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!
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