Panthenon (Interest/OOC/Sign-ups) Open!!!

[Sentinel XV]

Tried to make a unique concept of a realm. It's within Voen Khan, akin to the Buddha Planes of Buddhist faith. It is the ultimate path to which his followers will strive to attain: accessible only to the most devout and those who attain the concept of non-self.

[Kershya]

I'm doing more of a Taoist-Confucian-Mohism combination with a sprinkling of Buddhism and Christianity.

[Jolleus]

Mine's easy. I made the Earth. Everyone knows what the Earth is.

[Sentinel XV]

I'm doing more of a Taoist-Confucian-Mohism combination with a sprinkling of Buddhism and Christianity.

I'm in an Eastern Religions course here at UofL. Really enjoying it. We've already gotten out of Hinduism and through the split that occurred (when the Shramanas broke off from mainstream Hinduism to form what we now know as Buddhism) and have begun studying the Axial Age where you get such Buddhist schools as the Teravada, Mahayana (and its various subschools), etc. I'm an atheist, but Buddhism really appeals to me on a lot of levels. It emphasizes logic and reasoning and, above all, peace with the world. I also find several tenants of the Mind-Only and Flower Garland schools, primarily how they posit that Samsara (the cycle of rebirth that one strives to escape) is equivalent to Nirvana, and how to fully become enlightened, one must embrace the sunyata, or emptiness, and realize that the material world is simply an illusion created by your stream of consciousness.

[Kershya]

I'm doing more of a Taoist-Confucian-Mohism combination with a sprinkling of Buddhism and Christianity.

I'm in an Eastern Religions course here at UofL. Really enjoying it. We've already gotten out of Hinduism and through the split that occurred (when the Shramanas broke off from mainstream Hinduism to form what we now know as Buddhism) and have begun studying the Axial Age where you get such Buddhist schools as the Teravada, Mahayana (and its various subschools), etc. I'm an atheist, but Buddhism really appeals to me on a lot of levels. It emphasizes logic and reasoning and, above all, peace with the world. I also find several tenants of the Mind-Only and Flower Garland schools, primarily how they posit that Samsara (the cycle of rebirth that one strives to escape) is equivalent to Nirvana, and how to fully become enlightened, one must embrace the sunyata, or emptiness, and realize that the material world is simply an illusion created by your stream of consciousness.

I'm Roman Catholic but Buddhism appeals to me for some reason. I once joked that I might have been a Buddhist monk in a past life to my friends here at SU.

[Sentinel XV]

I'm in an Eastern Religions course here at UofL. Really enjoying it. We've already gotten out of Hinduism and through the split that occurred (when the Shramanas broke off from mainstream Hinduism to form what we now know as Buddhism) and have begun studying the Axial Age where you get such Buddhist schools as the Teravada, Mahayana (and its various subschools), etc. I'm an atheist, but Buddhism really appeals to me on a lot of levels. It emphasizes logic and reasoning and, above all, peace with the world. I also find several tenants of the Mind-Only and Flower Garland schools, primarily how they posit that Samsara (the cycle of rebirth that one strives to escape) is equivalent to Nirvana, and how to fully become enlightened, one must embrace the sunyata, or emptiness, and realize that the material world is simply an illusion created by your stream of consciousness.

I'm Roman Catholic but Buddhism appeals to me for some reason. I once joked that I might have been a Buddhist monk in a past life to my friends here at SU.

Ex-Roman Catholic, as well. I haven't officially broke away from the church, but I do plan to. Now, I won't knock you for your beliefs -- that is not something that I think is morally justified, no matter the situation -- but I cannot stand behind a system (any religion of absolutes, really) that provides the answers without first acknowledging the questions. Buddhism -- and in that regard, science as well -- does not teach absolutes. The historical Buddha himself taught that one should not follow his teachings just because: they should follow it because they feel that is the way. And if they do not feel as if his teachings are the way to attain enlightenment, they should seek their own path.

[Kershya]

I'm Roman Catholic but Buddhism appeals to me for some reason. I once joked that I might have been a Buddhist monk in a past life to my friends here at SU.

Ex-Roman Catholic, as well. I haven't officially broke away from the church, but I do plan to. Now, I won't knock you for your beliefs -- that is not something that I think is morally justified, no matter the situation -- but I cannot stand behind a system (any religion of absolutes, really) that provides the answers without first acknowledging the questions. Buddhism -- and in that regard, science as well -- does not teach absolutes. The historical Buddha himself taught that one should not follow his teachings just because: they should follow it because they feel that is the way. And if they do not feel as if his teachings are the way to attain enlightenment, they should seek their own path.

Yeah, there's always those philosophical debates.

Why does evil exist?
Why is there suffering?
Is there something after death?
Is there someone or something who made everything?
Is God a being of tough love or a jerk or something that we can't understand?
Is Satan God's enemy or his loyal servant who just loves his job or someone who frees humanity from its shackles?

One can always question everything around them. I agree that I don't like some of the authoritarianism of religion but it is a necessity for the faith's survival.

[Sentinel XV]

Ex-Roman Catholic, as well. I haven't officially broke away from the church, but I do plan to. Now, I won't knock you for your beliefs -- that is not something that I think is morally justified, no matter the situation -- but I cannot stand behind a system (any religion of absolutes, really) that provides the answers without first acknowledging the questions. Buddhism -- and in that regard, science as well -- does not teach absolutes. The historical Buddha himself taught that one should not follow his teachings just because: they should follow it because they feel that is the way. And if they do not feel as if his teachings are the way to attain enlightenment, they should seek their own path.

Why is there suffering?

This one, especially. Pretty much all Buddhists schools of thought posit that action begets karma, and karma begets suffering, which therefore begets Samsara. To escape Samsara is to escape suffering and the consequences of karma. Hindu thinkers (who proposed this idea originally) then came up with two ideals to escape action: Tapas (fire) or Yoga (Discipline). Tapas is severe asceticism: depriving the body and willingly forcing upon oneself inaction in all its forms. Yoga is, literally "Yoke". It aids the body and mind in entering a trance state of meditation, and in that way escaping action.

[Kershya]

Why is there suffering?

This one, especially. Pretty much all Buddhists schools of thought posit that action begets karma, and karma begets suffering, which therefore begets Samsara. To escape Samsara is to escape suffering and the consequences of karma. Hindu thinkers (who proposed this idea originally) then came up with two ideals to escape action: Tapas (fire) or Yoga (Discipline). Tapas is severe asceticism: depriving the body and willingly forcing upon oneself inaction in all its forms. Yoga is, literally "Yoke". It aids the body and mind in entering a trance state of meditation, and in that way escaping action.

I thought Buddhism says that karma and the combination of desire, fear, and delusion that are the causes of suffering.

[Sentinel XV]

This one, especially. Pretty much all Buddhists schools of thought posit that action begets karma, and karma begets suffering, which therefore begets Samsara. To escape Samsara is to escape suffering and the consequences of karma. Hindu thinkers (who proposed this idea originally) then came up with two ideals to escape action: Tapas (fire) or Yoga (Discipline). Tapas is severe asceticism: depriving the body and willingly forcing upon oneself inaction in all its forms. Yoga is, literally "Yoke". It aids the body and mind in entering a trance state of meditation, and in that way escaping action.

I thought Buddhism says that karma and the combination of desire, fear, and delusion that are the causes of suffering.

It's mainly desire. The latter two do receive their own validation, but the main tenant of Buddhist karmic beliefs focus on desire.

[KFC Chicken Bucket]

Now I'm sitting on a bit of bind here.

Because Industry and Agriculture is both progress/sign of civilization. Thus, I cannot "sow" my property on the world like everybody else. Somebody already let loose the trees, plants, minerals, etc. What I can do now is maybe let loose some animals, who knows.

So I'll just be working on my world and maybe letting loose some animals.

[Velgast]

Now I'm sitting on a bit of bind here.

Because Industry and Agriculture is both progress/sign of civilization. Thus, I cannot "sow" my property on the world like everybody else. Somebody already let loose the trees, plants, minerals, etc. What I can do now is maybe let loose some animals, who knows.

So I'll just be working on my world and maybe letting loose some animals.

I'll get those trees and plants out in a bit. Logging off for now, but I'll be back in a few hours.

[KFC Chicken Bucket]

No, no, don't.

It makes things easy for me. X)

[Aldares]

Now I'm sitting on a bit of bind here.

Because Industry and Agriculture is both progress/sign of civilization. Thus, I cannot "sow" my property on the world like everybody else. Somebody already let loose the trees, plants, minerals, etc. What I can do now is maybe let loose some animals, who knows.

So I'll just be working on my world and maybe letting loose some animals.

What is your Domain?

[Jolleus]

Now I'm sitting on a bit of bind here.

Because Industry and Agriculture is both progress/sign of civilization. Thus, I cannot "sow" my property on the world like everybody else. Somebody already let loose the trees, plants, minerals, etc. What I can do now is maybe let loose some animals, who knows.

So I'll just be working on my world and maybe letting loose some animals.

I made a reference to your god, if you noticed. Perhaps you could convert some of the wild jungle into tame meadowlands?

[North Calaveras]

Len Hyet, i understand if your the realm of the dead, but i am god of the afterlife so....

[KFC Chicken Bucket]

Aldares - My domain's Agriculture and Industry.

Jolleus - Yea, I did see it. I still haven't started working on the "world", it'll be there soon.

[Aldares]

Aldares - My domain's Agriculture and Industry.

Jolleus - Yea, I did see it. I still haven't started working on the "world", it'll be there soon.

Then perhaps we could work together with something...

I'm the God of Law and Order, so Agriculture and Industry probably have something to do with that, I'm sure.

[Qwanch]

Aldares - My domain's Agriculture and Industry.

Jolleus - Yea, I did see it. I still haven't started working on the "world", it'll be there soon.

Then perhaps we could work together with something...

I'm the God of Law and Order, so Agriculture and Industry probably have something to do with that, I'm sure.

Exactly... That is how I've set things up to work.

Len Hyet, i understand if your the realm of the dead, but i am god of the afterlife so....

Easy, you kill people. Len guides their souls.

[Sentinel XV]

Who will be creating Humans? Voen Khan's favored species is the human race, after all. Additionally, he has no real contributions to be made to the new world, since he isn't a god of physical things and more so of abstract ideals. Furthermore, his followers will not be guided by the God(s) of Death and/or the Afterlife. Because he is the god of Pathways, his followers will be led towards a different path, a path which upon their deaths lead them to his internal sanctuary, the Inner Plane.

[Qwanch]

Who will be creating Humans? Voen Khan's favored species is the human race, after all. Additionally, he has no real contributions to be made to the new world, since he isn't a god of physical things and more so of abstract ideals. Furthermore, his followers will not be guided by the God(s) of Death and/or the Afterlife. Because he is the god of Pathways, his followers will be led towards a different path, a path which upon their deaths lead them to his internal sanctuary, the Inner Plane.

Tough one...

I just looked over all of my children and I gave away a lot of what could pass as magic.
I need to bite a bullet here...
Do you all think magic is basically divine diplomacy?
What would Wizards be able to do that non-wizards can't?
I just need some ideas.
I really don't want to have you all change around just for me.
I've thought of Gravity being Magic, but that would be a stretch.

[KFC Chicken Bucket]

I don't necessarily like the idea of mortals using magic.

Would much prefer it being limited to gods. Afterall, once magic's introduced, it's hard to divide line of limits. Not to mention if they can do what gods can, what are gods but merely stronger magician?

And Aldares, sure, I'm good for it. What do you have in mind?

[Firstaria]

I don't necessarily like the idea of mortals using magic.

Would much prefer it being limited to gods. Afterall, once magic's introduced, it's hard to divide line of limits. Not to mention if they can do what gods can, what are gods but merely stronger magician?

And Aldares, sure, I'm good for it. What do you have in mind?

Hey, I will offer mortals magic tricks to corrupt them. You have to make them pitiful, or my job will be a mess.

[Videssos]

I don't necessarily like the idea of mortals using magic.

Would much prefer it being limited to gods. Afterall, once magic's introduced, it's hard to divide line of limits. Not to mention if they can do what gods can, what are gods but merely stronger magician?

And Aldares, sure, I'm good for it. What do you have in mind?

Ah, that bit about gods being merely stronger magicians. That reminds me of what someone said in the Flesh & Bone trilogy, which basically said that basically gods were similar to necromancers in effect, with the realm of existence they created. And the paradox of such sorcery on a bigger scale. (Read the books if you don't quite understand what I mean).

[Aldares]

I don't necessarily like the idea of mortals using magic.

Would much prefer it being limited to gods. Afterall, once magic's introduced, it's hard to divide line of limits. Not to mention if they can do what gods can, what are gods but merely stronger magician?

And Aldares, sure, I'm good for it. What do you have in mind?

Not quite sure, thought you might come up with something. Perhaps something to do with the chain if command in industry and agriculture, I don't know.