Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 A student gave me this the other night, from the National Review of Medicine; any med people out there know about this publication? I suspect it may not be a peer-reviewed journal. AUG MYAY THAR YAR, MYANMAR - Twenty-one year old Thin Sandar recently prayed to Buddha, asking him if she could be a man in her next life. Her wish came true a little earlier than expected. At the end of June there was a full moon and Ms Sandar claims she suddenly noticed that she had grown a penis and that her breasts had disappeared. Born a girl, many villagers concede that Ms Sandar is a hermaphrodite. But physicians say that it still doesn't explain the sudden transformation. The health ministry, in the country formerly known as Burma, has gotten involved, sending experts to examine the woman-turned-man. Ms Sandar's proud father already has plans to send her to a monastery.I think my favourite bit is the last line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 My favourite part is that she "prayed to Buddha"??? What kind of Buddhism espouses that? Didn't the Buddha say that people are NOT to pray to him and are to look within themselves for understanding?Maybe it's a branch of Buddhism with which I'm unfamiliar, but it sounds ridiculous from a Buddhist perspective. (I have no idea who the National Review of Medicine is, though, so I can't help there.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 Yeah, sometimes those heathen Mahayana's pray. Siddhartha will smite 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bONES Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 Yeah, sometimes those heathen Mahayana's pray. Siddhartha will smite 'em.More than 85% of the population of Myanmar is Buddhist. The most prevalent form of Buddhism is Theravada Buddhism. Most Buddhists in Myanmar are Theravada Buddhists. from this article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 I didn't know that, and I found it surprising given the praying thing. But the answer is revealed! I learned two things today:"Myanmar Buddhism is blended with elements of nat worship, a traditional religion from pre-Buddhist times. Nat worship is belief in spirits."Siddhartha will still smite 'em, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 [color:purple]Oh, don't get me started on those Nats. Not a big fan of Natsi-ism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted July 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 [color:purple]Not a big fan of Natsi-ism. That's hilarious! On a slightly other note, Mahayana is a real mixed bag though. Just look at Pure Land Buddhism - or even more so, the health-and-wealth Soka Gakkai folks. More gods to pray to there than jocks at a Tragically Hip show (who do I owe for that one?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 Ya, I know. Those Mahayanans are more into the teachings/writings of the Bikkhus, and even allow for the possibility that the Buddha himself (Siddhartha Gautama) may never have actually lived.[color:purple]I blame GWB (oh, and Biggest Fan, SmoothedShredder, and Del). What do I blame them for? No idea. I just do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paisley Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 AUG MYAY THAR YAR!!!MYANMAR!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Posted July 29, 2005 Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Nicherin Soshu (sp?) Buddhism...Now there's another ballgame altogether.Nam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNam Myoho Renge KyoNow, isn't that better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted July 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Nichiren Shoshu - yup, there's an odd bird. Nichiren himself, I gather, was whacked, and one of the more notable influences on Japanese nationalism and militarism. I've heard enough commentators saying it brought forward the Lotus Sutra as one of the most genocidal texts in history. Plus, it also gives us the aforementioned Soka Gakkai, to boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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