Right after Goldfest and the change of scribes between October and early November last year, things had been really quiet here in the Orient, almost as if it was getting ready to hibernate for the upcoming months of winter. Only it wasn't about to be so.
To begin with, there was the second edition of the Lunar festival. Since the Orient's new festival last year had been well received by Ancient Worlds' members, I think saying that we were all anxious about the reactions to this new edition is the understatement of the (new) year. However, we've been blessed, both with wonderful citizens - and not just from the Orient - who've shared their expertise to help us propose a great diversity of events during 8 days, and by all the people who have taken part to the contests, have frequented the kissaten and the khantina, and have taken our quizzes - to sum it up, thanks to the massive participation at all levels that has made the Lunar the success it was.
But this is where things started to get weird -good weird, mind you. Instead of being allowed to fall into easy routine, things started to move in several groups, with new members arriving and more seasoned ones coming back, sometimes even after a year of silence, bringing new ideas and enthusiasm; now we're about to embark all together on a new adventure with the Oriental timelines project - and you're all welcomed to it!

For the first time, the Orient won't take part to Springfest, since all our eight worlds appear each at one of the two sitewide celebrations only, and that the Orient, because of the Lunar's dates, has chosen to rather focus on Goldfest. However, several of our groups have decided to join another manifestation that will take place in Spring: the 2006 Multi-Groups Festival. Among other projects proper to each group, one that each had been interested in was to create a timeline for the country/region they represent which spans a thousand years.

What started as a "local" idea developed into a project, that, we hope, will involve our whole world. Five groups - Bharat Mata, the Floating World, Early Dynastic China, Green Papaya and Pacific Islands - are each more specifically monitoring one region of Asia; however, everyone also agreed that it should be open to members and non-members of those groups alike, since those timeslines will become permanent features of the Orient. That's why the discussions related to that project have been taken to the new Oriental Projects thread. Nothing is set in stone yet, so if you're interesting in playing a part in the shaping of this world, don't hesitate to come and share your ideas and comments, or to help with the creation of those timelines. The more the merrier!

Each issue, the Orient will bring you the work of one of our talented members. We have the pleasure to present you two haiku, written by Ai Jimmu. The first takes on a traditional approach by describing a moment of the day:

Virginia Interlude: morning

Blue Ridge hills in fog
Early hour calmness on farm
Peacocks scream at dawn

And now here's a more original and modern theme, a movie critic in the form of a haiku:

Freida

Wears her heart on sleeve
Paints her soul for all to see
Sorrow in sweet triumph.

If you're interested in haiku, and especially if your looking for more of Ai's haiku, visit The Ten Philosophers Haiku

Dream Destinations

The most incredible oriental locations brought to you by our members. This issue, the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram and the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple (Pulau Pinang, Malaysia) by Mei-li Qin.

The basis of Buddist art rests solely in the core of Buddist belief. The Buddhist believe that along the road to enlightenment comes the realization of their Buddist nature. Once this understanding occurs, so too does the realization that an art form must be developed to protray the Buddhist's inner aspirations. The Artist manuals for Buddhist art illustrate strict measures and guidelines which correct proportion and balance must be achieved. The artist is not free to improvise individual ideas on the features of their subject, but must adhere to work within the defined guidelines.
Read more...

Oriental Resources

Link: Viettouch.com
Book: The Empress by Shan Sa, and The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia by Nicholas Tarling (Editor)
Music: Anourag by Anoushka Shankar
Movie: Phater Panchali by Satyajit Ray and Infernal Affairs by Wai Keung Lau, Siu Fai Mak (the original one, not the remake *g*)

News Corner:

BANGLADESH, 12 March 2006: 4,000-year old settlement unearthed in Bangladesh
Archaeologists have discovered artefacts in central Bangladesh that resembles traits of the Chalcolithic culture, which is around 4,000 years old, and believe the finds are the earliest signs of settlement in the region....Read the entire story at People's Daily Online

AFGHANISTAN, 12 March 2006 - Afghanistan: Archeologist Hunts For Third Bamiyan Buddha
It has been five years since the Taliban regime demolished two ancient, giant Buddha statues carved into a hillside in the central Afghan province of Bamiyan. The demolition took place over two weeks in late February and early March 2001. At the time, few of those who joined the international chorus condemning the demolition imagined there might be a third statue -- an even larger "sleeping Buddha" -- buried in the same valley. Read the entire story at Payvand's Iran News

Citizen Information

Do you want to participate in the Orient ACTA and you don't know how? Contact one of the Editors and we'll be happy to help you. We are also looking for members who would like to publish their works. It could be a poem, an RP story, a digital creation, a drawing,... It's up to you. A big thanks to Mei-Li and Ai for letting us share their great works with everyone!