The Himalayan range from the Terai

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The Himalayan range from the Terai (What the
Buddha could see on a clear day)
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(Re)-Constructing the Pastwith Asians having
little voice as Europeans had dominating power
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Edward Said Knowledge is always connected to
power in colonial era scholarship aimed to
define, contain, and control the East in the
popular Western imagination.
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Napoleon invades Egypt, 1801
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British in Burma, 1908
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Colonialism is built on the control of the world,
both culture and nature Expertise to aid in the
colonial project defines to some extent the
origins of scholarship on the region.
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Early Authorities and Interpreters of Asians,
their cultures, religions
Curzon, 1911
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Expeditions of exploration/expropriations
Aurel Stein in Central Asia
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Dutch teahouse built on the Buddhist Stupa of
Borobodur
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Stereotypes and Attitudes from the colonial past
endure to the present ORIENTALISM IN THE
POST-COLONIAL WORLD
Treatments of The West
Our Oriental Heritage
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Asian sacred teachings/texts converted in modern
media to clichés sages, holy men portray as
fools
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Dismissive of Asia, Asians, Asian religions
Go ahead! Ask me and see if I am not as smart as
any holy man.
Hey! If I knew the meaning of life, would I be
sitting here in my underpants?
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OrientalismExpropriation of Buddhism to the
West for marketing
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Etc. etc.
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• (Getting it Completely wrong)

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Expropriation of Asian traditions Global
Medicine
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II. Hyper- Idealizing mode of Orientalism

• Hyper-idealization of Asian Peoples, Religions

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New York Times Magazine LAST WEEK
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Case Study
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Case Study
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Idealizing Discourse of Western converts
reduction of Buddhism to Meditation and the
disinterest in ritual
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Return to the FRONTIER ANALYSIS Cultural
middlemen who first brought Buddhism and Hinduism
to The West were often marginal to both
societies Some were rogues, scholarly poseurs,
seekers on the new frontier of Asia.
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• Rules for Doing Comparative Religion
• Original formulation by Rev. Krister
  Stendahl further development by Prof. Todd
  Lewis
• 1. People represent themselves.
• Comment Bear no false witness. Read original
  texts. Hear from believers directly.
• 2. Compare like to like match level to level.
• Comment When comparing ideal teachings,
  carefully match your ideal with the others
  ideal(s).
• Beware of comparing your ideal to the others
  real, and vice versa.
• 3. Base Comparison on the center of the Bell
  Curve,
• not those on the far ends ??????
• 4. 'Holy envy' is OK.
• Comment How could the world religions survive
  so long without offering sources of inspiration?
  There is much to admire in other faiths
  scholasticism, spiritual exercises, ethical
  stands, etc. In other words, one need not hate
  all others to love one's own spouse faithfully.
• 5. Faith in the Golden Rule.
• Comment Loving kindness was articulated by the
  Indian and Chinese sages centuries before Christ.
  The Golden Rule of treating others as one would
  like to be treated is universal. Extending
  oneself with empathy and respect will be
  reciprocated by similar attitudes from all people
  of good will.
• 6. Hypothesis God may Enjoy Diversity.