Genealogy of Religion

Exploring the Origins, History and Future of Religion

Entries Tagged as 'Buddhisms'

Dolphins, Chimps & Japanese Religions

September 3rd, 2010 · No Comments · Classifications, Cultural Evolution, Definitions, History, Magic

After recently watching “The Cove” and a Mad Men episode titled “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword” — a clever allusion to Ruth Benedict’s justly famous cultural study of Japan, I decided it was time to bone up on Japanese religions.  Japan is a multi-faceted nation and getting your head around its history, culture and people [...]

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An Unenthused Rinpoche

August 16th, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age, Daily Devolutions, Globalization, Ritual

As my readers know, there is no such thing as “Buddhism” — there are multiple kinds of buddhisms, some of which eschew spirits and deities while emphasizing consciousness and compassion, whereas others are highly ritualized and enthusiastically enjoin the supernatural realm of gods and souls.
I was reminded of this the other day while reading Electa [...]

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Scanning the Dalai Lama’s Brain

May 15th, 2010 · No Comments · Axial Age, Cognition, Emotions

Ryan Foley has written an intriguing article about the collaboration between the Dalai Lama and Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Like so many brain scientists these days, Richardson uses imaging techniques to investigate various aspects of mind, including those which may be peculiar to Buddhists who meditate:
Davidson’s research has used brain [...]

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