[QUOTE=Asuri;48052]No problem. Asuri was a student of Kapila. The Samkhya philosophy was passed from Kapila to Asuri.[/QUOTE]
Ah, thank you for clearing things up!
Shamkya philosophy. I have heard mention of it a few times, especially from Swami Vivekananda. I was reading about how he gave a discourse of Shamkya philosophy and its relation to modern physics. Apparently, Nikola Tesla was inspired by it.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48044]THOOOOOMMASSSS! YOU’rE BACK! I MISSED YOU!!
OH MAI GAWdZ. I really have to focus on drawing this accursed CEV design for the annoying NASA program I am in…the computer is such a distraction to people of my generation…[/QUOTE]
So… you work for NASA? :rolleyes:
My, what a hypocrite you are!!!
Perhaps I should forward this thread to someone working in security over at HS. Do you think they would be interested in knowing they have an employee with such extreme anti-American sentiments?
Who knows, you might sabotage something to interfere with “American Space Dominance”…
Yeah, I think I’ll do that. Thanks for the tip. I mean, it’s the right thing to do, isn’t it? 
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48039]
Weapons are everything Asuri. That is how Europeans were able to conquer the world. Not through thought, culture, or ideas. Weapons. And if you have very efficient and deadly weapons, it is a measure of how “civilized” and “advanced” you are.
[/QUOTE]
Do I detect a hint of sarcasm here? Wasn’t there a very famous Greek rivalry between the cultured Athens and the militaristic Sparta? I don’t recall exactly how that turned out. It’s just my way of saying, so what else is new?
It’s not exactly all about weapons, Nietzsche, it’s more about technology. Have you heard of the Stuxnet worm? It was used to disable the centrifuges that Iran as been using to make nuclear material. It was done without firing a shot and for the purpose of preventing, or at least postponing a military strike on Iran, which would be certain to cause a huge disruption to normal, everyday, civilized life. That sounds both advanced and civilized to me.
There is a definite connection between technology, security and civilized life, because civilized life depends on the world being at peace, or at least, not engaged in destructive wars. Security is a primary concern of a civilized society, and technology is a primary concern of security. So when a relatively more culturally advanced society falls to a lesser one, it is because they have either neglected their security, or fallen behind in technology, or both.
No Asuri…Nietsche is talking about swords and slingshots
[QUOTE=Asuri;48060]Do I detect a hint of sarcasm here? Wasn’t there a very famous Greek rivalry between the cultured Athens and the militaristic Sparta? I don’t recall exactly how that turned out. It’s just my way of saying, so what else is new?
It’s not exactly all about weapons, Nietzsche, it’s more about technology. Have you heard of the Stuxnet worm? It was used to disable the centrifuges that Iran as been using to make nuclear material. It was done without firing a shot and for the purpose of preventing, or at least postponing a military strike on Iran, which would be certain to cause a huge disruption to normal, everyday, civilized life. That sounds both advanced and civilized to me.
There is a definite connection between technology, security and civilized life, because civilized life depends on the world being at peace, or at least, not engaged in destructive wars. Security is a primary concern of a civilized society, and technology is a primary concern of security. So when a relatively more culturally advanced society falls to a lesser one, it is because they have either neglected their security, or fallen behind in technology, or both.[/QUOTE]
Sparta won. And they had an extensive military-like culture. They were considered the greatest warriors in that region you know, just as Athens had the best navy there. And having Persians here and there and a few Athenian dissenters also helps. But I was referring more to the colonial and imperial periods of European history.
Yes, I heard of it. Better technology = better weapons. :D. Advanced? Yes. Civilized? Lets call it…politics.
True. Then again, it is not exactly civilized to conquer and subjugate other nations, using your better technology, to meet your own ends.
[QUOTE=kareng;48064]No Asuri…Nietsche is talking about swords and slingshots[/QUOTE]
Oh no, more like better firearms, conical bullets…maybe even tanks, fighter planes, aircraft carriers, RPG’s, Apaches, Barrett 50 cals, and what not.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48054]Ah, thank you for clearing things up!
Shamkya philosophy. I have heard mention of it a few times, especially from Swami Vivekananda. I was reading about how he gave a discourse of Shamkya philosophy and its relation to modern physics. Apparently, Nikola Tesla was inspired by it.[/QUOTE]
Samkhya, sometimes spelled Sankhya, is probably the oldest and most influential of the Hindu philosophies, but somewhat controversial.
[QUOTE=Asuri;48068]Samkhya, sometimes spelled Sankhya, is probably the oldest and most influential of the Hindu philosophies, but somewhat controversial.[/QUOTE]
It looks interesting…CAUSE ITS PART OF HINDUISM! Jk jk jk! No really, it does look interesting. I see quiet a few parallels between this and Western philosophy.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48065]… But I was referring more to the colonial and imperial periods of European history. [/QUOTE]
The principle is the same.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48065]
True. Then again, it is not exactly civilized to conquer and subjugate other nations, using your better technology, to meet your own ends.[/QUOTE]
I guess that depends on which side of the fence you’re on. Then again, a nation with sufficiently strong national will, which translates to some kind of security apparatus, cannot be subjugated for very long, even with advanced technology.
[QUOTE=kareng;48064]No Asuri…Nietsche is talking about swords and slingshots[/QUOTE]
Well maybe we can raise his consciousness a little.
[QUOTE=Asuri;48072]The principle is the same.
I guess that depends on which side of the fence you’re on. Then again, a nation with sufficiently strong national will, which translates to some kind of security apparatus, cannot be subjugated for very long, even with advanced technology.[/QUOTE]
Indeed it is. Nations with better technology conquering “barbarians.”
No, it is just wrong to conquer other nations. There is no if and or buts about it.
Hmm. You have a point there. Like China. But it was more of increasing instability and internal problems that led to the repeated overthrowing of foreign empires, out of the people’s resentment at their condition.
I was just thinking about the the title of this thread “Will America Become Hindu By the End of the Century?” I realize that you Hindus here may see the growth of yoga in the U.S. as part of a movement toward Hinduism. America has always been known as a melting pot. We are really a conglomeration of many different cultures. In the past it has been mostly European cultures, and it is difficult for us Americans with European ancestry to accept the new immigrants from other places. But they will eventually be accepted and integrated into our culture. Concepts from Hinduism and Buddhism, including yoga are no exception. But I think it is a mistake to see the popularity of yoga as a movement toward Hinduism. It’s really more like part of a movement toward holistic health.
[QUOTE=Asuri;48093]I was just thinking about the the title of this thread “Will America Become Hindu By the End of the Century?” I realize that you Hindus here may see the growth of yoga in the U.S. as part of a movement toward Hinduism. America has always been known as a melting pot. We are really a conglomeration of many different cultures. In the past it has been mostly European cultures, and it is difficult for us Americans with European ancestry to accept the new immigrants from other places. But they will eventually be accepted and integrated into our culture. Concepts from Hinduism and Buddhism, including yoga are no exception. But I think it is a mistake to see the popularity of yoga as a movement toward Hinduism. It’s really more like part of a movement toward holistic health.[/QUOTE]
I certainly don’t think it is a trend towards Hinduism and I am a Hindu. It is a trend for more Yoga (and that too in a superficial sense). The day that Americans will stop thinking of dirty rivers, curry eaters, stone worshipers, cow worshipers, smelly people, and 7-11 owners when they hear the word Hinduism is the day some Hindu aspects [B]might[/B] be integrated into American culture willingly and out of respect.
The day that Americans will stop thinking of dirty rivers, curry eaters, stone worshipers, cow worshipers, smelly people, and 7-11 owners when they hear the word Hinduism is the day some Hindu aspects might be integrated into American culture willingly and out of respect.
I never would have thought of dirty rivers, curry eaters (whatever that is), stone worshipers, or smelly people.
I knew there was something about “sacred cows” but don’t know what that means.
The only think I will give you on that list is that though I would not think of 7/11’s in association with Hinduism, but that if 7/11’s are mentioned, it would occur to me it would likely be owned by an Indian.
[QUOTE=thomas;48101]I never would have thought of dirty rivers, curry eaters (whatever that is), stone worshipers, or smelly people.
I knew there was something about “sacred cows” but don’t know what that means.
The only think I will give you on that list is that though I would not think of 7/11’s in association with Hinduism, but that if 7/11’s are mentioned, it would occur to me it would likely be owned by an Indian.[/QUOTE]
Uhm, of course YOU wouldn’t have. You aren’t like the rest.
Sacred cows? More like a reverence for cows because they have helped our civilization flourish for about 4 millennia. Besides, they are [B]very[/B] useful creatures, despite their lack of mental faculties. A cow was extremely important to the livelihood of any individual back then. Then there are certain impressionable and ignorant Hindus who love to worship anything they like…
Besides, my favorite animals are elephants and monkeys.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;48116]Uhm, of course YOU wouldn’t have. You aren’t like the rest.
Sacred cows? More like a reverence for cows because they have helped our civilization flourish for about 4 millennia. Besides, they are [B]very[/B] useful creatures, despite their lack of mental faculties. A cow was extremely important to the livelihood of any individual back then. Then there are [B]certain impressionable and ignorant Hindus[/B] who love to worship anything they like…
Besides, my favorite animals are elephants and monkeys. :D[/QUOTE]
Uh oh? do I see a chink in your armor
The cow is considered sacred in Hinduism for a few different reasons
Indians consumed milk on a daily basis, and the cow as a provider of milk, is equated to one’s mother (hence the expression Gom?ta = mother cow).
There were (meaning in the past) also cows in many Indian households and just like one in the west would not hurt their pets the Indians of the time would not hurt their cow.
There is also the whole Gandhi view of not hurting animals too
But the cow or male counterpart the Bull was the vehicle of at least one Hindu Deities (Shiva). The Bull in Hinduism represents sexual energy.
And to name two there is Kamadhenu and Nandi
[QUOTE=thomas;48101]I knew there was something about “sacred cows” but don’t know what that means.[/QUOTE]
try looking up Vasishta & Nandini (& Kamadhenu). Of course I’m not surprised that someone of Nietzsche’s vast knowledge of of his culture would include their trivialization.
( Oooooh, Yulaw, I don’t like you very much right now! 
)
[QUOTE=Indra Deva;48120]try looking up Vasishta & Nandini (& Kamadhenu). Of course I’m not surprised that someone of Nietzsche’s vast knowledge of of his culture would include their trivialization.
( Oooooh, Yulaw, I don’t like you very much right now! )[/QUOTE]
Sorry… I shall now Kowtow and crawl out of the room backwards whilst Kowtowing
[QUOTE=Yulaw;48124]Sorry… I shall now Kowtow and crawl out of the room backwards whilst Kowtowing :D[/QUOTE]
no, stand up straight & look me in the eye as you back out or else how can I look you in the eye & exert my dominance?
(you just beat me to the cow point, that’s all)
[QUOTE=Yulaw;48119]Uh oh… do I see a chink in your armor
The cow is considered sacred in Hinduism for a few different reasons
Indians consumed milk on a daily basis, and the cow as a provider of milk, is equated to one’s mother (hence the expression Gom?ta = mother cow).
There were (meaning in the past) also cows in many Indian households and just like one in the west would not hurt their pets the Indians of the time would not hurt their cow.
There is also the view of not hurting animals.
But the cow or male counterpart the Bull was the vehicle of at least one Hindu Deities (Shiva). The Bull in Hinduism represents sexual energy.
And to name two there is Kamadhenu and Nandi[/QUOTE]
I did say that the cow was very important to the livelihood of Hindus back then.
I did not question Gandhi’s view.
Yes, I know it is the carrier of Shiva. I know the stories of Kamandhenu (also known as Surabhi) and Nandini. And one of the temples that my family loves to go to has a statue of Nandini. I myself prayed to her many times when I was a child.
But that wasn’t the point of the post. I was talking about the tendency of impressionable Hindus to worship them as deities (which theoretically they can be). Not that it is an inherently bad thing; it is just unnecessary and such forms of Bhakti Hinduism have done more harm than good.
I have never heard of that interpretation of the bull. Perhaps you are thinking of another sect of Hinduism.