A magical combination kettle is a revolutionary kitchen appliance that combines the functionalities of a traditional kettle with additional magical features. This innovative device offers a unique and enhanced experience for users, making their everyday tasks in the kitchen even more convenient and delightful. The magical combination kettle is designed to boil water efficiently, just like a regular kettle. It quickly heats the water to the desired temperature, allowing users to prepare hot beverages such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate in no time. The kettle's sleek and modern design adds an aesthetic appeal to any kitchen, making it a stylish item that fits seamlessly into any decor. However, what sets the magical combination kettle apart from its conventional counterparts is its magical features.
According to Chinese folk religion, humans are likened to vessels. Adults are fully filled vessels, while children are half-full vessels that fill up only in adulthood. However, by dint of the date and time they are born (called the Eight Characters, or sheng chen ba zi, 生辰八字, in Mandarin), some adults never become fully filled vessels. Although they are physically adults, they remain as children spiritually. Such people are destined to live a short life but they can prolong their lifespan by agreeing to serve the gods. One way is to be a spirit-medium and become a vessel for gods who descend to the mortal realm to help the people. As spirit-mediums are only “half-filled,” they have “space” for spirits and deities to enter and take control of their bodies.
Although unnerving to look at, Toa Ah Pek Elder Uncle , who is dressed in white and has a lolling tongue, and Ji Ah Pek Second Uncle , who is dressed in black and carries chains and a magistrate s arrest order, are not demons in the usual sense of the word. Goble focuses on Amoghavajra 704 774 , contending that he was the central figure in Esoteric Buddhism s rapid rise in Tang dynasty China, and the other two patriarchs are known primarily through Amoghavajra s teachings and writings.
However, what sets the magical combination kettle apart from its conventional counterparts is its magical features. The kettle is equipped with enchanted sensors and advanced technology that sense the type of beverage being prepared. It then adjusts the temperature and brewing time accordingly, ensuring an optimal flavor extraction.
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is generally held to have been established as a distinct and institutionalized Buddhist school in eighth-century China by “the Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan”: Śubhākarasiṃha, Vajrabodhi, and Amoghavajra. Geoffrey C. Goble provides an innovative account of the tradition’s emergence that sheds new light on the structures and traditions that shaped its institutionalization.
Goble focuses on Amoghavajra (704–774), contending that he was the central figure in Esoteric Buddhism’s rapid rise in Tang dynasty China, and the other two “patriarchs” are known primarily through Amoghavajra’s teachings and writings. He presents the scriptural, mythological, and practical aspects of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism in the eighth century and places them in the historical contexts within which Amoghavajra operated. By telling the story of Amoghavajra’s rise to prominence and of Esoteric Buddhism’s corresponding institutionalization in China, Goble makes the case that the evolution of this tradition was predicated on Indic scriptures and practical norms rather than being the product of conscious adaptation to a Chinese cultural environment. He demonstrates that Esoteric Buddhism was employed by Chinese rulers to defeat military and political rivals. Based on close readings of a broad range of textual sources previously untapped by English-language scholarship, this book overturns many assumptions about the origins of Chinese Esoteric Buddhism.
Richly detailed study . . . this meticulous work will appeal to those interested in Chinese history in general as well as those studying Tang dynasty China, esoteric Buddhism, or Buddhism in China. S. Cohen, University of Missouri, Choice
Goble’s Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is an ambitious new look into the life of a well-known but still mysterious Esoteric Buddhist patriarch. . . this book serves as a vital contribution to the ever-evolving contemporary dialogue among scholars on how precisely Esoteric Buddhism should be understood. Joseph P. Elacqua, Journal of Buddhist Ethics
Goble's study of Amoghavajra is a classic case of how a religious tradition emerges and is, or in the case of Esoteric Buddhism in China is not, sustained over time. Therefore, historians of religion will find Goble's presentation of Amoghavajra and Chinese Esoteric Buddhism a worthwhile read. Reading Religion
By focusing on the career and legacy of Amoghavajra, one of the most significant figures in the history of East Asian Buddhism, Geoffrey C. Goble's work provides a detailed image of Esoteric Buddhism in elite Chinese society and fills a long-standing lacuna in the field of Chinese Buddhist studies. Through careful translation and close reading of a wide range of textual sources, Chinese Esoteric Buddhism advances our understanding of Esoteric Buddhism as an elite religious tradition in Tang China and also illuminates the dynamic relationship between the Chinese imperial state and religious practitioners and institutions. Goble's work provides a granular study of the historical, cultural, and personal factors that contributed to Amoghavajra's rise to influence and the formation of Esoteric Buddhism in Tang China. Chinese Esoteric Buddhism is necessary reading for all who are interested in the Tang Dynasty, East Asian Esoteric Buddhism, and early tantric Buddhism. Bernard Faure, Columbia University
Carefully attending to historical context, Goble clarifies Amoghavajra's role as propagator of Buddhist tantras in China. Demonstrating how his teachings found favor by conforming to Tang dynasty imperial religion and by promoting lethal rites, Goble then traces Amoghavajra's political and religious legacy and his function as an index for the collection and circulation of texts and discourses in subsequent Chinese Buddhist history. Charles D. Orzech, Colby College
Goble's treatment demonstrates that Amoghavajra is one of the preeminent figures in the history of Buddhism, not just in East Asia but in the entire history of Buddhism. As a Buddhist thinker and practitioner Amoghavajra stands equal to any other landmark figure. Goble's definitive study brings new clarity to the debate over the nature, practices, and institutional existence of an Esoteric Buddhism in Tang China. In fact that debate can now be considered closed. Richard K. Payne, Institute of Buddhist Studies
Amoghavajra stands out as a towering beacon in the history of Esoteric Buddhism in China, and no study on this important Buddhist tradition would be complete without referring to him and his achievements. In this new study Geoffrey C. Goble takes a critical look at Amoghavajra and his legacy, and in this process undertakes an in-depth investigation into the primary sources, in particular those which elucidate the Buddhist master's intimate relationship with the Tang court and the country's political elite during the middle and second half of the eighth century. Goble's study is therefore as much about elite religion as it is about the interface between the Buddhist religion and politics in late medieval China. A must for anyone interested in Tang history and Esoteric Buddhism. Henrik H. Sørensen, Ruhr University
Anyone with an interest in Chinese religion have much to gain from reading this. Religious Studies Review
Acknowledgments
List of Conventions and Abbreviations
Introduction
1. The Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan and the Teaching of the Five Divisions
2. Esoteric Buddhism in Context: Tang Imperial Religion
3. Esoteric Buddhism in Context: The An Lushan Rebellions and Tang War Religion
4. Amoghavajra and the Ruling Elite
5. The Institutional Establishment of Esoteric Buddhism
6. The Consolidation of Amoghavajra’s Legacy
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Known in Chinese as zhuyou 祝由, talismanic healing refers to a range of ritual techniques in which written talismans and verbal spells are used as tools to prevent or heal disease. Although it was among the earliest medical disciplines recognised by imperial medical institutions—a status it enjoyed from the sixth to sixteenth centuries 4 —printed medical literature has persistently placed talismans and spells at the edge, if not entirely out of scholarly medicine. Until very recently, scholarship in English had maintained that talismanic healing has for millennia comprised mere ‘fringe activities’ of Chinese medical traditions. 5 This teleological position, which intensified in the early twentieth century and has remained mainstream in medical histories in Chinese, also confines talismans and spells to a remote past, a time when the ‘Chinese did not understand the scientific principles of healing’. 6 Seen as the antithesis of modernity and progress, talismanic healing is particularly marginalised in the medical historiography of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, which tends to focus on the spread of Western biomedicine throughout China and the ‘invention’ of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 7 To many, it is inconceivable that talismans and occult healing could survive, let alone thrive in the face of modern science and medicine. As the aforementioned anecdotes indicate—and to the discontentment of some—the popular press tells us a contrasting story about the place and value of occult arts in early twentieth-century China.
This innovative feature saves users from the hassle of manually setting the temperature for different beverages and guarantees a perfect cup every time. Another magical aspect of the combination kettle is its ability to infuse flavors into the water. With just a touch of a button, users can choose from a variety of flavor options such as herbal, fruity, or floral. The kettle's infusion chamber releases the chosen flavor, resulting in a refreshing and aromatic drink. This feature allows users to experiment with different flavors and create their own unique blends, giving them a personalized experience that suits their taste preferences. Furthermore, the magical combination kettle also has a self-cleaning function, making it incredibly convenient and hassle-free to maintain. With a simple touch of a button, the kettle automatically cleans itself, removing any residue or scale buildup. Users no longer have to spend time and effort scrubbing the kettle, as it takes care of its own cleanliness. In conclusion, the magical combination kettle is a groundbreaking kitchen appliance that brings together the functionalities of a regular kettle with enchanting features, making it a must-have item for any kitchen. With its ability to adjust temperature and brewing time, infuse flavors, and self-clean, this kettle offers convenience, efficiency, and a delightful brewing experience. Whether you are a tea enthusiast, a coffee lover, or someone who enjoys experimenting with flavors, the magical combination kettle is sure to enhance your beverage preparation and elevate your tea or coffee-drinking routine..
Reviews for "The Magical Combination Kettle: Revolutionizing the Way We Boil Water"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try out the Magical combination kettle, but I have to say I was disappointed. The concept of having a kettle and a tea infuser in one product is great, but the execution falls short. The kettle takes a long time to heat up and it doesn't maintain the temperature for long. Additionally, the tea infuser does not allow for proper steeping as the holes are too big and the tea leaves escape into the water. Overall, I would not recommend this product.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - The Magical combination kettle was a complete waste of money for me. It is advertised as a durable and high-quality product, but it started leaking after just a few uses. The lid does not seal properly and it's impossible to pour water without spilling it everywhere. Furthermore, the infuser is flimsy and not well-designed. It is difficult to remove it from the kettle without burning your fingers. I regret purchasing this kettle and I would advise others to stay away from it.
3. Emily - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate the Magical combination kettle, I was underwhelmed by its performance. The kettle itself works fine, but the tea infuser leaves much to be desired. The holes are too small, resulting in weak tea. Additionally, the infuser is difficult to clean as the tea leaves tend to get stuck in the small crevices. It's not the worst product out there, but there are definitely better options available in the market.