Stupas

Where in the world? Mainly in India, but also in various places of the world.

A Stupa is used as a place of worship for Buddhists. The latest Buddhist religious monument is the Stupa and was created originally from a mound of clay or mud to cover relics of the Buddha. This remains were later cremated and the ashes were divided up and buried under the 8 Stupas. Not much is known about early stupas because it is not possible to see the ten original ones. Little is known about these early stupas, particularly since it has not been possible to identify the original ten monuments.However, there are a variety of stupas around the world. The stupa shape represents the Buddha where he is meant to look like he is crowned and sitting in meditation on a lion throne. According to Wikipedia, His crown is the top of the spire; his head is the square at the spire's base; his body is the vase shape; his legs are the four steps of the lower terrace; and the base is his throne. They are also meant to commemorate 8 great deeds from his life as listed below.

1. Birth: Built at Lumbini
2. Enlightenment: Built in the kingdom of Magadha, on the banks of the river Nairanjana
3. Turning of the Wheel, the first teaching: Built at Sarnath (Varanasi)
4. Miracles: Built at Sravasti
5. Descent from Tushita: Built at Samkashya after Buddha returned from Tushita heaven, where he'd gone to give teachings to his mother
6. Reconciliation: Built at Rajagriha, after Buddha reconciled the disagreements of the monks
7. Complete Victory: Built at Vaishali, where Buddha meditated extensively
8. Parinirvana: Built at Kushinagara where Buddha entered mahaparinirvana

What is Culture?

This blog posting is a little different then what I normally do. I was sitting in AP human geography when one of my classmates asked, "What ex actually is culture?" I thought to myself, maybe some other people don't exactly know what it is either. Culture has many different meanings. One refers to an appreciation of good literature, music, art and food. Culture is also a full range of learned human behaviors. According to dictionary.com these are the various definitions. My blog focuses on the 5th meaning.

1.the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters,manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

2. that which is excellent in the arts, manners, etc.

3. a particular form or stage of civilization, as that of a certain nation or period: Greek culture.

4. development or improvement of the mind by education or training.

5. the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group

How are cultures similar and different? 
All cultures have resulted from basic needs shared by all. Every culture has certain things such as a method for getting food and shelter, a way to protect themselves. All cultures also have relationships and religions. Arts and literature is another thing important to culture. Scientific knowledge is also in every culture, as well as knowledge of plants. The details of ones world differ between culture.


http://anthro.palomar.edu/culture/culture_1.htm is a great website explaining culture and talking about the different types as well.

The Hajj

Where in the world? Mecca, Saudi Arabia
        In the Muslim religion, there are 5 pillars of Islam that one must follow during their lifetime as part of their religion. One of these pillars is to go to Mecca once during their life time, this journey is called a Hajj. The number of Americans going on this journey is increasing from year to year. You are only excused from this if their is a health problem, illness, or money problem that hinders you from going. This Hajj contains several ceremonies that symbolize the concepts essential to the Islamic faith and to the trials of prophet Abraham and his family. This hajj is suppose to free all sins and enables all Muslims to come together to worship their god together. The Hajj begins on the 8th day of the 12th month on the Muslim lunar calendar, also known as Dhul-Hijjah. First, the people partaking in this go to Mina and sleep there overnight. They then spend the 9th day with an empty plain, and spend the say with supplication and devotion. At night, they move to Muzdalifa, were they camp and pray. On the 10th day, they return to Mina and throw 7 pebbles at the pillar. This symbolized Satan's temptation of Abraham. Next, they sacrifice a sheep because this is what God did in order to save Abraham son. The mead is given to poor, friends, and family. They return to mecca and complete their journey by cutting their hair.

http://www.islam.com/hajj/hajj.htm

Moroccan Tea

Where in the world? Morocco

Morocco is known for their tea, expecially mint and green tea.This tradition has also spread through parts of North Africa and Spain. Morocco is one of the biggest tea imports in the world and it is concidered an art form in their culture. It is usually prepaired by the male head of the family and served to guests. It is concidered impolite in their culture to refuse. It is believed to have started in the 18th century, and begain spreading rapidly in the mid 19th century. This is the time when trade with Europe and Maghreb began. It was somtimes used as a gift given by European envoys in order to release prisoners from Europe. China is their main provider of tea. An example of a traditional tea recipy is shown below.

Ingredients

• 10 fresh mint sprigs, plus 4 for garnish
• 3 teaspoons green tea
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 cups water

Directions

Boil water. Pour a small amount in teapot and swish around to warm the pot. Combine the mint and green tea and sugar in the teapot, then fill it with the rest of the hot water. Let tea brew, stirring the leaves once or twice, for 3 minutes. Pour tea through a tea strainer into glass teacups to serve. Garnish with remianing 4 sprigs of mint

Bastille Day

Where in the world? France

Bastille Day is a French national holiday celebrated on July 14th of every year. It started in 1790 because of the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison. This prison was mainly used by the king and queen to lock up people who did not agree with them. It is seen as a holiday of a modern republic and the end of a monarchy. For the lower class, the Bastille was a symbol of hypocrisy and corruption of the wealthy noble class and clergy. This event was important to them because it marked their class becoming popular into the French Revolution.  On this day fireworks are shown at the Efiile tower in the morning, an army parade on  Champs Elysées (a street) will be showed in the morning as well.

Matryoshka Doll

Where in the World? Russia

There is a type off doll that most little girls and family know about and may own, although many do not know the name for this type of doll or the story behind it. These Doll's are called the Matryoshka (coming from the Russian word for Grandmother) Doll or otherwise known as the nesting doll. This is a set of dolls, each smaller in size then the next. They all fit inside each other as shown on the picture to the right. They are usually made of wood, and come in sets of 5. Most have intricate designs that are representative of Russian culture. Usually the largest doll is a woman, and the smallest is a baby however they may range in gender and design. They often follow a specific theme or traditional Russian dress. The Martyoshka dolls first came about in the 1890's. They were first carved by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin.

For more information and history click HERE.