage game with images of Christian evil that became the cornerstone of its popularity. In the 15 seasons of its existence, Supernatural, conceived as a story of two evil-hunting brothers wrapped in a collection of urban legends, has turned into a global panorama of world demonology while touching on the nature of evil, the world order, theodicy, the image of God, etc. In fact, this show creates a new demonology, angelology, and eschatology. The article states that the narrative topics of Supernatural are based on two themes, i.e., the theology of the spiritual war of the third wave of charismatic Protestantism and the occult outlooks derived from Emmanuel Swedenborg’s system. The main topic of this article is the role of monotheistic mythology in Supernatural.