This scene Avatar The Last Airbender reminded me somewhat of the Mogao Caves. The Mogao Caves had over 492 temples and thousands of manuscripts. I find it really interesting seeing how many connections there are in ATLA and Buddhist sites, or just Buddhism in general. #DrSethBuddhClass

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I might have missed this in class at some point, but my question is how are women treated in monasteries now? I know the most seasoned nuns were subordinate to even the most novice monks, but I am curious how that has evolved through time and how they are treated now compares.

#DrSethBuddhClass The show BoJack Horseman subtly echoes Buddhist ideals. In the show there are several reoccurring themes including accepting the present moment, impermanence, and suffering. The root of these themes, specifically suffering, being attachment.

#DrSethBuddhClass Something interesting I learned recently is that Steve Jobs and Apple were heavily influenced by Buddhism after he dropped out of college and traveling to India, and began practicing Zen. He used the approach of focus, simplicity, and mindfulness for his creations during his life.

#DrSethBuddhClass I rock climb and I have been using an app called bend for to help stretch, I feel like is somewhat of a relation of Zen Buddhism in my everyday life. Dao-Zen Buddhism is known as the meditation form of Buddhism, and this yoga app I try to use every day is my form of meditation.

I was recently watching Avatar the Last Airbender, and I started to realize the connections between the show and Buddhism. Specifically in the Air Nomads, showing a lot of similarities with Tibetan Buddhist Monks, especially drawing on the architecture of both groups. #DrSethBuddhClass

#drsethbuddhclass This is the update post on my grandma's lotus flowers she's growing and are starting to bloom. She said that the lotus is important to her because of how it symbolizes new beginnings and staying strong through harsh times because of the environment they typically grow.

#drsethbuddhclass This picture is from the show The Office, when Packer comes back Dwight gets moved to the annex. Dwight immediately threw out the annex Zen Garden. I think this is an adequate representation of how Westerners viewed Eastern religions through the 20th century, being very unaccepting

This same visit with my grandma, she told me she was also growing her own lotus plants at home. The flower symbolizing several things, one being purity because of how it grows. This flower typically grows and emerges clean and 'pure' from the murky water it grows in. #drsethbuddhclass

I just saw my grandma over the weekend and she was asking about my classes and stuff, I told her about our Buddhism class. She showed me her lotus ring that she said she always wears because of the spiritual meanings behind it. #drsethbuddhclass

During spring break I traveled to Montreal and found a lot of Buddhist items around the city, one of my favorites being what I believe to be a Budai wood carving. He is the happy/satisfied Buddha commonly found in stores and restaurants, and that is exactly where I found him. #DrSethBuddhClass

In class we talked a significant amount about monks and their lifestyles, living in seclusion and giving up material possessions to pursue enlightenment. I am curious what leads someone to this lifestyle. #DrSethBuddhClass (more in comments)