Posted under Tags
BUR #24809 has been rejected.
rename asura_(buddhism) -> asura_(mythology)
Asura are a race of mythological being featured in both Hinduism and Buddhism myths. The current tag for generic asura is using the qualifier "asura (buddhism)", which can be quite misleading given that they have equally prominent roles in both mythologies. So I suggest that we should give the tag with generic "(mythology)" qualifier instead.
It's alright, though I could see it being confused with other fantastical, non-mythological asura if not made even more specific. It may be worth considering asura_(religion), asura_(religious_mythos), asura_(indian_mythology), asura_(god), etc.
Additionally, while article you linked is indeed for both Indian religions, there is also a separate article linked within it for just Buddhism.
I also can't find any reliable sources regarding Asuras' appearance as it pertains to Hinduism. The three-headed, nine-faced, extra-armed god description seems to pertain almost entirely to Buddhism.
At minimum, the extra arms and "very powerful" thing might be consistent across both religions, but the three heads thing is chiefly Buddhism and Hindus-that-took-inspiration-from-Buddhism-or-got-their-mythos-confused. To me, the Hindu one is more of a powerful oni with extra arms but not more heads. So the Buddhist concept seems to be much more deserving of its own tag, whereas I'm not sure I'd even create a tag for the Hindu concept.
Going to agree with LG with the addendum that Asura in Hinduism is not a specific category of supernal entities, but a class qualifier for a whole bunch of races, The origin of the Sanskrit term Asura comes from अ+सुर, सुर (sura) being another name for Devas, and अ (a) literally being the prefix for "not". As such Asura refers to a whole host of races, including the danavas (of which the chief asura Vitra belongs) who are "evil", daityas who are not, etc, etc, with no unifying qualifier except that they exist in the Vedic texts are not Devas.
Furthermore a search for Asura (Buddhism) + Hindu Mythology has 0 results so it's a pointless tag change with questionable future proofing value.
post #6194501 is clearly (and canonically) a reference to Hindu mythology.
The bulk update request #24809 (forum #274872) has been rejected by @TrueKringe.
BUR #24907 has been approved by @nonamethanks.
rename asura_(buddhism) -> asura_(mythology)
Same thing as it was closed prematurely
LQ said:
BUR #24907 has been approved by @nonamethanks.
rename asura_(buddhism) -> asura_(mythology)
Same thing as it was closed prematurely
Aight m8, take whatever I have left since I ain't gonna be here for a long time anyways.
I'm in favor of the update.
In both Hinduism and Buddhism, Asura is a class of gods. In Hinduism, the Asura are named individuals with their own physical descriptions. List of Asura names with only a few that have Buddist scripture mentions. Only a couple Buddhist scriptures reference an asura by name.
The main reason why Asura in Buddhism has a distinct description of 3 faced head and 6 arms is because a well known statue discovered in Kohfukuji Temple which is only described as Asura. Related source describing different Asura statues discovered in China and Japan Essentially a template form for a group of gods.
I can only think of asura's wrath that made the asura into a single individual.
Also kali an asura.
The bulk update request #24907 (forum #275367) has been approved by @nonamethanks.
