ANCIENT SKIES

Magazine Overview

Title: ANCIENT SKIES
Issue: Volume 18, Number 3
Date: July-August, 1991
Publisher: ANCIENT ASTRONAUT SOCIETY
Location: Highland Park, Illinois, USA

This issue of Ancient Skies, the official logbook of the Ancient Astronaut Society, features a lead article by Andrew Tomas titled "COSMIC TRADITION IN THE CULTURES OF ASIA." The magazine explores ancient beliefs and scriptures from India, Tibet, and China that suggest interactions with advanced, possibly extraterrestrial, beings.

Cosmic Tradition in the Cultures of Asia

Andrew Tomas's article posits that ancient scriptures and folklore from India, Tibet, and China contain precise records of visitations to Earth by 'other-world beings' or 'gods from the stars.' He notes the universality in ancient Indian writings, citing the Vedas which state, "There is life on other celestial bodies far from the Earth."

India

Tomas highlights that the knowledge imparted by these 'cosmic culture-bearers' was preserved by Brahmins. Ancient Indian astronomical texts like the Surya Siddhanta contained 'premature' astronomical facts, such as the Earth's diameter and distance to the Moon. Physicians in the fifth century BC could diagnose numerous diseases, and the Sactya Grantham mentions smallpox vaccinations performed 3,500 years ago. An ancient manuscript, Agastya Samhita, contains instructions for dry-cell batteries, and the sage Agastya is credited with constructing a 'Pushpaka-vimana' or skyship. Uluka-Kanada proposed an atomic theory 2,500 years ago. The Srimad Bhagavatam, written 5,000 years ago, describes the 'primeval Lord' as the cause of the creation of unlimited planets with diverse life.

The Puranas mention beings like Sanakadikas, Kumaras, and Tarakas, linked with the stars, who are believed to have come from space. Their terrestrial sanctuary was reportedly an island in a vanished sea in Central Asia, known as Northern Shambhala. The lore of India connects the arrival of these beings with the Vaivasvata Manvatara epoch, dating the evolutionary event of man gaining reason to 18,616,841 BC. Unlike modern anthropology, Sanskrit books suggest man's primordial ancestor appeared some three hundred million years ago.

Tibet

Tibet borrowed Sanskrit books from India and preserved them in its lamaseries. Helena Blavatsky claimed to have seen books like Lam-rin and Chan (Dzan or Zen) in Tibet. The Book of Chan, reportedly containing information about builders descending to Earth and teaching sciences and arts, has not been located by Western philologists. E. Conze, in his work "Buddhism," notes that Buddhists assume life is not confined to Earth and that beings dwell on many stars. Esoteric knowledge is maintained by small, highly qualified sects within Tibetan Buddhism. The Kargyutpa-Karmapa sect, or Whispered Transmission School, is mentioned, with Dr. Evans-Wentz concluding that secret knowledge was transmitted orally, symbolically, and telepathically. Tibetan folklore includes tales of space trips and artifacts from other worlds, such as a 'flying horse' and a golden rod called Dorje with radiating globes. The Kanjour and Tanjour speak of a legendary abode of starmen called Shambhala. Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia taught heliocentric astronomy when Europeans believed the Earth was flat. Dr. Ferdinand Ossendowski's account mentions young lamas being sent on space explorations by their teachers.

Peter Kolosimo's report about Soviet scientists visiting Lhasa in 1959 is cited, where a lama demonstrated an instrument that projected a model of the solar system with an extra planet beyond Pluto.

China

The Kun-lun Mountain Range in Chinese mythology is considered the dwelling place of Immortals ruled by Xi Wang-mu, who could travel between stars. Lao Tzu, born in 604 BC, is believed to have left China for the Land of the Immortals. Ko-yuan wrote that secret knowledge should not be revealed to curiosity seekers. Taoism is described as a complex system of ancient science. Emperor Mu (1001-946 BC) journeyed to the abode of the Immortals. Emperor Wu Ti met Xi Wang-mu, who instructed Chang Tao-ling in 'walking about among the stars.' Hou Yih, an engineer for Emperor Yao, made a trip to the Moon in a 'celestial bird' spaceship in 2309 BC, describing the Moon's horizon as frozen-looking.

The Chinese calendrical system begins with the year 2698 BC, the 'coming of the Sons of Heaven.' The history books of the Celestial Empire mention Huang Ti and his dragon-ship with a metallic sheen, which brought seventy superior beings from the star Regulus. Fen Tse, one of these astronauts, reportedly died temporarily in flight. Huang Ti and his team established Chinese civilization. Fu Xi (2953-2838 BC) had prior communication with starmen from Regulus and prepared the ground for their civilizing task.

The Russian sinologist Dr. Igor Lisevich has compiled ancient sources that describe the landing of dragon-ships in the Gobi Desert, lending scientific credibility to Chinese books. The heritage of the Sons of Heaven included scientific programs in medicine, astronomy, and agriculture. Folk memories of ancient astronauts influenced Chinese holidays like the Star Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Ark of the Covenant

An article by Kavel Mikkonen discusses the Ark of the Covenant, considered the most important article in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The Bible does not mention its fate after the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Jewish tradition suggests it was hidden underground. 2 Maccabees states that Jeremiah hid the Tabernacle and the Ark in a cave on Mount Nebo. Another tradition, the Kebra Negast, suggests the Ark was transferred to Ethiopia. The article notes that priests would likely not have let the relic be destroyed and may have hidden it in secret chambers beneath the Temple Mount.

Dr. Valter H. Juvelius, a Finnish biblical scholar, studied Jewish traditions and believed that ciphers in biblical passages could reveal the Ark's hiding place. He focused on the Book of Ezekiel, believing it contained a secret code describing the location and route. He drew maps based on his conclusions and traveled to Jerusalem. In 1908, he formed a company, J.M.P.F.W. Ltd., to conduct excavations. Engineer Millen described working for three years based on Juvelius's maps and descriptions, noting a threefold system of tunnels, labyrinths, and canals within the Temple Mount. They encountered poisonous gas and radiation, which Juvelius believed was from a device resembling a sandglass. Excavations in 1911 to access an ancient aqueduct system were halted due to political tumult in Jerusalem and the outbreak of World War I.

Rev. Voitto Viro notes that Juvelius made new maps in Finland between 1919-1922. The article suggests that if the Ark was a small nuclear reactor, as postulated by Sassoon and Dale, it might still be emitting radiation detectable today. The author, Kavel Mikkonen, is a philosophy major.

To the Editor

Andrew Tomas writes a letter to the editor of Ancient Skies, critiquing a book titled "Mysteries of the Crystal Skulls Revealed" by Bowen, Nocerino, and Shapiro. Tomas points out numerous historical and scientific errors in the book, particularly concerning its reliance on 'channeling' for information. He disputes claims about specific historical figures and timelines, such as the existence of Buddhist convents in Tibet in AD 435 or Master Li being the teacher of the Dalai Lama in AD 400. He also corrects Michael Kant's statements on Kali Yuga, the Milky Way Galaxy's movement, and the Melchezidek Brotherhood's connection to Atlantis, highlighting chronological inconsistencies.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the ancient astronaut theory, suggesting that ancient civilizations received knowledge and technology from extraterrestrial or highly advanced beings. It draws heavily on ancient scriptures, myths, and folklore from various cultures, particularly in Asia, to support this thesis. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these ancient mysteries, while also maintaining a critical eye towards unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the letter to the editor. The publication aims to connect ancient traditions with modern scientific concepts and the possibility of life beyond Earth.