Having some difficulty with my blog, maybe the overload on the internet is edging me out.
Started the day with AM Yoga, maybe my favorite, except. The idea behind this is to relax into the poses, breathe and meditate. I wish this for you. It is impossible in my house, one eye on the cat at all times. Here he comes again.
Psalm 66 - Praying to God. This writer had some serious distress and turned to God for help. The last verse of this psalm is "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" Prayer is open communication with God, a direct line and He always listens.
1991 - On this day, it was Denise's birthday. The little girl down the street that Nicole hardly ever played with, but always went to her birthday party. Maybe, because she was always invited to Nicole's. You never want to leave a kid out. But when she got back, Nicole had to help her brother Aaron collect can goods. He got the wagon out and employed the help of 5 other kids in the neighborhood to gather food. Aaron was a business man. He collected the most of all the kids in his class. It is that time of year, pick up some extra for the food drives that come to your door or at church. It is a time of giving.
Parenting - It is one of the best things to teach a child, to give. To be generous. We could cure so much of the world's trouble, if the next generation thought of others first.
Tsetserleg - Pack up your stuff, get your last minute souveniers, eat one more meal of Mongolian food, and head to the airport. I will advise you tomorrow where we are headed, have to look at the map, any suggestions?
Enjoy the day! Make it memorable
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
November 29, 2013 Friday
I was so busy with Thanksgiving prep I missed yesterday. Hope your day was filled with family, food and football, or quiet and restful - whatever you liked.
Did weight training with Denise this morning, figured fat burning was just a joke for the day after all that food. My weight training paid off, I could lift that turkey out of the oven, and the fork to my mouth. Nicole went to the gym this morning.
1 Samuel chapter 16 - This is where God tells Samuel to go and anoint a new king to replace Saul, at the possible expense of losing his life to Saul. But being a good man of God, Samuel went to the house of Jesse. Jesse had a lot of sons, and Samuel, being human assumed the best man of the bunch would be chosen. No, God chose David, the youngest, smallest of the sons. God knows best what a person is made of and capable of. He knows you and what is in your heart, and He loves you.
1987 - On this day, it was a Sunday and I took Aaron and Nicole to the city ice rink, ice skating. Neither of them had a lot of experience, Nicole was only 2. But they learned and we skated a lot at the rink for years. I had always enjoyed ice skating when I was a kid and we lived on the lake. I remember having to shovel a big patch of ice (we didn't have a Zamboni) and the ice was not always great, but it was the best time, followed by hot chocolate. They have skating down at Campus Martius now in downtown Detroit, I am tempted, my skates are hanging in the garage. You should go, my skates are size 8, white figure skates if you want to borrow them!
Parenting - I kept the kids busy, they knew better then to tell me they were bored. Boredom is a state of YOUR mind, so something about it if you are bored. Really, Aaron and Nicole were seldom bored and we explored all sports and opportunities to try new things. Aaron took a break dance class and Nicole tried Irish step dancing. A nice Christmas present might be an art or dance class, or even a class on real estate for someone. Activities are better then "stuff" I think. Get creative this year.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - lets take a side trip and camp a couple days in northern Mongolia, and don't forget to pick up a few souveniers, it is close to finding a new haunt for December.
Enjoy the day! Make it memorable!
Did weight training with Denise this morning, figured fat burning was just a joke for the day after all that food. My weight training paid off, I could lift that turkey out of the oven, and the fork to my mouth. Nicole went to the gym this morning.
1 Samuel chapter 16 - This is where God tells Samuel to go and anoint a new king to replace Saul, at the possible expense of losing his life to Saul. But being a good man of God, Samuel went to the house of Jesse. Jesse had a lot of sons, and Samuel, being human assumed the best man of the bunch would be chosen. No, God chose David, the youngest, smallest of the sons. God knows best what a person is made of and capable of. He knows you and what is in your heart, and He loves you.
1987 - On this day, it was a Sunday and I took Aaron and Nicole to the city ice rink, ice skating. Neither of them had a lot of experience, Nicole was only 2. But they learned and we skated a lot at the rink for years. I had always enjoyed ice skating when I was a kid and we lived on the lake. I remember having to shovel a big patch of ice (we didn't have a Zamboni) and the ice was not always great, but it was the best time, followed by hot chocolate. They have skating down at Campus Martius now in downtown Detroit, I am tempted, my skates are hanging in the garage. You should go, my skates are size 8, white figure skates if you want to borrow them!
Parenting - I kept the kids busy, they knew better then to tell me they were bored. Boredom is a state of YOUR mind, so something about it if you are bored. Really, Aaron and Nicole were seldom bored and we explored all sports and opportunities to try new things. Aaron took a break dance class and Nicole tried Irish step dancing. A nice Christmas present might be an art or dance class, or even a class on real estate for someone. Activities are better then "stuff" I think. Get creative this year.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - lets take a side trip and camp a couple days in northern Mongolia, and don't forget to pick up a few souveniers, it is close to finding a new haunt for December.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
November 27, 2013 Wednesday
Kathy Smith's fat burning workout. Maybe save this one for Friday after turkey.
Psalm - Chapter 42 - "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." God is as necessary to our lives as water, we are refreshed in his presence and kept alive by his grace.
1980 - On this day, I took my dog Ziggy and went up to my Mom's in Gaylord for Thanksgiving. Her and husband Bob had built a beautiful big home on a hill north of town. It was so peaceful, it had snowed all day and we just relaxed and had a late turkey dinner. Life never seems that slow anymore, too bad.
Parenting - Life is so busy, especially if you have kids. After raising Nicole, I never went back to the laid back lifestyle of when I was single. Is it the family life? or is it the times we live in? Even being retired I have this urgency to do/accomplish something everyday. I see Mom at 92, just sitting in the chair watching TV and wonder if I will ever be able to do that. I don't think so. I do love to be busy, but it is hard to turn it off.
Tsetserleg - Take a little tour of the countryside before we leave Mongolia in a few days -
Psalm - Chapter 42 - "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." God is as necessary to our lives as water, we are refreshed in his presence and kept alive by his grace.
1980 - On this day, I took my dog Ziggy and went up to my Mom's in Gaylord for Thanksgiving. Her and husband Bob had built a beautiful big home on a hill north of town. It was so peaceful, it had snowed all day and we just relaxed and had a late turkey dinner. Life never seems that slow anymore, too bad.
Parenting - Life is so busy, especially if you have kids. After raising Nicole, I never went back to the laid back lifestyle of when I was single. Is it the family life? or is it the times we live in? Even being retired I have this urgency to do/accomplish something everyday. I see Mom at 92, just sitting in the chair watching TV and wonder if I will ever be able to do that. I don't think so. I do love to be busy, but it is hard to turn it off.
Tsetserleg - Take a little tour of the countryside before we leave Mongolia in a few days -
Enjoy the day! Make it Memorable!
November 26, 2013 Tuesday
Just a little Balletercize. Nice work out for the legs, balance, and fun. She is British, a proper ballerina.
1 Corinthians chapter 13 - Love is Indispensable. "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs". There is more, but most of us know what love is, or do we? God's love for you is perfect, hard to replicate.
1977 - On this day, I had a party at my house. Now, my house, for those that don't know, is very small, but it never stopped me from entertaining. I listed in my journal those that came, and most I am still in touch with. I have had many parties, weddings, funerals etc. here, if the walls could talk. Do you like to entertain? Planning a holiday get together at your place? I am looking forward to attending parties, not throwing them anymore, but I did enjoy it. Let the festivities begin!
Parenting - I was always a big "birthday" celebrater. Holidays are great, but your birthday is just your day. It was always important to have parties for the kids, and we did. Nicole still has her bash every May, but now it is an outside party with a keg. I believe that life is meant to be celebrated.
Tsetserleg - Mongolia. Parties are often about food, right? How about some Mongolian? :
We have collected all the contemporary mongolian recipes that we could find. The most well known dish might be the Buuz (steamed filled pockets). Among the drinks the traditional Milk Tea, und Airag fermented from mare's milk. But this is just a small display out of the variety of mongolian food.
Allow our recipes to surprise you!
There are a million Mongolian recipes! Pick one and try it! The beef dishes look great.
Enjoy the Day! Make it memorable! Happy Birthday Tony! (92)
1 Corinthians chapter 13 - Love is Indispensable. "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs". There is more, but most of us know what love is, or do we? God's love for you is perfect, hard to replicate.
1977 - On this day, I had a party at my house. Now, my house, for those that don't know, is very small, but it never stopped me from entertaining. I listed in my journal those that came, and most I am still in touch with. I have had many parties, weddings, funerals etc. here, if the walls could talk. Do you like to entertain? Planning a holiday get together at your place? I am looking forward to attending parties, not throwing them anymore, but I did enjoy it. Let the festivities begin!
Parenting - I was always a big "birthday" celebrater. Holidays are great, but your birthday is just your day. It was always important to have parties for the kids, and we did. Nicole still has her bash every May, but now it is an outside party with a keg. I believe that life is meant to be celebrated.
Tsetserleg - Mongolia. Parties are often about food, right? How about some Mongolian? :
Enjoy your meal!
What is the food of the nomadic herders in the mongolian steppes? As to be expected, they primarily eat the products of their animals, meat and milk. Those simple base materials are processed with a surprising variety of methods, and combined with vegetables and hand made noodles.We have collected all the contemporary mongolian recipes that we could find. The most well known dish might be the Buuz (steamed filled pockets). Among the drinks the traditional Milk Tea, und Airag fermented from mare's milk. But this is just a small display out of the variety of mongolian food.
Allow our recipes to surprise you!
There are a million Mongolian recipes! Pick one and try it! The beef dishes look great.
Enjoy the Day! Make it memorable! Happy Birthday Tony! (92)
Monday, November 25, 2013
November 25, 2013 Monday
Start out the week with abs of steel workout. (It is mostly done laying on the floor, which I see as a positive) Take what you want from it, but just try 10 sit ups or crunches to start.
John chapter 1 - The Word Became Flesh. This takes some insight. (mine is not perfect, but it is what I am stuck with) Referring to God as "the word" and that the word is born into the world in Jesus. I look at it as thought - the constant in our lives, what goes on in your brain - all the time, from birth to death, but this goes beyond. You don't see God physically but you can see the results of His existence in everyday life, just as you can with thought, education, ideas, the result of consciousness. Love is the biggest result of the Word - that "I don't know why I love you but I do" thing. Think about it.
1996 - On this day, Thanksgiving is over and now the busyness starts. Put all the fall décor away, clean and haul out all the Christmas stuff. It has become a bigger, busier task then what I remember it to be when I was a kid. When looking back through journals, I'm not sure if it is comforting or just repetitive, but life goes on and so do the holidays. The same thing, 17 years later I went to Grace Circle. It is a group of my friends at church that get together one Monday a month eat and have Bible Study. It is very comforting to me, I love these women. Tonight we decorate the "Grace Circle" tree. We have around 50 trees in our church and attract quite a few people to see them. I guess you call it - tradition. What are your traditions?
Parenting - Grace circle originated as a group of women, that were raising children,(many alone) that worked. So we met in the evening, very often brought our kids to do homework or run amuck in the church while we had our meeting, after feeding everyone. Now we are mostly retired, kids grown and do less around church then we used to. Mom's circle are in their 90's and only meet to eat and have Bible study. There is much comfort in that, and continuity.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - Our freedom is only as safe as the freedom of everyone else in the world. Do you enjoy religious freedom? Some don't :
^
John chapter 1 - The Word Became Flesh. This takes some insight. (mine is not perfect, but it is what I am stuck with) Referring to God as "the word" and that the word is born into the world in Jesus. I look at it as thought - the constant in our lives, what goes on in your brain - all the time, from birth to death, but this goes beyond. You don't see God physically but you can see the results of His existence in everyday life, just as you can with thought, education, ideas, the result of consciousness. Love is the biggest result of the Word - that "I don't know why I love you but I do" thing. Think about it.
1996 - On this day, Thanksgiving is over and now the busyness starts. Put all the fall décor away, clean and haul out all the Christmas stuff. It has become a bigger, busier task then what I remember it to be when I was a kid. When looking back through journals, I'm not sure if it is comforting or just repetitive, but life goes on and so do the holidays. The same thing, 17 years later I went to Grace Circle. It is a group of my friends at church that get together one Monday a month eat and have Bible Study. It is very comforting to me, I love these women. Tonight we decorate the "Grace Circle" tree. We have around 50 trees in our church and attract quite a few people to see them. I guess you call it - tradition. What are your traditions?
Parenting - Grace circle originated as a group of women, that were raising children,(many alone) that worked. So we met in the evening, very often brought our kids to do homework or run amuck in the church while we had our meeting, after feeding everyone. Now we are mostly retired, kids grown and do less around church then we used to. Mom's circle are in their 90's and only meet to eat and have Bible study. There is much comfort in that, and continuity.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - Our freedom is only as safe as the freedom of everyone else in the world. Do you enjoy religious freedom? Some don't :
^
Twentieth century
In the soviet communist Buryatya and People’s Republic of Mongolia both Buddhism and shamanism were suppressed. Ritual sites were destroyed and lamas as well as shamans were killed. Also in China, the religious traditions suffer much from the communist regime.
In the soviet communist Buryatya and People’s Republic of Mongolia both Buddhism and shamanism were suppressed. Ritual sites were destroyed and lamas as well as shamans were killed. Also in China, the religious traditions suffer much from the communist regime.
In the Mongolian People’s Republic the communist purges seem to be the most effective. In 1937 they are started leading to an almost complete wipe out of the Buddhist clergy. All but one monasteries were destroyed and thousands of monks were killed or deported. Moses states:
“The Mongolian People’s Republic is perhaps unique in having successfully eradicated almost all vestiges of religion, from the dogma once taught to the people, to the individual monastic institutions that once existed all across Mongolia. […] Religion…is no longer a social factor in the Mongolian People´s Republic ” (Moses 1977: 2-3)
Seeing the great revival of Buddhism in the present time, we maybe must conclude that the elimination wasn’t as complete as Moses says. Nevertheless it was completely wiped out in public life. Many rituals and festivities were prohibited or tried to be secularized throughout all of Greater Mongolia. An interesting note that in Buryatya the elimination of Buddhism led to a growth of the “decentralized and flexible folk practice of shamanism” (Worden & Savada).
Although freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution of 1960 religious activity remains hardly tolerated. In 1989 then liberation sets in with a policy to reaffirm traditional culture (Worden& Savada). In 1990 under influence of the perestroika in the USSR communism falls in Buryatya as well as Mongolia and a revival Buddhism sets in. Monasteries and other religious are restored and inhabited again. People attend services and consult lama's for important events (Hind 2000).
Enjoy the Day! Make it memorable!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
November 24, 2013 Sunday
Went out to Christ Lutheran this morning. Love that Pastor Beebe smiles through a good portion of
his sermon. Today was Christ the King Sunday, that is something to smile about. First because we call Christ our king, he doesn't, and it is the last day of the church year, which means we now head
into advent. That is the beginning of the Christmas season, not the time of huge sales for retail. It is a time for remembering the oncoming of the Christ child's birth, a birthday we celebrate by giving each other gifts, a little out of control these days, but just as he would want it. Give unto others, but not because it means they have to give back. It is a season of giving and Christ is king at that.
1993 - On this day, Aaron brought over his "new car" it was a 1986 Mustang, very nice first car. I was so happy that he came over to show it off. Nicole thought it was the coolest car, of course she thought every thing her brother did was the coolest. It was a year of a lot of changes for us, and I am so happy that Aaron made the effort (at 16) to keep us in his life, especially Nicole. He always was a special guy! What was your first car? Mine was a 1963 Corvair convertible, white with red interior, 4 on the floor. Do you ever forget? Aaron did that car have tinted windows?
Parenting - We introduce our children to many things growing up, sports, books, fashion or whatever they show an interest in. I admit, I was adamant about my kids going to church, Aaron too on the weekends he was with us. How can children even make an adult decision to attend church if they never experienced it as a child. This is the time of year when we used to get numbers of new children into sunday school, because of the Christmas pageant. It's ok, but there is so much more to know. Consider giving your child the gift of a lifetime this year - faith.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - Buddhism
Larry Moses traces the first contact of the Mongolians with Buddhism back to the 4th century A.D. By that time the T´o-pa Wei dynasty would have some influence on the Juan-juan dynasty which dominated Mongolia at that time (Moses 1977: 23-4). A later Buddhist influence is that of the Kitan in the 10th century, from which at the time of writing a stupa in Kerulen Bars Khota and the remainings of Buddha statue at Khalkhin Gol. In 1125 the Kitan dynasty falls and Mongolia reverts to a disorganized collection of warring tribes in which Nestorianism, Manicheism and shamanism are the main religions. (Moses 1977: 34-9)
It is in the time of the Great Khans that the Tibetan form of Buddhism gains influence in Mongolia. In the beginning of the 13th century Chinggis Khan conquers Tibet. The leader of the biggest empire ever was known for his religious tolerance, having Nestorian Christians, Moslems, Manicheïsts and shamans within his realm. When after his death trouble arises in Tibet his grandson is send to settle things. Allthough doing this with a trail of destruction he makes friends with Sakya (Sa skya) Pandita, the patriarch of the Sa skya sect. With these two the special Tibetan lama-patron relationship starts. Godan´s successor Khubilai Kahn continued this relation with Sakya Pandita´s nephew Phags-pa. He was kept at the Mongolian court, but more for political than spiritual reasons. By holding a representative from the ruling Sa skya pa, Khubilai hoped to realise a friendly attitude of the Tibetans. While being at the Mongolian court Phags-pa converted great parts of the ruling class including Khubilai (Fonteijn 1999: 32-4; Heissig 24; email contact Henk Blezer). So for the first time Mongolia came under major Buddhist influence, although it seems to mainly have been limited to the upper class.
his sermon. Today was Christ the King Sunday, that is something to smile about. First because we call Christ our king, he doesn't, and it is the last day of the church year, which means we now head
into advent. That is the beginning of the Christmas season, not the time of huge sales for retail. It is a time for remembering the oncoming of the Christ child's birth, a birthday we celebrate by giving each other gifts, a little out of control these days, but just as he would want it. Give unto others, but not because it means they have to give back. It is a season of giving and Christ is king at that.
1993 - On this day, Aaron brought over his "new car" it was a 1986 Mustang, very nice first car. I was so happy that he came over to show it off. Nicole thought it was the coolest car, of course she thought every thing her brother did was the coolest. It was a year of a lot of changes for us, and I am so happy that Aaron made the effort (at 16) to keep us in his life, especially Nicole. He always was a special guy! What was your first car? Mine was a 1963 Corvair convertible, white with red interior, 4 on the floor. Do you ever forget? Aaron did that car have tinted windows?
Parenting - We introduce our children to many things growing up, sports, books, fashion or whatever they show an interest in. I admit, I was adamant about my kids going to church, Aaron too on the weekends he was with us. How can children even make an adult decision to attend church if they never experienced it as a child. This is the time of year when we used to get numbers of new children into sunday school, because of the Christmas pageant. It's ok, but there is so much more to know. Consider giving your child the gift of a lifetime this year - faith.
Tsetserleg Mongolia - Buddhism
Larry Moses traces the first contact of the Mongolians with Buddhism back to the 4th century A.D. By that time the T´o-pa Wei dynasty would have some influence on the Juan-juan dynasty which dominated Mongolia at that time (Moses 1977: 23-4). A later Buddhist influence is that of the Kitan in the 10th century, from which at the time of writing a stupa in Kerulen Bars Khota and the remainings of Buddha statue at Khalkhin Gol. In 1125 the Kitan dynasty falls and Mongolia reverts to a disorganized collection of warring tribes in which Nestorianism, Manicheism and shamanism are the main religions. (Moses 1977: 34-9)
It is in the time of the Great Khans that the Tibetan form of Buddhism gains influence in Mongolia. In the beginning of the 13th century Chinggis Khan conquers Tibet. The leader of the biggest empire ever was known for his religious tolerance, having Nestorian Christians, Moslems, Manicheïsts and shamans within his realm. When after his death trouble arises in Tibet his grandson is send to settle things. Allthough doing this with a trail of destruction he makes friends with Sakya (Sa skya) Pandita, the patriarch of the Sa skya sect. With these two the special Tibetan lama-patron relationship starts. Godan´s successor Khubilai Kahn continued this relation with Sakya Pandita´s nephew Phags-pa. He was kept at the Mongolian court, but more for political than spiritual reasons. By holding a representative from the ruling Sa skya pa, Khubilai hoped to realise a friendly attitude of the Tibetans. While being at the Mongolian court Phags-pa converted great parts of the ruling class including Khubilai (Fonteijn 1999: 32-4; Heissig 24; email contact Henk Blezer). So for the first time Mongolia came under major Buddhist influence, although it seems to mainly have been limited to the upper class.
At the end of 16th century Altan Khan is in power. He meets with Sonam Gyatso, a Tibetan Buddhist leader whom he gives the title of Dalai Lama. This meeting means a revival of Buddhism in Mongolia. Later great-grandson of Altan Khan will pointed as an incarnation of the Dalai Lama, strengthening the ties between Mongolia and Tibetan Buddhism (email contact Henk Blezer). From that period on Buddhism becomes the predominant religion in the Mongolian territories and establishes a big clergy. At the end of the nineteenth century there were 583 monasteries and temple complexes and 243 incarnate lama's would be living in the Mongolian territories, of which 157 resided in Inner Mongolia (Heissig 1980: 1; Worden & Savada). The Buddhist clergy controlled about 20 percent of the country’s wealth and in the 1920s there were about 110.000 monks, making up one-third of the male population (Worden& Savada). Moses especially emphasis the negative impact of this clergy:
Enjoy the day! Make it memorable! Happy Birthday Sandy!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
November 23, 2013 Saturday
3 minutes of aerobics and 1 minute of weights for 30 minutes. Got my heart pumping. Just what the doctor ordered.
2 Corinthians Chapter 3 - It says we are the letter that the Holy Spirit sends to others with the good news. Our lives tell the story best of who Christ is. Love one another.
2005- On this day, we headed up north to my brothers to have Thanksgiving. Usually, a 2 1/2 hour drive took us 5 hours. It was a blizzard, blowing and slowing traffic to a crawl. The trip was always worth it though. Their friends had a big, old farmhouse and had a huge crowd, with 2 turkeys and one longgggg table to sit everyone together. I loved it. (The following year it was in the 70's). Must be Michigan. What weather memories do you have of Thanksgiving, maybe at the parade?
Parenting - Nicole and I prefer to sit at home in front of the TV and watch the parade, but one year we did go to downtown Detroit with Teresa & Joe Whitenight and their kids to experience it. We had great seats till the Distinguished Clowns parked their big truck right in front of us. Tsk. I like my couch, so does Nicole. And we are not to fond of clowns, there is a reason they are called that.
Tsetserleg Mongolia- last week of our stay here. Check out one of the religions:
2 Corinthians Chapter 3 - It says we are the letter that the Holy Spirit sends to others with the good news. Our lives tell the story best of who Christ is. Love one another.
2005- On this day, we headed up north to my brothers to have Thanksgiving. Usually, a 2 1/2 hour drive took us 5 hours. It was a blizzard, blowing and slowing traffic to a crawl. The trip was always worth it though. Their friends had a big, old farmhouse and had a huge crowd, with 2 turkeys and one longgggg table to sit everyone together. I loved it. (The following year it was in the 70's). Must be Michigan. What weather memories do you have of Thanksgiving, maybe at the parade?
Parenting - Nicole and I prefer to sit at home in front of the TV and watch the parade, but one year we did go to downtown Detroit with Teresa & Joe Whitenight and their kids to experience it. We had great seats till the Distinguished Clowns parked their big truck right in front of us. Tsk. I like my couch, so does Nicole. And we are not to fond of clowns, there is a reason they are called that.
Tsetserleg Mongolia- last week of our stay here. Check out one of the religions:
ShamanismThe native religion of Mongolia is, like the language, related to the Turkish tradition and would also have similarities with the Tibetan Bön. In general this religion is referred to as shamanism (Heissig 1980). Rather often shamanism refers to a specific form of this religious phenomena present in Siberia, and although there is a relation with this form it is not the same (Heissig 1980: 6). Above this `shamanism´ implies that a religious specialist is needed and central to it’s faith and practices while in fact it is an animist religion with an arsenal of beliefs and practices in which a shaman not necessarily is involved.
This native religion is not unequivocal, with a unequivocal doctrine, but rather a diversity of local beliefs and practices, which by a number of common characteristics can be lumped together. Central in this belief is the worship of the Blue, Mighty, Eternal Heaven (köke tngri, erketü tngri, möngke tngri) (Heissig 1980: 6, 47-8). There is a total of 99 tngri or heavenly creatures of which Köke Möngke Tngri (Eternal Blue Heaven) is the chief. According to European sources from the thirteenth century this would be one god, from whom it is believed he is the creator of the visible and invisible (Heissig 1980: 48). In Asian Mythologies it is referred to as monotheistic with multiple gods. Next to Köke Möngke Tngri there is Qurmusata King of the Gods. He has a special relation with the origin of fire. It is said that “Buddha struck the light and Qurmusata Tngri lit the fire” (Heissig 1980:??). And fire still is considered sacred among Mongolians. One of the many etiquettes that applies in a ger is to never stamp out the fire, or put rubbish or water on it.
Enjoy the Day! Make it memorable!
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