By Desis, for Desis and Everyone Else!!
What’s a Desi?
The term “desi” is a term that is commonly used by people from the Indian subcontinent to refer to themselves or other people (origin or ancestry) from the region.
The word “Desi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “desh,” which means “country” or “region” or “homeland”. (‘Sanskrit’ word ‘Desh’? What is Sanskrit?)
Did you ever wonder:
What is Indian culture like? Learn more!
Interesting facts about India you didn’t know about!
Explore Indian customs.
Traveling to India? You are in for a treat – Explore here!
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Desi people can come from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. The term can also be used to describe aspects of Indian origin culture, including food, clothing, music, and art.
What is Ayurveda?
What is Ayurveda?
Traditional Indian medicinal sciences, also known as Ayurveda, have a rich cultural and historical background that goes back thousands of years. Ayurveda is considered to be one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world, and it originated in India around 5,000 years ago.
The term “Ayurveda” is derived from the Sanskrit words “ayur” (life) and “veda” (knowledge), and it is based on the idea that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit.
Ayurveda is one of the Oldest systems of medicine in the world and originated in India about 5000 years ago
What medicines do you use in Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes the use of natural remedies, including herbs, minerals, and other natural substances, to treat and prevent illnesses.
In addition to herbal remedies, Ayurvedic medicine also includes a range of other practices, such as massage, yoga, meditation, and dietary guidelines.
Ayurveda is still widely practiced in India and is gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well.
What’s something that’s unique about Ayurveda?
Ayurveda also has a long history of surgical procedures, with ancient texts like the Sushruta Samhita (dating back to 600 BCE) describing surgical techniques for various conditions, including cataracts, fractures, and tumors. The text describes procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), which was performed using techniques similar to those used in modern plastic surgery.
Sushruta (c. 7th or 6th century BCE) was a physician in ancient India known today as the “Father of Indian Medicine” and “Father of Plastic Surgery” for inventing and developing surgical procedures. His work on the subject, the Sushruta Samhita (Sushruta’s Compendium) is considered the oldest text in the world on plastic surgery and is highly regarded as one of the Great Trilogy of Ayurvedic Medicine; the other two being the Charaka Samhita, which preceded it, and the Astanga Hridaya, which followed it.
Sushruta, an ancient surgeon wrote surgical techniques over a thousand years ago – 600 BCE – from cataracts to plastic surgery (nose jobs)
Water purification in Ancient India
In ancient India, the knowledge of water purification was already established. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest religious texts in the world dating back to 1500 BCE, describes several methods of water purification. One such method involved boiling water with herbs and letting it cool to remove impurities.
The ancient Indian text Charaka Samhita, written around the 2nd century BCE, also describes several methods of water purification, including boiling, filtering, and exposing it to sunlight.
Ayurveda was practiced in India for centuries before the Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 379 BCE), known as the Father of Medicine, was even born.
Overall, traditional Indian medicinal sciences, including Ayurveda and surgical techniques, have a deep cultural and historical background in India and have been practiced for thousands of years.
While modern medicine has certainly evolved over time, many people still turn to traditional Indian medicinal practices for their health and wellness needs.
Learn what a Neem is and what it has to do with dental or oral hygiene in India.
What is Moksha?
Summary
Moksha is a concept in ancient Indian philosophies which refers to liberation or release from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, known as samsara. The term “moksha” comes from the Sanskrit word “mukti,” which means “release,” “liberation,” or “freedom.” It is the ultimate goal of spiritual practice, and is considered to be the highest state of being.
What is Moksha?
To understand the concept of Moksha, imagine a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In this cycle, individuals are born into the world, live their lives, die, and are then reborn again. This cycle continues indefinitely, with each new birth determined by the actions and karma of the previous life.
The goal of spiritual practice is to break this cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and to attain Moksha. In Moksha, the individual is liberated from the cycle of samsara and attains a state of eternal peace, bliss, and unity with the ultimate reality.
The attainment of Moksha involves a transformation of the individual’s consciousness, from a limited perspective of the individual self to a state of awareness of the ultimate reality. This transformation is achieved through various spiritual practices, including meditation, self-inquiry, devotion, and good deeds.
Moksha is the realization of one’s true nature, the Atman (loosely understood to be the Self), and the unification with the cosmic principle, Brahman (the divine).
What’s the whole point?
The endless cycle of birth and rebirth, known as Samsara, holds deep meaning Indian philosophical schools of thought including Buddhism. It happens because of something called Karma, which is like a law of cause and effect.
In simple terms (Karma means), every action, thought, and intention we have leaves a mark on our consciousness. These marks are like seeds that can grow and affect our future lives. So, the things we do and the choices we make now can have consequences that carry over into future lives.
Why does this Samsara exist?
Well, it’s because of our attachments, desires, and lack of understanding. When we get attached to things in the world and don’t see the true nature of reality, we keep going through a cycle of wanting, suffering, and being born again.
However, this cycle isn’t meant to be a punishment or a curse. Instead, it’s like a spiritual journey where we can learn, grow, and become better versions of ourselves. Each life gives us chances to learn important lessons, let go of our attachments, and become more spiritually evolved.
By experiencing different lives and situations, we slowly start to see through the illusions of the material world (Maya). We learn to let go of our desires and cravings, and we seek to go beyond the cycle of birth and rebirth. The more we learn and grow, the closer we get to breaking free from this cycle and finding true freedom from suffering.
What is Nirvana? Is it not Moksha?
Moksha, a sacred term cherished within Indian cultural texts, embodies the ultimate liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death, known as Samsara. Rooted in the teachings of ancient philosophies including Jainism, and Buddhism, Moksha beckons the seeker to transcend the limitations of earthly existence and merge with the divine essence.
Moksha is considered the highest goal, the culmination of spiritual evolution. It is the realization of one’s true nature, the Atman (loosely understood to be the Self), and the unification with the cosmic principle, Brahman (the divine). Through the pursuit of righteousness, self-discipline, knowledge, and devotion, an individual seeks to break free from the illusions and attachments of the material world, leading to the ultimate emancipation.
Moksha is envisioned as a state of eternal bliss, where the individual soul merges with the universal consciousness, transcending the boundaries of time, space, and individual identity.
Jainism, another ancient Indian tradition, explains Moksha as the emancipation of the soul from the karmic cycle of birth, suffering, and death.
By adhering to the principles of non-violence, truthfulness, non-possessiveness, and asceticism, one seeks to shed the accumulated karmas and attain liberation.
Moksha, in Jainism, represents the liberation of the soul, achieving a state of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and eternal existence.
Buddhism, born from the profound insights of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, also delves into the notion of liberation through Nirvana.
In Buddhist teachings, Nirvana denotes the extinguishing of the fires of suffering, attachment, and ignorance. It is the transcendence of the cycle of birth and death, the cessation of craving and aversion, and the realization of the true nature of reality.
Nirvana is an experiential state beyond words, an awakening that liberates one from the sufferings of existence and offers the possibility of true enlightenment.
Both Moksha and Nirvana, despite emerging from distinct philosophical traditions, share a common aspiration: the transcendence of mundane existence, the dissolution of illusions, and the realization of profound spiritual liberation. They are the summits of human quest and spiritual endeavor, beckoning seekers to embark on a transformative odyssey toward the highest truths and ultimate freedom.
Where do Dharma and Karma fit in?
Dharma and Karma are seen as important because they are essential to spiritual evolution and the attainment of Moksha. Dharma is the cosmic law that governs the universe and defines the duties and responsibilities of individuals in society. By fulfilling one’s Dharma, an individual can accumulate positive Karma, which leads to spiritual evolution and eventual liberation from Samsara.
After achieving Moksha, the individual is liberated from the cycle of birth and death and becomes one with the divine. In this state of oneness, there is no sense of individuality or separation from the divine. It is the ultimate goal of spiritual seekers, and is considered the highest achievement one can attain.
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Angkor Wat
What is Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. It was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer Empire, a powerful civilization that ruled over much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century.
The Khmer Empire was responsible for constructing many impressive structures, including Angkor Wat, which is considered one of the most significant and impressive archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.
Who built Angkor Wat?
It was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to 1150 AD. The temple complex was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, but was later converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century.
Why is Angkor Wat popular?
Angkor, the largest pre-industrial city in the world, was more expansive than modern-day Los Angeles or Paris and ANY medieval European cities.
Flourishing around the 12th and 13th centuries, it spanned over 1,000 square kilometers with a population between 700,000 to 900,000.
Its urban planning and architecture were advanced, with extensive roads, canals, and sophisticated water management systems supporting its large population and agriculture.
Angkor Wat, the city’s centerpiece, showcased elaborate construction techniques and detailed stonework, illustrating the Khmer Empire’s cultural richness and organizational prowess. Compared to medieval London’s 50,000 residents, Angkor’s scale was monumental.
Angkor Wat is significant for its incredible architectural design and intricate carvings, which depict scenes from ancient Hindu epics and everyday life in ancient Cambodia. The temple complex is also a symbol of the Khmer Empire’s power and cultural achievements during its heyday.
The complex includes several smaller temples surrounding Angkor Wat such as Ta Prohm Temple which has been left mostly untouched since its discovery in 1858; Bayon Temple which features four giant stone faces carved into towers; Banteay Kdei Temple whose walls are decorated with intricate carvings depicting Hindu mythology; Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) Temple which contains some well-preserved sculptures from Buddhist iconography; Phnom Bakheng Hill where visitors can enjoy stunning views over Siem Reap city at sunset time ; Banteay Srei (“Citadel of Women”); and many more!
Who are the Khmer?
The Khmer people are an ethnic group that is native to Cambodia and parts of neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.
The Khmers have a long and complex history, and are believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent.
They are related to the people of India and other parts of South Asia through a shared cultural and linguistic heritage, and were heavily influenced by Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
What’s does India got to do with Angkor Wat?
The Khmer Empire was particularly influenced by Indian culture, and many of its art and architectural styles were inspired by Indian models.
For example, the design of Angkor Wat is believed to have been inspired by the Indian temple architecture of the Pallava dynasty in southern India. (See more South Indian temples)
The Khmer people also adopted many Hindu and Buddhist religious beliefs and practices from India, which greatly influenced their culture and way of life.
See this for more details and what to do when you visit Angkor Wat.
The term Desi can refer to people of Indian subcontinent origin or ancestry, or it can refer to the cultural practices and products of the region.
Desi food, will include dishes such as biryani, Pongal, samosas, Dosa, Idli, Parantha, Chawal and dal, while Desi fashion may feature traditional clothing styles like sarees, salwar kameez, Dhoti, and kurta pajama.
Desi music may include traditional folk music (dozens of styles), classical music (also several distinct schools), traditional dance (several traditional and ancient styles) and popular movie or music genres like Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood (all different regional language film industry names – a play on the word Hollywood).
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