Tang Dynasty – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

China: How to Read the Buddhist “卍” (Swastika) Symbol Currectly! (17.10.2024)

17/10/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

Empress Wu Zetian (武则天) of the Tang Dynasty was attracted to Buddhism very much and often invited Ch’an Masters to the palace to explain Buddhist Sutras to her. It was under the promotion of Wu Zetian that Huayan (华严) Sect became a major Buddhist school during the Tang Dynasty.

At that time, there was still no consensus on the pronunciation of “卍” within Buddhism. Some people insisted that it should be pronounced as “万” (Wan4) or “The Ten Thousand Thing” – but others opposed this interpretation – and believed it should be pronounced as “万”(mo2) or “Scorpion” – referring to an Oracle Bone Inscription which refers to a non-Chinese primitive tribe (during the Shang Dynasty) that worshipped the “Scorpion” whilst mimicking its movements in a ritualistic dance (perhaps implying the “foreignness” of India).

Ryukyu: Studying the ‘Okinawa’ Name! (22.2.2024)

22/02/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

I was asked about the history and meaning of the name ‘Okinawa’ and ‘Ryukyu’ – both Japanese in origin – but premised upon older Chinese ideograms. At the above link, there is my research regarding the forensic study of the ideograms involved and my conclusions premised upon these findings. The term ‘Okinawa’ appears to be a post-1872 CE construct – at least in regard to the forming of the Japanese Prefecture of that name. Generally, Chinese literature does not use this term – but prefers the far older ‘Lu Qiu’ designation which dates back around 1500-years.

China: History of the Dragon Dance! (19.2.2024)

19/02/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

Hakka people – who are originally from Central and Northern China perform the ‘Phoenix’ Dance. A Chinese Phoenix looks like a Dragon (with different and darker colouring) – but has a central horn (like a Unicorn) on its forehead. Where this idea comes from no one is sure – but there is a rumour that Hakka people are a mixture of Han Chinese and the invading European ‘Hunnish’ Tribes that plagued the Northern borders of China thousands of years ago! The Hakka (Guest People) are responsible for the Qin and Han Dynasties and have spent their time migrating forever Southward over the centuries (bringing their Northern language, culture and martial arts with them).

Email: Hong Xiuquan and Nushu! (5.4.2021)

05/04/2021 Adrian (釋大道)

Dear Gillian Hong Xiuquan (1814-1864) was a ‘Hakka’ Confucian scholar from Guangdong, who came into contact with Western (Christian) missionaries in his youth. Although all evidence suggests that

Email: Nanzhao Buddhist Monastery Discovered in Yunnan! (25.1.2021)

29/01/2021 Adrian (釋大道)

A vanished empire: Major new discovery exposes long-lost medieval kingdom The Kingdom of ‘Nan Zhao’ (南诏) or ‘Southern Zhao’ existed between 738-902 CE. I suspect

Was the Sixth Patriarch of Ch’an of Hakka Ethnicity?

17/02/2016 Adrian (釋大道)

Hakka religious culture often involves the integration of the practice of Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. There is a practical engagement with the outer world, whilst the facilities exist within Hakka spiritual culture that allows for the inner development of the mind.

1 2 »