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Post by henry on Apr 17, 2007 23:52:13 GMT -5
The myth follows:
"Haider was a rigid monk who built a monastery on the mountains between Nishabor and Ramah. For ten years he never left his hermitage, never indulged in even a fleeting moment's pleasure. One burning summer's day when the fiery sun glared angrily upon Mother Earth as if he wished to wither up her breasts, Haider stepped out from his cloister and walked alone to the fields. All around him lay the vegetation weary and without life, but one plant danced in the heat with joy. Haider plucked it, partook of it, and returned to the convent a happier man. The monks who saw him immediately noticed the change in their chief. He encouraged conversations, and acted boisterously. He then led his companions to the fields, and the holy men partook of the hasheesh, and were transformed from austere ascetics into jolly good fellows. At the death of Haider, in conformity with his desire, his disciples planted the hemp in an arbor around his tomb."
What say you of this compelling literature?
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Post by Arachis on Apr 18, 2007 3:17:26 GMT -5
It doesnt sound to have much merit.. especially since I have never heard of persian monks.
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Post by henry on Apr 18, 2007 14:16:28 GMT -5
Yes, and especially since Zoroastrianism, a religion that rejects ascetics and monkery, was quite popular in Persia relatively early in its history. They could have been some rogue monks though.
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Post by bezzerkker on Apr 20, 2007 2:26:15 GMT -5
What was your source for the myth, or have you just heard it before?
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Post by henry on Apr 20, 2007 13:27:13 GMT -5
i found it here www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_culture1.shtmlbut it's from an old book, not just something some stoner wrote for the internet. Also I think that the anti-ascetic tendencies of the story actually support the idea that it was a traditional story in Persia.
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Post by dietspam16 on May 7, 2007 15:12:11 GMT -5
I've certainly heard of persian monks, monkage is common to almost all cultures, especially in the east. And anti-asceticism is certainly plausible, from any class. Even Christian European convents brew beer and rejoice in life to this day (Awesome).
It really reminds me of the story of the african goat-herder boy who noticed his goats eating certain beans and becoming very agitated, and thus discovering coffee.
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