Podcasts about Crescent moon

arms new moon crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 2:52

March 30, 2025: The crescent moon returns to the evening sky. Look for the New moon in the old moon's arms when earthshine softly lights the lunar night.the accompanying article - 2025, March 30: Evening Crescent Moon, New Moon in the Old Moon's Arms

Journey to the West, Part 3

Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 46:04

This episode we will finish up the travels of Xuanzang, who circumnavigated the Indian subcontinent while he was there, spending over a decade and a half travelings, visiting important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and studying at the feet of learned monks of India, and in particular at Nalanda monastery--a true center of learning from this period. For more, check out our blogpost page: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-122 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan. My name is Joshua and this is episode 122: Journey to the West, Part 3 The courtyard at Nalanda was quiet. Although hundreds of people were crowded in, trying to hear what was being said, they were all doing their best to be silent and still. Only the wind or an errant bird dared speak up. The master's voice may not have been what it once was—he was definitely getting on in years—but Silabhadra's mind was as sharp as ever. At the front of the crowd was a relatively young face from a far off land. Xuanzang had made it to the greatest center of learning in the world, and he had been accepted as a student of perhaps the greatest sage of his era. Here he was, receiving lessons on some of the deepest teachings of the Mahayana Buddhist sect, the very thing he had come to learn and bring home. As he watched and listened with rapt attention, the ancient teacher began to speak…. For the last two episodes, and continuing with this one, we have been covering the travels of the monk Xuanzang in the early 7th century, starting around 629 and concluding in 645. Born during the Sui dynasty, Xuanzang felt that the translations of the Buddhist sutras available in China were insufficient—many of them had been made long ago, and often were translations of translations. Xuanzang decided to travel to India in the hopes of getting copies in the original language to provide more accurate translations of the sutras, particularly the Mahayana sutras. His own accounts of his journeys, even if drawn from his memory years afterwards, provide some of our most detailed contemporary evidence of the Silk Road and the people and places along the way. After he returned, he got to work on his translations, and became quite famous. Several of the Japanese students of Buddhism who traveled to the Tang dynasty in the 650s studied under him directly and brought his teachings back to Japan with them. His school of “Faxiang” Buddhism became known in Japan as the Hosso sect, and was quite popular during the 7th and 8th centuries. Xuanzang himself, known as Genjou in Japan, would continue to be venerated as an important monk in the history of Buddhism, and his travels would eventually be popularized in fantastic ways across East Asia. Over the last couple of episodes we talked about Xuanzang's illegal and harrowing departure from the Tang empire, where he had to sneak across the border into the deserts of the Western Regions. We then covered his time traveling from Gaochang, to Suyab, and down to Balkh, in modern Afghanistan. This was all territory under the at least nominal control of the Gokturk empire. From Balkh he traveled to Bamyan, and then on to Kapisa, north of modern Kabul, Afghanistan. However, after Kapisa, Xuanzang was finally entering into the northern territories of what he knew as “India”, or “Tianzhu”. Here I would note that I'm using “India” to refer not to a single country, but to the entirety of the Indian subcontinent, and all of the various kingdoms there -- including areas now part of the modern countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The Sinitic characters used to denote this region are pronounced, today, as “Tianzhu”, with a rough meaning of “Center of Heaven”, but it is likely that these characters were originally pronounced in such a way that the name likely came from terms like “Sindhu” or “Induka”. This is related to the name of the Sindh or Indus river, from which India gets its name. Xuanzang's “Record of the Western Regions” notes that the proper pronunciation of the land should be “Indu”. In Japan, this term was transmitted through the Sinitic characters, or kanji, and pronounced as “Tenjiku”. Since it featured so prominently in the stories of the life of the Buddha and many of the Buddhist sutras, Tenjiku was known to the people of the Japanese archipelago as a far off place that was both real and fantastical. In the 12th century, over a thousand stories were captured for the “Konjaku Monogatarishu”, or the “Collection of Tales Old and New”, which is divided up into tales from Japan, China, and India. In the famous 9th or 10th century story, “Taketori Monogatari”, or the “Bamboo-Cutter's Tale”, about princess Kaguya hime, one of the tasks the princess sets to her suitors is to go to India to find the begging bowl of the Buddha. Records like those produced by Xuanzang and his fellow monks, along with the stories in the sutras, likely provided the majority of what people in the Japanese archipelago knew about India, at least to begin with. Xuanzang talks about the land of India as being divided into five distinct parts—roughly the north, south, east, west, and center. He notes that three sides face the sea and that the Snow Mountains—aka the Himalayas—are in the north. It is, he says, “Wide in the north and narrow in the south, in the shape of a crescent moon”. Certainly the “Wide in the north and narrow in the south” fit the subcontinent accurately enough, and it is largely surrounded by the waters of what we know as the Indian Ocean to the west, the east, and the south. The note about the Crescent Moon might be driven by Xuanzang's understanding of a false etymology for the term “Indus”, which he claims comes from the word for “moon”. Rather, this term appears to refer to the Indus River, also known as the Sindh or Sindhus, which comes from an ancient word meaning something like “River” or “Stream”. Xuanzang also notes that the people of the land were divided into castes, with the Brahman caste at the top of the social hierarchy. The land was further divided into approximately 70 different countries, according to his accounts. This is known broadly as the Early Medieval period, in India, in which the region was divided into different kingdoms and empires that rose and fell across the subcontinent, with a total size roughly equivalent to that covered by the countries of the modern European Union. Just like Europe, there were many different polities and different languages spoken across the land – but just as Latin was the common language in Europe, due to its use in Christianity, Sanskrit was the scholarly and religious language in much of India, and could also be used as a bridge language. Presumably, Xuanzang understood Sanskrit to some extent as a Buddhist monk. And, just a quick note, all of this was before the introduction of Islam, though there were other religions also practiced throughout the subcontinent, but Xuanzang was primarily focused on his Buddhist studies. Xuanzang describes India as having three distinct seasons—The hot season, the rainy season, and the cold season, in that order. Each of these were four month long periods. Even today, the cycle of the monsoon rains is a major impact on the life of people in South Asia. During the rainy season, the monks themselves would retreat back to their monasteries and cease their wanderings about the countryside. This tradition, called “Vassa”, is still a central practice in many Theravada Buddhist societies such as Thailand and Laos today, where they likewise experience this kind of intensely wet monsoon season. Xuanzang goes on to give an in depth analysis of the people and customs of the Indian subcontinent, as he traveled from country to country. So, as we've done before, we'll follow his lead in describing the different locations he visited. The first country of India that Xuanzang came to was the country of Lampa, or Lamapaka, thought to be modern Laghman province in Afghanistan. At the time it was a dependency of Kapisa. The Snow Mountains, likely meaning the Hindu Kush, the western edge of the Himalayas, lay at its north, while the “Black Mountains” surrounded it on the other three sides. Xuanzang mentions how the people of Lampa grow non-glutinous rice—likely something similar to basmati rice, which is more prevalent in South Asian cuisine, as compared to glutinous rice like more often used in East Asia. From Lampa he headed to Nagarahara, likely referring to a site near the Kabul River associated with the ruins of a stupa called Nagara Gundi, about 4 kilometers west of modern Jalalabad, Afghanistan. This was another vassal city-state of Kapisa. They were still Mahayana Buddhists, but there were other religions as well, which Xuanzang refers to as “heretical”, though I'm not entirely sure how that is meant in this context. He does say that many of the stupas were dilapidated and in poor condition. Xuanzang was now entering areas where he likely believed the historical Buddha had once walked. In fact, Lampa was perhaps the extent of historical Buddha's travels, according to the stories and the sutras, though this seems unlikely to have been true. The most plausible locations for the Historical Buddha's pilgrimages were along the Ganges river, which was on the other side of the subcontinent, flowing east towards modern Kolkatta and the Bengal Bay. However, as Buddhism spread, so, too, did stories of the Buddha's travels. And so, as far as Xuanzang was concerned, he was following in the footsteps of the Buddha. Speaking of which, at Nagarahara, Xuanzang mentions “footprints” of the Buddha. This is a Buddhist tradition found in many places. Xuanzang claims that the Tathagatha, the Englightened One, or the Buddha, would fly, because when he walked the land itself shook. Footprint shapes in rock could be said to be evidence of the Buddha's travels. Today, in many Buddhist areas you can find footprints carved into rock conforming to stories about the Buddha, such as all the toes being of the same length, or other various signs. These may have started out as natural depressions in the rock, or pieces of artwork, but they were believed by many to be the actual point at which the Buddha himself touched down. There are famous examples of these footprints in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China. Of course there are also traditions of creating images of the footprint as an object of worship. Images of footprints, similar to images of the Great Wheel of the Law, may have been some of the earliest images for veneration, as images of the Buddha himself did not appear until much later in the tradition. One of the oldest such footprints in Japan is at Yakushiji temple, and dated to 753. It was created based on a rubbing brought back by an envoy to the Tang court, while they were in Chang'an. Like Buddha footprints, there are many other images and stories that show up multiple times in different places, even in Xuanzang's own narrative. For example, in Nagarahara Xuanzang also shares a story of a cave, where an image of the Buddha could be just barely made out on the wall – maybe maybe an old carving that had just worn away, or maybe an image that was deliberately placed in the darkness as a metaphor for finding the Buddha—finding enlightenment. This is not an uncommon theme in Buddhism as a whole. In any case, the story around this image was that it had been placed there to subdue a naga. Now a naga is a mythical snake-like being, and we are told that this particular naga was the reincarnation of a man who had invoked a curse on the nearby kingdom, then threw himself from a cliff in order to become a naga and sow destruction. As the story went, the man was indeed reborn, but before he could bring destruction, the Buddha showed up and subdued him, convincing him that this was not right. And so the naga agreed to stay in the cave, where the Buddha left an image—a shadow—to remind the naga any time that its thoughts might turn to destruction. Later in his travels, at a place name Kausambi, Xuanzang mentions another cave where the Buddha had subdued a venomous dragon and left his shadow on the cave wall. Allowing for the possibility that the Buddha just had a particular M.O. when dealing with destructive beings, we should also consider the possibility that the story developed in one region—probably closer to the early center of Buddhism, and then traveled outward, such that it was later adopted and adapted to local traditions. From Nagarahara, Xuanzang continued to the country of Gandhara and its capital city of Purushapura, aka modern Peshwar. This kingdom was also under vassalage to the Kapisan king. Here and elsewhere in the journey, Xuanzang notes not only evidence of the historical Buddha, but also monasteries and stupas purported to have been built by King Kanishka and King Asoka. These were important figures who were held in high regard for spreading Buddhism during their reign. Continuing through the region of Gandhara, he also passed through Udakhand and the city of Salatura, known as the birthplace of the ancient Sanskrit grammarian, Daksiputra Panini, author of the Astadhyayi [Aestudjayi]. This work is the oldest surviving description of classical Sanskrit, and used grammatical and other concepts that wouldn't be introduced into Western linguistics for eons. Daksiputra Panini thrived around the 5th or 4th century BCE, but was likely one of the reasons that Sanskrit continued to be used as a language of scholarship and learning even as it died out of usage as the day to day language of the common people. His works and legacy would have been invaluable to translators like Xuanzang in understanding and translating from Sanskrit. Xuanzang continued on his journey to Kashmira, situated in the Kashmir Valley. This valley sits between the modern states of Pakistan and India, and its ownership is actively disputed by each. It is the namesake of the famous cashmere wool—wool from the winter coats of a type of goat that was bred in the mountainous regions. The winter coat would be made of soft, downy fibers and would naturally fall out in the spring, which the goatherds harvested and made into an extremely fine wool. In the 7th century and earlier, however, the region was known not as much for its wool, but as a center for Hindu and Buddhist studies. Xuanzang ended up spending two years in Kashmira studying with teachers there. Eventually, though, he continued on, passing through the country of Rajpura, and continuing on to Takka and the city of Sakala—modern day Sialkot in the Punjab region of modern Pakistan. Leaving Sakala, he was traveling with a group when suddenly disaster struck and they were accosted by a group of bandits. They took the clothes and money of Xuanzang and those with him and then they drove the group into a dry pond in an attempt to corral them while they figured out what they would do—presumably meaning kill them all. Fortunately for the group, there was a water drain at the southern edge of the pond large enough for one man to pass through. Xuanzang and one other went through the gap and they were able to escape to a nearby village. Once they got there, they told the people what had happened, and the villagers quickly gathered weapons and ran out to confront the brigands, who saw a large group coming and ran away. Thus they were able to rescue the rest of Xuanzang's traveling companions. Xuanzang's companions were devastated, having lost all of their possessions. However, Xuanzang comforted them. After all, they still had their lives. By this time, Xuanzang had certainly seen his fair share of life and death problems along the road. They continued on, still in the country of Takka, to the next great city. There they met a Brahman, and once they told him what had happened, he started marshalling the forces of the city on their behalf. During Xuanzang's stay in Kashmira, he had built a reputation, and people knew of the quote-unquote “Chinese monk”. And even though the people in this region were not necessarily Buddhist—many were “heretics” likely referring to those of Hindu faith—the people responded to this pre-Internet “GoFundMe” request with incredible generosity. They brought Xuanzang food and cloth to make into suits of clothes. Xuanzang distributed this to his travel companions, and ended up still having enough cloth for 50 suits of clothes himself. He then stayed at that city a month. It is odd that they don't seem to mention the name of this location. Perhaps there is something unspeakable about it? Still, it seems that they were quite generous, even if they were “heretics” according to Xuanzang. From the country of Takka, he next proceeded to the kingdom of Cinabhukti, where he spent 14 months—just over a year—studying with the monks there. Once he had learned what he could, he proceeded onwards, passing through several countries in northern India until he came to the headwaters of the sacred Ganges rivers. The Indus and the Ganges rivers are in many ways similar to the Yellow River and Yangzi, at least in regards to their importance to the people of India. However, whereas the Yellow River and Yangzi both flow east towards the Pacific Ocean, the Indus and Ganges flow in opposite directions. The Indus flows southwest, from the Himalayas down through modern India into modern Pakistan, emptying into the western Indian Ocean. The Ganges flows east along the base of the Himalayas and enters the eastern Indian Ocean at Kolkatta. At the headwaters of the Ganges, Xuanzang found a Buddhist monk named Jayagupta and chose to spend the winter and half of the following spring listening to his sermons and learning at his feet. From there he continued his travels, and ended up being summoned by King Harshavardhana of Kanyakubja, known today as the modern city of Kannauj. Harshavardhana ruled an immense state that covered much of the territory around the sacred Ganges river. As word of this strange monk from a far off land reached him, the King wanted to see him for himself. Xuanzang stayed in Kannauj for three months, completing his studies of the Vibhasha Shastra, aka the Abhidarmma Mahavibhasha Shastra, known in Japanese as the Abidatsuma Daibibasharon, or just as the Daibibasharon or the Basharon, with the latter two terms referring to the translations that Xuanzang performed. This work is not a sutra, per se, but rather an encyclopedic work that attempted to speak on all of the various doctrinal issues of its day. It is thought to have been authored around 150 CE, and was influential in the Buddhist teachings of Kashmira, when that was a center of Orthodoxy at the time. This is what Xuanzang had started studying, and it seems that in Kannauj he was finally able to grasp everything he felt he needed to know about it in order to effectively translate it and teach it when he returned. That said, his quest was not over. And after his time in Kannauj, he decided to continue on. His next stop was at the city of Ayodhya. This was—and is—a city of particular importance in Hindu traditions. It is said to be the city mentioned in the epic tale known as the Ramayana, though many argue that it was simply named that later in honor of that ancient city. It does appear to be a city that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, visited and where he preached. It was also the home of a famous monk from Gandhara who authored a number of Buddhist tomes and was considered, at least by Xuanzang, a proper Boddhisatva. And so Xuanzang spent some time paying homage to the places where the Buddha and other holy figures had once walked. “Ayodhya” appears in many forms across Asia. It is a major pilgrimage center, and the city of “Ayutthaya” in Thailand was named for it, evoking the Ramayana—known in Thai as the Ramakien—which they would adopt as their own national story. In Silla, there is a story that queen Boju, aka Heo Hwang-ok, wife to the 2nd century King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya, traveled to the peninsula all the way from the foreign country of “Ayuta”, thought to mean Ayodhya. Her story was written down in the Gaya histories and survives as a fragment found in the Samguk Yusa. Members of the Gimhae Kim, Gimhae Heo, and Incheon Yi clans all trace their lineage back to her and King Suro. From Ayodhya, Xuanzang took a trip down the Ganges river. The boat was packed to bursting with some 80 other travelers, and as they traveled towards a particularly heavily forested area, they were set upon by bandits, who rowed their ships out from hiding in the trees and forced the travelers to the shore. There the bandits made all the travelers strip down and take off their clothing so that the bandits could search for gold or valuables. According to Xuanzang's biography, these bandits were followers of Durga, a Hindu warrior-goddess, and it is said that each year they would look for someone of particularly handsome features to sacrifice to her. With Xuanzang's foreign features, they chose him. And so they took him to be killed. Xuanzang mentioned that he was on a pilgrimage, and that by interrupting him before they finished he was worried it might be inauspicious for them, but he didn't put up a fight and merely asked to be given time to meditate and calm his mind and that they perform the execution quickly so that he wouldn't even notice. From there, according to the story, a series of miracles occurred that ended up with Xuanzang being released and the bandits worshipping at his feet. It is times like this we must remember that this biography was being written by Xuanzang's students based on stories he told them about his travels. While being accosted by bandits on the river strikes me as perfectly plausible, we don't necessarily have the most reliable narrators, so I'm going to have to wonder about the rest. Speaking of unreliable narration, the exact route that Xuanzang traveled from here on is unclear to me, based on his stated goals and where he was going. It is possible that he was wandering as opportunities presented themselves —I don't know that he had any kind of map or GPS, like we've said in the past. And it may be that the routes from one place to another were not always straightforward. Regardless, he seems to wander southeast for a period before turning again to the north and eventually reaching the city of Shravasti. Shravasti appeared in our discussion of the men of Tukhara in Episode 119. With the men of Tukhara there was also mentioned a woman from Shravasti. While it is unlikely that was actually the case—the names were probably about individuals from the Ryukyuan island chain rather than from India—it is probably worth nothing that Shravasti was a thriving place in ancient times. It was at one time the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala, sharing that distinction with the city of Ayodhya, back in the 7th to 5th centuries BCE. It is also where the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was said to have spend many years of his life. This latter fact would have no doubt made it a place of particular importance to Xuanzang on his journeys. From there he traveled east, ending up following the foothills of the Himalayas, and finally came to some of the most central pilgrimages sites for followers of the historical Buddha. First, he reached Lumbini wood, in modern Nepal, said to have been the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. And then he visited Kushinagara, the site where the Buddha ascended to nirvana—in other words, the place where he passed away. From there, he traveled to Varanasi, and the deer park monastery, at the place where the Buddha is said to have given one of his most famous sermons. He even visited the Bodhi tree, the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is said to have attained enlightenment. He spent eight or nine days there at Bodhgaya, and word must have spread about his arrival, because several monks from the eminent Nalanda Monastery called upon him and asked him to come to the monastery with them. Nalanda Monastery was about 80 km from Bodhgaya. This was a grand monastery and center of learning—some say that it was, for a time, the greatest in the world. It had been founded in the 5th century by the Gupta dynasty, and many of the Gupta rulers and others donated to support the monastery, which also acted as a university. After the fall of the Gupta dynasty, the monastery was supported by King Harsha of Kannauj, whom Xuanzang had visited earlier. It ultimately thrived for some 750 years, and is considered by some to be the oldest residential university—meaning that students would come to the temple complex and stay in residence for years at a time to study. According to Xuanzang, Nalanda hosted some 10,000 monks. Including hosts and guests. They didn't only study Buddhist teachings, but also logic, grammar, medicine, and divination. Lectures were given at more than 100 separate places—or classrooms—every day. It was at Nalanda, that Xuanzang would meet the teacher Silabhadra, who was known as the Right Dharma Store. Xuanzang requested that he be allowed to study the Yogacharabhumi Shastra—the Yugashijiron, in Japanese. This is the work that Xuanzang is said to have been most interested in, and one of the works that he is credited with bringing back in one of the first full translations to the Tang dynasty and then to others in East Asia. It is an encyclopedic work dedicated to the various forms of Yogacara practice, which focuses on the mental disciplines, and includes yoga and meditation practices. It has a huge influence on nearly all Mahayana schools, including things like the famous Zen and Pure Land schools of Buddhism. The Yogacharabhumi Shastra is the earliest such encyclopedic work, compiled between the 3rd and 5th centuries—so even if the monk Faxian had brought portions of it back, it was probably not in the final form that Xuanzang was able to access. Silabhadra, for his part, was an ancient teacher—some put his age at 106 years, and his son was in his 70s. He was one of the few at Nalandra who supposedly knew all of the various texts that they had at the monastery, including the Yogacarabhumi Shastra. Xuanzang seems to have been quite pleased to study under him. Xuanzang stayed at the house of Silabhadra's son, Buddhabhadra, and they welcomed him with entertainment that lasted seven days. We are told that he was then given his own lodgings, a stipend of spices, incense, rice, oil, butter, and milk, along with a servant and a Brahman. As a visiting monk, he was not responsible for the normal monastic duties, instead being expected to spend the time in study. Going out, he was carried around by an elephant. This was certainly the royal treatment. Xuanzang's life at Nalandra wasn't all books: south of the monastery was the city of Rajagrha, the old capital of the kingdom of Magadha, where the ancient Gupta kings had once lived, and on occasional breaks from his studies, Xuanzang would venture out to see the various holy sites. This included the famous Mt. Grdhrakuta, or Vulture Peak, a location said to be favored by the historical Buddha and central to the Lotus Sutra, arguably the founding document of Mahayana Buddhist tradition. After all, “Mahayana” means “Greater Vehicle” and it is in the Lotus Sutra that we see the metaphor of using different vehicles to escape a burning house. We've already talked a bit about how the image of Vulture Peak had already become important in Japanese Buddhism: In Episode 112 we talked about how in 648, Abe no Oho-omi had drums piled up at Shitennoji in the shape of Vulture Peak. But although the sightseeing definitely enhanced his experience, Xuanzang was first and foremost there to study. He spent 15 months just listening to his teacher expound on the Yogacarabhumi Shastra, but he also heard expositions on various other teachings as well. He ended up studying at Nalandra Monastery for 5 years, gaining a much better understanding of Sanskrit and the various texts, which would be critically important when it came to translating them, later. But, Xuanzang was not one to stay in any one place forever, and so after 5 years—some 8 years or more into his journey, he continued on, following the Ganges east, to modern Bangladesh. Here he heard about various other lands, such as Dvarapati—possibly referring to Dvaravati, in modern Thailand, as well as Kamalanka and Isanapura. The latter was in modern Cambodia, the capital of the ancient Chenla kingdom. Then Mahacampa—possibly referring to the Champa region of Vietnam—and the country of Yamanadvipa. But there was still more of India for Xuanzang to discover, and more teachings to uncover, and so Xuanzang decided instead to head southwest, following the coast. He heard of the country of Sinhala, referring to the island of Sri Lanka, but he was urged not to go by ship, as the long journey was perilous. Instead he could stay on relatively dry land and head down to the southern tip of the subcontinent and then make a quick hop from there across to the island. He traveled a long distance, all the way down to Kancipuram, the seat of the Pallava dynasty, near modern day Chennai. From the seaport near Kancipuram, it was only three days to Sinhala—that is to say Sri Lanka—but before he could set out, he met a group of monks who had just arrived. They told him that the king of Sinhala had died , and there was a great famine and civil disturbances. So they had fled with some 300 other monks. Xuanzang eventually decided not to make the journey, but he did talk with the monks and gathered information on the lands to the south, on Sri Lanka, and on the islands south of that, by which I suspect he may have meant the Maldives. While Sri Lanka is an area important to Buddhist scholarship, particularly to the Theravada schools, this likely did not impress Xuanzang, and indeed he seemed to feel that his studies in Nalanda had more than provided him what he needed. Sri Lanka, however, is the source of the Pali canon, one of the most complete early canons of Buddhism, which had a huge influence on Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. So Xuanzang took plenty of notes but decided to forego the ocean voyage and headed northwest, instead. He traveled across the breadth of India to Gujarat, and then turned back east, returning to pay respects once more to his teacher in Nalanda. While there he heard of another virtuous monk named Prajnabhadra at a nearby monastery. And so he went to spend several months with him, as well. He also studied with a layman, Sastrin Jayasena, at Stickwood Hill. Jayasena was a ksatriya, or nobleman, by birth, and studied both Buddhist and non-Buddhist texts. He was courted by kings, but had left to continue his studies. Xuanzang studied with him for another couple of years. Xuanzang remained at Nalanda, learning and teaching, expounding on what he had learned and gathering many copies of the various documents that he wished to take back with him, though he wondered how he might do it. In the meantime, he also acquired quite the reputation. We are told that King Siladitya had asked Nalanda for monks who could refute Theravada teachings, and Xuanzang agreed to go. It isn't clear, but it seems that “Siladitya” was a title, and likely referred to King Harsha of Kannauj, whom we mentioned earlier. Since he was a foreigner, then there could be no trouble that was brought on Nalanda and the other monks if he did poorly. While he was waiting to hear back from Siladitya's court, which was apparently taking time to arrange things, the king of Kamarupta reached out to Nalanda with a request that Xuanzang come visit them. While Xuanzang was reluctant to be gone too long, he was eventually encouraged to go and assuage the king. Kamarupta was a kingdom around the modern Assam region, ruled by King Bhaskaravarman, also known as King Kumara, a royal title. This kingdom included parts of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bhaskaravarman, like so many other regents, seems to have been intrigued by the presence of this foreign monk, who had traveled all this way and who had studied at the famous Nalanda Monastery in Magadha. He invited Xuanzang to come to him. Xuanzang's teacher, Silabhadra, had exhorted him to spread the right Dharma, and to even go to those non-Buddhists in hopes that they might be converted, or at least partially swayed. King Bhaskaravarman was quite taken with Xuanzang, wining and dining him while listening to him preach. While there, Xuanzang learned about the country of Kamarupta. He also learned about a path north, by which it was said it was a two month journey to arrive at the land of Shu, in the Sichuan Basin, on the upper reaches of the Yangzi – a kind of shortcut back to the Tang court. However, the journey was treacherous—possibly even more treacherous than the journey to India had been. Eventually word reached the ears of King Siladitya that Xuanzang was at the court of King Bhaskaravarman, and Siladitya got quite upset. Xuanzang had not yet come to *his* court, so Siladitya demanded that Bhaskaravarman send the monk to him immediately. Bhaskaravarman refused, saying he'd rather give Siladitya his own head, which Siladitya said he would gladly accept. Bhaskaravarman realized he may have miscalculated, and so he sailed up the Ganges with a host of men and Xuanzang to meet with Siladitya. After a bit of posturing, Siladitya met with Xuanzang, who went with him, and eventually confronted the members of the Theravada sect in debate. Apparently it almost got ugly, but for the King's intervention. After a particularly devastating critique of the Theravada position, the Theravada monks are blamed for trying to use violence against Xuanzang and his fellow Mahayana monks from Nalanda, who were prepared to defend themselves. The King had to step in and break it up before it went too far. Ultimately, Xuanzang was a celebrity at this point and both kings seem to have supported him, especially as he was realizing it was about time to head back to his own country. Both kings was offered ships, should Xuanzang wish to sail south and then up the coast. However, Xuanzang elected to take the northern route, hoping to go back through Gaochang, and see that city and its ruler again. And so the Kings gave him money and valuables , along with wagons for all of the texts. They also sent an army to protect all of the treasures, and even an elephant and more – sending him back in style with a huge send-off. So Xuanzang retraced his earlier steps, this time on an elephant. He traveled back to Taxila, to Kashmir, and beyond. He was invited to stay in Kashmira, but because of his retinue, he wasn't quite at leisure to just go where he wanted. At one point, near Kapisa—modern Bagram, north of Kabul—they had to cross a river, and about 50 of the almost 700 documents were lost. The King of Kapisa heard of this and had his own monks make copies to replace them based on their own schools. The King of Kasmira, hearing that he was in Kapisa, also came to pay his respects. Xuanzang traveled with the King of Kapisa northwest for over a month and reached Lampaka, where he did take some time to visit the various holy sites before continuing northwest. They had to cross the Snow Mountains—the outskirts of the Himalayas, and even though it wasn't the highest part of the range it was still challenging. He had to dismount his elephant and travel on foot. Finally, after going over the high mountains and coming down, he arrived back in the region of Tukhara, in the country of Khowst. He then came to Kunduz, and paid his respects to the grandson of Yehu Khan. He was given more guards to escort him eastward, traveling with some merchants. This was back in Gokturk controlled lands, over a decade later than when he had last visited. He continued east to Badakshan, stopping there for a month because of the cold weather and snow. He eventually traveled through the regions of Tukhara and over the Pamir range. He came down on the side of the Tarim Basin, and noted how the rivers on one side flowed west, while on the other side they flowed east. The goings were treacherous, and at one point they were beset by bandits. Though he and the documents were safe, his elephant panicked and fled into the river and drowned. He eventually ended up in the country of Kashgar, in modern Xinjiang province, at the western edge of the Taklamakan desert. From there he had two options. He could go north and hug the southern edge of the Tianshan mountains, or he could stay to the south, along the northern edge of the Himalayan range and the Tibetan plateau. He chose to go south. He traveled through Khotan, a land of wool and carpets. This was a major trade kingdom, and they also grew mulberry trees for silkworms, and were known for their jade. The king himself heard of Xuanzang and welcomed him, as many others had done. While he was staying at the Khotanese capital, Xuanzang penned a letter to the Tang court, letting them know of his journey, and that he was returning. He sent it with some merchants and a man of Gaochang to deliver it to the court. Remember, Xuanzang had left the Tang empire illegally. Unless he wanted to sneak back in his best hope was that the court was willing to forgive and forget all of that, given everything that he was bringing back with him. The wait was no doubt agonizing, but he did get a letter back. It assured him that he was welcome back, and that all of the kingdoms from Khotan back to the governor of Dunhuang had been made aware and were ready to receive him. With such assurances, Xuanzang packed up and headed out. The king of Khotan granted him more gifts to help see him on his way. Nonetheless, there was still a perilous journey ahead. Even knowing the way, the road went through miles and miles of desert, such that in some places you could only tell the trail by the bleached bones of horses and travelers who had not been so fortunate. Eventually, however, Xuanzang made it to the Jumo River and then on to Dunhuang, from whence he was eventually escorted back to the capital city. It was now the year 645, the year of the Isshi Incident in Yamato and the death of Soga. Xuanzang had been gone for approximately 16 years. In that time, the Tang had defeated the Gokturks and taken Gaochang, expanding their control over the trade routes in the desert. Xuanzang, for his part, was bringing back 657 scriptures, bound in 520 bundles carried by a train of some 20 horses. He was given a hero's welcome, and eventually he would be set up in a monastery where he could begin the next part of his journey: Translating all of these books. This was the work of a lifetime, but it is one that would have a profound impact on Buddhism across East Asia. Xuanzang's translations would revolutionize the understanding of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, and students would come from as far away as the Yamato court to study under him and learn from the teacher who studied and taught at none other than Nalanda monastery itself. His school would become popular in the Yamato capital, and the main school of several temples, at least for a time. In addition, his accounts and his biography would introduce many people to the wider world of central and south Asia. While I could go on, this has already been a story in three parts, and this is, after all, the Chronicles of Japan, so we should probably tune back into what is going on with Yamato. Next episode, we'll look at one of the most detailed accounts we have of a mission to Chang'an. Until then, I hope that this has been enjoyable. Xuanzang's story is one of those that isn't just about him, but about the interconnected nature of the entire world at the time. While his journey is quite epic, there were many people traveling the roads, though most of them didn't write about it afterwards. People, artifacts, and ideas traveled much greater distances than we often consider at this time, well before any kind of modern travel. It was dangerous, but often lucrative, and it meant that various regions could have influence well beyond what one might expect. And so, thank you once again for listening and for all of your support. If you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts. If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website, SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page. You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com. Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now. Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan

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2025, March 4: Crescent Moon is Guide to Planet Uranus

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 3:58

March 4, 2025: Tonight's crescent moon is a guide to Planet Uranus. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn are easily visible after nightfall.See the accompanying article - 2025, March 4: Crescent Moon is Guide to Planet Uranus

2025, March 2: Lovely Evening Crescent Moon

mars jupiter mercury lovely crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2025 4:06

March 2, 2025: After sundown, the lovely evening crescent moon is in the western sky above Venus and Mercury. Jupiter and Mars join the evening planet parade.See the accompanying article - 2025, March 2: Lovely Evening Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon von NLE Choppa

FM4 HipHop Lesekreis

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 9:55

Der Rappwr NLE Choppa, ist jung . er wurde am 1. November 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee, geboren. Er ist Rapper und YouTuber und wurde 2019 mit dem Song Shotta Flow bekannt, der Platin-Status erreichte und in den Top 40 der Billboard Hot 100 landete.NLE Choppa ist bekannt für energiegeladene, melodische Raps und aggressive Beats. Neben der Musik setzt er sich für einen gesunden Lebensstil ein, propagiert pflanzliche Ernährung und betreibt den YouTube-Kanal Awakened Choppa.In dem von ihm selbst produzierten Crescent Moon von NLE Choppa rappt er über persönliche Kämpfe, spirituelles Wachstum und die Suche nach innerem Frieden rappt. Tiefe Emotionen oder unfreiwillige Komik vorallem angesichts des Videos darüber diskutieren Mahdi Rahimi Natalie Brunner und Trishes im FM4 Hip Hop Lesekreis.FM4 Homebase 25.02.2025 20 Uhr

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LiAngelo Ball's Baby Mama Drama, NLE Choppa's “Apology,” & Trump's Food Stamp Ban?!

P.S.A Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 66:16

This week on Mental Man Monday, Izzy is joined by Casual.Lotus, host of the Unhealed and Toxic Podcast, fresh off his first episode release on Valentine's Day! Together, they tackle some of the wildest headlines of the week with unfiltered takes and deep conversations.

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Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 21(020125)

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 18:23

Mr. Jones, the leader of the mysterious Crescent Moon and Star Gang has devised a plan to destroy Superman! Offering the stolen Kryptonite as bait, Jones has instructed Superman to allow himself to be contacted by Jones for instructions on how he may acquire the Kryptonite. Meanwhile, Batman is convinced that Jones is up to no good and tries to talk Superman out of the meeting, but to no avail! Is Superman walking into a trap? Will Batman be able to say ‘I told you so' or will it be too late? Find out in this episode of Bat-Supe! Plus, in today's Important Message, we've got some Super Fun Fitness Tips for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 21

batman superman offering kryptonite important message supe crescent moon will batman

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 18:23

2025, January 31: Waxing Crescent Moon Leads Planet Parade, Mars-Castor Conjunction

mars leads planet parade waxing castor conjunction crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 3:35

January 31, 2025: The waxing crescent moon leads the nightly planet parade. A Mars-Castor conjunction occurs in the eastern sky. See the accompanying article - 2025, January 31: Waxing Crescent Moon Leads Planet Parade, Mars-Castor Conjunction

2025, January 30-February 1: Venus and Super Crescent Moon

The Goddess, The Witch & The Womb

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 3:10

January 30-February 1, 2025: The waxing crescent moon joins the evening planet parade near Saturn and Venus. A super crescent moon appears with Venus. See the accompanying article - 2025, January 30-February 1: Venus and Super Crescent Moon

saturn crescent moon

S4 Ep12: Reverse Crescent Moon Spread

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 32:18

As we celebrate this magnificent moment of no time and no space, April and Maggie share a gift of a Reverse Crescent Moon tarot spread. Dive into the magick of this sacred season and explore the art of creating a spread and activating the different positions to divine your inner goddess and witchy nature. Happy New Year and thank you for listening! Connect with the Goddesses: https://www.goddesswitchwomb.com Learn Tarot: https://psychicevolution.teachable.com Follow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/goddesswitchwomb/ Follow us on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@goddesswitchwomb

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Episode 48: Winter's Healing Slow Flow

Flow With Me Yoga

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2024 34:25

This is a 30-minute Slow Flow. This class features meditative, symmetrical sequencing in a format that is designed to relax and restore. As the holidays approach and the to-do list seems to grow ever longer, this class invites you to take a much-needed, healing pause. After a decadently slow, reclined start, we move onto rounds of Moon Salutations and a short Crescent-Moon section. The wind-down mirrors the beginning of class and invites you to sink into stillness and rest, whether you take it as Savasana, Fallen Bridge, or Legs up the Wall. This slow flow practice asks nothing of you and gives a whole lot back. It is a true gift and my go-to flow during the winter months. If you are craving space, peace, and easeful embodiment, this class is for you. Enjoy!

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Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 13

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 17:31

After saving Batman and Robin from certain death in Room Zero, Superman collared 11 members of the Crescent Moon and Star Gang. But their leader, Mr. Jones, is in the wind, and the trail of the Scarlet Widow and the stolen Kryptonite haa blown away with him. Can they sweat answers out of Mr. Smith? The cliche's will keep on coming in today's episode of Bat-Supe! Plus, in today's Important Message: a special request on behalf of grocery store workers... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 13

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 17:31

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Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 8(110224)

batman superman kryptonite important message supe crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 17:27

Superman and Batman and Robin have split up in their search for the answer to the Crescent Moon and Star symbol. Superman is trailing Squealie Evers, while a disguised Batman and Robin are investigating The Golden Lily, a waterfront nightclub known to be frequented by underworld characters when Batman spots the symbol in an unlikely place… Plus: in today's Important Message, we'll meet Billy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 8

batman superman kryptonite important message supe crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 17:27

111 BPM - Pace Cadet (Jumpstart Mix)

PODRUNNER: Workout Music

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 62:22

A multigenre, multicultural walking tour with funky bookends. Donations, Merchandise, Newsletter, more: https://www.podrunner.com Steve Boyett - Groovelectric: Downloadable Soul https://www.groovelectric.com PLAYLIST 01. Morlack - Jungle Music 02. P1lgr1ms - Only Love 03. Brosso, Bursa - Aravia 04. Severin - Lense 05. MiraculuM & Erich Von Kollar - Clusterfloater (St.Ego Remix) 06. Alehho, Matt Caines - Under the Crescent Moon 07. MiraculuM & Erich Von Kollar - Clusterfloater (Marcus Kardos Remix) 08. Oliver Poll - Shaman 09. Silviu Trik, Clavi Binos & Ncuks Money - N.A.M. 10. Sonale - The Name 11. Josiah1 - Connection (Joah Remix) == Please support these artists == Podrunner is a registered trademark of Podrunner LLC. Music copyright © or CC the respective artists. All other material ©2006, 2023 by Podrunner LLC. For personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, editing, exhibition, sale, rental, exchange, public performance, or broadcast of this audio is prohibited.

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Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 5(101224)

batman superman kryptonite disguised supe crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 17:57

Batman and Robin have joined forces with Superman to unravel the mystery of the Crescent Moon and Star symbol. Disguised as common criminals, Batman and Robin have made contact with an underworld informant named Squealie Evers. Will Squealie sell them the information they need, or sell them out to the mob? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bat-Supe! #1: Looking For Kryptonite Part 5

batman superman kryptonite disguised supe crescent moon

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 17:57

Post-Eclipse Vision Weaving and Taking Aligned Action

The Biz Bruja Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 36:05

Welcome to a transformative session with Vanessa Codorniu, where she unfolds a powerful message tailored for those seeking spiritual growth and self-improvement. In this episode, Vanessa explores the energies of the current celestial events, such as the Sun in Libra and the Crescent Moon in Sagittarius, emphasizing their potential to catalyze personal transformation and growth. Through her personal journey and professional insights, Vanessa offers a beacon of inspiration for listeners to harness these energies and embark on a path of self-awareness and intentional action. The episode navigates through the themes of resilience, resourcefulness, and innovation, particularly for those from diverse backgrounds. Vanessa passionately discusses the importance of nurturing dreams, taking aligned actions, and stepping into one's authenticity. With SEO-optimized keywords such as "spiritual entrepreneurship," "visionary leadership," and "personal transformation," Vanessa connects celestial insights with practical advice for embracing change. Her story of independence, illustrated by experiences of leaving traditional employment and thriving as a creative entrepreneur, serves as a blueprint for those aspiring to create a meaningful, spiritually-aligned life. Takeaways: Embrace celestial energies, like those of the current Libra Sun and Sagittarius Moon, to drive personal growth and change. Utilize your personal history of resilience and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and achieve your dreams. Take actionable steps towards your vision, aligning efforts with your spiritual and emotional truths. Cultivate a supportive community or network to help realize collective goals and enhance your journey. Acknowledge and redefine moments of comfort that might inhibit your growth and transformation. BIO: Vanessa Codorniu is a renowned psychic medium, intuitive healer, and teacher, specializing in hypnosis and Akashic Records. With over 26 years of experience, Vanessa has emerged as a pioneering voice in the spiritual community, especially as one of the first Latinas to bring her talents online. Her work integrates diverse spiritual backgrounds, including curandarismo, espiritismo, and Santeria, reflecting her multicultural roots. As a visionary and entrepreneur, Vanessa has built an impactful career providing spiritual guidance, healing, and training across various platforms. For more information: www.thebizbruja.com #thebizbruja #podcast #choosingyourself

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Killing Mature Bucks Using THE MOON with Dakota Cantrell and Zach Kaiser

Fueled by The Outdoors

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 150:19

Today on episode 208 of the Podcast we continue the Whitetail Apprentice Series with Dakota Cantrell and Zach Kaiser! Dakota and Zach are two of the hunters we go to when it comes to any moon related tactic talk. Both utilize the moon in different aspects when it comes to hunting strategy and both have found consistent success when factoring in the moon to target mature bucks. Join us as we cover multiple topics and questions including the best, FREE, moon resource that no one talks about, moon position and correlation to feed times, finding consistency in the Crescent Moon, historical moon data, and much more! FREE Moon Resource - Click HERE Take time to visit our sponsors! Satties LLC - Click ⁠HERE!⁠ Hooked Up Bowstrings - Click HERE! Code: MobileHunter10 for 10% off Hooked Up Strings Get your information for the Mobile Hunters Expo HERE! We would love to hear your thoughts on this one as well so feel free to hit us up in the email or send us a message! If you haven't already check out our YouTube page and subscribe! As always if you enjoy listening to the podcast please like, share, and give us 5 stars on any of the major podcast platforms we are found on. Hear something we missed? Let us know what we are doing wrong or doing right, or if you have a question; Email us at Fueledbytheoutdoors@gmail.com Happy Hunting and Tight Lines! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The Power of Residual Income and Strategic Selling

The Secret To Success

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2024 31:13

Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive deep into the art of creating massive income through strategic product selling and residual income models. Learn how to scale your business by leveraging smart subscription services and turning one-time customers into long-term supporters.This captures both the strategic and financial focus of your work while offering a glimpse into the mindset behind sustainable success. Would you like any adjustments?To contact Antonio T. Smith Jr.https://www.facebook.com/theatsjrhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/Antonio-T.-Smith-Jr/author/B00M3MPVJ8https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniotsmithjrhttps://antoniotsmithjr.comhttps://www.instagram.com/theatsjr Massive Income StrategiesSelling Strategy 1:$200 product to 500 people$500 product to 200 people$1,000 product to 100 people$2,000 product to 50 people$4,000 product to 25 peopleSelling Strategy 2 (Residual Income/Subscription Model):500 people at $17 per month200 people at $42 per month100 people at $83 per month50 people at $157 per month25 people at $333 per monthSubscription-Based IncomeFocus on residual or "mailbox money"Sell a product or service people subscribe to, generating steady monthly income.Example: Teaching how to sell a $17/month product to 500 people.Course/Product Launch FrameworkInitial product idea:How to create and sell a $200 product to 500 people (totaling six figures).Residual income model:Monthly subscriptions from a small customer base that generates recurring revenue.Transition strategies:Moving from one-time product sales to subscription services.Key TakeawaysRepurpose Content:Take existing material (such as an online course) and use it to create new offers.Example: A 30-day challenge based on existing course content or a series of Facebook Live videos turned into coursework.Releasing Complacency:Address the issue of stagnation with fresh ideas.For example, creating a challenge to release complacency, possibly followed by a subscription product.Expand with New Content:Suggestions like creating a 30-day challenge (e.g., on Facebook Live) and turning it into a subscription course.Build on existing success by expanding the scope, such as focusing on topics like releasing ego or the 'Crescent Moon' concept.Additional InsightsReleasing Complacency and Ego:Concepts like releasing ego can form the basis for new products.Use emotional hooks and personal development topics to resonate with an audience.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-secret-to-success/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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MOON MINUTE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

moon crescent moon minute friday

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 1:30

Libra ♎️ New to Crescent Moon

The Crescent Moon in the Lobby Bar! 8/12/2024

Drink the Movies

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 10:09

This week we carry on with another Domaine de Canton cocktail....the Crescent Moon! Plus, we take a look at Borderlands bad weekend, see if Michaela knows Emily in Paris, and get excited for Stargate! The Crescent Moon! Merch Shop - drinkthemovies.square.site https://www.patreon.com/drinkthemovies https://www.instagram.com/drinkthemovies/https://twitter.com/drinkthemovies https://twitter.com/drinkthemovieshttps://www.facebook.com/drinkthemovies https://www.facebook.com/drinkthemovies https://www.facebook.com/drinkthemovieshttps://www.drinkthemovies.com https://www.drinkthemovies.comhttps://discord.gg/fsdW2QqqpS *Please Drink Responsibly*

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MOON MINUTE THURSDAY AUGUST 8, 2024

moon virgo crescent moon minute thursday

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 1:30

Virgo ♍️ to Libra ♎️ New to Crescent Moon

Rule Zero (D&D) with Em Acosta

Dice Exploder

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 46:07

Transcript I have a list of mechanics I'd like to cover on Dice Exploder, and I'd say about a third of them are jokes. One of those jokes is Rule Zero, a maxim that says "the DM (or GM) is always right." I think of Rule Zero as originating in D&D culture, and as part of this D&D miniseries, I thought it'd be interesting to use as a way into talking about the play culture around the game, how it's actually played at the table, and how many of its rules people actually use. There's no one I'd rather talk with about "do rules matter" than returning cohost Em Acosta (Exiles, Crescent Moon) who's spent a lot of time thinking about what rules they find actually useful in play. And in the end, we find yet another answer to my series-long quest for an answer to the question: "what actually is Dungeons & Dragons?" Further Reading: Rule Zero on TV Tropes (I do not endorse this but interesting context) Neverland Quest Pathfinder Errant Em's Patreon Em's banger games Exiles and Crescent Moon Socials Hire Em Sam on Bluesky and itch. The Dice Exploder blog is at diceexploder.com Our logo was designed by sporgory, and our theme song is Sunset Bridge by Purely Grey. Join the Dice Exploder Discord to talk about the show!

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MM July 9, 2024

energy managing waxing crescent moon libra aries

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 1:30

New Leo ♌️ to Virgo ♍️ to Crescent Moon

virgo crescent moon

Pt 1 Waxing Crescent Moon In Leo (Libra/Aries Energy) Managing Your Thoughts

Singing In My Bathroom

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 10:40

Scan Messages 7/7/24 - #Mississippi #India #Chhattisgarh #MedicalEmpath

Virgo/Aries Energy- A Translated Being (Waning Crescent Moon In Gemini)

Singing In My Bathroom

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 7:54

Scan Messages 7/3/24

energy gemini virgo waning crescent moon

Art 'n Soul: Crescent Moon Cabaret and Oscar Wilde on stage

Information Morning from CBC Radio Nova Scotia (Highlights)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 5:48

In this week's culture column, Tara Lynn Taylor reveals how Halifax's Crescent Moon Cabaret is making a comeback with dancers, musicians, circus performers and more! Plus, the Dartmouth Players perform their rendition of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.

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Part 3: Mohammed and the Origins of Islam

Cultish

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 42:24

In Part 3 We continue examining the history of Islam from their struggle with the rising power of the Mongols, to their connection with the Ottoman Empire, through the reformation times, and ultimately to 9/11 and modern day.Our guest James Rayment guides us through how this history leads to the beginning of an internal decline within Islam and addresses the reality of a threat level for the Western world today. We dig into interesting topics in this episode like the language translation of the Quran and how Martin Luther was involved, and the origins of the Crescent Moon symbolism found in Islamic flags and culture today. Part three concludes with discussing the rise and fall of the caliphate and how this led to ISIS and Al Qaida's differing goals.You can find out more about James Rayment here:WEBSITEYOUTUBEWe cannot continue without your support! If you want to partner with us while getting exclusive cultish content like our Aftershow and Watercooler, not to mention INSTANT ACCESS TO THIS WHOLE SERIES WITHOUT THE WAIT please go to: Cultish All-AccessPlease consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel: CultishTV.com

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THE BAT-SUPE PODCAST #8

Moonlight Audio Theatre

Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 16:23

abVoices presents: Bat-Supe! Old Time Radio's “Adventures of Superman” featuring Superman and the Dynamic Duo! Superman and Batman and Robin have split up in their search for the answer to the Crescent Moon and Star symbol. Is it wise to split the party? Plus: in today's Important Message, we'll meet Billy! Part 8 of Looking For Kryptonite was originally broadcast on December 13, 1945.

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THE BAT-SUPE PODCAST #5

Moonlight Audio Theatre

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 16:46

abVoices presents: Bat-Supe! Old Time Radio's “Adventures of Superman” featuring Superman and the Dynamic Duo! Batman and Robin have joined forces with Superman to unravel the mystery of the Crescent Moon and Star symbol. Batman and Robin have made contact with an underworld informant, but will he sell them the information they need, or sell them out to the mob? Part 5 of Looking For Kryptonite was originally broadcast on December 10, 1945. NOTE: More to come! We'll be posting these episodes of Bat-Supe, five at a time. So don't get discouraged, fellas and girls!

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Episode 42: Asymmetric Faction Satisfaction, with Roy Cannaday

The BoardGameGeek Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 84:29

Roy Cannaday from the Dice Tower (and game designer of Last Light) joins Candice to discuss their favorite board games with asymmetric factions.00:00:00 Introduction00:04:43 Fresh Plays00:04:59 Let's Go! To Japan00:09:31 Tindahan (Filipino Fruit Market)00:13:44 Trick and Trade00:14:26 Like Cain and Abel00:16:56 Fortitude00:17:29 Star Wars: Unlimited00:22:31 Ironwood00:35:58 Asymmetric Faction Satisfaction00:36:02 The Asymmetric Faction Secret Sauce00:41:34 Dune 00:44:56 Heavy Euros (Age of Innovation, Gaia Project, Terra Mystica)00:48:33 Twilight Imperium (Fourth Edition) 00:51:29 Cooperative Games (Spirit Island, Too Many Bones)00:54:06 Root00:56:12 Historical Games (The COIN Series, Here I Stand)01:01:53 Heroes of Land, Air & Sea01:05:08 Two-player Epics (Dune: War for Arrakis, War of the Ring, Star Wars: Rebellion)01:12:12 Cosmic Encounter01:15:35 Multiplayer Games (TI4, Root, Dune, Hegemony)01:17:29 Two-player Card Games (Android: Netrunner, 1815 Scum of the Earth)01:20:12 Honorable Mentions (Vijayanagara, Defence of Procyon III, Vast, Crescent Moon, Red Dust Rebellion)01:23:57 Sign-offThank you to our sponsor, Lookout Games!Web: https://boardgamegeek.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boardgamegeekTwitter: https://twitter.com/BoardGameGeekEmail: podcast@boardgamegeek.com

233 | Taurus New Moon: Holding the Bag!

Big Sky Astrology Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 28:42

This week, the Taurus New Moon and the Sun's elegant sextile to Saturn are the only major astrological news. Focus on security and stability in the Taurus sector of your chart! And a listener question about lacking the anticipated energy and optimism at her progressed New Moon leads to a mini-lesson on the progressed Lunar cycle. Plus: Pushing up a continent, a gigantic tent, and emptying out your life! Timestamps [1:02] Moon Report! The Taurus New Moon will occur on May 7 (8:22 pm PDT). It's at 18°02' Taurus, on the Sabian symbol, 19 Taurus, A newly formed continent. The Taurus New Moon is effective for formulating intentions or rituals around money, earning power, possessions, values, and security. This New Moon point is very close to Uranus and Jupiter, and carries some of the energy of their April 20 conjunction. [3:44] This New Moon initiates a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that will continue over the next 36 months. Make a random list of what is important right now, and watch those kernels grow. The First Quarter phase in this LPFC comes on Feb. 5, 2025; the Full Moon is on Nov. 5, 2025; the Last Quarter is on Aug. 5, 2026. [6:33] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon Periods. On May 8 (2:55 pm PDT), the Moon in Taurus sextiles Neptune; it's VOC for about 1 ½ hours, then enters Gemini (4:20 pm PDT). Handle your responsibilities first so you can really relax and pamper yourself. [8:45] On May 10 (6:49 pm PDT), the Moon in Gemini squares Neptune. It's VOC for about 9 ½ hours, then enters Cancer (8:13 pm PDT). Try journaling to get to the heart of things. [10:14] The week's only major aspect is on May 6 (10:42 pm PDT), when the Sun sextiles Saturn at 17°09 Taurus-Pisces. Flowing aspects like the sextile offer opportunities to enjoy greater self-respect and authority. This is the opening sextile in the cycle that began on Feb. 28, 2024, when the Sun conjoined Saturn in Pisces. Pursue dreams that may seem impractical; they can succeed with careful planning. [11:59] The Sabian symbol for the Sun at the sextile is A woman holding a bag out of a window. The symbol for Saturn is A gigantic tent. This sextile invites us to look back to late Feb. 2024 at that Sun-Saturn conjunction and think about what we may have been dreaming of; this is the opportunity to begin to make them real. [13:30] Listener Bethany asks about her progressed New Moon cycle. An explanation of the progressed lunar cycle, followed by mini-lessons on the: [17:37] progressed New Moon; [20:05] pr. Crescent Moon; [20:40] pr. First Quarter Moon; [21:18] pr. Waxing Gibbous Moon; [22:03] pr; Full Moon; [22:47] pr. waning Gibbous Moon (Disseminating) Moon; [23:16] pr. Last Quarter Moon; [24:28] pr. Waning Crescent (Balsamic) Moon. [25:26] If you'd like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april(at)bigskyastrology(dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. [25:56] If you like what you're hearing, please subscribe, follow, like and share! [26:25] A tribute to this week's donors! If you'd like to support the show, please go to bigskyastropod.com where you can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor! Donate $5 or more to receive access to April's special equinox and solstice episodes.

Star Diary: See the crescent Moon pass the Pleiades (6 to 12 May 2024)

Radio Astronomy

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 22:29

Challenge yourself to find the 1% crescent Moon as it passes by Jupiter and the Pleiades. Find out how to catch these and more stargazing highlights in this week's podcast guide, Star Diary, 6 to 12 May 2024. Transcript: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/podcasts/star-diary-6-may-2024 Make you own craters: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/make-moon-impact-craters Subscribe to BBC Sky at Night Magazine and submit your astrophotography images over on our website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Bourbon Under the Crescent Moon: Tales from the New Orleans Bourbon Festival

The Scotchy Bourbon Boys

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 125:48 Transcription Available

Under the glow of an almost full moon, the clink of glasses and laughter of good company set the stage for our latest episode, where the New Orleans Bourbon Festival takes center stage. As we recount the vibrant nights and golden mornings, bourbon enthusiasts Super Nash and CT join us, turning tales of exclusive dinners, like the Jack Rose Four Roses event, into a listener's feast. From the unexpected camaraderie sparked by a lockout saga to the intimate moments shared over glasses of EH Taylor, we weave a narrative tapestry as rich and complex as the whiskey we adore.Our journey through the festival's heart is a trove of highlights, with each seminar attended planting seeds for future podcast episodes. The serendipitous meetings with whiskey legends and industry up-and-comers like Jonathan Mazzano of K.LUKE Whiskey Company hint at the exciting directions we're steering towards. Picture yourself indulging in the revelry of VIP receptions and the thrill of exclusive whiskey picks, as we lay bare the contrasts between New Orleans's laid-back charm and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival's bustling allure.Follow our auditory trail as we explore the nuances of special barrel picks and recount the nail-biting, yet humorous, battle with a certain stubborn bottle of Dark Arts bourbon. Connect with us on the significance of pacing oneself through tastings and the sweet victory of being there as award-winning bottles like Rye 3 Cigar Series and Yellowstone's Toasted Barrel Bourbon bask in the spotlight. As we raise our glasses to the shared spirit of bourbon culture, get ready for a future bright with guest stars, new blends, and the unmistakable bond that only whiskey can forge. Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.com

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Daily card reading ~ Oracle ~ Waxing Crescent Moon

Daily tarot & oracle cards

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 4:10

:) x --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anj-saby/message

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Muslims spot Ramadan crescent moon in Saudi Arabia, meaning month of fasting starts Monday for many

AP Audio Stories

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 0:50

AP correspondent Rica Ann Garcia reports on the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

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Moon Minute Monday February 12, 2024