More cannabis in religion...

[Echo]

Sacramental Use of Cannabis

It's difficult to say exactly when humankind first discovered the entheogenic properties of cannabis. Cannabis has been specifically cultivated either for fiber(and seed) or for drug usage. Drug cannabis differs dramatically from fiber cannabis, and when it escapes into the wild it reverts fairly quickly to a fibrous (lowTHC) variety. We know from the Roman historian Herodotus writing at about 450 b.c.e. that the Sythians used cannabis in their sacred rituals (such as thefuneral rites). He stated that they placed the seeds (probably not separated from the buds) on hot coals under small tents and breathed in the smoke. They then"transported by the vapour, shout aloud". There is also evidence from several gravesites that the Sythians smoked cannabis for pleasure. The Sythians werenomadic tribes from central Asia that spread across Europe starting near 1000 b.c.e., which is about the earliest reference we can find for the drug cultivation of cannabis.The Greek Thracians were closely tied to the Sythians and are alleged to have used cannabis as well, mostly in connection with the ecstatic worship ofDionysus. The noted historian M. Eliade claimed that they maintained a shamanic ritual of divination involving placing dried herbs, including cannabis, on hotcoals and breathing in the smoke. Their shamen or "those who walk in smoke" were called "Kapnobatai".

Horseback riding first appeared on the Ukrainian Steppes of Central Asia at around 4000 b.c.e. and led to numerous nomadic groups spreading out into the world. Many ofthese brought cannabis with them. Around 1500 b.c.e., nomadic Aryan tribes moved into India and integrated with the existing culture. Cannabis quicklybecame popular there. It's common to find three main preparations of cannabis in India: bhang, ganja, and charas. Bhang is a beverage made from the dried leaves and isoften very mild. Ganja is the flowering tops of female plants (buds) and charas is a form of hashish made by rubbing off the resin.

Among the main deitiesworshiped in India is Shiva, god of destruction. He is said to have been a shaman who lived before 1000 b.c.e. and brought cannabis down from a mountain.A popular form of worshipping Shiva is to smoke charas in a chillum, a straight pipe smoked through the hands (to prevent contagion). The chillum is firsttouched to the forehead with the mantra, "Boom Shiva". Within a few hundred years, the Hindu reformer, Buddha, is alleged to have lived for six years onnothing but cannabis before attaining illumination. Many Buddhists venerate the plant and have ceremonial uses for it. Cannabis use spread to Japan as welland was used as a blessing in Shinto marriage ceremonies and to drive away evil spirits.

Before this time, cannabis use spread to the Middle East. At around 550 b.c.e., the Zend-Avesta -- the holy book of the Zoroastrian faiths -- listed hempfirst among its 10,000 medicinal plants. There is also evidence of earlier use by the Hebrew priestcraft. In 1936, an etymologist named Sula Bennet found thatthe Hebrew word "kaneh-bosm" really means cannabis and had been mistranslated in the past. According to his theory, the word appears throughout the Bible, for example,in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. According to him, there are references to cannabis as both an incense used in religious ceremonies as well as anintoxicant.

By 800 e.v., when Mohammed established his religion, cannabis use was still allowed, though other intoxicants were forbidden. The lack of religious and socialrestraints led to cannabis being produced for a number of products (like paper, medicine and rope). As well, hashish (called Khaneh) was being widely produced andused by Sufis and other Islamic holy men and women for religious experiences and communion with God. Hashish production is still high in manyIslamic countries.

Cannabis use also spread through Africa and its use continued as the African peoples were dispersed. I read a book on the Bantu (pygmies) and noted that onewas smoking a huge bamboo in a picture. The caption stated that it was marijuana. There are numerous "Dagga" (cannabis) religions in Africa, and some tribes claim that it was brought by the sacred star Sirius. When Africans were enslaved in Jamaica they brought their sacramental use ofcannabis with them and, combining it with Indian use and mythology, created the religion of Rastafari. Many Rastafarians smoke cannabis religiously and use it tohelp them communicate with "Jah" (god). In Egypt and Ethiopia, a Christian group arose, the Copts, that considered cannabis to be a sacred herb, incense, andoil. The Coptic Christians used references in the Old Testament to back up their claims.

As an interesting side note, back in Europe in 1484, Pope Innocent VIII claimed that cannabis was the unholy sacrament of the Satanic mass. It appears thatEurope as a whole ignored this, and cannabis production increased over the next few centuries. It's possible that a few Satanic groups did take the claim seriously,though.

Today, there are numerous religious groups that consider cannabis a sacrament, such as the Church of Delirium, the Church of Gnostic Luminism, the Churchof Hemp, the Refulgent Rocchetta Temple, and the Church of the Universe. And more are appearing all the time. It's quite likely that cannabis will takeits place as a sacrament in the New Aeon

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[oldmanmozz]

Buddha, is alleged to have lived for six years onnothing but cannabis before attaining illumination. Many Buddhists venerate the plant and have ceremonial uses for it.


Hey thanks Echo, great posting , would like a bit more info on the Buddha part tho, if possible .

cheers my friend, dont Bogart that my friend, have a toke an pass it on my friend .

Mozz

[drfistusa]

What was called pagan and crushed by the romans was, Buddhism brought to Europe along with Hanf. We want the right to practice our ancient religion.
The Scythien Buddhist Church (SBC) has been re established by a genetic shamen. It is underground by necessity until it builds numbers and The Darma (teaching of Buddah) can be introduced in a time of great need, the truth can be experienced, you do not have to believe anyone, the use of meditation and cannabis and opening yourself to the universal knowledge.
Rev. F

[mc nick-grassmoke]

Great posts, truly interesting. Echo you got so much knowledge .. its crazy . keep it up , i love reading it . peace.
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[Rev. Chazman]

Good read.. thanks Echo.

Peace
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I praise good thoughts, good words, and good deeds and those that are to be thought, spoken, and done. I do accept all good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. I do renounce all evil thoughts, evil words, and evil deeds. ---Avesta: Yasna
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Future Servant of Cannatopia ©2004 - ∞ Rev. Chazman all rights reserved

[TrueProCannabis420]

Amazing, echo! U keep blowing my mind and other's minds. Keep the flow of knowlegde. Remember the quote, " people are afraid of something they don't know, so therefore the knowledge is most powerful tool."
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Hemp promote society. THC promote peace between humans. Now, we need someone to promote it. Let us the peacemakers show others how to make peace.