Talk:Wheel of time/Oldcontent
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- For the fantasy series by Robert Jordan, see The Wheel of Time.
The wheel of time or wheel of history is a concept in several religions and philosophies, notably dharmic religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, which regard time as cyclical and consisting of repeating ages.
The Wheel of time is a Tantric deity also, that is associated with Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, which encompasses four main schools and traditions which are Sakya, Nyingma, Kagyu and Gelug. This article deals with the form of Tantric worship named Kalachakra or Wheel of Time (this is written with a small t, to not be confused with the fantasy series of the same name's article at Wikipedia) which is distinct from the Kalachakra article in Wikipedia because a ban upon the school that produced this teaching in Tibet, Jonang, still exists and prevents the topic from being freely broached over there.
Two daughter articles will thus be mentionned and referenced in a master article to reflect the diversity of views and the freedom of speech in present times, that no longer are exposed to being banned as they were in Tibet in the last three hundred fifty years of banning of Jonang and the master Taranatha, the world's foremost historian.
[edit] The Wheel of Time or Kalachakra or (in Tibetan) Du Kyi Kor Lo
In Buddhism, one conception of the wheel of time relates it to Kalachakra. The Tibetan name for Kalachakra (in Sanskrit), is Du Kyi Kor Lo.
There is another article in Wikipedia, entitled Kalachakra, which doesn't take into account to the same degree as this one, the influence of the Jonangpa school and it's master Taranatha upon the development of the Kalachakra.
The main exponent of the Kalachakra from which all traditions arise is Taranatha. Taranatha not only is the father of the lineage and he from whom the present-day traditions hail from by their own acknoweldgement, but furthermore, if one takes what is said in the writings of Taranatha, none of the present traditions can be freely followed as trustworthy. Indeed, Taranatha clearly says that all other traditions than his own are false and full of deceit (see his words below.). He clearly and calmly says that all the traditions of Tibet were fraudulent and lying, due to their lack of deep understanding and erudition. Thus, the present-day giving of the Kalachakra, that is given throughout the world, (and whose proponents even, are the historical authors of the banning of Taranatha), falls into such categories of schools (the schools that bestow this teaching throughout the world today) that he chastizes, as do all other traditions than his own, even the Sakyapa school, despite his belonging to it loosely. In present-day Buddhist schools, the influence of Taranatha has been mostly obliterated, as the ban that was placed upon him was enforced and strongly maintained upon all Tibetans, and still is so to this day. Among the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, one, the present Ngor school of Sakya, is making known Taranatha's work and influence, particularly on the Kalachakra teaching, even at the risk of braving the ban on Taranatha; although this doesn't extend to foreign non-Tibetans. Ngor's representative Geir Smith (external resources), thus, is taking the risk of making known the historical facts behind the ban and the tradition that was covered up by the banning of that Jonang school.
Thus, this present article does the important job of making the statement on Kalachakra, of what it's debt is to the banned school of Jonang.
The Kalachakra is prophecied in it's Tantra to fill a modern messianic role, that is said by many to only happen in hundreds of years from now.
[edit] The uncertainty of historical time and datation
But upon reading Taranatha (below) on sees that he pitilessly disparages all of the Tibetan scholars' certainties, assertions made, beliefs and "erudition" on Buddhist history, and also of chronology. So, reading the coming about of prophecy contained in the Kalachakra Tantra into our present-day time, is perfectly possible and feasible. This role can be achieved, most of all, by the lifting on it's study, of a phenomenally heavy, three hundred fifty year ban, which has been placed upon it's founder-father : Taranatha.
Even modern-day men (people unaware of the facts of Tibetan history) are found to be reticent in lifting this ban. On one hand, no one was aware of this part of Tibetan history and also, much had been put into the veneration towards the erstwhile leaders of the Lhassa Valley lamas, surrounding the Great Lama of the Gelugpa School, the Dalai Lama. But the realisation of it being, this very school of the Gelugpas, which is the one that banned the Jonangpa school and Taranatha, makes this support less easy to give; blindly, at least.
[edit] The time for a new view of banning is now due
Thus, the emergence of complex relations between sects in the 17th century, makes it necessary to establish more complete information about this period, which has now made it better to establish two separate points of view about Kalachakra, under the two articles of Wheel of Time - for the Jonangpa-Taranatha point of view (that Geir Smith presents in the Ngorpa school's tradition), and the Kalachakra article - for the point of view of the Gelugpas. These could be summed up by a central, main article named "Kalachakra-Wheel of Time" or alternately "Wheel of Time-Kalachakra".
Blindly following a personality cult around one figure, is not a neutral point of view in any way, and cannot be condoned in a work like Wikipedia. The voice of other opinions, and of several points of view thus corresponds to the need for two separate articles on this important subject, seeing the Kalachakra is today the teaching that is most important in the whole Buddhist world, that encompasses over three hundred million active Buddhists in the world, and a total of one and half billion people of Buddhist historical tradition (China for example). Particularly, a voice that has been banned for three hundred fifty years, cannot be quelled further (forever), because voices that are repressed, don't diminish with time, but only gain more and more force. Banning it renewedly today, will not be repressing it, but will be reinforcing it, on the contrary. This voice will not be the same as sweeping dust under the carpet : it will only swell up more than ever, because it's still there and needs to be heard; it's just that one would want to not see and hear it. People all want things to be nice and peaceful, and no dissonating voice to arise. They thus abett the power of the powerful, and disadvantage the voices of the "little guy". This is a wrong and undemocratic attitude. People should be allowed to enjoy some measure of freedom of speech; and modern times should be a time of freedom, not of obscurity.
Kalachakra is not one single teaching, but is given by all the schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and can be understood in many diverging ways. It's a bit like the anthem of America that can be interpreted in far different ways, from Jimi Hendrix to Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin, and for example, can be given many different venues and articles in an encyclopedia such as here. They can indeed be summed up in one generic redirecting stub-article, as described above.
[edit] The Tibetan Jonangpa Taranatha, banned three hundred fifty years
Many reasons lead to Taranatha's ban. But one can look to his own writings to see that the reasons behind this didn't account for the fact that he was an outstanding scholar, who is still referred to, among the Gelugpas, as the father of their own Kalachakra tradition. He himself pointed to the need for using him in one's religious path, because alone he was able to point out the right way. His ban was thus akin to cutting off one's own leg for Tibet and Tibetans. This he spoke out on clearly in his Introduction to his "History of Buddhism in India".
In the "Aim of this Work" he says that "Even the learned (Tibetan) scholars and historians, when they come to discuss India, exhibit with their best efforts merely their poverty, like petty traders exhibiting their meager stock. Some of the scholars, while trying to describe the origin of the Doctrine, are found to commit many a mistake. For the benefit of others, therefore, I am preparing this brief work with the mistakes eliminated."
It seems thus, that he considered the Tibetans to be ignorant of India and Buddhism's history. If this was the reason for his ban, that's not right, as most people should thus be banned, in that case.
This Wheel of Time article and the Kalachakra article have no conflict of interests, as indeed, despite describing articles that bear the same name in parts, they speak, here, about a form of Kalachakra incorporating Taranatha, as if he were not banned, while there, the Kalachakra article speaks about a form of Kalachakra in which he is banned. They are thus two complimentary articles that add to each other, rather than detract from each other. Together, they add up to a neutral point of view. Alone, they don't. This article's intent is mostly to make the voice of a banned author who is considered rightly to be the world's foremost historian to be heard. No other author has written so extensively and widely about such an ancient period and such a widespreading subject. His ban is thus dangerous for Tibetan history, for world history and for the future of humanity, Buddhism being the religion of one fourth of humanity roughly, and one which cannot be deprived of it's most famous historian, Taranatha. This article thus fills in an urgent need for history, one which the Kalachakra article bypasses and ignores until today. Hopefully this article will bring the Kalachakra article to realise the gap in it's resources, concerning Taranatha and his Wheel of Time-teaching.
[edit] Human rights in Tibet and the Kalachakra
Modern human rights did not exist in Tibet, and the Kalachakra was banned in its original form. Dialogue about this was not possible in Tibet, until recently, in the exile from the ancient ways of Tibet. It is thus the responsability of present day Buddhists to enable respect of human rights, to exist in today's world concerning Kalachakra, and the Sakyapas (Jonangpas) don't have the same point of view as the Gelugpas, and particularly so in the Ngorpa main-branch of Sakya.
[edit] Controversy
The Kalachakra Tantra has occasionally been the center of controversy because it contains passages which are sometimes seen as demonizing the Abrahamic religions, particularly Islam. Further, it contains the prophecy of a future holy war between Buddhists and so-called "barbarians", which is sometimes interpreted as encouraging inter-religious conflict. An alternate viewpoint believes Buddhism to be a peaceful religion and that this interpretation is probably caused by a much too literal reading of a very complicated text. Rather, the description of a sort of "holy war" may refer to the inner battle which is to be fought by every religious practitioner against one's inner demonic and barbarian tendencies. No associating of a Kalachakra-Shambala prophecy should be seen to join with that of messianic prophecies of Christians or other religions, that would meet agendas that go against the principles of peace and compassion of Buddhism. Belligerent attitudes as manifest by calls to militant "crusades" or "jihad" against adherents of other traditions, are alien to the "ruthless" compassion of Buddhism; whose "ruthlessness" is aimed at the ignorance of one's self. The holy war of Buddhism is this and none other. All other concepts are madness and are not Buddhism. Misunderstanding on this is not Buddhism. Thus, making war in the name of religion is not Buddhist, and the Kalachakra is the blazon of this, and not a downfall into the ways of it's opposite : namely war-mongering for religion, as many religious faiths do throughout the world, and wreak countless suffering thereby. In this, the Religions of the Book are not the last to do so, and among these are included not only Christians or Muslims, but also Jewish.
Kalachakra is thus the denunciation of these heretical, evil practises in the name of religion, and as such can indeed be most vociferous in furthering virtue and condemning vice. Kalachakra uses this skillful means of anger, so as to further the cause of good, in a world unfortunately gone mad. Unless it used this powerful means of skillfulness, it would not be able to reach all beings at our time, and not fulfill it's prophecy of being the most appropriate teaching for this time, (it is a Tantric teaching) as it is prophecied to be. This controversy thus further underlines the excellency of the Kalachakra, and not any shortfall on the contrary.
By it's wrathfulness, the Kalachakra reaches the wrathful nature of modern men, that are unfortunately overwhelmed with their own anger and arrogance, which the peaceful, natural demeanour of other forms of Buddhism leave cold. The arrogance of modern technology and rationalistic self-importance are thus only tamed by modern Tantric teachings, (and among these Kalachakra) because all other religious forms have failed to do anything but bring out the hatred and Sectarianism of men.
[edit] The meaning of Kalachakra in opposing other religions' beliefs
The controversy is rather one about the means used by Tantric Buddhism in such deity forms as Kalachakra. These forms are used as antidotes to passions and evil tendancies. Wrathful forms are used for sloth, peaceful ones for anger, pleasant forms for coveteousness, etc...
Other religious forms than Buddhism, contain numerous defects (see below Brahmanical Casteism, holy wars, deity-worship etc...) that Buddhism profers manifold objections to, evoking their terrible karmic results that unescapably will be encoutered (particularly as from the killing abetted by most forms of religions) by their followers. Thus, to stand up and oppose, as an antidote, to these misinterpretations of religion, and their erroneous messages, Buddhism presents the universal remedy : Kalachakra, a deity that is prophecied to Buddhists, to save people in this modern time.
Now the critique against other religions is not rare amongst Buddhists. So, because they see many mistakes, this explains why Kalachakra is needed : and by it, no controversy is created with others; because the controversy is sidestepped by this incomprehensible form of Kalachakra. It thus creates, by it's deep eucumenical message, appeasement only. Kalachakra is thus contradictory because outwardly it is wrathful but inwardly the message is that of peace, and Loving Compassion.
Indeed, it is most skillful, because if one were to say all the critiques that Buddhism would want to, openly, the relationship between the one making the critiques, and those hearing them, would become venimous and acrimonious, of course. Even the truth is difficult to say, no matter how difficult. It is often better not to say it than to reap the result. Kalachakra enables to avoid this, by not voicing and bringing these criticisms out in the open. Skillfully masked behind its appearance, it can then distill the teaching, and it's message of love and compassion can be told in the background behind protected doors of the wrathful outer appearance, It's could thus be described, in fact, as a kind of "gruff goodness".
[edit] The Controversy is behind the empty, compassionate Critiques levelled by Kalachakra
Buddhism is well-known to critique Brahmanism for it's unequalitarian Casteism, for example, and Tantrism offered Brahman-killing forms of deities, Brahmans being the champions of Casteism and the upholders of this horrid heretical way of lfe. But these deities of so-called "Brahman-killers", have never killed a single Brahman. They represent merely the ideal of loving equalitraism between all beings and the denial and refusal by Buddhists of the horrid system of Hindu Casteism (or caste-system). Thus, the contrarian form of Tantric deities was created to address the subject and anti-Brahmanical deities were created. All Tantric deities make multiple actions that outlaw them from the Hindu fold. The consorts of the deities for example, are low-caste women which thus disqualify, particularly Brahmans, from being respectfully accepted by their castes. Tantric deities are thus unacceptable to Hindus if were only on those grounds there. But they also can't accept that the deities have often freshly-cut Brahmans' heads around their necks ! One must know that when one reads about Tantric lore (as here), one must be aware of the symbolism of it, or else one will not be able to understand it at all, and one will be like someone bringing moon-dust back from the moon and trying to eat it i.e. totally misguided !
If Brahmanism's sectarian elitist creed is incompatible with Buddhist equalitarism, so much more so the creed of the chosen race of Judaism. The messianic belief of the Kalachakra adresses the issue only of chooosing good and the people that will be able to carry out three steps : a. renounce sectarianism and fanaticism b. turn to good, renouncing evil and c. so as to achieve the a. and b. steps, resort to the powerful means of the rapid attaining of Nirvana that are provided by Tantrism and it's Kalachakra, the most widely spread and available Tantric doctrine in the modern world. Among the manifold creeds of Tantrism, Kalachakra is persently the most known of all.
[edit] Buddhist Critiques of Sinful Deeds in religion
Thus it is explained (as with fresh-cut Brahman heads denouncing the intolerance and fundamentalistic, prudish deceit of Brahmanism) that Tantric deities aim solely at denouncing the sins in attitudes and deeds of other faiths and religions, that practise real-life sins in a habitual manner. The intent of the deities in Tantrism, is not to further their agenda of "being better", but of stepping in to protect the oppressed that suffer from being downtrodden in Brahmanism, killed by holy wars etc... even at the price of being ostracized themselves. Buddhist thus have always sacrificed themselves for the good of others giving up all reputation and comfort for themselves, and acting as "heroes". This is typical of the "path of heroes" of the Mahayana and Tantrayana of Buddhism. Sacrificing one's own good for that of others is the basis of this form of Buddhism. This practise is also called Bodhicitta : to think of "One's own good, second to that of others".
Buddhist Tantrism likewise critiques Jihad (holy war) in Islam and any killing of humans or animals in sacrifice, such as holy wars do, claiming in them, that these people or beings are offered up to deities, and acquire merit and salvation by it, such as in Kamikaze Martyrs, or in Christian "Crusade-like Wars against infidels". Buddhists refuse this, and Tantric deities are created to critique and block this. Buddhism is the only religion on the world that has never; ever carried out a war in it's name. Wars happen in Buddhist countries, anyone can see this. But Buddhism never blesses war, as is done every day by other religions, which latter don't thereby master the logic of cause and effect, nor refrain from doing evil. They have thus gone over the edge upon doing these deeds. They no longer control the results. They thus become bad examples for their own faithful, saying "Don't do what I do" to them. How can they say "Peace to the world" once they've been killing not long before that ? There is thus a contradiction in this. Buddhism speaks of covering one's foot with leather, rather than the whole earth, meaning rather to master oneself rather than teach the whole world.
[edit] Controversy about Jesus, the returned undead
Likewise, Kalachakra is created to block all evil in the world. So, likewise, Buddhists are revulsed by Jesus that they see as being undead, meaning, (to Buddhists -) a vampire, a ghoul i.e. what is called in Tibetan "Ro Lang" (Wylie Transliteration Ro Langs), meaning a "Standing Dead". Drinking his blood and eating his flesh, in church, are unheard-of rituals for Buddhists, which cannot understand the logic of this worship, in any form. Buddhists make a clear dstinction between higher deities, such as pure Buddhist deities; and impure ones such as that. This thus, likewise as well, is (can never ever be) not voiced by Buddhists, who know that this cannot be said civilly to people who worship, even if that be of such a person, thing or deity. Thus, this and all other topics of controversy, or contention, are englobed into the Kalachakra form; that has the effect of releasing all evil by it's power. By it's wrathful form, which is able to tame the spirit of slothenly people who cannot listen or understand, Kalachakra can thereby sum up the full quantity of things to be purified in others, into that one form (of Kalachakra) and practise, due to it's strong power and the deity's charisma. But, above all, it must always be kept in mind it's final and ultimate message, is still always to merely sum up the message of love and compassion, and to do this relentlessly. This is always Buddhism's message, no matter behind whatever form of Tantrism or other form it may choose to show itself. Buddhism never wanders from it's goal and intent, and that is to always - wrathfully and relentlessly - strive towards this same goal of solely goodness, and not evil, as in the other misguided directions followed by most other religions. That is the meaning of Kalachakra : wrathfully, forcefully using it's powerful outer appearance, to always protect and uphold good versus evil, which evil is everywhere in the world and suffuses all aspects of it, everywhere. Confronted with the reality of Nagarjuna's vision that "There is not even the point of a needle of happiness in the world" Tantrism's answer is a forceful reaction of defending good and virtue, and that, against all odds. Even if this is repeated here, it is good to do so because if someone were to misineterpret this, it would be a responsability and that must not happen. So, it is better to be a bit repetitive than misunderstood as to the striving towards goodness and rejecting all form of evil, however small be it. This is Kalachakra, Tantrism and Buddhism's answer to overwhelming evil on all sides.
[edit] Kalachakra : goodness versus evil fight, incarnated, none other
This is Kalachakra's essence : the Buddhist answer to sin in the world, and universally meant to help all beings, prophecied to have a messianic vision and effect throughout the world versus all other religions, beliefs and creeds, without exception. No aspect is left untouched, unaffected by Kalachakra, because it appeases, and puts down forcefully, by the power of it's skillful means of taking this fearful form, all opposing forces. But in reality, as a backdrop, the real force that defeats evil, in the end, is not this force but Buddhism's first and original message : it's loving compassion. This is what tames and defeats all opposing forces in reality. All opposing forces are tamed and put down instantly, by the power of Kalachakra. They are defeated by the overpowering knowledge and superior wisdom of Kalachakra's skillful means.... of it's understanding. Seeing the difference between goddness and evil, even if this latter is coated with good intentions (as is the case in other religions that see no evil in their mad paths.). Tantrism refuses this and skillfully coats its goodness to make up a gruff, wrathful, scary outer appearance. He who does not desire good deeds moves on, uninterested by Kalachakra. Kalachakra therefore only adresses the true seeker of truth, and scares away all the untruthful, lying frauds in religion, who don't see the difference between good and bad.
[edit] Kalachakra is skillful means to convey love to the world
By the skillful means of it's wrathful Tantric aspect, Kalachakra does not outwardly convey it's inner message of love and compassion but does it secretly, that is indirectly. This is the meaning of the Secret teachings of the Path of Secret Teachings, the name for Tantric Teachings of Tibet. By it's wrathful aspect, it appeases all the things that it criticizes in other thoughts, philosophies and belief-systems, and makes them forcefully follow the path of good which is to renounce evil and do good. Now this particular article on Kalachakra is diffferent - but not antinomical - with the article entitled Kalachakra itself, on Wikipedia, because they both work to the same goal. But while this one aims to lift the ban on Taranatha which has been in place for three hundred and fifty years now, in opposition to that, the other one is a proponent of keeping the ban tightly upon him. I hope that with time, and it's wheel turning freely, some voices on the other article can also join in demanding the lifting of the Taranatha ban as is done here, in the name of universal human rights.
[edit] External resources
- Taranatha article in Theosophy's website.
- Geir Smith, fledgling projected site for the knowledge and research into Taranatha's Kalachakra. Under construction, updated shortly.
[edit] Resources
- Jonang The banned (Sakyapa) school of Taranatha that is the basis of the Kalachakra teaching worldwide, be it in Gelug or anyone else.
- Jalpo An article made so as to speak about the deity Dorje Shugden that was taken from it's fold within the Sakyapa school and diverted to other practises than it's origin, such as incorporating a dead person's soul into it, by the Gelugpa school. It also incorporates the holy Sakyapa founding-lineage to be claimed to be the lineagte of this demonic spirit ! This unaccpetable situation made cooperating with the presentation of Shhugden on it's own page impossible; all the more so as the Gelugpa factions spend all their time fueding among themselves on their page. As they cannot agree on anything, it's useless to even try to get in any ideas sidewise. It's better to systematically make Sakyapa own-pages for each deity or practise, as that way, the topics don't get mixed and jumbled. Remaining aloof from feuding is the way to serenity. The goal of that page and making this Wheel of time page, is to create peace among Buddhist schools, and appease the feuding among the Gelugpa schools proper, themselves, which school's factions are now feuding out of control and making the main Buddhist teaching in the world, Kalachakra, be in danger in the world. Now is the time for peace and appeasing in the world.
[edit] See also
- Wheel of life (also known as the wheel of dharma, wheel of law, or wheel of existence)
- Timewheel (a huge hourglass in Budapest)
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Category:Buddhism Category:Hindu philosophical concepts Category:Philosophical theories Category:Time
