VonNoble

I am SURE there exists an exception to the rule..... however, it seems any religion I have chanced upon so far has a sacred text if indeed they have a written/codified language at all. And a good number have oral recordings of wisdom as well. Since I have not yet bumped into one wherein the diety has actually penned the words (all done human hand) (however allegedly inspired) - I have been wondering.... ....has anyone noticed a commonality in the creation of the texts and scriptures? For example does the development of a sacred text/oral tradition seem to occur in a certain RANGE of time in the development of a religion? Is there a catalyst that facilitates a need for codification of the story collection? Is it generational - like the fifth generation or tenth gets stuck with the job of becoming the spiritual historian? Has anyone noticed a pattern there? Or a pattern of similarity to the class of folks (or type of folks) that get tagged to actually do the scribing? Just curious. Von

A truly sad day for the ULC. What a courageous woman - such a loss for all of us. We are better because she was among us. VonNoble Saint, ULC

A big ULC CONGRATS ! on your canonization. von

Murph (and Josh) (Kevin) and whoever else was "in" on this surprise .....thank you very much Von

Just came back from seeing the film..... Eh...I think in the book (not sure it has been awhile) - mom died from a disease - not a broken heart ....but they can use whatever poetic license they choose in the movie - I thought it was fun romp. Did anyone else notice the TOTAL lack of vegetation of any kind...anywhere? Not a tree, a plant, a flower .... Odd world it is that has NOTHING green. THIS is one movie I think ya gotta see AT THE THEATER ......or at least that is my take on it. Von

A FLOCK OF FOOLS is the latest book I am reading. von

Just started reading: HOW TO PRACTICE The Way to a Meaningful Life by the Dalai Lama von

I would NOT recommend BEL CANTO. It was given to me as a challenge to "widen my horizons" Apparently my horizons are now officially widened but my taste remains unchanged. With due respect to the writer who writes a very smooth page - the story line was simply not one of interest to me. Von

Re: JUST ADD BUDDHA......rather in the vein of a "Buddha Lite" type of book. EASY read. Starting BEL CANTO 9Ann Patchette) today. (National Book Critic's Circle Award Finalist) Von

.....I saw Battlefield Earth.....eh...in the group that didn't care for it (however I am not quite as down on it as most) ......currently reading: JUST ADD BUDDHA Von

DaVinci Code was a fun little romp. Started BEGINNERS GUIDE FOR WALKING THE EIGHTFOLD PATH last night. Von

Just received a copy of the much touted DaVinci Code - starting it tonight. von

just finished reading: I LOVE YOU STINKY FACE! It is a children's book I picked up for my my grand-niece (I didn't do well on that portion of the SAT test.....to clarify - the child of my niece who turns two years old today)....is that my grandniece? Yet another thing upon which I am clueless Von

Finished BUDDHISM FOR DUMMIES - helpful to me as I am starting at ground zero....I had an overview of this particular school of thought in college.....and a few incidents of interactions with Buddhism as my path crossed it in some ways over and over - but this is my first serious attempt to understand MORE THAN the surface information. In this book (for dummies) a good many questions were answered. Taking it to the next level - a good many replacement questions surfaced. In addition I am reading the last two chapters of BUDDHISM FOR BEGINNERS....the entire book is a question/answer format and a VERY easy read. Very helpful as to the origins of many Buddhist beliefs and written in "plain English". I will be finishing this book tonight. I am also half-way through THE TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA............I am deliberately reading this book slowly as it allows for (promotes) (causes) (invites) a great deal of thought. As soon as I finish it - I am quite certain I will start at the front cover and read it even slower the next time. von

IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BUDDHISM Seemed like a good place to begin my research Von

Just finished reading GIFTS OF THE TRAVELER (or something like that) .....I already returned the book to the owner who loaned it to me. Summary: A rework of the IT's A WONDERFUL LIFE theme....guy is down and out on his luck, crashes his car, bumps his head....meets up with seven figures (six in the past one in the future) who each give him a message/gift along he way. Most figures were historical ala Harry Truman, Ann Frank, Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon....angel Gabriel. The book was a bit preachy IMHO and had a decidedly Christian vent. It is a lite read (you can finish it in a an hour or two)...and there are moments where it can even be captivating. But overall it had a few too many flat spots for me to actually recommend it. The author does have some gift with humor though so if you like a less than heavy read - you might like it. Von