tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post8871686380363726376..comments2024-03-27T23:37:20.556-07:00Comments on dhamma musings: The Buddha And The GoatsShravasti Dhammikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-77965338976102379972013-01-20T04:39:32.548-08:002013-01-20T04:39:32.548-08:00From Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, it is said t...From Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, it is said that one of the reason why Ajapala Nigroda has its name because "it shelters the goats that seek its shade at midday (UdA.51)."<br /><br />See more on http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/am/ajapala_nigrodha.htmSolitary Wandererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00027872469644914587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-5877554621471949122013-01-06T08:20:12.046-08:002013-01-06T08:20:12.046-08:00Maybe this is a kind of "goat wheel of becomi...Maybe this is a kind of "goat wheel of becoming", I can't see a dying goat but all the other phases of life are represented. Why Goats are chosen as symbol of life and death in this case(assuming that my hypothesis is correct) still remains a puzzle. I know that in ancient Rome there was a fertility ritual,known as Lupercalia and celebrated 14 February (St Valentines) where a man dressed in a goat skin would symbolically "ravage" the unmarried young women and that the ritual is still carried out in Morrocco to this day called beau Jeloud as I recall. So maybe there is a link to the illustration as The Buddha is able to tame even this legendary potent force, just a guess.brahmaviharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882669862432841797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-89307600781339370682013-01-05T13:23:28.360-08:002013-01-05T13:23:28.360-08:00Dear Javen, goats occasionally appear in the Jatak...Dear Javen, goats occasionally appear in the Jatakas but so do crabs, rabbits, crows, fish, buffalos, etc. but out of all these and others why goats? Dear Brahmavihara, Jesus is the good shepherd and his disciples are sheep. The Buddha once compared his disciples to deer (miga) – gentle, alert and living in the forest. And of course deer often appear on the pedestals of Buddha statues. But I know of nowhere where his disciples are compared to goats. So it would appear that the mystery remains. But you are right in saying that the key to unlocking the mystery may be found in the script below the painting, which unfortunately I cannot read. And Russell, thanks for the bouquets. Always welcome. Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-87246370731341724342013-01-04T14:41:10.983-08:002013-01-04T14:41:10.983-08:00In many cultures the goat symbolizes sensual desir...In many cultures the goat symbolizes sensual desire. Maybe the Buddha is represented as having "tamed" sensual desire?<br /><br />Bhante, I discovered your blog last year while following links to Vimala Thakar's life and teachings. The solid scholarship, wide-ranging curiosity and good humor I have found here keep me coming back for every entry. Thanks so much! This blog is a generous gift.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-31851102747877025592013-01-04T00:37:16.923-08:002013-01-04T00:37:16.923-08:00 A wild guess here, maybe a Buddhist version of Je... A wild guess here, maybe a Buddhist version of Jesus as The good shepherd possibly influenced by Nestorian Christianity perhaps?<br />The script below may be the key.brahmaviharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882669862432841797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-40040853314559368122013-01-03T17:57:20.477-08:002013-01-03T17:57:20.477-08:00Bhante, could it be related to Matakabhatta Jataka...Bhante, could it be related to Matakabhatta Jataka The Goat That Laughed and Wept (Jat 18)?Javenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149864695327791790noreply@blogger.com