When you see what the Hopi tribe of Native Americans called Ongtupqua (since 1871, the "Grand Canyon") you see that which is rightly reckoned holy. Here is an inexpressible temple of the earth needing no artifice to sustain. Photographs do it no justice, and painters can only try; so, what chance is afforded mere words? The palettes there are not only of color, but of possibility. The songs are silence.
The best way to leave possibility is to leave it alone. The silence is absence, the way mantra is absent from mantra: a full, rich resonance without beginning, middle, or end. This is what a river does if you leave it alone. Never the same river twice.
The first human habitation of this region is reliably dated to 1200 BCE. In this holy place that has been inhabited by peoples of varying persuasion for over 3,200 years, it is likely we can agree on almost anything, and call it "history." Much evidence points to the Anasazi as the first inhabitants; "Anasazi," being the Navajo word for "Ancient Ones." Thus does the canyon become home to the Native American Nyingmapa, if you like to romanticize things that way.
So, then --
Amongst the comings and goings, there comes in 1885 a remarkable book entitled An Inglorious Columbus; or, Evidence That Hwui Shan and A Party of Buddhist Monks from Afghanistan Discovered America in the Fifth Century, A.D. The book's author is one Edward Payson Vining: a freight manager for the Union Pacific Railroad, noted as being of such avarice that contemporaries refused to have anything to do with him.
Vining seems to have been inspired by the 1875 publication, in London, of a work by Charles Godfrey Leland entitled, Fusang; or, The Discovery of America by Buddhist Priests in the Fifth Century.
This work was preceded by the mid-eighteenth century investigations of the French sinologist Joseph de Guignes ("Le Fou-Sang des Chinois est-il l'Amerique?" Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Vol. XXVIII, 1761).
The de Guigne investigations led to those of the mid-nineteenth century conducted by Prof. Carl Friedrich Neumann, at the University of Munich.
Leland's book seems, in fact, a translation of Neuman's 1841 translation of de Guignes's translation of an interpolation of Hui Shan's reputed 746 character report to his Emperor! The hermeneutic niceties of all this are eloquently studied in a Village Voice article (of all places) by Ed Park, which I now commend to your eager attention.
For the consequent, late date literature survey of it all -- a link that purports to no longer be missing, and the work that drags in Arizona -- try a 1953 work by Henriette Mertz, Gods from the Far East: How the Chinese Discovered America.
This work was preceded by the mid-eighteenth century investigations of the French sinologist Joseph de Guignes ("Le Fou-Sang des Chinois est-il l'Amerique?" Memoires de l'Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, Vol. XXVIII, 1761).
The de Guigne investigations led to those of the mid-nineteenth century conducted by Prof. Carl Friedrich Neumann, at the University of Munich.
Leland's book seems, in fact, a translation of Neuman's 1841 translation of de Guignes's translation of an interpolation of Hui Shan's reputed 746 character report to his Emperor! The hermeneutic niceties of all this are eloquently studied in a Village Voice article (of all places) by Ed Park, which I now commend to your eager attention.
For the consequent, late date literature survey of it all -- a link that purports to no longer be missing, and the work that drags in Arizona -- try a 1953 work by Henriette Mertz, Gods from the Far East: How the Chinese Discovered America.
Photograph from Grandview Point taken 2009
To boil it all down to a single postulate, sometime around 485 or so, Hui Shan (慧深) introduced Buddhism to the native peoples in and around the Grand Canyon, known to the Celestials as a place called Fusang ( 扶桑).
"In former times, the people of Fusang knew nothing of the Buddhist religion, but in the second year of Da Ming of the Song dynasty (485 CE), five monks from Kipin (Kabul region of Gandhara) travelled by ship to that country. They propagated Buddhist doctrine, circulated scriptures and drawings, and advised the people to relinquish worldly attachments. As a result, the customs of Fusang changed."
--Liang Shu, as quoted by Lily Chow, Chasing Their Dreams (2001)
So, then --
I will be the first one to tell you, scholarship leading to the postulate above stands better scrutiny by the dons at St. Syllogism's School of Wishful History than by those of Oxford or even those to let at SOAS. Ms. Mertz was an attorney and World War II codebreaker who liked to wring similarity and sense out of words whether by force or a penny in a fountain.
There we might leave it, save for an alleged 5 April 1909 front page article in the Arizona Gazette: "Explorations in the Grand Canyon," reporting on a 1908 discovery by G.E. Kincaid of Lewiston, Idaho:
"The recent finds include articles which have never been known as native to this country, and doubtless they had their origin in the orient. War weapons, copper instruments, sharp-edged and hard as steel, indicate the high state of civilization reached by these strange people"
And also, of rather more interest, the following purported statement:
"Over a hundred feet from the entrance is the cross-hall, several hundred feet long, in which are found the idol, or image, or the peoples' god, sitting cross-legged, with a lotus flower or lily in each hand. The cast of the face is oriental, and the carving this cavern. The idol almost resembles Buddha, though the scientists are not certain as to what religious worship it represents. Taking into consideration everything found thus far, it is possible that this worship most resembles the ancient people of Tibet. Surrounding this idol are smaller images, some very beautiful in form -- others crooked-necked and distorted shapes, symbolical, probably, of good and evil. There are two large cactus with protruding arms, one on each side of the dais on which the god squats. All this is carved out of hard rock resembling marble."
Oh, here we have the makings of a marvelous adventure. That Buddhist archaeology may take its turn in the United States is a wonderful dream!
Of course, the above may -- more probably than not -- turn out to be crap, but what pleases me in the above accounts are the references to Afghanistan, and copper.
Like most of you, I do have a friend from a Copper-Colored Mountain who had no trouble traveling from place to place, and liked to leave behind things for others to discover.
35 reader comments:
I love you and pray for your long life, strong health, and completion of all your compassionate activities, this day and throughout all space and time until all beings are ultimately liberated from all apparent forms of suffering. There is no other like you. Please continue to turn the wheel of Dharma for all of us seeking to bring true benefit. You make it accessible for all. There is much to be grateful for.
Hmmm... Mom is deceased, so I wonder who could have written the above? Anyway, thank you, whoever you are, for that vote of confidence. May it be genuine.
One year to the day.
I forgot to leave my name for the message I just posted : Stephen Ho.
Proof Of St. Brendan’s Discovery Of America
http://mag.diddlyi.com/2009/10/proof-stacks-up-for-st-brendans-discovery-of-america/
I think it’s safe to say that the jig is up: Christopher Columbus was not the first explorer to discover America. It’s widely believed now that the Chinese, the Vikings and also possibly the Irish monk, St. Brendan, beat Columbus to this illustrious title.
What we know for certain about St. Brendan (c. 484 – c. 577) is that he was born in Co. Kerry and he set up many Christian missions throughout his lifetime of travel. In truth, the rest of what we know about the famous saint is largely based on legend and taken from the Voyage of St. Brendan, an Irish voyage story, and other culture’s versions of the same tale. The story describes St. Brendan’s search for the Garden of Eden as he travels across the Atlantic Ocean to the The Isle of the Blessed. From this story, St. Brendan as “the Navigator” or “the Voyager” emerged and has led some to speculate that The Isle of the Blessed was in fact America.
There are a couple of reasons why it’s believed that St. Brendan’s journey actually happened in real life. We’ll start with the fact that the Irish were sea-faring people and were even respected by the Vikings as such which lends some credibility to the story. Furthermore, the type of leather-clad boat St. Brendan would have used to travel across the Atlantic is strong enough to reach America. We know this because in 1976 a British adventurer named Tim Severin successfully made the very journey St. Brendan may have on a vessel similar to what the monk is thought to have used. And then there is the interesting theory that Columbus possibly used the story of St. Brendan to help him cross the Atlantic. Of course, there’s no definitive evidence to support this idea; but a persuasive piece of the puzzle comes from Columbus himself who in 1492 said “I am convinced that the terrestrial paradise is in the Island of Saint Brendan, which none can reach save by the Will of God”.
The last piece of mystery continues with a cave located in West Virginia. In the early 1980s, a marine biologist from Harvard University named Barry Fell discovered writings on a cave’s wall that he believes to be ogham, the ancient Celtic alphabet used during St. Brendan’s time. According to Fell, the cave wall carvings tell the story of the Christian nativity. Obviously, the script on the cave’s walls cannot be confirmed and many historians don’t buy into Fell’s theories; however, there are people who agree with Fell too!
In the end, we don’t have conclusive proof that St. Brendan reached America. Nevertheless there is always the possibility that his leather-clad boat did make it across the ocean and the cave wall etchings are a result of an amazing journey.
http://mag.diddlyi.com/2009/10/proof-stacks-up-for-st-brendans-discovery-of-america/
There is the well-documented case of the the bilocation to America from Spain in the 17th century by the mystic and Abbess, Sor Maria de Jesus de Agreda (1602 - 1665), who converted many American Indians:
VISITING A FOREIGN LAND
Here we concentrate a moment on over 500 spiritual flights to a foreign land where she is believed to have evangelized the indians of New Mexico, Arizona and Texas from 1620 to 1631. (during the time the pilgrims were landing at Plymouth Rock). But is there any proof to these legends of the South West?
EXPANSION OF THE FRANCISCAN MISSIONS
Yes. In 1625, Fray Alonso de Benavides left Mexico along with the new territorial governor, Felipe de Sotelo Osorio. They traveled 1500 miles by foot to Santa Fe NM arriving on Feb. 6 1626. Fray Benavides job would be custodian (for conversion and expansion of the Franciscan Mission) in the new territories (New Mexico and Texas). And for the next 3 years he traveled the pueblos along and near the Rio Grande River. (He established many convents including Santa Clara de Copa and Taos.)
INDIANS MET THEM ASKING FOR BAPTISM
He wrote that he was astonished when the indians from the Isleta Pueblo came up to him asking to be baptized, that the indians knew about this Salvation God through a 'lady in blue' who came to them. She had encouraged them in their own language to be baptized with special water when the Friars came. (Some accounts, including that of Sor Maria, share that she gave them rosaries and that the priests were baffled by the beads they showed them.) The indians shared that she had also helped them make crosses, which they carried when they came to meet the Friars. (Locally the lore of Agreda in New Mexico grew as often happens and although there is no evidence of this, it is told that she instructed them on how to make a nourishing soup that anglos now call 'chili'. We were surprized to discover that chili does not originate in Mexico)
RETURNING TO SPAIN
In 1630, on his return to Spain, Fray Benavides wrote a 'Memorial' report about his experiences to King Philip IV. He spoke of the huge conversions among the indigenous people. He confirmed accounts of the spiritual visits to New Mexico of Sor Maria de Jesus de Agreda after visiting her at the convent in Spain. She assured him she indeed had been 'miraculously carried on the wings of angels from Spain to the land of Jumano' (Spanish for Humans) to teach them about Jesus. She was able to give descriptions of the terrain and of the people including the times and dates of her visits. She was even able to describe the chieftain who asked for baptism and was followed by the whole village. Names of areas were also given of which she would not have known anything about.
Father remembered too, the indians identifying a picture of Mother Luisa de Carrión, a popular Spanish stigmatist whose image was carried by the Franciscans. She wore the same creamy-white Conceptionist habit under a mantle of blue but was much older than the one who visited them. (Maria was only 18 when these flights began.)
AND THEN TO ROME
Father Benavides traveled to Rome from Spain (1633-34) to give his handwritten Memorial of these miraculous events to Pope Urban. When King Philip 1V heard of Sor Maria, he visited and befriended her. And for the rest of their lives the king called on her for political and spiritual direction through a collection of over 600 letters. Sor Maria is buried at Conceptionist Convent, where she had lived. Her body is incorrupt and she has been declared Venerable (now "Blessed") by the Catholic Church.
From :
http://www.rosaryworkshop.com/RDSP-2540-Agreda-history.html
in 3000 BC according to Charles Mann, saw the building of the Americas' first urban complex, in coastal Peru, of at least 30 closely packed cities, each centered around large pyramid-like structures
Google: "Dimensions of Dine (Navajo) and Buddhist Traditions" for a scholarly article comparing cultural and religious similarities between these two cultures.
These similarities are far too strong to be random. Google: "Mandalas, Mantras, Manjis and Monuments" and "Hendon's Geoglyphs"
For a scholarly article comparing the similarities between the Navajo and Tibetan Buddhist culture google: "Dimensions of Dine (Navajo) and Buddhist Traditions". This article written by a Univ. of New Mexico professor highlights numerous similarities that are too striking to ignore.
For an excellent book on this topic with an endorsement
letter forward by the Dalai Lama read "Navajo and Tibetan
Sacred Wisdom: The Circle of the Spirit" by Peter Gold.
One could safely assume that if anyone in the world was qualified to have an opinion on striking similarities between
another culture and Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism that it
would be His Holiness himself.
For an amazingly beautiful and huge chessboard grid located in North America google: "The Homer H Dubs
Priest Lake Chessboard Grid".
Actually this image is one of scores of such images spread out across the North American continent. The game of chess clearly originated in Asia.
In the beginning it started out as
a divination game known as Yi or
Shi in China. Over the years it
evolved and became the Chinese game of Weiqi known to the western world by its Japanese name-Go. The game is played on the intersection of the lines in Asia and not in the spaces as we play it in the west.Its a bigger board now but originally Go was played on a board
of 17 lines by 17 lines including the edges. Thats the exact size of the chessboard grid just below Burnstick Lake Alberta Canada.
Google: "The John Fairbairn Ancient
Go Board Alberta" for a view of this approx. 2560 acres project made up of 256 10 acre alternating colored grids. Pretty amazing! I challenge you to say this is random.
There are many people who can't come to the point of finally accepting the fact that Hwui Shan and his fellow Buddhist monks from Kabul Afghanistan (Greater India)actually made it to Fu Sang (North America) in 458CE. However there are two significant clues that make it a lot easier to believe. 1) The most common wedding ceremony among Native Americans even today is THE SEVEN STEP SEVEN VOW WEDDING from India where it originated thousands of years ago. How else would that identical custom come from India where Buddhism originated to North
America hundreds of years ago except by Hwui Shan and this group.
2). The Manji (swastika) has been
a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and all other Vedic religions from their inception. Yet
anthropologists will tell you that
Native Americans stumbled upon that
pattern themselves without any outside help because it was a pattern "whose time had come". That's a convenient explanation if
you don't know the real source of
that symbol and it's worked for years as an explanation to unsuspecting people. However, the
truth is quite apparent when I explain how it can be proven to you. The Navajo people call this
symbol the "whirling logs". The Hopi people call this symbol the "whirlwind". Here comes the proof.
"Manji" is an ancient Sanskrit word. Sanskrit is the language of
ancient India and therefore the language of the ancient Hindus and Buddhists. When "Manji" this ancient Sanskrit word is translated
into English it is "Whirlwind" the
exact same name for this symbol as
the Hopi call it even today and
very similar with the description used by the Navajo. Now how can that be a coincidence? I would think that was conclusive proof but
if you need even more there's more
to share.
If cultural or religious prophecies are available to read and comprehend they can provide great insight into not only that cultures vision of the future but also great details of their past. This is particularly true when the original culture's prophecies have been embraced and then absorbed into the religious belief system and culture of another culture particularly when the 2nd culture is thousands of miles away on another continent. Such is the case of the Tibetan Buddhist and the Hopi and Navajo tribal cultures. In the 5th century CE, the founder of Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism, Guru Rinpoche, made numerous prophecies which remarkably have been embraced and now absorbed in the Native American Hopi culture and viewed by them as their own. Several of these prophecies have come true already and others are in the process of fulfillment in our lifetime. An example of the latter is the take over of Tibet by China resulting in the displacing of thousands of Tibetans and the great reception given to the Dalai Lama himself, Lobsang Sangay, the Prime Minister (in exile) as well as the settlement of numerous Tibetans on their reservation land by the Hopi and Navajo nations. This was prophecied centuries ago by Guru Rinpoche and is today a part of the Hopi culture as well. Here is where you can verify the accuracy of my statements: Google: "Hopi and Tibetan Prophecy" and "The Hopi People and Buddhist Symbols". For information on Guru Rinpoche google: "Shocking Prophecies - The Temple of The Mind." How is it possible that the prophecies of ancient Tibet
have been transferred to the North American Hopi people hundreds of years after they were originally made in Tibet? Did they come at the same time and were they brought by the same people who brought the Vedic Seven Step Wedding from India as well as the Manji (swastika) known by its ancient India Sanskrit name--The Whirlwind in both cultures? The Anasazi culture mysteriously showed up in North America in ancient times and just as mysteriously disappeared around 1300 CE leaving the Hopi and Navajo tribes cultural and religious symbols, customs and prophecies that are identical or almost identical to Tibetan Buddhism. The obvious question that this raises is "Were the highly advanced Anasazi people----Tibetan Buddhists? When they left North America did they return to Tibet?"
Have you ever seen a picture of Walpi First Mesa the oldest extant home of the Hopi tribe and perhaps the oldest continuously occupied building structure in North America? If not google: "Walpi First Mesa Ansel Adams". Given our recent discussions of the great similarities between the Hopi and Navajo cultures and ancient Buddhist practices and symbols it may surprise you that Walpi is built on the top of the First Mesa exactly like Buddhist monasteries and temples have been built either on the tops of mountain peaks, hewn out of the cliff walls or built attached to the cliff walls going back to the origins of Buddhism. Other religions have taken over and occupied previously built Buddhist
monasteries as they have in Greece
when Buddhism left Greece but no other religion has had or still has the fascination with first rock
carving these structures and then occupying them for centuries. If you believe I am wrong about this then please let me know and give me examples of any other religion's
"sky walking" history and rock carving desires and abilities. Google: "Buddhist Mountain Top Monasteries" "Five of the World's Most Inaccessible Monasteries" and
"Anasazi Cliff Dwellings". To me Walpi represents another "monument in the sky" and further evidence that the Anasazi, Hopi and Navajo people have had ancient contact with Buddhism and still share the key elements of that faith to this day. Google: "Hopi and Tibetan Prophecy" and "The Hopi
and Buddhist Symbols" for more info
Snake Dancers Rock in Walpi Village so sacred to the Hopi culture and used so often in their religious ceremonies is a "Bent Hoodoo" like the numerous others found in so many locations throughout the Four Corners. Other examples are "The Cobra Fisher Towers Moab" and one with confirmed Buddhist ties:"Isan Home to Ancient Dvaravati Ruins". But how about those beautiful arches found throughout the Four Corners like those that are almost identical like the most famous freestanding Delicate Arch, Utah and Anasazi Rock, New Mexico with cuts on their bases? Do Arches have a religious significance in any major belief system anywhere in the ancient world? The answer is yes. Arches have religious meaning in all Vedic religions.
Google: "Arches in Ancient Hinduism", "Pa Kung Temple Roi Et Thailand" Images section and "Arch in Delhi commemorates India-Mexico friendship" for an arch built
In India to duplicate "Labna's Arch" a Vedic arch built in
Mexico by the Mayans. A Delhi government official said
the arch "will bring both the countries together in heritage, culture and political tie-ups."
However, it was only recently that I was able to make a
connection between a Native American belief system and the "arches or land bridges". "Rainbow Bridge National Monument" is a Navajo holy site. "Recently Navajo medicine men tell of being harassed by federal officials for holding religious ceremonies at Rainbow Bridge". And do you believe that it is a coincidence that
the Capital and Administrative Center for the Navajo nation happens to be located at "Window Rock, Arizona"
On August 8th, 1883 on his way to Yellowstone Park to
go fishing President Chester Arthur stopped by Fort
Washakie to meet with Chief Washakie and the chiefs and elders of the Shoshoni and Arapaho tribal cultures.
Pictures taken of this event clearly show that several of
the mounted notibles on this sunny summer day were holding umbrellas (Parosols) . The best picture of this is in the book "The Great Chiefs" in the Time-Life Books series- The Old West on page 144-145. (A used copy of this book can be purchased online for approximately $5). An explanation of the umbrellas is given on page 145. "The chiefs hold umbrellas to distinguish them from ordinary warriors". An online picture that is not as descriptive of the umbrellas held there: Google: "Indian Reception of President Chester Arthur". For a painting of this event google: "Indians with Umbrellas". The painting is fairly faithful to the original picture with the exception that the umbrellas held by the original chiefs were black and not colored. The HUGE significance of the chiefs holding umbrellas to illustrate their power and authority to the President of the United States is that this Is An Ancient Vedic Custom used in India and everywhere that Vedic religions and influences like Buddhism went. Yes, it is true that the ancient Aztecs and Mayan kings also used the Parasol (One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism) as a symbol of their elevated status. However, these Vedic customs most likely got to Central and South America the same way that they got to North America. That would be by Hwui Shan and his 4 fellow Buddhist monks that left Gandhara (Afghanistan) in 458 BC and as recorded in the Chinese classic Liang Shu traveled to FuSang (The Americas?).
Buddhapada is the study of images of the footprints of Buddha carved into rock in the places that Buddha is believed to have been or where his message has been taken. For several scholars of Buddhism this is their only area of study. It's important in Buddhism. Then why do you suppose there are numerous footprint carvings all over Newspaper Rock, Utah? But it's
not just the footprints there. What do you make of all the concentric circle designs that are also there? Nothing unusual about that unless you are aware of the connection between concentric circles and the Buddhist mandala (so important in Buddhism) which means "circle" in Sanskrit the ancient language of India where Buddhism originated. Google: "Buddhist Symbols Newspaper Rock"
Dr. Stephen Lekson, University of Colorado, has written an excellent essay on how reluctant modern western scholars have been to the acceptance of historical theories that included elements of migration and/ or diffusion. Google : "Diffusions and Histories/ The Southwest in the World" by Dr. Stephen Lekson. In a culture that prides itself on openness and pursuing the truth wherever it may lead, the evidence that I have presented that I believe points to Vedic Buddhist customs and symbols here in Pre Columbian America can not be considered by western scholars because it contains elements of foreign diffusion brought about by Asian migration to North America. Is this prohibition more about protecting the Eurocentric version of history or about protecting the accurate historical record?
It's one thing to bring the public's attention to evidence
around the Four Corners that seems to point toward
the presence of ancient Buddhism there. Numerous people find this evidence compelling. However, mainstream western scholars either will not or cannot
consider this evidence because it does not fit within the pre established rules set for theories that they are allowed to consider. Theories of Pre Columbian America that contain elements of migration or diffusion are called "anti-science" by the majority of scholars who specialize in the Pacific Southwest and are therefore ignored. Dr. Stephen Lekson, Univ. of Colorado, has recently written an excellent online essay on this topic titled: "Diffusions & Histories/ The Southwest in the World" that gives a balanced view on
this subject. Was this policy truly instituted to protect
the accuracy of the historical record or was it designed
to specifically exclude the possibility that the evidence of pre Columbian Asian migration or diffusion could ever be considered as an alternate to the 500 year old European historical account?
record
Arches are found throughout the Four Corners area of the Pacific South West. The common wisdom is that these arches, land bridges and rock windows are the result of natural erosion. However of the 2200 +/- arches in Arches Natl Park it is reported that 43 have crashed to the ground since 1970. That seems like an abnormally high percentage rate for the failure of rock formations that are supposedly hundreds of thousands of years old. Is it possible that
these formations are much younger
than thought? Arches play a significant role in all the Vedic
religions of India including Buddhism. The Sanskrit name for the Vedic arch is Torana. Toranas
or temple gateway arches may pre
date Buddhism. The primary function of the Torana is to be a
frame that encircles an image of
Buddha or other Vedic diety. The
most important part of the Torana then is the base or foundation directly under the arch that serves as the place where the holy one being honored is set.
Interestingly, the Navajo and several other tribes have a sacred
site that fits this description.
The place is Rainbow Bridge. Google: "Rainbow Bridge Hendon Harris" The tribes that consider
Rainbow Bridge a special religious
spot have unsuccessfully sued the U.S. government to stop any of the
300,000 tourist who now annually visit the site from "walking under
the arch and across that sacred
foundation". Sound famaliar?
Rainbow Bridge is one of the 14
largest land bridges in the world.
They are all ranked in "The Big 14 Tour" website. Twelve of these arches are located in either China
or the Four Corners. One of the remaining two was recently located in Afghanistan (Gandhara) home to
a highly advanced Buddhist community located on the Silk Road connecting China and Europe as well as Hwui Shan Buddhist missionary of Fu Sang fame as well
as the rock carved Giant Buddhas.
The last one, Aloba Arch, is found
in Chad in the heart of Africa.
When you google: "Mushroom Rocks Chad Africa Images" you will see
rock formations just like those in
Arches Natl Park Utah or the Bisti
Badlands, New Mexico. You will also see these identical shapes
by googling: "Mushroom Rocks Thailand". Thailand is the well
established home of the ancient Dvaravati Buddhist culture. Therefore there seems to be a commonality between these rock
formations in these specific places spread around the world. Is
it possible that the missionary expeditions started by King Ashoka
of India in the 4th century BCE
went well beyond the boundaries that modern scholars have placed on them? I believe that is what this evidence demonstrates.
For more images of incredible rock
formations in Chad, Africa that look like those found in the Bisti Badlands, Arches Natl Park and numerous other places in the Four Corners region google: "Forgotten Wonders from the Dead Heart of Africa".
Were you aware that the ancient Chinese back to the Warring States Period BCE were aware of the huge North Pacific Gyre. Their name for it was the Wei Lu Current. That enormous river like current has flowed from the time before man in a clockwise motion up the coast of China past Japan up to Alaska and then south along the North American coast before it swerves west to China where it repeats the process. This conveyor
belt type current pulls anything that gets caught in its flow along
with it. It was a tremendous tool
for sailors prior to engines in that it greatly accelerated their
progress when they were able to use it from one port to another.
The fact that the ancient Chinese were aware of the Wei Lu is significant because if they traveled it the whole way it would have taken them from China to Alaska, to what is today Canada, California and all the way back to China. The Wei Lu/North Atlantic
Gyre connects China with North America! Its not rocket science!
It's a simple fact. To believe the Chinese had figured this out does not require a leap of faith. Google: "Ancient Chinese Naval History" "Ancient Chinese Naval
Technology" The Chinese Navy prior to 1433 had literally thousands of ships in its fleets.
These ships all sailed somewhere so undoubtedly some of these ships
sailed to North America. I mention this not to point out how
far advanced China was from pre Columbian Western Europe although
that was certainly true. I mention
this to point out that a Buddhist
monk like Hwui Shan and his traveling companions in 458 CE would have had no problem booking
passage on a Chinese ship traveling from China to Fu Sang (North America) and then back
around to China using the Wei Lu current.
Western historians are not quick to tell you that there are major discrepancies in their telling of the history of international navigation. One thing is absolutely certain. It did not begin in the 15th century as they have been telling us for the last 500 years. In order to accept the western version you have to ignore countless volumes of verifiable evidence from China, India and numerous other locations. Google: "History of the Chinese Navy" "Ancient Chinese Shipbuilding" "Ancient Chinese Oceanic Navigation". Books on this topic include "When China Ruled the Seas" by Louise Levathes, "The Genius of China" by Robert Temple and "Maritime Sector, Institutions, and Sea Power of Premodern China" by Gang Deng. This is just a
small portion of the information that refutes the Western claim that the European "Age of Discovery"
qualifies Western Civilization to claim the title of First
True Masters of the High Seas. It was this mandate
that entitled them (at least in their opinion) to claim all
the land overseas they found for their respective Kings
and Country. The truth is these countries had been
located and explored at least centuries earlier. Joseph
Needham reports that the Chinese were aware of the
North Pacific Gyre within a few centuries of the beginning of the Common Era. The Chinese had named it the Wei Lu Current.
Sacred ceremonial masks play a significant role in the religious
culture of the Native American
people of the Four Corners region.
Recently the Annenberg Foundation
moved swiftly and generously to save several Hopi and Apache sacred masks that were slated for sale at a Paris auction house. You can use any internet search engine to get more details on this rescue operation.
Masks do not play a role in the major religions of the world with one notable exception. The major religions that originated in Vedic India such as Hinduism and its offshoot Buddhism do have such a connection with sacred masks. Because Vedic Buddhism has spread throughout Asia now all those cultures and countries now also have sacred masks as a significant feature of their religious beliefs. In order to see the striking similarities between the Buddhist and Native American versions google: "Buddhist Masks" and "Native American Masks". Masks represent just one piece of the puzzle that connects Vedic Buddhism to North America. Google: "Buddhist Symbols Customs Monuments North America"
and "The King Arches National Park" for more evidence. Mainstream scholars can continue to ignore this evidence in an effort to protect the Eurocentric version of history but at some point we will all remember the fable of "The Emperor's New Clothes" and the little boy who
yelled "Mom, that man is naked".
When that happens we will all then
recognize that this evidence changes the history we've been taught.
There's a drought in California. Native American farmers there remember that their ancestors had a great way of dealing with droughts-the Rain Dance. But hey, it's been a long time and some of these tribes had forgotten the procedures or "rules" of that dance. So where did they go or who did they turn to in order to find out how to do it? Last week The L A Times published the article "Dancing to pierce skies" by Diana Marcum telling the story. She wrote about the rule to move in a clockwise motion while dancing. That 's also the way both Native Americans and East
Indians move in their Seven Step Seven Vow Wedding
both in North America and in India. All Vedic religions
worship in a clockwise motion. Yes, it's a religious rule
that has been absorbed into the cultures of the Native
American tribal cultures. How and when did that happen? (Read the above postings). Did you know that Buddhists had anything to do with "The Rain Dance"? Well they certainly do. In fact they are in
Possession of The Rain Dance Rules. For information
on what those rules are google: " Wisdom Quarterly:
American Buddhist Journal Rain Dance." I'm telling you there's a solid connection between the Vedic Buddhist religion and the Pre Columbian cultures of the Native American tribal people.
San Pedro Bay on the Southern California Coast has been a great shelter/ harbor from the Pacific Ocean since before the arrival of man. Catalina Island lying 26 miles west of the bay serves as a wind and water break. The Palos Verdes Peninsula directly north of the bay serves to direct the North Pacific Gyre currents out and around the bay. Today San Pedro Bay is home to two of the busiest harbors in the world. That would be the Los Angeles and Long Beach
harbors. However, there is evidence that bay was used commercially in pre Columbian times by Asians and Native Americans. Recently the founder/owner of Body Glove diving
suits, Bob Meistrell, found scores of specific Chinese stone anchors in the shallow waters right off Palos Verdes. Some scholars have dated these stones/anchors back to the beginning of the Common Era because of the magnesium built up
on them. Others claim these rocks clustered together with donut holes in the middle of each one and in or near a recognized natural harbor are simply there by random chance. If Hwui Shan sailed to Fu Sang as he said he did and if Fu Sang was North America then there had to be sailing ships making the trip with
harbors in which the ships anchored. For a view of what makes San Pedro Bay a great harbor google: "The California Channel Islands Ray Sterner". For more information on Hwui Shan's trip
google: "Hwui Shan The Land of Women I Believe I can Show You" and "When the Chinese Didn't Discover America- Fu Sang" and read the recent comments.
There appear to be two places in the world where the Saptapadi or Seven Step Seven Vow Wedding ritual is practiced and has been practiced for at least hundreds of years and continuing up to today. Those places are India where the tradition originated before the beginning of Buddhism in the 6th Century BCE and among numerous tribal cultures in North America. To this day the ceremonies are practically identical. Among all
the followers of Vedic religions
which includes Buddhism there is
NO CONFUSION as to who the god of fire is that is being worshiped
as they use that ritual. That god
is Agni their god of fire and once
one of the most important deities
in ancient India. Does it take a
leap of reason to draw the conclusion that if Native Americans apparently inherited this tradition from India (possibly via Buddhist missionary monk Hwui Shan) that the "sacred flame" they are worshiping as they circle the fire in their ceremony is Agni as well? I don't think it takes a leap at all. I believe its the obvious conclusion. Google: "Vedic Cafe-Seven Step Wedding"
The 1953 book "Pale Ink" by Henriette Mertz does an excellent
job of relaying the story of Hwui Shan and his trip to Fu Sang in 458 CE. His account in the official historical Imperial Chinese court
record is the cornerstone of the theory of ancient Buddhists in N America. All the evidence of Evidence of Buddhism that abounds to this day in the Four Corners area is simply supporting evidence of the report that Hwui Shan gave to Emperor Wu Ti in 502 CE. In my opinion Henriette Meztz's book does the best job of telling the history of that report. Mertz's free online book is available by googling: "Pale Ink Henriette Mertz Index". If you want the condensed version of her story go straight to Chapter II. Google: "Pale Ink Henriette Mertz Chapter II".
The foundation of the theory of
Buddhist missionaries in Pre Columbian N America is the actual
report Hwui Shan gave to the Emperor of China, Wu Ti, in 502 CE. The best account of the history of that report was written by Henriette Mertz in 1953. Her book, Pale Ink, is free and available online. For the entire book google: "Pale Ink
Henriette Mertz Index". For a condensed version google: "Pale Ink Henriette Mertz Chapter II" or
www.sacred texts.com/earth/pi/pi04.htm
Breaking News: The Smithsonian Magazine in their October edition
published an article "Did Marco Polo Discover America" After the major news services picked this up it is being published in newspapers around the world. If this story is proven true
it shows that Marco Polo came to N America using the exact same route as
Buddhist cleric Hwui Shan traveled to Fu Sang 800 years earlier. Both of their travel reports tell of countries and cultures that can only
be accessed if you are traveling from
Asian to N America via the North Pacific Gyre currents. That route takes you north up the China coast past Korea, Japan and up to Kamchatka
before it swings east toward Alaska
south of the Bering Strait and then
south along the N America coast.
So while we Europeans are scratching our heads trying to determine which
Italian "discovered" N America first
from the east of was it the west coast--Let's remember the Asians who
knew this ancient current as the Wei Lu and had been traveling it for a long time using it's conveyor belt like qualities. Google: "Inconvenient Maps at the Library of Congress"
If a large image of an ancient Chinese white horse was discovered in North America who could have possibly done it? Could it have been the Baima (White Horse People) from Tibet?
The first pagoda in China honoring the arrival of Buddhism in China in 68 CE is known to this day as "The White Horse Pagoda" after the white horse that brought the Buddhist manuscripts from India that were used to begin the teachings of Buddhism in a New Land.
Just a few centuries later 5 clerics also from India passing through China reportedly made their way to a beautiful land that the Chinese had known for centuries as Fu Sang. The purpose of that trip recorded in the Chinese Imperial court record was also to introduce Buddhism to a new land. Is it far fetched to believe that if the White Horse Symbol was used to celebrate Buddhism's arrival in China that it may have then been used to celebrate
Buddhism's arrival in Fu Sang?
For more interesting information on the Baima (White Horse) people google: "White Horse People".
For images of the huge white horse (ancient Chinese horse with ancient Chinese saddle technology) image google: "hendon's horse" or "the harris horse image"
Would it surprise you to learn that the White Horse people had/have strong cultural roots to Tibet?
Would it surprise you that this culture has had a long tradition of harvesting vast amounts of wood and still does to this day. Google: "Hendon Harris Domino Grids Diamond Lake Oregon" "Joseph Needham North American Chessboard Grid Collection.
It is reported that Dominos have a significant role in the religion of the White Horse People to this day.
All this is in addition to the Chattras, Toranas, Manji, Mandalas, Mantras and numerous customs such as the 7 Step, 7 Vow Wedding Tradition walked clockwise around the sacred flame (Agni?) for hundreds of years here in N America.
If it walks like a duck, flys like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, lays eggs
like a duck and looks like a duck---It's a Duck! All this evidence of ancient Buddhism in
North America could lead a reasonable person to the same conclusion.
The people in charge of Arches National Park, Utah will tell you that the 2,000 plus or minus arches there are the result of wind and water erosion.
That is the position they must take when there can be no recognition of any ancient activity especially when "God Forbid" it was done by Asians especially when no one wants to give credit to any foreign activity or influences here BEFORE the arrival of Europeans to this continent.
Delicate Arch is the most famous of all the arches at Arches National Park. It is so famous that it is has been used or is still being used on the license plates of motor vehicles in the state.
However, I believe I can tell you what Delicate Arch was originally carved and created to be around the 5th century CE. Don't just take my word for it. Use your favorite search engine and type "Makara Torana"
Delicate Arch is not just a Hindu influened Buddhist Torana (Temple Gateway
Arch). It's a specific kind of Torana that was absorbed into Tibetan Buddhism from Hinduism and brought to N America by Buddhist clerics. Delicate Arch is called delicate because one of the arch supports appears to have eroded faster than the other supporting leg making it appear that the collapse of Delicate Arch will ultimately result when that side gives way whenever that will be.
I believe and I think you will agree after you go to Makara Torana that this
arch was not created by erosion but was carved to be the head of the sea serpent Makara that was the vehicle for the high Hindu/Buddhist god Varuna to ride through the day and nighttime sky. Not only does the "head" portion of Delicate Arch resemble a sea serpent's head there is another clue on the top of the arch. That mound of rocks remaining on the top of the arch is what remains of the ancient saddle that Varuna rode on as he travelled on Makara through the day and night sky.
There is no doubt that Delicate Arch is a beautiful sight during the day when all tourist travel up there to see it. However, to really see the spectacular beauty that the ancient Buddhist clerics and their local carvers wanted you to see in amazing stellar magnificence you need to go to "Nighttime Views of Delicate Arch. Enjoy the Milky Way between the Arch supports.
Assume if even for a moment that I am correct in my understanding of what Delicate Arch actually is--Could Buddhist clerics desiring to honor Varuna Hindu and also Buddhist god find a better place to build a "Temple Gateway Arch" to locate that tribute than EXACTLY where that arch is located to this very day. I think not. "Varuna and His Decline-Part Six"
Is there other possible connecting evidence of ancient Buddhist activity in this area near Moab Utah? I believe there is. Google: "Church Rock: Cathedral in the Desert" as well as "Mexican Hat Rock Topo Zone". If you have
never been to Arches National Park, Utah I encourage you to go there when you
have the opportunity. While there also visit "Newspaper Rock" just to the south to see the petroglyphs there. There are images that clearly show Native
Americans on horseback.
Google: "Church Rock: Cathedral in the Desert" and "A Kapruka Pujawa at Ruwanweliseya Muhasay" for beautiful images of modern day temple celebration
on Poya Days in Sri Lanka. Does this explain how Church Rock got it's coloring?
Hendon Harris: "Wrapped Stupa"
Google: "Fu Sang The Last Wilderness by Ken Campbell"
"Wrapped Stupas in Sri Lanka & Utah"
"Agni Hindu God of Fire- Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia"
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