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Host Anne-Marie Green and 48 Hours Correspondent Erin Moriarty discuss the cold case murder of Jeanie Childs, who was stabbed to death in 1993. Almost three decades later, her killer was finally convicted. They discuss the investigative genetic genealogy that led authorities to Jerry Westrom, a local businessman and father of three, and the bloody footprints left at the crime scene that were pivotal at trial. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A woman is murdered in her home and the pivotal clue at the crime scene is a bloody footprint her killer left behind. Erin Moriarty reports. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this Podcast Extra episode, John Kempf joined an Earth Day conversation hosted by Farmer's Footprint, alongside Managing Director Alana Mooi and Founder Zach Bush, MD. Together, they explore the urgent need to regenerate our soil and food systems, emphasizing the deep connection between agriculture, human health, and the health of the planet. The discussion highlights how food systems must be understood as a web of relationships with the Earth, and how healing the land is inseparable from healing ourselves. They offer insights into why working with nature, rather than against it, is essential for the future of our ecosystems, communities, and collective well-being. Additional ResourcesTo learn more about Farmer's Footprint, please visit: https://farmersfootprint.us/ To learn more about the work of Zach Bush, MD, please visit: https://zachbushmd.com/ About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA's science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. Learn more about AEA's regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com
In today's episode of "All Things Policy," Adya Madhavan and Anwesha Sen delve into the escalating energy demands of Artificial Intelligence. They discuss how the rapid growth of AI, exemplified by tools like ChatGPT, comes with a significant and often overlooked environmental cost due to the immense electricity consumption of data centers. The conversation highlights concerns about the sustainability of this trend, with projections suggesting data centers could use 10% of the world's electricity by 2030. While India currently has sufficient capacity for its AI needs, proactive planning for future energy demands is crucial. The episode explores potential sustainable solutions, specifically questioning whether leveraging nuclear energy through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could be a viable alternative to support the booming AI and data infrastructure.Read more: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/redrawing-the-not-so-pretty-energy-footprint-of-ai/article69541375.eceThe PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.Find out more on our research and other work here: https://takshashila.org.in/...Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in
As global demand for cloud computing, AI, and digital entertainment increases, so does the need for data centers. But expansion … More
Nevis Brands CEO John Kueber joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the latest milestones in the company's national expansion strategy. The company has officially launched its flagship cannabis beverage, Major, in the Illinois market and is also rolling out broader distribution of its Happy Apple hemp-derived product in both North and South Carolina. In Illinois, Nevis Brands has secured all necessary state approvals for both product formulation and packaging. Initial production of the Major 100mg 2 oz shots is now complete, and the product is currently available at multiple dispensaries across the Chicago area. The launch lineup includes three popular flavors: Fruit Punch, Blackberry Lemonade, and Blueberry, offering consumers a fast-acting and flavorful THC-infused beverage experience. Meanwhile, the company is also accelerating the growth of its Happy Apple product in the Southeast. Through a new agreement with a top-tier distribution partner in North Carolina, Nevis is expanding its retail footprint to include specialty beer and wine outlets as well as on-premise locations such as bars and entertainment venues across both North and South Carolina. Kueber noted that this regional expansion aligns with the company's broader goal of making Happy Apple a go-to hemp-derived beverage in traditional retail and hospitality channels. To further support growth, Nevis is actively building out its e-commerce capabilities, leveraging social media influencers and digital platforms to enable direct-to-consumer sales. With demand for cannabis- and hemp-infused beverages continuing to rise, Nevis Brands is positioning itself as a leader in both innovation and market reach within the growing functional beverage category. #proactiveinvestors #nevisbrandsinc #cse #nevi #otcqb #nevif #majorbrand #cannabis #CannabisInvesting #THCDrinks #HappyApple #CannabisStocks #HempTHC #CannabisBeverages #InvestorUpdate #JohnKueber #CannabisNews #CannabisRevenue #DebtReduction #ProactiveInvestors
The surging popularity of generative artificial intelligence is being met with growing concerns about its environmental footprint. Key to the technology is computer power from data centres which demand vast amounts of both water and energy. And as these facilities expand both in numbers and size, governments and big tech are being urged to prioritise sustainable solutions.
The surging popularity of generative artificial intelligence is being met with growing concerns about its environmental footprint. Key to the technology is computer power from data centres which demand vast amounts of both water and energy. And as these facilities expand both in numbers and size, governments and big tech are being urged to prioritise sustainable solutions. - ‘आर्टिफिसियल इन्टेलिजेन्स' वा एआइको बढ्दो लोकप्रियतासँगै वातावरणमा यसको प्रभावप्रति चिन्ता बढिरहेको छ। तर डेटा केन्द्रहरूको सङ्ख्या र आकारमा विस्तार हुँदै गर्दा सरकार र ठुला प्रविधि कम्पनीहरूले दिगो समाधान तर्फ ध्यान दिनुपर्ने आवाजहरू उठ्न थालेका छन्।
In small towns and quiet places, Idaho dairy farmers contribute more than just a fresh milk supply to the nation's consumers.
Josh Dunn is the Founder and CEO of Premier Media Group, a full media company with print, digital, social, and live event marketing. Since its inception in 2001, Premier Media Group has grown to include several publications, including 425 Magazine, 425 Business, South Sound Magazine, South Sound Business, and Northwest Travel & Life. Josh has been recognized for his volunteer work, including being named Community Volunteer of the Year by the Master Builders Association of Pierce County. He also founded TEDxTacoma and has been involved in various nonprofit initiatives. In this episode… The future of local journalism often seems bleak in a world dominated by digital media and shrinking attention spans. But what does it take to not only keep a regional media company alive, but make it thrive? How can a small publication evolve in a landscape ruled by AI, social media, and global platforms? Josh Dunn, an entrepreneur with nearly 25 years of experience in regional media, answers this question with vision and heart. Josh shares how he built Premier Media Group into a thriving organization by focusing on community-centered content, intentional acquisitions, and non-polarizing storytelling. Despite obstacles like 9/11 and COVID-19, his optimism and strategic acquisitions have enabled his company to expand into business and travel publications. His approach involves offering human-generated, non-polarizing content and forming partnerships with larger media outlets to enhance distribution. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Josh Dunn, Founder and CEO of Premier Media Group, about thriving as a regional media entrepreneur. Josh discusses scaling through strategic acquisitions, the impact of strong company culture, and his take on AI in journalism. He also shares insights on events, social media partnerships, and mentoring freelance journalists in today's changing media landscape.
Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute. Electric vehicle maker Rivian is expanding its footprint in Illinois. The company will add a supplier park to its factory in downstate Normal that could create 100 jobs. Its manufacturing facility already employs about 8,000 people. Rivian will invest about $120 […]
Jeff Howe and Gerry Hamilton break down where Texas stands in their recruiting of the SEC footprint!
We talk to Jennifer Mayerle about her recent true crime documentary, Jenny tells us about beloved movies that almost didn't make it, and more!
We talk to Jennifer Mayerle about her recent true crime documentary, Jenny tells us about beloved movies that almost didn't make it, and more!
ATMOS Space Cargo has secured new investment and has established a new French subsidiary in Strasbourg. German's Space Agency DLR has completed the qualification campaign for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrator's Top Block. Axiom Space has signed an agreement with Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Joshua Broom, the Head of Space at the UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT). You can connect with Joshua on LinkedIn. Selected Reading ATMOS Expands European Foundation with Expansion Ventures Investment and New French Subsidiary in Strasbourg. DLR Wraps Up Qualification of Key Callisto Rocket Element - European Spaceflight North Rhine-Westphalia and Axiom Space establish partnership Sidus Space and Saturn Satellite Networks Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Support Development of Next-Generation GEO Satellite Platform OSC Places Orders for Commercial COLA Gap Pathfinder Slingshot Aerospace Expands Global Footprint with New Canadian Headquarters in Ottawa USSF reinforces resilience of National missile warning architecture through SBIRS Survivable Endurable Evolution Operation Acceptance Science, industry, and advocacy groups unite in opposition to deep cuts to NASA science Station Maneuvers to Avoid Orbital Debris - NASA T-Minus Crew Survey We want to hear from you! Please complete our 4 question survey. It'll help us get better and deliver you the most mission-critical space intel every day. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tweetable quote from Zach“There's no such thing as free will. But the human being is gifted with the infinite free will to decide how it's going to experience its reality.”SummaryIn this powerful conversation, Dr Espen is joined by Zach Bush, MD, an internationally recognised educator and thought leader. They discuss the profound connections between gut health, the microbiome, and our relationship with Mother Earth. Zach emphasizes the importance of holistic medicine, emotional aspects of health, how unresolved emotions can manifest as physical ailments and the importance of reconnecting with nature for healing.About our guest:Zach Bush, MD is a physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care. He is an internationally recognized educator and thought leader on the microbiome as it relates to health, disease, and food systems. Zach Bush, MD founded *Seraphic Group and the non-profit Farmer's Footprint to develop root-cause solutions for human and ecological health. His passion for education reaches across many disciplines, including topics such as the role of soil and water ecosystems in human genomics, immunity, and gut/brain health. His education has highlighted the need for a radical departure from chemical farming and pharmacy, and his ongoing efforts are providing a path for consumers, farmers, and mega-industries to work together for a healthy future for people and the planet. His work in for-profit and nonprofit arenas is creating avenues for collaborative action for all stakeholders in our global community for a regenerative future of health for the planet and our children.
Preview: Colleague Bob Zimmerman Reports That China Is Lending a Hand to Malaysia to Create a Spaceport for Profit as the Spaceport Footprint Spreads Globally. More APRIL 1961
In honor of Earth Month, this episode features a conversation with two leaders driving Sandals' ongoing commitment to its beloved Caribbean home. As the brand unveils its Corporate Social Responsibility report, Love Exceeds Expectations, we're joined by Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, and Kirstin McCarthy, Director of Sustainability at Sandals Resorts International, who share how the brand has supported the Caribbean for more than four decades, along with new brand initiatives and guest programs that prove the power of tourism transforms lives. To learn more, visit: https://www.sandals.com/corporate-responsibility/
Join us tonight at 8 est on the Untold Radio Network for the very last episode of Discover Sasquatch. Tonights guest is Roger Williams. Roger is not your average local of Tennessee; he's the driving force behind the 'Squatchin' Holler' podcast, a digital campfire where tales of Bigfoot, otherworldly cryptids, and the chilling unknown come to life. Roger doesn't just tell stories; he hunts them, fueled by a raw passion to unravel the mysteries just beyond our perception.This isn't just a hobby; it's an obsession. With live guests sharing their most spine-tingling encounters, 'Squatchin' Holler' plunges into the heart of the paranormal. And Roger's not alone in this quest. His team, including the sharp minds of co-host Amanda Stowers and researcher Ashley Range, along with the support of his wife Heather and son Peyton, are expanding the reach of the Squatchin' holler investigations.They're not just looking for monsters; they're connecting the dots between seemingly disparate phenomena, searching for the threads that bind the weird and the wonderful. His Youtube channel is a great extension of the Podcast, and also to enjoy many of his on location adventures. So, if you're drawn to the rustle in the dark, the unexplained footprints, and the stories that keep you up at night, tune in. Roger Williams is your guide into the depths of the 'Squatchin' Holler', where the truth is stranger than fiction."
Welcome to Monsters on the Edge, a show exploring creatures at the edge of our reality in forests, cities, skies, and waters. We examine these creatures and talk to the researchers studying them.Joining us on this week's show:George lunsford is a Cryptozoologist, along with being a Field Researcher and Investigator of Cryptids, the Paranormal and UFOs; he has done many jobs from being a maintenance man to making explosives for the government. He was also an actor for many years doing indie feature films, commercials, book trailers, Public service videos, and even a music video for the Steep Canyon Rangers called Long Shot.George's life was changed when he was a young man. His great-grandmother passed away and her spirit visited him one night, sitting on the foot of his bed. She looked at him and said I love you, said goodbye and disappeared. He wanted to believe it was just a dream but could smell her scent in his room. George attended a haunted high School. In his early twenties he had a near death experience from pneumonia. He saw his own body in the bed and a lady that had died in that hospital room stood there talking to him. He saw the Angel of death as he opened a portal of bright light. The spirit that was talking to him, told him "it's not your time". He laid back down and woke up to alarms going off and nurses busting into hospital room.George also had encounters in the Bermuda Triangle, a UFO in the middle of the ocean, and many other events. George has always been interested in paranormal, cryptid creatures and Bigfoot and has done a lot of research thought his lifetime.George wrote "Legends, Myth, Monsters, and Ghost" because he wanted to share the stories he's heard and researched from all over the US with the world. He wants people to know that there is so much out in the world, then in that little bubble we all live in. When we were young, the older people would pass these stories down and we would go out and try to see if they where real. He hopes that sharing these stories, will give everyone an adventure to go on. George being an old sailor has had many adventures both at sea and on land.Please enjoy his books and go on your own adventures. Be safe!!!! Catch George and all his friends on the NCI Podcast, available on Channel 12 TV Network.
Landon Swan with @LikeFolio believes Walmart (WMT) is well-positioned to withstand the tariff storm. He points to web visits beating competitors other that Target (TGT), paired with its delivery and ecommerce moat. Landon expects that moat to widen with amount of stores the retail giant has across the U.S.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – / schwabnetwork Follow us on Facebook – / schwabnetwork Follow us on LinkedIn - / schwab-network About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
This evening, we dive into market movements with FNB Wealth and Investments, we speak to automotive journalist Edward Makwana about recent developments in the sector, Driving.co.za gives us insight into continuing issues within our licensing department and why SA should move away from physical licences, Kearney unpacks its recent report looking at foreign direct investment into emerging markets, and we speak to the minister of agriculture about a plan to expand SA's agricultural footprint in Japan. SAfm Market Update - Podcasts and live stream
Federal agencies have more office space than they need, and under DOGE their accelerating plans to get rid of it. It might be easy to forget those efforts actually first got momentum under the Obama administration, it established policies to freeze and then reduce the so called Federal Real Estate footprint. It's one of the significant moments the Federal News Network is looking back on as we mark our 25th anniversary. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Federal agencies have more office space than they need, and under DOGE their accelerating plans to get rid of it. It might be easy to forget those efforts actually first got momentum under the Obama administration, it established policies to freeze and then reduce the so called Federal Real Estate footprint. It's one of the significant moments the Federal News Network is looking back on as we mark our 25th anniversary. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tune in tonight on The Untold Radio Network's Discover Sasquatch as we welcome Joe "The Squatchin' Cowboy" Pass to the show. Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1960, Joe spent his early years in the surrounding cities of Irving and Mesquite, where proximity to the Mesquite rodeo sparked a four-year stint as a bull rider. After retiring in 2018, a "no BS" pursuit of Bigfoot began. Inspired by his wife's moniker, "Squatchin' Cowboy," he has since dedicated himself to searching for the elusive creature across thirteen states, including significant time in Oklahoma, along with expeditions to Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Tennessee, and Georgia. While a sighting remains elusive, he believes he has come close, particularly in Texas, where numerous tracks have been found, though Oklahoma stands out as a prime location. Memorable experiences include encountering ten distinct tree knocks simultaneously, numerous howls and screams, and discovering a small footprint on a mountainside. Hope to see you all there at 8 p.m. EST.
Forensically speaking, a latent footprint refers to an imprint left by a person's foot on a surface that is not immediately visible to the naked eye. These footprints are typically created when an individual transfers natural oils, dirt, or other substances from their feet onto a surface as they walk. These impressions are often faint and can only be revealed through specialized techniques like dusting, chemical treatments, or photography. Forensic experts use these methods to make latent footprints visible and then compare them to known footwear patterns to help identify or exclude potential suspects in criminal investigations.In the affidavit, investigators stated that they found a latent footprint at the scene of the crime that was consistent with the type of print you would find on a pair of Vans shoes. The problem with that? Just about everyone has Vans.In this episode, we take a look at the latent footprint as evidence and how it might be used by the prosecutors during the trial for Bryan Kohberger.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com(commercial at 7:22)source:Clue in Idaho Murder Case Leaves Question About Bryan Kohberger Evidence (newsweek.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Hello my friends, and tonight on the Untold Radio Network we welcome Tristan Yolton to the show at 8pm est. Tristan growing up, has always had a fascination with cryptids, such as Bigfoot, but was never really interested in looking for them, until 2015, when his father heard some “whoops” behind their home. After setting out an audio recorder, in the area where the “whoops” were coming from, he was able to gather some very odd sounds, which may or may not have come from this relic hominid. Then he was hooked. For the next 7 years, he has traveled around his home state of Washington, trying to gather evidence and learn about these primitive people. Along the way, he has met/made some great friends and has seen/heard some amazing, yet puzzling things. The Bigfoot mystery, continues…as does his journey to help solve it. Dont miss tonight, as he has quite the impressive collection of evidence gathered. From audio to pictures, and maybe even captured one on film. Tune in tonight to find out. See you then.
George was quite busy between "All Things Must Pass" and "The Concert for Bangladesh". However, many of the things he played on were not under his own name! We look at two projects where George was a significant contributer: Gary Wright's "Footprint", and Billy Preston's "I Wrote a Simple Song". Excellent playing, and a link between George's Beatles guitar-playing, his work on "All Things Must Pass", and his turn on John Lennon's "Imagine" (when he finally turned back to his own projects with "Living in the Material World!")
The cooperation between the United States and Mexico in the war on drugs has been a complex and evolving partnership with both successes and challenges. Here is a summary of key points in this cooperation:Historical Context: The U.S. and Mexico have a long history of cooperation in addressing drug-related issues, dating back to the 1970s. The proximity of Mexico to the United States, a major consumer market for illegal drugs, has made this collaboration essential.Merida Initiative: In 2008, the United States launched the Merida Initiative, a multi-year aid program to support Mexico in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. This initiative provided equipment, training, and technical assistance to Mexican law enforcement and security forces.Joint Operations: The two countries have engaged in various joint law enforcement operations to target drug cartels and dismantle drug trafficking networks. These operations have led to the capture of several high-profile drug traffickers.Information Sharing: Both nations have improved information sharing and intelligence cooperation to better understand and combat drug trafficking organizations. This includes sharing data on drug shipments, money laundering, and cartel activities.Legal Extradition: The U.S. and Mexico have an extradition treaty in place, allowing the transfer of criminals wanted in one country to face justice in the other. This has been used to extradite major drug lords and cartel leaders.Challenges and Tensions: Despite cooperation, there have been tensions in the relationship. Issues such as corruption within Mexican law enforcement, human rights abuses, and disputes over drug policy have strained cooperation at times.Shift in Focus: In recent years, there has been a shift in strategy, with a greater emphasis on addressing the root causes of drug trafficking and violence, such as poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and social inequality. Both countries have invested in development programs in Mexico's drug-producing regions.Legalization and Drug Policy: Differences in drug policies between the two nations have been a source of tension. While some U.S. states have legalized recreational and medical marijuana, Mexico has also been moving toward more liberal drug policies, including decriminalization.Ongoing Efforts: Cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in the war on drugs remains ongoing. Both countries continue to work together on a range of issues, including interdiction efforts, intelligence sharing, and promoting regional security.According to a new DHS paper that was released, the United States is looking to expand their footprint in Mexico even more as the battle against fentanyl ramps up.(commercial at 6:57)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:The United States seeks to ‘aggressively' expand its anti-fentanyl operations in Mexico | U.S. | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)
Forensically speaking, a latent footprint refers to an imprint left by a person's foot on a surface that is not immediately visible to the naked eye. These footprints are typically created when an individual transfers natural oils, dirt, or other substances from their feet onto a surface as they walk. These impressions are often faint and can only be revealed through specialized techniques like dusting, chemical treatments, or photography. Forensic experts use these methods to make latent footprints visible and then compare them to known footwear patterns to help identify or exclude potential suspects in criminal investigations.In the affidavit, investigators stated that they found a latent footprint at the scene of the crime that was consistent with the type of print you would find on a pair of Vans shoes. The problem with that? Just about everyone has Vans.In this episode, we take a look at the latent footprint as evidence and how it might be used by the prosecutors during the trial for Bryan Kohberger.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com(commercial at 7:22)source:Clue in Idaho Murder Case Leaves Question About Bryan Kohberger Evidence (newsweek.com)
The cooperation between the United States and Mexico in the war on drugs has been a complex and evolving partnership with both successes and challenges. Here is a summary of key points in this cooperation:Historical Context: The U.S. and Mexico have a long history of cooperation in addressing drug-related issues, dating back to the 1970s. The proximity of Mexico to the United States, a major consumer market for illegal drugs, has made this collaboration essential.Merida Initiative: In 2008, the United States launched the Merida Initiative, a multi-year aid program to support Mexico in its efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. This initiative provided equipment, training, and technical assistance to Mexican law enforcement and security forces.Joint Operations: The two countries have engaged in various joint law enforcement operations to target drug cartels and dismantle drug trafficking networks. These operations have led to the capture of several high-profile drug traffickers.Information Sharing: Both nations have improved information sharing and intelligence cooperation to better understand and combat drug trafficking organizations. This includes sharing data on drug shipments, money laundering, and cartel activities.Legal Extradition: The U.S. and Mexico have an extradition treaty in place, allowing the transfer of criminals wanted in one country to face justice in the other. This has been used to extradite major drug lords and cartel leaders.Challenges and Tensions: Despite cooperation, there have been tensions in the relationship. Issues such as corruption within Mexican law enforcement, human rights abuses, and disputes over drug policy have strained cooperation at times.Shift in Focus: In recent years, there has been a shift in strategy, with a greater emphasis on addressing the root causes of drug trafficking and violence, such as poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and social inequality. Both countries have invested in development programs in Mexico's drug-producing regions.Legalization and Drug Policy: Differences in drug policies between the two nations have been a source of tension. While some U.S. states have legalized recreational and medical marijuana, Mexico has also been moving toward more liberal drug policies, including decriminalization.Ongoing Efforts: Cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in the war on drugs remains ongoing. Both countries continue to work together on a range of issues, including interdiction efforts, intelligence sharing, and promoting regional security.According to a new DHS paper that was released, the United States is looking to expand their footprint in Mexico even more as the battle against fentanyl ramps up.(commercial at 6:57)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:The United States seeks to ‘aggressively' expand its anti-fentanyl operations in Mexico | U.S. | EL PAÍS English (elpais.com)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Mirakl. In today's Retail Daily Minute:Ulta Beauty to Launch Digital Marketplace – Ulta partners with Mirakl to debut Ulta Beauty Marketplace in fall 2025, expanding its beauty and wellness offerings while driving online growth through curated brand experiences.Wayfair Opens New Large-Format Store in Atlanta – After a successful store launch in Illinois, Wayfair doubles down on physical retail with a 150,000 sq. ft. store planned for Atlanta in 2026, boosting regional fulfillment efficiency.Consumer Sentiment Hits 29-Month Low Amid Inflation Fears – University of Michigan reports a sharp drop in consumer confidence, with inflation expectations reaching their highest level since 2022—impacting all demographics and political affiliations.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights. Be careful out there!
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
Palantir (PLTR) will partner with R1 to create the "R37" A.I. powered lab that aims to simplify healthcare payments and save the healthcare industry billions of dollars. Diane King Hall notes this is just the latest of several partnerships the company is undertaking. The question she poses: does its expanding footprint justify its still-high valuation?======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
AI is the hot topic at this year's CERAWeek, where more than 10,000 people are gathering for one of the largest energy conferences of the year. A recent report by the Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress explores AI's energy and environmental footprint in detail, with estimates of AI's impact today as well as projections to 2030 and 2050. Many listeners may be surprised by the findings. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with two of the lead authors of that report — Bernhard Lorentz and Johannes Truby — about their report and its implications. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AI is the hot topic at this year's CERAWeek, where more than 10,000 people are gathering for one of the largest energy conferences of the year. A recent report by the Deloitte Center for Sustainable Progress explores AI's energy and environmental footprint in detail, with estimates of AI's impact today as well as projections to 2030 and 2050. Many listeners may be surprised by the findings. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with two of the lead authors of that report — Bernhard Lorentz and Johannes Truby — about their report and its implications. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. AI for Climate Change Mitigation Roadmap -- https://www.icef.go.jp/roadmap and transitiondigital.org/ai-climate-roadmap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kara Henderson shares her memories of her grandmother and the promise she made to be more eco-friendly.
As anyone who watches a pro or college sporting event these days knows all too well, America's massive and growing corporate gambling industry is spreading like a weed. As with most such voracious industries, however, too much is never enough and so it is that state lawmakers are advancing another bill to help make […]
We take you deep inside the hidden core of the new bubble: data centers. After 10 years exploring data farms in America, Singapore and beyond, Anthropologist Steven Gonzalez Monserrate published his paper “The Cloud Is Material: On the Environmental Impacts of Computation and …
Enjoying the Ecommerce Coffee Break Podcast? Here are a few ways to grow your business: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/level-up/---In this episode of the Ecommerce Coffee Break, host Claus Lauter sits down with Laurent Bocahut, CEO and Co-Founder of PEFtrust.com, to discuss the sustainability shift in ecommerce and how eco-labelling is shifting e-shoppers' fashion choices. Laurent, an environmental engineer, shares groundbreaking insights into how brands can measure and reduce their environmental footprint through data-driven automation. Discover how eco-labeling is changing consumer behavior, boosting website traffic, and becoming a critical strategy for modern e-commerce businesses. Topics discussed in this episode: What is Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and why does it matter. How do eco-labels boost conversions and sales. Why is lifecycle assessment key for sustainability. How can brands automate sustainability data tracking. Which industries benefit most from eco-labels. How does publishing eco-scores impact traffic. Why do natural fibers have a high environmental cost. How can brands integrate eco-scores into Shopify. What regulations are shaping sustainability in the EU. How should brands start their sustainability journey. Links & Resources Website: https://peftrust.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurent-bocahut/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peftrust/ Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes athttps://tinyurl.com/bdf5ww3y MORE RESOURCESDownload the Ecommerce Conversion Handbook for store optimization tips at https://tinyurl.com/CRO-ebook Best Apps to Grow Your eCommerce Store: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/best-shopify-marketing-tools-recommendations/ Become a smarter online seller in just 7 minutes Our free newsletter is your shortcut to ecommerce success. Every Tuesday and Thursday in your inbox. 100% free. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com Rate, Review & Follow Enjoying this episode? Help others like you by rating and reviewing my show on Apple Podcasts. Rate here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecommerce-coffee-break-digital-marketing-podcast-for/id1567749422 Follow the podcast to catch all the bonus episodes I am adding. Do not miss out. Hit that follow button now!
Calling all thrill-seekers and lovers of the unexplained!Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure as The Untold Radio Network takes you deep into the heart of Oklahoma's wildlands. This Tuesday, March 4th, at 8 PM EST, prepare to confront the chilling mysteries that walk in the shadows – the legendary Dogman and the elusive Sasquatch!Join us as we venture into the Sooner State, a hotbed of eerie encounters and unexplained phenomena. Our guide, Brian Terrell of Red Dirt Cryptid Investigations, is on a mission to uncover the truth behind these terrifying cryptids. We'll explore reported hotspots, analyze chilling evidence, and delve into the lore surrounding these creatures of myth and legend.Dare to join us? This is one journey into the unknown you won't soon forget.
Pete Anevski, CEO of Progyny (PGNY), discusses his company's latest earnings and how it's poised for a "well-positioned" year. He notes general healthcare headwinds for the women's health company, though he expects Progyny to find new clients and retain current customers.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
A woman is found beaten, her home ransacked. Outside, the fresh snow holds only one set of footprints—leading straight to the scene and back again. They belong to a young woman known for sleepwalking. She has no memory of the crime… but with no other tracks, who else could it have been? The case seems clear. The evidence is certain. And yet… something is wrong. This impossible crime is the work of John Dickson Carr, a master of the locked-room mystery and one of the greatest minds of Golden Age detective fiction. An American who lived in England for years, Carr crafted intricate puzzles that defied logic—until his brilliant detectives unravelled them. Join me for The Footprint in the Sky, a story of silent proof, restless sleep, and a mystery only Colonel March can solve. ⭐ Join my Patreon ⭐ https://patreon.com/barcud Go here for a library of ad-free stories, a monthly members only story and early access to the regular stories I put out. You can choose to have ghost stories only, or detective stories or classic literature, or all of them for either $5 or $10 a month. Many hundreds of hours of stories. Who needs Audible? Or, if you'd just like to make a one-off gesture of thanks for my work https://buymeacoffee.com/10mn8sk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Wednesday February 19, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Wednesday February 19, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Wednesday February 19, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Wednesday February 19, 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
When a Tennessee college student is brutally murdered in her apartment, police initially suspect her roommate. Will a polygraph test confirm their suspicions or point them in the direction of another suspect? This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm
Have you ever wondered how much energy your TikTok scrolling costs? Or what the environmental impacts of ChatGPT are?Today's technology boom is undoubtedly reshaping our digital landscape, but the vast amount of physical infrastructure that must accompany new tech development often gets lost in the conversation. And now with the rise of AI, large, energy-intensive data centers are becoming American industry's “next big thing.”We unpacked the larger costs of these data centers with Steven Gonzalez Montserrate, a researcher out of MIT and the Goethe University in Germany who studies the cloud and is helping us grapple with the environmental costs of our new digital reality.------------------------------------------------------------------Visit our website to keep up with the OC team!https://operationclimatepo.wixsite.com/operationclimateFollow us on Instagram at @operationclimate!To contact us, DM us on Instagram or email us at operationclimatepodcast@gmail.com!Guest: Steven Gonzalez MontserrateHosts: Zoe Kolenovsky, Marie-Hélène ToméReporters: Zoe Kolenovsky, Marie-Hélène ToméAudio Editor: Karina HuangMusic Credit: Robots and Aliens by Joel Cummins