Tag: Oriental

Flora Botton (Mexico): Why Ancient & Modern China Should Be Understood as a Completed Whole! (2.10.2023)

Flora Botton: Mexico and China have established diplomatic relations for more than 50 years. I am happy to say that Mexico and China have a lot of communication in all aspects, whether it is economic relations, political relations, or academic relations. Exchange students, scholarship establishment, visiting scholars, travel, language learning… all kinds of communications.

In ancient times, “sinologists” were scholars who spread Chinese culture by learning and translating Chinese. They specialized in the study of traditional Chinese culture. And now the term is widely used for any scholar who studies China, even contemporary China.

Continue reading

China: Gansu Buddhist ‘Smile of the Orient’ Said to Equal That of the ‘Mona Lisa’! (5.9.2023)

The early Buddhist groups in China mirrored that of the extant Confucian scholiastic system – often forming around married laymen – with disciples taking the surname of the teacher as their ‘Dharma-Name’ and essentially becoming an extension of his family. Grottoes such as that featured below were places where Buddhists could meet, share and practice their understanding of Indian Buddhist philosophy. An understanding of Buddhist monasticism started to arrive and distinguish itself in China from the existing lay-practice around the 5th century CE – the date I believe this ‘smiling’ monk appears to date from. Whereas Buddhist lay-practitioners did not shave their heads (like Daoists and Confucians) – monastic Buddhists (male and female) were required to shave their heads – indicative of their ‘rejecting’ of the desire-laden conventions that define, guide and justify the external world.

Continue reading

David Bacon: How the Far-Right ‘Celebrates’ and ‘Laments’ the ‘Masked Marvel’! (29.1.2023) 

Openly celebrating David Bacon (as the ‘Masked Marvel’) killing endless examples of ‘Asian’ men (all ‘pretending’ to be ‘Japanese’ whilst conforming to Western racial stereotypes) is one thing – but openly recognising the fact that David Bacon may have been ‘stamped’ upon by an unknown person (possibly a ‘male’) wearing high-heels – is just too much for the uber macho Neo-Nazis to contend with – even though many from amongst their ranks are not only routinely found participating in such activity – but are often caught taking part in ‘illegal’ sexual activities far worse than anything that might (or might not) legally occur in a more adventurous bedroom. Although, of course, David Bacon was wearing only swimming trunks at the time of his death and had spent the day frequently a stretch of beach renowned for gentleman callers.  

Continue reading