A book by Pallavi Aiyar, based on her experiences in China, where she lived and travelled between 2002 and 2007.
It consists of a series of essays on her experiences in China, seen from an Indian perspective. Smoke and Mirrors thus provides a first-hand account of the new China, where change and development is constant, and money and material wealth the apparent focus.
The essays are diverse, both amusing and insightful. One learns how Chinese students give themselves Western names when attending classes in English, names chosen by themselves, that include Byron, or the more descriptive Better or Fat (because I am fat, the student explains). The makeover for the Olympics, the SARS crisis, industrial zones, rich villages, religion, strange food habits (from an Indian point of view!), and finally Tibet, are some of the essay topics. The author constantly compares India with China, and contrasts the dignity of labour and welfare for the poor in China, with democracy, the caste system, and the different approach in India. However, sometimes one feels she is less in touch with India than with China, and her comparisons are with an India of twenty years ago. For instance she feels that owning a TV, DVD and motorbike in India would classify one as middle class, which is certainly not the case today. At other times, the comparisons reflect a desire to whitewash India’s problems, as when she compares India’s north-east policy with China’s Tibet policy, but totally ignores insurgency in the north-east, instead stating: ‘The North-East might not have figured prominently in the national imagination or policy priority list, but the local governments that ruled these states were genuinely representative.’ There are also too many generalisations, both on China and India. Are the Chinese really as non-intellectual, uncritical and materially oriented as she portrays? Or do they refrain from revealing what they think to a foreign visitor? These are some of the questions that come to mind while reading the book, but on the whole it presents a fascinating and incredible picture of China as a country on the move.
Friday, January 22, 2010
A Jain prayer
Unlike most prayers, which are to deities, this one is to all living beings. The prayer is:
'I forgive all living beings;
May all living beings forgive me.
All in this world are my friends,
I have no enemies.'
'I forgive all living beings;
May all living beings forgive me.
All in this world are my friends,
I have no enemies.'
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Home schooling-1
Home schooling is something that is slowly catching on in India. Given the numerous options available, such as the IB and international systems, apart from the ISC, CBSE and other examinations in India, as well as the ambitions of parents, it seems doubtful it could have much of a following here.
Home schooling implies highly educated parents, with adequate time to spend with their children. It assumes that the parents have competence in a wide variety of fields – including science, maths and language. Do home schooling parents want their children to pass exams? Or do they want their children to be forever out of the mainstream? Do parents have the right to decide whether their children should be home-schooled or not? In insisting that children learn at home, what are the children being deprived of? Alternatively, in what way are they benefiting?
Some reasons why parents (a small minority in India ) are thinking of home schooling seem to be:
* the difficulty of getting into a good school.
* poor education and poor teaching.
In the first case home schooling seems to be a ‘second best’ choice.
In the second case, one question raised is whether the parents can do any better?
But there are other questions too.
School is not just about academics, but about making friends, about having a life outside one’s home, of the freedom to develop in one’s own way, without parental constraints. It is about experiencing a different world.
Home schooling implies highly educated parents, with adequate time to spend with their children. It assumes that the parents have competence in a wide variety of fields – including science, maths and language. Do home schooling parents want their children to pass exams? Or do they want their children to be forever out of the mainstream? Do parents have the right to decide whether their children should be home-schooled or not? In insisting that children learn at home, what are the children being deprived of? Alternatively, in what way are they benefiting?
Some reasons why parents (a small minority in India ) are thinking of home schooling seem to be:
* the difficulty of getting into a good school.
* poor education and poor teaching.
In the first case home schooling seems to be a ‘second best’ choice.
In the second case, one question raised is whether the parents can do any better?
But there are other questions too.
School is not just about academics, but about making friends, about having a life outside one’s home, of the freedom to develop in one’s own way, without parental constraints. It is about experiencing a different world.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
2012: Some different views -1
According to the Maya calendar, the world will see a great change at the end of 2012. What do other ancient calendars have to say? There are many different accounts in various texts. Here we look at the Yugas in Hinduism.
There are 426888 years left before the golden age starts!
Hindu texts such as the Puranas look at vast time periods of Kalpas, Manvantaras and Yugas. The Yuga is the smallest period of time, but is not small at all. Four Yugas, the Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, comprise one Mahayuga or great yuga.. The Mahayuga is part of a larger cycle of time, the Manvantara. Each Manvantara contains seventy-one Mahayugas. The Manvantara, in turn, is part of the Kalpa.
At present, we are said to be living in the Kali Yuga. It lasts for 432,000 years. In 2010, only 5112 years have passed, hence there is a long way to go!
Each successive yuga is shorter and also shows a decline in morals and in the way of life. The four yugas consist of 4800, 3600, 2400 and 1200 years of the gods, and each year of the gods extends for 360 human years. Together they comprise 12,000 years of the gods, which are equal to 4,320,000 human years.
I
The first of the four Yugas, the Krita Yuga, was the golden age of truth and righteousness. It is also known as the Satya Yuga, or ‘age of truth’. The Yuga lasts for 4800 divine years, which is equal to 1,728,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour white.
II
The second of the four Yugas, the Treta Yuga follows the Krita Yuga, and in it the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga, is reduced by one-fourth. Its primary virtue is knowledge. The Yuga lasts for 3600 divine years, which are equal to 1,296,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour red.
III
The third of the four Yugas, the Dvapara Yuga follows the Treta Yuga, and in it the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga, is reduced by half. Its primary virtue is sacrifice. This Yuga lasts for 2400 divine years, which are equal to 864,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour yellow.
It is succeeded by the Kali Yuga.
IV
Kali Yuga
The Kali Yuga follows the Dvapara Yuga, and is the Yuga that exists today. It marks a general decline, and there is only one-quarter of the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga.. The Kali Yuga is said to have begun in 3102 BCE and will last for 1200 years of the gods, equal to 432,000 human years. It is symbolised by the colour black. After this a new cycle of the Mahayuga will begin , starting again with the Krita or Satya Yuga.
There are 426888 years left before the golden age starts!
Hindu texts such as the Puranas look at vast time periods of Kalpas, Manvantaras and Yugas. The Yuga is the smallest period of time, but is not small at all. Four Yugas, the Krita, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, comprise one Mahayuga or great yuga.. The Mahayuga is part of a larger cycle of time, the Manvantara. Each Manvantara contains seventy-one Mahayugas. The Manvantara, in turn, is part of the Kalpa.
At present, we are said to be living in the Kali Yuga. It lasts for 432,000 years. In 2010, only 5112 years have passed, hence there is a long way to go!
Each successive yuga is shorter and also shows a decline in morals and in the way of life. The four yugas consist of 4800, 3600, 2400 and 1200 years of the gods, and each year of the gods extends for 360 human years. Together they comprise 12,000 years of the gods, which are equal to 4,320,000 human years.
I
The first of the four Yugas, the Krita Yuga, was the golden age of truth and righteousness. It is also known as the Satya Yuga, or ‘age of truth’. The Yuga lasts for 4800 divine years, which is equal to 1,728,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour white.
II
The second of the four Yugas, the Treta Yuga follows the Krita Yuga, and in it the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga, is reduced by one-fourth. Its primary virtue is knowledge. The Yuga lasts for 3600 divine years, which are equal to 1,296,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour red.
III
The third of the four Yugas, the Dvapara Yuga follows the Treta Yuga, and in it the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga, is reduced by half. Its primary virtue is sacrifice. This Yuga lasts for 2400 divine years, which are equal to 864,000 human years, and is symbolised by the colour yellow.
It is succeeded by the Kali Yuga.
IV
Kali Yuga
The Kali Yuga follows the Dvapara Yuga, and is the Yuga that exists today. It marks a general decline, and there is only one-quarter of the righteousness that existed in the first Yuga.. The Kali Yuga is said to have begun in 3102 BCE and will last for 1200 years of the gods, equal to 432,000 human years. It is symbolised by the colour black. After this a new cycle of the Mahayuga will begin , starting again with the Krita or Satya Yuga.
2012: Some different views -2
A new age in 4099
Sri Yukteswar Giri (1855-1936), a noted guru whose best-known disciple was Sri Paramahansa Yogananda said the earlier calculations were wrong, and the Kali Yuga would very gradually evolve into the Krita Yuga or golden age. The Kali Yuga would be succeeded by the Dvapara Yuga, and then the Treta Yuga and finally the Krita Yuga. He also calculated the length of time of each Yuga differently.
He believed the Kali Yuga had ended, and the Dvapara Yuga began in 1698-99, and the Treta Yuga will begin in 4099.
Sri Yukteswar Giri (1855-1936), a noted guru whose best-known disciple was Sri Paramahansa Yogananda said the earlier calculations were wrong, and the Kali Yuga would very gradually evolve into the Krita Yuga or golden age. The Kali Yuga would be succeeded by the Dvapara Yuga, and then the Treta Yuga and finally the Krita Yuga. He also calculated the length of time of each Yuga differently.
He believed the Kali Yuga had ended, and the Dvapara Yuga began in 1698-99, and the Treta Yuga will begin in 4099.
2012: Some different views-3
Perhaps it is 2012!
The Bundahishn, a Zoroastrian text describing creation, and the cycles of life is written in Pahlavi and dates to about the tenth century CE, but incorporates earlier material.
This text also has a cyclical theory of time. Ohrmazd (Ahura Mazda or the supreme god) and Ahriman (Angra Mainyu or the evil one) are engaged in a conflict for nine thousand years, divided into three periods of three thousand each. Actually, Ohrmazd is supreme in omniscience and goodness, and unrivalled in splendour, but allowed the conflict to take place, to arouse and affirm goodness in the hearts of those he had created. The period of nine thousand years of conflict was decided by Ohrmazd.
1. First three thousand years: Ohrmazd recited the sacred prayer, Ahuna Vairya, after which Ahriman retreated.
Creation: Ohrmazd created the divine beings, the Amesha Spentas, followed by the world, starting with the sky, then water, the earth, plants, animals and people. He produced the celestial sphere, the constellation stars, which were divided into twenty-eight divisions, and other stars. All would join in the battle against evil. He asked the consciousness and wisdom of people, as well as their guardian spirits (Farohars or Fravashis): ‘ Which seems to you most advantageous, when I shall present you to the world? That you shall contend in a bodily form with the fiend (druj) and the fiend shall perish, and in the end you will be created again perfect and immortal,…or that it will always be necessary to provide you protection from the destroyer?’ (2.10) Then the Farohars and Omniscient wisdom decided that evil could only be defeated for ever, if human beings fought against it in the world.
2. Next three thousand years: Ahriman began his battle against goodness, beauty, and life. Gayomard, the first of the human species, and Gayodad the primeval bull died from his assault, but from their essence the world was recreated and the mountains, seas, plants, animals and people came into being again. Evil still affected them, but at the end of this period the prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) came to save the world. As people listened to him and followed his words, slowly good began to triumph over evil.
3. Final three thousand years: the struggle between good and evil continues, within each person, but inspired by the words of Zarathushtra, gradually good prevails. Then the renewal of existence, in total perfection (Frashokereti) takes place. Meanwhile the Saoshyant (messiah) and his helpers are also in the world to help in the struggle.
Perfection achieved
All who have died again come into existence in bodily form. The evil suffer for a period of time, but are finally purified. There is no eternal hell, they recognise their own misdeeds. The world becomes eternal, there is nothing more to be done.
Calculating the date of this perfection depends on the date of Zarathushtra. The earlier date assigned to him was 600 BCE. Now scholars feel it could be around 1200 BCE, or earlier. Three thousand years from this would almost correspond with Sri Yukteswar’s date for the beginning of the Dvapara Yuga. Alternatively, the great renewal of existence could actually be 2012, as Zarathushtra lived at the end of the last period, how long before the end, or when it actually ended, is not known.
The Bundahishn, a Zoroastrian text describing creation, and the cycles of life is written in Pahlavi and dates to about the tenth century CE, but incorporates earlier material.
This text also has a cyclical theory of time. Ohrmazd (Ahura Mazda or the supreme god) and Ahriman (Angra Mainyu or the evil one) are engaged in a conflict for nine thousand years, divided into three periods of three thousand each. Actually, Ohrmazd is supreme in omniscience and goodness, and unrivalled in splendour, but allowed the conflict to take place, to arouse and affirm goodness in the hearts of those he had created. The period of nine thousand years of conflict was decided by Ohrmazd.
1. First three thousand years: Ohrmazd recited the sacred prayer, Ahuna Vairya, after which Ahriman retreated.
Creation: Ohrmazd created the divine beings, the Amesha Spentas, followed by the world, starting with the sky, then water, the earth, plants, animals and people. He produced the celestial sphere, the constellation stars, which were divided into twenty-eight divisions, and other stars. All would join in the battle against evil. He asked the consciousness and wisdom of people, as well as their guardian spirits (Farohars or Fravashis): ‘ Which seems to you most advantageous, when I shall present you to the world? That you shall contend in a bodily form with the fiend (druj) and the fiend shall perish, and in the end you will be created again perfect and immortal,…or that it will always be necessary to provide you protection from the destroyer?’ (2.10) Then the Farohars and Omniscient wisdom decided that evil could only be defeated for ever, if human beings fought against it in the world.
2. Next three thousand years: Ahriman began his battle against goodness, beauty, and life. Gayomard, the first of the human species, and Gayodad the primeval bull died from his assault, but from their essence the world was recreated and the mountains, seas, plants, animals and people came into being again. Evil still affected them, but at the end of this period the prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) came to save the world. As people listened to him and followed his words, slowly good began to triumph over evil.
3. Final three thousand years: the struggle between good and evil continues, within each person, but inspired by the words of Zarathushtra, gradually good prevails. Then the renewal of existence, in total perfection (Frashokereti) takes place. Meanwhile the Saoshyant (messiah) and his helpers are also in the world to help in the struggle.
Perfection achieved
All who have died again come into existence in bodily form. The evil suffer for a period of time, but are finally purified. There is no eternal hell, they recognise their own misdeeds. The world becomes eternal, there is nothing more to be done.
Calculating the date of this perfection depends on the date of Zarathushtra. The earlier date assigned to him was 600 BCE. Now scholars feel it could be around 1200 BCE, or earlier. Three thousand years from this would almost correspond with Sri Yukteswar’s date for the beginning of the Dvapara Yuga. Alternatively, the great renewal of existence could actually be 2012, as Zarathushtra lived at the end of the last period, how long before the end, or when it actually ended, is not known.
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