Great Benefit for Everything

[oggbashan]

Today I went to the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London to their exhibition on the Three Emperors.

It is a fantastic collection of Chinese Art, particularly painting and calligraphy.

Two of the exhibits caught my attention, not because of their worth, but because of their titles.

One was called "The Pavilion of Purple Brightness". Perhaps it inspired the book 'When I am old I shall wear purple'?

The other:

"Palden Llamo with Images of All the Buddhas of Great Benefit for Everything"

To me that suggests that there are other Buddhas who are "of No Benefit for Anything" or Buddhas that are "of Little Benefit for Something" or Buddhas that are "of Some Benefit for Something, Sometimes, Perhaps...".

Is there a Buddha of Lost Causes?

Og

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Is there a Buddha of Lost Causes?

Og

If there is, I'm signing up. Wonder if that Buddha and St. Jude would get along?

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Stella_Omega]

Now, Ogg, take a look at my pets thread- it's doing pretty well. If you must start a thread, make it less cerebral- honestly!

... Have you ever read Barry Hughart's books of an "Ancient China That Never Was"? there are only three of them, unfortunatly. The first one is called "The Bridge Of Birds" and it is absolutely delightful. He was a sinologist, and he states that many of the pre-Buddistic Chinese gods and goddesses were originally characters in novels. He says the Chinese were quite aware that man creates the deities- and not the other way around...

 

[Guest]

Now, Ogg, take a look at my pets thread- it's doing pretty well. If you must start a thread, make it less cerebral- honestly!

... Have you ever read Barry Hughart's books of an "Ancient China That Never Was"? there are only three of them, unfortunatly. The first one is called "The Bridge Of Birds" and it is absolutely delightful. He was a sinologist, and he states that many of the pre-Buddistic Chinese gods and goddesses were originally characters in novels. He says the Chinese were quite aware that man creates the deities- and not the other way around...

I LOVE those books! There are rumors that Hugart does have a forth, only he was so badly burned by his last publisher that he just keeps selling the RIGHTS over and over, but no one ever publishes it!

 

[Liar]

"Palden Llamo with Images of All the Buddhas of Great Benefit for Everything"

To me that suggests that there are other Buddhas who are "of No Benefit for Anything" or Buddhas that are "of Little Benefit for Something" or Buddhas that are "of Some Benefit for Something, Sometimes, Perhaps...".

Is there a Buddha of Lost Causes?

You high on Pratchett-isms or sompfing?