BibleGuy

Yes. I read your blog - great great stuff! Thanks, Sage.

Wow. The Kalama sutra. I can't help but notice this: The Bible's "Calamus" (for incense and annointing oil) is neither Hebrew, Greek or English. It is a Latin word "of uncertain affinity" (according to Strong's) that is translated "reed" from Greek Kalamos in Revelation 11:1, 21:15 and 21:16.

Greek kalamos is an obvious cognate to Sanskrit Kalama and, as far as I've been able to tell, it was applied to the Old Testament's qaneh bosem which was understood to be a unidentified "reed", hence the "Calamus" translation.

Per your blog, Buddha's suggestion #4 is to "...rely on the wisdom of direct perception of the Truth." Yes? And that is accomplished via meditation, right? "all phenomena have to be correctly understood in the field of Dhamma, insight is operative throughout."

The field of Dhamma (Pali) or Dharma (Sanskrit)... insight... that which comes from within. This is the gospel of Christ and the purpose for the anointing/unction; to look within. Why do I say that?

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (eggizo: near): repent ye (metanoeo: think differently), and believe the gospel (euaggelion: good message). (Mark 1:14-15)

So the "gospel" according to Jesus is that the kingdom of God is near, and we have to *think differently* in order to understand. How near is it? Where is it?

...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation (parateresis: occular evidence): Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold (idou: lo! (here is where to look: )), the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)

The kingdom of God = the field of Dhamma/Dharma = the place of insight. It seems that Jesus and Buddha agree, and this is where Kalama directs and Kalamos/Cannabis takes us!

I find this amazingly exciting common ground that should join rather than separate us (all people). This is why I asked you a while back about the story of Buddha eating hemp seeds under the "Bodhi" tree - I saw "Bodhi" as a metaphor rather than a species.

Buddha's Bodhi Tree (and Kalama Sutra)
Moses' Burning Bush
The Hindu's Soma
Jesus' wedding at Cana (from Hebrew qanah/qaneh, as in qaneh bosem) of Galilee (the "heathen circle", meaning of non-jews)

...all related to special plant.

What are your thoughts, my brother?