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Sacred Texts Week: The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus

 

Today's sacred text is from the the art of alchemy, which was outwardly concerned with the transmutation of lead or other base metals into gold.  However the heart of alchemy was personal transformation.  This piece is of uncertain provenance, but is considered to be the oldest extant alchemical tract.  It is called the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus -- this particular translation is from Fulcanelli, and was translated from the French by Sieveking.  From the Internet Sacred Text Archive.

The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus

1) This is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth:-

2) As below, so above; and as above so below. With this knowledge alone you may work miracles.

3) And since all things exist in and eminate from the ONE Who is the ultimate Cause, so all things are born after their kind from this ONE.

4) The Sun is the father, the Moon the mother;

5) the wind carried it in his belly. Earth is its nurse and its guardian.

6) It is the Father of all things,

6a) the eternal Will is contained in it.

7) Here, on earth, its strength, its power remain one and undivded.

7a) Earth must be separated from fire, the subtle from the dense, gently with unremitting care.

8) It arises from the earth and descends from heaven; it gathers to itself the strength of things above and things below.

9) By means of this one thing all the glory of the world shall be yours and all obscurity flee from you.

10) It is power, strong with the strength of all power, for it will penetrate all mysteries and dispel all ignorance.

11a) By it the world was created.

12) From it are born manifold wonders, the means to achieving which are here given

13) It is for this reason that I am called Hermes Trismegistus; for I possess the three essentials of the philosophy of the universe.

14) This is is the sum total of the work of the Sun.

Sacred Texts Week: The Confucian Analects

 

Today's sacred text is from Confucianism, which was the state religion of ancient China.  Confucianism is chiefly concerned with virtue and how to behave properly, especially where one's parents or superiors are concerned.  This is a section from the Confucian Analects as translated by James Legge on the Internet Sacred Text Archive.

The Confucian Analects

  The Master said, "Where the solid qualities are in excess of

accomplishments, we have rusticity; where the accomplishments are in

excess of the solid qualities, we have the manners of a clerk. When

the accomplishments and solid qualities are equally blended, we then

have the man of virtue."

  The Master said, "Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his

uprightness, and yet live, his escape from death is the effect of mere

good fortune."

  The Master said, "They who know the truth are not equal to those who

love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in

it."

  The Master said, "To those whose talents are above mediocrity, the

highest subjects may be announced. To those who are below

mediocrity, the highest subjects may not be announced."

  Fan Ch'ih asked what constituted wisdom. The Master said, "To give

one's self earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting

spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom." He

asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, "The man of virtue

makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success

only a subsequent consideration;-this may be called perfect virtue."

  The Master said, "The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find

pleasure in hills. The wise are active; the virtuous are tranquil. The

wise are joyful; the virtuous are long-lived."

Sacred Texts Week: The First Book of Nephi

  

 

Today's sacred text is from Mormonism, a branch of Christianity that holds several texts as holy in addition to the Bible -- chief amongst which is the Book of Mormon.  This is a section called the First Book of Nephi from the Book of Mormon on the Internet Sacred Text Archive. 

1 Nephi 1

Chapter 1

1 Nephi 1:1

 1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was

taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen

many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having

been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a

great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God,

therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

1 Nephi 1:2

 2 Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which

consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the

Egyptians.

1 Nephi 1:3

 3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it

with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.

1 Nephi 1:4

 4 For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of

the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having

dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there

came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must

repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

1 Nephi 1:5

 5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went

forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in

behalf of his people.

1 Nephi 1:6

 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a

pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and

heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he

did quake and tremble exceedingly.

1 Nephi 1:7

 7 And it came to pass that he returned to his own house at

Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with

the Spirit and the things which he had seen.

1 Nephi 1:8

 8 And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away

in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he

saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless

concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising

their God.

1 Nephi 1:9

 9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the

midst of heaven, and he beheld that his luster was above that of

the sun at noon-day.

1 Nephi 1:10

 10 And he also saw twelve others following him, and their

brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.

1 Nephi 1:11

 11 And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth;

and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him

a book, and bade him that he should read.

1 Nephi 1:12

 12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the

Spirit of the Lord.

1 Nephi 1:13

 13 And he read, saying: Wo, wo, unto Jerusalem, for I have seen

thine abominations!  Yea, and many things did my father read

concerning Jerusalem--that it should be destroyed, and the

inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many

should be carried away captive into Babylon.

1 Nephi 1:14

 14 And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen

many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto

the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God

Almighty!  Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and

goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth,

and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who

come unto thee that they shall perish!

Sacred Texts Week: Hymn of Praise to Ra

 

Today's sacred text is from the ancient Egyptian religion, which was extremely focused on fertility (the rising and falling of the Nile), and death (specifically the afterlife).  This is a section called A Hymn of Praise to Ra When He Riseth in the Eastern Part of Heaven from the Egyptian Book of the Dead as translated by Wallis Budge on the Internet Sacred Text Archive.

I. (1) A HYMN OF PRAISE TO RA WHEN HE RISETH IN THE EASTERN PART OF HEAVEN. 

Behold Osiris, Qenna the merchant, (2) who saith: "Homage to thee, in thy rising thou Tmu in thy crowns of beauty. Thou risest, thou risest, thou Ra shinest, (3) thou shinest, at dawn of day. Thou art crowned like unto the king of the gods, and the goddess Shuti doeth homage unto thee. (4) The company of the gods praise thee from the double-dwelling. Thou goest forth over the upper air and thy heart is filled with gladness. (5) The sektet boat draweth onward as [Ra] cometh to the haven in the atet boat with fair winds. Ra rejoiceth, Ra rejoiceth. (6) Thy father is Nu, thy mother is Nut, and thou art crowned as Ra-Harmachis. Thy sacred boat advanceth in peace. Thy foe hath been cast down and his (7) head hath been cut off; the heart of the Lady of life rejoiceth in that the enemy of her lord hath been overthrown. The mariners of Ra have content of heart and Annu rejoiceth."

Sacred Texts Week: Hymn to Surya

 

Today's sacred text is from Hinduism, an ancient polytheistic South Asian religion that encompasses everything from yogic traditions to societal norms such as marriage customs.  It focuses on the notion of karma and the cycles of death and rebirth.  This is a section called Hymn to Surya from the Rig Veda as translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith on the Internet Sacred Text Archive.

Hymn to Surya

1 HIS bright rays bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth all that lives,
Sūrya, that all may look on him.
2 The constellations pass away, like thieves, together with their beams,
Before the all-beholding Sun.
3 His herald rays are seen afar refulgent o’er the world of men,
Like flames of fire that burn and blaze.
4 Swift and all beautiful art thou, O Sūrya, maker of the light,
Illuming all the radiant realm.
5 Thou goest to the hosts of Gods, thou comest hither to mankind,
Hither all light to be beheld.
6 With that same eye of thine wherewith thou lookest brilliant Varuṇa,
Upon the busy race of men,
7 Traversing sky and wide mid-air, thou metest with thy beams our days,
Sun, seeing all things that have birth.
8 Seven Bay Steeds harnessed to thy car bear thee, O thou farseeing One,
God, Sūrya, with the radiant hair.
9 Sūrya hath yoked the pure bright Seven, the daughters of the car; with these,
His own dear team, he goeth forth.
10 Looking upon the loftier light above the darkness we have come
To Sūrya, God among the Gods, the light that is most excellent.
11 Rising this day, O rich in friends, ascending to the loftier heaven,
Sūrya remove my heart's disease, take from me this my yellow hue.
12 To parrots and to starlings let us give away my yellowness,
Or this my yellowness let us transfer to Haritāla trees.
13 With all his conquering vigour this Āditya hath gone up on high,
Giving my foe into mine hand: let me not be my foeman's prey.

Oaxaca Diaries: Churches

 

As you might imagine, there are a TON of churches in Mexico.  I imagine I'll go to many more, but I've been to three so far.  

The first was Santo Domingo in Oaxaca City.  It is immense and gorgeous and almost entirely gilded inside.  It definitely seemed to be more of a tourist attraction than a commonly-used church.  I actually felt a little strange about it; it's weird to see so much wealth when right around it are shacks built out of corrugated metal and crumbling bricks.

The second church I went to was in Zaachila.  This church was much more simple, with white-plastered walls and simple wood fixtures.  There were mannequins of various Catholic figures in niches along the walls dressed in elaborate and rich clothing.  This church was definitely more in use, and it was a comforting place to sit.

The third church was by far my favorite, both for its looks and the story behind it.  (The photo above is of this church.)  The Ex Convento de Cuilapan was built around the 1500s, and it was so over the top and so over-budget that the bishop actually ordered construction to cease.  Although unfinished it is now classified as a national treasure, and draws visitors from all over Mexico and beyond.  The stone work is absolutely amazing, and even more incredible; there were hardly any barred doors or velvet ropes.  I was able to wander freely around the building and up various stairs and into assorted rooms.  Right nearby the church was a school, and it was also cute to see all the high school sweethearts trysting on the basilica grounds!  Definitely worth the bus ride out to see it!

Sacred Texts Week: The End

 

And we're done!  I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have.  Didn't see your religion represented?  Well, there are a LOT more than six in the world.  Sacred Texts Week will return again another month with more beautiful writings.

For me, sacred texts are not only a beautiful way of learning more about another culture; they are a key to my own search for purpose and meaning.  If you'd like to read more of the texts I've shared, head to the Internet Sacred Text Archive, and please donate to their cause to keep these wonderful writings free for everyone to enjoy.

(As always, I have no affiliation with any religion or website mentioned on this site.)

Sacred Texts Week: Hymn to a Night God

 

Today's sacred text is from the ancient Aztec religion.  The Mesoamerican Aztecs worshipped a large pantheon of deities; many of whom demanded human sacrifices.  This is an excerpt from Daniel Brinton's translation of many of their sacred songs (the "Rig Veda Americanus") from the Internet Sacred Text Archive.

Hymn of the High Priest of Xipe Totec.

1. The nightly drinking, why should I oppose it? Go forth and array yourselves in the golden garments, clothe yourselves in the glittering vestments.

2. My god descended upon the water, into the beautiful glistening surface; he was as a lovely water cypress, as a beauteous green serpent; now I have left behind me my suffering.

3. I go forth, I go forth about to destroy, I, Yoatzin; my soul is in the cerulean water; I am seen in the golden water; I shall appear unto mortals; I shall strengthen them for the words of war!

4. My god appears as a mortal; O Yoatzin, thou art seen upon the mountains; I shall appear unto mortals; I shall strengthen them for the words of war.

Sacred Texts Week: Tract Sabbath Prayer

 

Today's sacred text completes the great monotheistic trilogy with Judaism.  Judaism draws from not only what Christians term the Old Testament, but also a huge body of writings on everything from law to mysticism.  This is an excerpt from Book 1 of the Talmud, the Tract Sabbath, on the Internet Sacred Texts Archive. 

Tract Sabbath Prayer

Make sweet, O Lord, our God, the words of Thy Law in our mouths, and in the mouth of Thy people the house of Israel; and may we, our children, and the children of Thy people the house of Israel, all know Thy Name and learn Thy Law.

Wiser than my enemy doth Thy commandment make me; for it is perpetually with me. Let my heart be entire in the statutes, that I may not be put to shame. Never will I forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast kept me alive. Blessed art Thou, O Lord! teach me Thy statutes. Amen, Amen, Amen. Selah, Vaed (Forever)!

We thank Thee, O Lord, our God and God of our fathers, that thou hast cast our lot amongst those that dwell in the houses of learning, and not amongst the occupants of the markets. For we arise early, and they arise early. We arise to the words of Law, and they arise to words of vanity. We strive, and they strive. We strive and receive our reward, while they strive in vain. We run, and they run. We run towards everlasting life, and they run towards death, as it is written: "But Thou, O God! Thou wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction; let not the men of blood and deceit live out half their days; but I will indeed trust in Thee!"

Sacred Texts Week: Sura II

 

Today's sacred text is from Islam, another ancient Western religion that shares the same roots as Christianity, but which also follows the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed.  This is an excerpt from Sura II of the Quran on the Internet Sacred Text Archive.   

SURA II; SECTION 20.

164. Behold! In the creation
Of the heavens and the earth;
In the alternation
Of the Night and the Day;
In the sailing of the ships
Through the Ocean
For the profit of mankind;
In the rain which God
Sends down from the skies,
And the life which He gives therewith
To an earth that is dead;
In the beasts of all kinds
That He scatters
Through the earth;
In the change of the winds,
And the clouds which they
Trail like their slaves
Between the sky and the earth;—
(Here) indeed are Signs
For a people that are wise.