Tension between Buddhism and Hinduism regarding the renouncement of societal roles such as stepping away from family is very thought-provoking. On one hand, there is dharma, and the other there is compassion. I struggle to understand how dharma can be compassion in some ways. #DrSethBuddhClass

One story of Western Buddhism that I found fascinating was Diamond Mountain with Michael Roach, Christie McNally, & Ian Thorson. Thorson dying from dehydration in the caves of Arizona, make me wonder why Tibetan Buddhism requires such harsh conditions to find enlightenment. #DrSethBuddhClass

The "four genders" in Buddhism was interesting for me to learn since LGTBQ+ people were accepted for a while in Asia long before current times. Despite "pandaka" was viewed as an insult, I wonder if genders interfered with beliefs about achieving enlightenment or being a monastic. #DrSethBuddhClass

Wu in the Taoism context, means "non-doing" or embracing all conditions and aligning oneself to the natural flow of the universel. I noticed that in the other assigned reading, Bodhidharma was invited by Emperor Wu to teach him about merits. Is there a correlation? #DrSethBuddhClass

I found this Pinterest quote years ago that I printed out and hung in my room as a reminder. It said, 'Be Where Your Feet Are'. I thought of this reading about the "no-thought" philosophy of Zen Buddhism and the 2 monks story. "full participation in the present" (Kasulis 47). #DrSethBuddhClass

Learning about yoga, I recalled the studio I attended in the summer called "Seva" and their mantra: "Be Well Do Good Work". Seva in Sanskrit means selfless service which is very similar! How is yoga "altruistic action?" #DrSethBuddhClass

Reading about Pawinee Bunkhun's life, it is interesting the role of women in Thai Buddhism. Why is being a maechi unequally meritorious as being a monk when both follow vinaya? I assume it's due to patriarchal history. I speak Thai and noticed how her last name "bun" means merit! #DrSethBuddhClass

Vajrayana Buddhism features Tantric Practices. Only time I've heard 'tantric' was in Sabrina Carpenter's 'Busy Woman', the whole song is an innuendo "tantric yoga,baby namaste". We learned practices are sexualized but sex is not ritualized. I'm curious about this silly song #DrSethBuddhClass

What is the difference between Mara and Klesa? Both definitions indicate that they are distractions to one's path of cessation (lust, guilt, anger, confusion). Do they stem from different origins? #drsethbuddhclass

I've been watching the show Lost for a year now, the most significant aspects of the show is the Dharma Initiative. I learned that Dharma is the teaching of Buddha, which explains why this science-fictional group was so adamant on bettering human-kind in their questionable ways. #drsethbuddhclass

The original Aryans were a nomadic group that transcended from the Indus Valleys. The term is Sanskrit and meant "lovely/noble person". I always knew my first name Araya was Sanskrit, but never really knew the context! I have more appreciation for my name with this connection. #DrSethBuddhClass