tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post6900532772863499188..comments2024-03-22T14:47:42.501+02:00Comments on Tibeto-logic: Unpacking a Few Animal MetaphorsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-25770448651869042092011-10-28T18:31:04.783+02:002011-10-28T18:31:04.783+02:00I've been enjoying a (for me) light reading bo...I've been enjoying a (for me) light reading book called <i>And God said: How Translations Conceal the Bible's Original Meaning</i>, by Joel M. Hoffman. He has several pages about the mismatch of meanings between the Biblical <i>ro'eh</i> and English <i>shepherd</i> (pp. 129-35).<br /><br />He suggests at least a dozen words that he believes are all better than 'shepherd' for catching the meaning, even if they are only partial matches. Among these words he suggests are Marine, Fireman, Lawyer and Lumberjack. I don't agree with him, although I find the suggestions entertaining. At least it disturbs our complacency of thinking we know what shepherd means for the Bible writers. <br /><br />I believe he does make one very important point— that when used in scripture, the protective role is the one most emphasized. It's not a peaceful 'pastoral' job. It's not just sitting around until the grass disappears in the sheeps' mouths, playing your panpipes to pass the time before passing on to newer and greener pastures. It's more like warfare against those who would want to steal or swallow the sentient beings under your charge. It's manly stuff. It's about assuring the needs and even the survival of others when they are under threat. I think he got that part very right indeed.<br /><br />But I will not make the jump from this biblical shepherd to the shepherd-like bodhisattva of Mahayana Buddhism. We'd need to move slowly on that one. No jumping.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453904366382251766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-29915831714901612552008-11-30T00:21:00.000+02:002008-11-30T00:21:00.000+02:00Well, there is also an idea many have that the mak...Well, there is also an idea many have that the makara of Sanskrit literature was inspired by the Gangetic fresh-water dolphin.<BR/><BR/>Look here: <BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_River_Dolphin<BR/>or search the net for "ganges river dolphin" or something like that.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453904366382251766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-56687915698946459632008-11-29T23:03:00.000+02:002008-11-29T23:03:00.000+02:00Personally, my bet is that Padampa is talking abou...Personally, my bet is that Padampa is talking about his father, and his father's memories, stories. Chances are that Pops Padampa had seen a "makara" (and a makara-in-action) for himself. Salt Water Crocs alone are legendary for potential size and, I believe, also inhabit the subcontinent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-87399551184130929122008-11-21T13:08:00.000+02:002008-11-21T13:08:00.000+02:00Perhaps a lesser form of the hedgehog who knows on...Perhaps a lesser form of the hedgehog who knows one small thing?<BR/>e.T.Sam van Schaikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056636306127814762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-36942768617701277372008-11-16T15:59:00.000+02:002008-11-16T15:59:00.000+02:00Hey, Early, What's up over there? I'm not...Hey, Early, What's up over there? I'm not familiar with Mary M., and anyway, the Guardian story to which you link is about the two cultures of science and religion (evolution vs. intelligent design), not the two cultures of science and humanities (these two being the "arts & sciences" of modern universities).<BR/><BR/>But I'll have to look out for her "Science & Poetry" book, which does sound interesting, especially if, as you suggest, she might be a more successful arbitrator than J.B. I usually consider such questions to be too large for my small mind (whether it evolved from a woodworm's brain or not), although I know that's no excuse for not doing my best to entertain them. Which are you, by the way, the hedgehog or the fox? (Great! Yet another two cultures model to divide us up with... Bring back the Manichaeans already...)<BR/><BR/>Yours, DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453904366382251766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-75638232290654442922008-11-14T17:29:00.000+02:002008-11-14T17:29:00.000+02:00Early Tibet said (moved from an earlier blog):Than...Early Tibet said (moved from an earlier blog):<BR/><BR/>Thanks, that was fun to read. I've never read Bronowski but it seems you were not to impressed with the lectures. I wonder if you have come across Mary Midgley's book 'Science and Poetry'? It's a very elegant discussion of the role of the Two Cultures, and she is a partisan of neither side. You can get an idea of her approach from this recent <A HREF="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2008/oct/28/religion-darwin-dawkins-midgley" REL="nofollow">Guardian article</A> (an impressive effort considering she's in her mid-eighties). If you read the comments on this article you could be at your screen for an unhealthily long time. Come to think of it, Midgley's also written a lot about our relationships (real and metaphorical) with animals. That was the subject of her first book - 'Beast and Man'.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453904366382251766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-72231700278663701722008-11-09T23:34:00.000+02:002008-11-09T23:34:00.000+02:00Dear Tall Enough,I selected the animal metaphors o...Dear Tall Enough,<BR/><BR/>I selected the animal metaphors out of the two works, the Root Text and the Commentary, and arranged them according to the animals. I did this because the animal metaphors especially intrigued me. But later on I started to see some point in doing it. Maybe that point will be clarified in the next blog.<BR/><BR/>I've been working on and off on a translation of the complete texts of both texts together. It isn't finished yet. There are many difficulties in the way.<BR/><BR/>How is it possible for a brahmin to be a brahmin and a sea captain at the same time?<BR/><BR/>Theoretically it should not be possible. But we're talking real life here (weak smile). His mother was a Brahmin incense maker. How many of those have you heard about? His parents were very special people. <BR/><BR/>Aren't we all?<BR/><BR/>Yours,<BR/>DanDanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453904366382251766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-21392728751659360002008-11-09T21:19:00.000+02:002008-11-09T21:19:00.000+02:00One last post-postscript and then I'll leave off. ...One last post-postscript and then I'll leave off. I just can't contain my curiosity anymore, even at the risk of being labeled ignorant.<BR/><BR/>How is it possible for a brahmin to be a brahmin and a sea captain at the same time?<BR/><BR/>Many thanks again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-89949745169446249422008-11-09T21:14:00.000+02:002008-11-09T21:14:00.000+02:00Actually, this is postscript.Could you detail how ...Actually, this is postscript.<BR/><BR/>Could you detail how these metaphors are arranged in real life (as opposed to "blog life")? Are they all located in 1 book, or are they scattered over several works hither and thither?<BR/><BR/>Many thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32671574.post-65642264006569610192008-11-09T21:06:00.000+02:002008-11-09T21:06:00.000+02:00Thank you for taking a moment to reflect on the re...Thank you for taking a moment to reflect on the responsibility (yes---"responsibility!") of an aspiring student/disciple. Nowadays, there is way too much emphasis on "just surrender"---or "just do it"---without any thought or consideration. For another look at guru issue, check out the book "Karma Cola" by Gita Mehta if you haven't already. Pretty much on target.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com