Difference between revisions of "Mount Meru"
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[[File:Meru-47.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Meru-47.JPG|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | People of all times from around the world have stood in awe when faced with majestic mountains. | + | [[People]] of all times from around the [[world]] have stood in awe when faced with majestic mountains. |
| − | From these sublime experiences have come myths about great mountains as homes of the gods, as stairways to the heavens, as pillars of the earth. One mountain range in particular inspired this kind of awe, wonder and devotion - the vast Himalayas. | + | From these [[sublime]] [[experiences]] have come [[myths]] about great mountains as homes of the [[gods]], as stairways to the [[heavens]], as pillars of the [[earth]]. One mountain range in particular inspired this kind of awe, wonder and devotion - the vast [[Himalayas]]. |
| − | The Tibetans and the Hindus especially held the great Himalayan mountain range as sacred. | + | The [[Tibetans]] and the [[Hindus]] especially held the great [[Himalayan]] mountain range as [[sacred]]. |
| − | Its grand peaks seemed to reach beyond the profane human realm and stretch up, touching the divine realm of the gods, so the Tibetans and Hindus saw the mountains as a means of transition between both the human and heavenly worlds. | + | Its grand peaks seemed to reach [[beyond]] the profane [[human realm]] and stretch up, {{Wiki|touching}} the [[divine]] [[realm]] of the [[gods]], so the [[Tibetans]] and [[Hindus]] saw the mountains as a means of transition between both the [[human]] and [[heavenly]] [[worlds]]. |
| − | The mountains were created, myth tells us, by the god Indra. | + | The mountains were created, [[myth]] tells us, by the [[god]] [[Indra]]. |
| − | A huge herd of flying elephants had displeased him, so he punished them by cutting off their wings and they turned into the [[Himalayas]]. The mountains were important to all of the [[gods]] for they all made sacrifices there. They were especially significant to the god [[Shiva]], however, whose paradise was on Mount [[Kailas]] and whose deep meditation upon the mountain ensured the continued existence of all things. The most sacred mountain of the whole [[Himalayan]] range though was most definitely [[Mount Meru]]. | + | A huge herd of flying [[elephants]] had [[displeased]] him, so he punished them by cutting off their wings and they turned into the [[Himalayas]]. The mountains were important to all of the [[gods]] for they all made sacrifices there. They were especially significant to the [[god]] [[Shiva]], however, whose [[paradise]] was on Mount [[Kailas]] and whose deep [[meditation]] upon the mountain ensured the continued [[existence]] of all things. The most [[sacred]] mountain of the whole [[Himalayan]] range though was most definitely [[Mount Meru]]. |
| − | As we have discussed, Mount [[Kailas]] is the home of the great god Shiva. | + | As we have discussed, Mount [[Kailas]] is the home of the great [[god]] [[Shiva]]. |
| − | Well, [[Mount Kailas]] is an actual Himalayan mountain in the Ngari region of [[Tibet]]. It rises 22,000 feet high from the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and is highly inaccessible. It is Mount [[Kailas]] then that is the physical embodiment of [[Mount Meru]] for the [[Buddhist]] and Hindu peoples. | + | Well, [[Mount Kailas]] is an actual [[Himalayan]] mountain in the Ngari region of [[Tibet]]. It rises 22,000 feet high from the edge of the [[Tibetan]] Plateau and is highly inaccessible. It is Mount [[Kailas]] then that is the [[physical]] [[embodiment]] of [[Mount Meru]] for the [[Buddhist]] and [[Hindu]] peoples. |
| − | Mythical [[Mount Meru]] was thought to be the axis of the universe, sitting at the centre of the [[Himalayas]]. | + | [[Mythical]] [[Mount Meru]] was [[thought]] to be the axis of the [[universe]], sitting at the centre of the [[Himalayas]]. |
| − | Myths say that [[Meru]] rested on the hood of the coiled primeval cobra [[Vasuki]], who, it was said, caused earthquakes when he yawned. It was also believed that the whole [[world]] would be devoured by this ancient snake at the end of the present age, world cycle. | + | [[Myths]] say that [[Meru]] rested on the hood of the coiled primeval cobra [[Vasuki]], who, it was said, [[caused]] earthquakes when he yawned. It was also believed that the whole [[world]] would be devoured by this {{Wiki|ancient}} [[snake]] at the end of the present age, [[world cycle]]. |
| − | The Hindus and [[Buddhists]] both regarded [[Mount Meru]] as sacred for it was thought to be the centre of the cosmos and supported all of the spheres of existence, from [[Brahma]]'s divine city of gold at its peak, to the seven netherworlds at its base, and especially as the source of the sacred [[Ganges]] river. | + | The [[Hindus]] and [[Buddhists]] both regarded [[Mount Meru]] as [[sacred]] for it was [[thought]] to be the centre of the [[cosmos]] and supported all of the spheres of [[existence]], from [[Brahma]]'s [[divine]] city of {{Wiki|gold}} at its peak, to the seven netherworlds at its base, and especially as the source of the [[sacred]] [[Ganges]] [[river]]. |
| − | They said that [[Mount Meru]]'s slopes were studded with glittering gemstones and were thick with trees heavy with delicious fruit. Its peaks were rimmed with gold and a huge lake encircled it. | + | They said that [[Mount Meru]]'s slopes were studded with glittering gemstones and were thick with [[trees]] heavy with delicious fruit. Its peaks were rimmed with {{Wiki|gold}} and a huge lake encircled it. |
| − | The divinity of this mountain is reflected in the religious objects of worship, yantras, of these peoples for the mountain is symbolized in their conical shape. Indeed, this majestic mountain inspired much awe in those who beheld it. | + | The [[divinity]] of this mountain is reflected in the [[religious]] [[objects]] of {{Wiki|worship}}, yantras, of these peoples for the mountain is [[symbolized]] in their conical [[shape]]. Indeed, this majestic mountain inspired much awe in those who beheld it. |
| − | Howcould they not think it supported the cosmos and was home to a great god? | + | Howcould they not think it supported the [[cosmos]] and was home to a great [[god]]? |
| − | It commanded respect in its sublime beauty and the peoples of the region responded by holding it most sacred. | + | It commanded [[respect]] in its [[sublime]] [[beauty]] and the peoples of the region responded by [[holding]] it most [[sacred]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vida_alien/alien_races06b.htm www.bibliotecapleyades.net] | [http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/vida_alien/alien_races06b.htm www.bibliotecapleyades.net] | ||
[[Category:Meru]] | [[Category:Meru]] | ||
Revision as of 18:54, 15 September 2013
People of all times from around the world have stood in awe when faced with majestic mountains. From these sublime experiences have come myths about great mountains as homes of the gods, as stairways to the heavens, as pillars of the earth. One mountain range in particular inspired this kind of awe, wonder and devotion - the vast Himalayas.
The Tibetans and the Hindus especially held the great Himalayan mountain range as sacred.
Its grand peaks seemed to reach beyond the profane human realm and stretch up, touching the divine realm of the gods, so the Tibetans and Hindus saw the mountains as a means of transition between both the human and heavenly worlds.
The mountains were created, myth tells us, by the god Indra.
A huge herd of flying elephants had displeased him, so he punished them by cutting off their wings and they turned into the Himalayas. The mountains were important to all of the gods for they all made sacrifices there. They were especially significant to the god Shiva, however, whose paradise was on Mount Kailas and whose deep meditation upon the mountain ensured the continued existence of all things. The most sacred mountain of the whole Himalayan range though was most definitely Mount Meru.
As we have discussed, Mount Kailas is the home of the great god Shiva.
Well, Mount Kailas is an actual Himalayan mountain in the Ngari region of Tibet. It rises 22,000 feet high from the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and is highly inaccessible. It is Mount Kailas then that is the physical embodiment of Mount Meru for the Buddhist and Hindu peoples.
Mythical Mount Meru was thought to be the axis of the universe, sitting at the centre of the Himalayas.
Myths say that Meru rested on the hood of the coiled primeval cobra Vasuki, who, it was said, caused earthquakes when he yawned. It was also believed that the whole world would be devoured by this ancient snake at the end of the present age, world cycle.
The Hindus and Buddhists both regarded Mount Meru as sacred for it was thought to be the centre of the cosmos and supported all of the spheres of existence, from Brahma's divine city of gold at its peak, to the seven netherworlds at its base, and especially as the source of the sacred Ganges river.
They said that Mount Meru's slopes were studded with glittering gemstones and were thick with trees heavy with delicious fruit. Its peaks were rimmed with gold and a huge lake encircled it.
The divinity of this mountain is reflected in the religious objects of worship, yantras, of these peoples for the mountain is symbolized in their conical shape. Indeed, this majestic mountain inspired much awe in those who beheld it.
Howcould they not think it supported the cosmos and was home to a great god?
It commanded respect in its sublime beauty and the peoples of the region responded by holding it most sacred.
