--- "Thomas R. Wier" <trwier@...> wrote:
> Though it seems probably the the Emperor who
> gave
> them Imperial recognition, either Gaozu or
> Taizong
Taizong.
> (I forget which), only did so because he was
> under
> the impression that this weird little group was
> just
> one of countless indigenous Daoist sects,
Considering that it was touted as the religion of
the "Great Western Empire", I rather doubt he
thought they were indigenous. Anyway, I doubt
this religion could pass as orthodox in any way -
it seems to occupy a middle ground of sorts.
> and
> he was
> interested in hyping the credentials of the
> person
> he claimed as ancestor, Laozi.
True.
> When they received
> an imperial audience, it's clear they played up
> the
> similarities between Daoism and (Nestorian)
> Christianity hoping for precisely that effect.
Well, I don't see any particular problem with
that. They continued to have such favour for
quite a while - plenty of time in which to
discern anything that would cause their fall from
favour.
> > Quite a few relics have been found as
> > well. The steles were long known; but a trove
> of
> > manuscripts, some religious art, and
> apparently
> > an oriental styled icon of Jesus are also
> extant.
>
> I seem to recall the Pagoda most closely
> associated
> with the Religion of Light had specifically a
> relief
> of Mary holding the infant Jesus in her arms,
> tucked
> away in the corner of one of the upper levels
> of the
> pagoda (whence its not being subsequently
> destroyed).
Yes. The relief itself is damaged, though; and
the pagoda itself is not in tiptop shape either.
Padraic.
=====
Et ters davigaint deck y yaithes 'n el drichlend le Roy Markon;
y cestes d' ils yspoil morès y ddew chaumèz e-z-el tons l' organón.
.