Posted inReligion

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: Unlocking the Path to End Suffering – Dive into the Core Teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), Examining His Insights Into The Nature of Suffering, Its Causes, Its Cessation (Nirvana), And The Eightfold Path As The Way To Liberation and Enlightenment.

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism: Unlocking the Path to End Suffering (Or, How To Stop Being a Drama Queen/King) (A Lecture in Understanding, Acceptance, and Ultimately, Bliss!) Welcome, seekers…
Posted inChinese History

The Reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796): The Height of Qing Power and Prosperity, Followed by Signs of Decline – Explore the Long Reign of Qianlong, Kangxi’s Grandson, Examining the Expansion of the Empire to Its Greatest Territorial Extent, Economic Prosperity, And Flourishing Arts, While Also Noticing Early Signs of Corruption, Population Pressure, And Growing Internal Problems That Would Affect the Dynasty’s Future.

The Reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796): The Height of Qing Power and Prosperity, Followed by Signs of Decline (A Royal Lecture, Delivered with a Wink and a Nod) (🏛️ Image:…
Posted inReligion

The Prophet Muhammad’s Revelations: The Founding of Islam and the Quran’s Message – Explore the Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, Examining the Belief in His Receiving Revelations From God (Allah) That Form the Holy Quran, And The Early History of Islam’s Development and Spread.

The Prophet Muhammad's Revelations: The Founding of Islam and the Quran's Message - A Lecture (Welcome music: A snippet of traditional Islamic chanting begins, then fades out as you approach…
Posted inChinese History

The Reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722): Consolidating Qing Rule and Expanding the Empire – Explore the Long and Successful Reign of One of China’s Greatest Emperors, Examining His Suppression of Rebellions (Like the Revolt of the Three Feudatories), His Expansion of Qing Territory, His Patronage of Scholarship, And His Establishment of a Period of Stability and Prosperity.

The Reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661-1722): Consolidating Qing Rule and Expanding the Empire (A Lecture on Legitimacy, Land, and Legacies) (Professor Whiskers, PhD, History - Specializing in Qing Dynasty Shenanigans)…
Posted inChinese History

The Fall of Beijing (1644): The Ming Capital Falls to Rebels and Then Manchus – Examine the Events Leading Up to the Capture of Beijing by Li Zicheng’s Peasant Rebels and the Subsequent Entry of Manchu Forces Led by Prince Dorgon, Marking the End of the Ming Dynasty and the Beginning of the Qing.

The Fall of Beijing (1644): A Comedy of Errors, Revolts, and Really Bad Weather (A Lecture on the End of the Ming and the Rise of the Qing) (Disclaimer: Historical…
Posted inReligion

Exploring the Nature of God Across Monotheistic Traditions: Unpack the Diverse Conceptions of the Divine in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Examining Ideas of Omnipotence, Omniscience, Benevolence, And The Philosophical Challenges and Similarities in Understanding a Single, Supreme Being.

Exploring the Nature of God Across Monotheistic Traditions: A Comedic Lecture on a Serious Subject 🏛️ (Opening Slide: A cartoon image of three stick figures, one wearing a kippah, one…
Posted inChinese History

The Manchu Invasion of China (beginning 1618): From Tribal Confederation to Imperial Conquerors – Examine the Rise of the Manchu Under Nurhaci and Hong Taiji, Their Unification of Jurchen Tribes, Their Development of a Military and Administrative System, And Their Initial Invasions of Ming Territory Leading up to the Conquest of China.

The Manchu Invasion of China (beginning 1618): From Tribal Confederation to Imperial Conquerors (A Lecture on the Rise of the Qing Dynasty) (🎤 clears throat, adjusts microphone) Alright everyone, settle…
Posted inChinese History

The Wanli Emperor’s Reign (1572-1620): Decline and Dysfunction in the Late Ming – Explore the Longest Reign of a Ming Emperor, Examining His Early Reforms Followed by Decades of Neglect of Governmental Duties, Political Factionalism, And The Growing Internal and External Problems That Weakened the Dynasty Leading up to Its Fall.

The Wanli Emperor's Reign (1572-1620): Decline and Dysfunction in the Late Ming – A Royal Mess 👑 (Lecture Hall Setting: Imagine a slightly dusty, but grand, lecture hall. A screen…
Posted inChinese History

The Jiajing Emperor’s Reign (1521-1567): Isolation, Daoism, and Coastal Piracy – Explore the Long and Often Neglected Reign of the Jiajing Emperor, Examining His Obsession with Daoist Practices, His Withdrawal from Government Affairs, And The Challenges Faced by the Dynasty, Including Widespread Coastal Piracy (Wokou).

The Jiajing Emperor's Reign (1521-1567): Isolation, Daoism, and Coastal Piracy – A Wild Ride Through the Ming Dynasty's Mid-Life Crisis (Disclaimer: Buckle up, history buffs! This lecture is going to…