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In Jewish circles the Hebrew school connected with the synagogue performs an important function in promoting and maintaining the high degree of literacy associated with educated Jewish life.

Posted by admin on June 14, 2006

The other factor in Buddhism that makes possible enlightenment is samatha, or "mind-quietening."

Posted by admin on June 08, 2006

A common effect of Weltschmerz is escapism, or a sad longing for a world or existence different than our own.

Posted by admin on June 02, 2006

In 1995, 41% of the population of the USA used one or more of the alternative healing methods to either complement or substitute for traditional medical techniques.

Posted by admin on May 26, 2006

Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, is the author of the famous essay What is Enlightenment? Kant reasoned that although a man must obey in his civil duties, he must make public his use of reason. His motto for enlightenment is Sapere aude! or "Dare to know."

Posted by admin on May 15, 2006

In the Hindu scripture 'Devi Mahatmyam,' Mahamaya (Great Maya) is said to cover Vishnu's eyes in Yoganidra (Divine Sleep) during cycles of existence when all is resolved into one. By exhorting Mahamaya to release Her illusory hold on Vishnu, Brahma is able to bring Vishnu to aid him in killing two demons, Madhu and Kaitabh, who have manifested from Vishnu's sleeping form. Shri Ramakrishna often spoke of Mother Maya and combined deep Hindu allegory with the idea that Maya is a lesser reality that must be overcome so that one is able to realize his or her true Self.

Posted by admin on May 04, 2006

On important occasions, and at a chaburah supper, members recited over a special cup of wine called "the cup of blessing." At the end of the prayer, this cup was sipped by the leader and then by each of those present.

Posted by admin on April 20, 2006

According to the Maori belief, every human is a compound of four elements:

1. a toiora (see word of the day)
2. an ego, which disappears at death
3. a ghost-shadow, or psyche, which survives death
4. a physical body

Posted by admin on March 29, 2006

In western religious traditions, going barefoot (or shod), carries a great deal of symbolism, representing by turns:

1. A sign of proximity to holy ground
2. A token of humility, mortification, or penance
3. A prophetic "sign to the Nations"
4. Obedience to Jesus' advice to ministers
5. Unstinting reliance on Providence
6. Identification with the poor
7. Experiencing the holiness of the redeemed earth.

Posted by admin on March 23, 2006

Two major themes of Christian mysticism are 1) a complete identification with (or imitation of Christ) to achieve a unity of the human spirit with the spirit of God; and 2) the perfect vision or experience of God, in which the mystic seeks to understand God “as he is” and more “through a glass, darkly.” (1 Corinthian 13:12)

Posted by admin on March 08, 2006

The WCC’s Faith and Order Commissions have been successful in working toward consensus on Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry, on the date of Easter, on the nature and purpose of the church (ecclesiology), and on ecumenical hermeneutics.

Posted by admin on February 21, 2006

You may notice that the Buddha is often depicted sitting on a giant lotus leaf or blossom. This is to illustrate that one who has attained nirvana floats above the muddy waters of attachment and desire.

Posted by admin on February 08, 2006

Gnosticism teaches that the world is under the dominion of evil archons, among whom is a certain deity culpable for holding the human spirit captive. The heavenly pleroma, then, is a region of light “above” our world, occupied by eternal beings and where spirituality is a full or constant experience.

Posted by admin on January 31, 2006

The numinous is described by Otto as a mystery (Latin: mysterium tremendum)
that is both fascinating (fascinans) and terrifying at the same time.

Posted by admin on January 10, 2006

Over time, those who studied the practices of alchemy came to believe that its goals were actually symbolic of spiritual transformation of the self. Manuals were then written reinterpreting alchemy as a spiritual practice.

Posted by admin on December 19, 2005

Some Indologists have said that the use of "tat tvam asi" in ethics is only relatively recent within Hinduism, and that in fact neo-Hinduism was influenced by Western interpretations of itself in coming to this viewpoint.

Posted by admin on December 02, 2005

Aldous Huxley’s theory in the book “Doors of Perception” was that the function of the physical brain and the nervous system is to act as a sort of reducing valve, filtering irrelevant knowledge from one’s conscious so that he or she may be left to deal with that more pertinent to survival. Potentially, however, beyond our physical filters we exist as a ‘Mind-at-Large”.

Posted by admin on November 22, 2005

The Eternal Decrees of God (as argued by the Infralapsarianism side)

1. God decreed the creation of mankind, a good, blessed creation, not marred or flawed.
2. God decreed mankind would be allowed to fall through its own self determination.
3. God decreed to save some of the fallen.
4. God decreed to leave the rest to their just fate of condemnation.
5. God provides the Redeemer for the saved.
6. God sends the Holy Spirit to effect redemption among the saved.

Posted by admin on November 08, 2005

The word “pandit” can be attached to a person’s name as a title, almost like would “Sir” or “His Excellency”.

Posted by admin on October 26, 2005

Indra is a very important God in Hinduism, leader of the Devas, the Gods who form and maintain Heaven. He is sometimes worshipped as a God of fertility, able to resurrect soldiers who die in battle.

Posted by admin on October 13, 2005

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Angkor Wat, built for King Suryavrman II in the early 12th century, is currently the largest religious structure in the world. The outer wall, 1025 by 802 m and 4.5 m high, is surrounded by a 30 m apron of open ground and a moat 190 m wide. It is located in Angkor, Cambodia, and is just one of a series of temples located within a 40-miles radius.

Posted by admin on October 04, 2005

A few of the more common shared mythologies are those that depict “creation of the world”, “a fall from or loss of grace and the ideal”, and the “trickster” myths which concern the pranks or tricks played by gods or heroes.

Posted by admin on September 20, 2005

In many parts of the world it is held that the human body is the seat of more than one soul. On the island of Nias four are distinguished: the shadow and the intelligence, which die with the body, a tutelary spirit, termed begoe, and a second spirit, which is carried on the head.

Posted by admin on September 16, 2005

From what was formally posited as the result of a syphilis infection, but recently determined as having been more likely brain cancer, Friedrich Nietzsche spent the last ten years of his life insane. Days before his death, according to one account, he embraced a horse in the streets of Turin because it had been flogged by its owner. He spent the next several days in a state of ecstasy, writing letters to his friends and signing them “Dionysus” or “The Crucified”. The writing of these final letters bear resemblance to the ecstatic writing of religious mystics, their content containing what was determined as having little relevancy to his life’s existential works.

Many regard Nietzche to represent the very antithesis of religion, and in fact to be a philosopher that greatly harmed the religious project for modern times. Others (most in the academy), escpecially writers in deconstruction, and nihilistic traditions regard Nietzche to have offered something positive to the advance of human liberation.

Posted by admin on September 08, 2005

There are over 400 temples dedicated to the Lord Krishna in the twin cities of Mathura-Vrindavan alone.

Posted by admin on August 30, 2005

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There are theories related to how the particular way in which one breathes can make them more spiritually sensitive. This may explain why singing and chanting are so engrained into religious life, also why focused breathing is such an integral component of meditative practices.

Posted by admin on August 26, 2005

The Taizé community is an ecumenical Christian men’s monastic order located in Taizé, Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. It was started in 1940 by Frère Roger (Brother Roger) who has remained its prior up until his recent death in 2005. The community, dedicated to Christian unity, is known for its unique methods of worship, blending song with prayer and verse reading, and also incorporating a heavy nature of meditation into almost all of their daily activities. The community is also very international , inviting visitors and members from all around the world.

Posted by admin on August 19, 2005

From the 1940’s until 1982, the practice of Taoism was severely suppressed in China by the presence of the communist party. Much of its infrastructure was dismantled, as monks and practitioners were sent to labor camps and their centers and artifacts destroyed. Since, however China has come to consider Taoism as an important traditional religion devoted to universal unity and peace.

Posted by admin on August 12, 2005

Though natalitia has become archaic, the perception of death as a birthday is still found today. One such example of a group holding this outlook is the Salvation Army, who use their own expression, “promoted to glory”.

Posted by admin on August 08, 2005

In the early years of the Quaker movement (mid-17th Century), members thought of themselves as part of the restoration of the true Christian church after centuries of apostasy.

Posted by admin on July 18, 2005

Giordano Bruno, one of several others responsible for reviving interest in hylozoism during the Renaissance, was eventually burned at the stake for his radical ideas. His central claim was that God is the source, cause, medium, and end of all things, and therefore all things are participatory in the ongoing Godhead.

Posted by admin on July 07, 2005

There are three established requisites that must take place before satori is attainable. These are the states of doubt, faith, and perseverance.

Posted by admin on June 30, 2005

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In Astronomy, a syzygy is where three celestial bodies find themselves positioned along a straight line—particularly when this occurs with the sun, moon, and earth. Also, situations where the planets are all on one side of the sun are often referred to as syzygies.

Posted by admin on June 24, 2005

One unique aspect of panentheism’s teaching is that God's energies maintain all things and all beings, even if those beings have explicitly rejected Him. His love of creation is such that he will not withdraw His presence, which would be the ultimate form of slaughter, not merely imposing death but ending existence, altogether. By this token, the entirety of creation is sanctified, and thus no part of creation can be considered innately evil except as a result, direct or indirect, of the Fall of Man.

Posted by admin on June 21, 2005

The Ten Precepts of Shinto
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i) Do not transgress the will of the gods.
ii) Do not forget your obligations to ancestors.
iii) Do not offend by violating the decrees of the State.
iv) Do not forget the profound goodness of the, gods, through which calamity and misfortunes are averted and sickness is healed.
v) Do not forget that the world is one great family.
vi) Do not forget the limitations of your own person.
vii) Do not become angry even though others become angry.
viii) Do not be sluggish in your work.
ix) Do not bring blame to the teaching.
x) Do not be carried away by foreign teachings.

Posted by admin on June 14, 2005

In the Catholic tradition (following Galatians 5:22f.) the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, modesty, continence, and chastity.

Posted by admin on June 06, 2005

Understandably, those trying to take objective approaches in observing other cultures for the sake of scientific, literary, or anthropologic research constantly suffer the condition of being stuck as subjects within their own cultures, and therefore have difficulty removing themselves from their conditioning so as to maintain integrity in their research. To overcome this, early anthropologists such as Franz Boas Bronislaw Malinowski developed the concepts, respectively, of “cultural relativism” and “functionalism” as tools to encourage anti-ethnocentrism anthropology.

Posted by admin on June 03, 2005

Arius was banished by Constantine in 325 A.D. However, ten years later in 335 he had a change of heart toward the Arians, even though Constantine himself remained loyal to the Nicean creed. Constantine allowed two of Arius' chief followers, Eusebius and Theognis, to return from exile. These men soon convinced Constantine to banish Athanasius of Alexandria, Arianism's greatest foe. Later Arius also was allowed to return to his hometown. Sadly he died on the day he was scheduled to leave from Constantinople.

Posted by admin on May 25, 2005

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During Vesakh, at the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple in Singapore, devotees donate money to the temple and in exchange are allowed to place gold leaf onto a small statue of Buddha. As the day wears on, the Buddha is almost entirely covered in a fresh layer of gold leaf.

Posted by admin on May 20, 2005

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Traditionally known as Jain Dharma, Jainism is an ancient religion derived from the Indus-Valley Civilization, first cultivated as an independent branch off of the early principles which would eventually evolve into Hinduism. It is based primarily off the teachings of Lord Mahvira (599-527 B.C.), though its fundamental truths may have initially been delivered to humanity through Lord Rishabha much earlier in history.

Jains are similar to Buddhists in many respects, particularly in terms of disciplinary practice, the pursuit of enlightenment, as well as the individual power of the spiritual person. Jainism teaches that “every living thing is an individual and eternal soul” which is responsible for its own actions.

Posted by admin on May 10, 2005

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The festival of Ridvan is a 12-day celebration amongst practitioners of the Bahá'í, commencing each year on April 21st and culminating on the 5th of May. This special holiday marks the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh’s claim as “The Promised One of All Religions”. Though the Bahá'í are not strict keepers of tradition or ritual, the highlights of this festival generally include feasting, gift-exchange, and the donating of alms to the poor.

Posted by admin on May 03, 2005

The Canterbury Cathedral, one of Britain’s most renowned churches, is the center of the Church of England, home to the Archbishop of Canterbury who serves as the Primate of All England. Officially founded by St. Augustine in the 6th Century, it has been the backdrop to a sundry of significant events. The most notable occurrence was probably the 1170 assassination of Thomas a Beckett, who was later honored with sainthood. His death spawned a tradition of pilgrimage for worshippers who came seeking the site as a place of healing, as well as worship.

Posted by admin on April 27, 2005

As the Dhamma continued its spread across India after the Buddha's passing, differing interpretations of the original teachings arose, which led to schisms within the Sangha and the emergence of as many as eighteen distinct sects of Buddhism.3 One of these schools eventually gave rise to a reform movement that called itself Mahayana (the "Greater Vehicle")4 and that referred to the other schools disparagingly as Hinayana (the "Lesser Vehicle").

Posted by admin on April 23, 2005

At 78, Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger) is the oldest pope elected since Pope Clement XII in 1730, and is the first German pontiff since Adrian VI (1522-1523).

Posted by admin on April 20, 2005

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His Holiness Pope John Paul II served as the chief leader and teacher of Catholics worldwide from 1978 until his death in 2005. He was the 264th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, the first non-Italian in 455 years, and the first ever of Slavic origin. During his 27 years as pope, he spoke out actively against communism, materialism, imperialism, capitalism, and oppression. His recent death has inspired such talk of “John Paul the Great” and even “Saint John Paul II”. Over 70,000 people crowded Vatican City to mourn the death of the late pope.

See Father Moon's Letter to the Vatican

Posted by admin on April 05, 2005


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Jiddu Krishnamurti (sometimes referred to as simply K), celebrated philosopher and advocator of “mental freedom”, was raised within the structures of the world-wide Theosophical Society. At a very young age, he was discovered by C.W. Leadbetter, a Theosophical leader known for his clairvoyant abilities, who believed him to be a vehicle for a prophesized World Teacher. He would eventually part ways with the Society as a young man, taking on a more independent mission. The rest of his life was spent expressing his observations on the nature of human sorrow and freedom through myriad literary and public “conversations”. He did not accept members, asking those interested to simply explore with him together and “walk as two friends.”

Posted by admin on April 01, 2005

For Shi'i Muslims, grave importance is placed on following the rulings of a qualified jurist, with trust in his correctness. Whichever mujtahid someone follows is a matter of choice, but it is expected that this choice will be taken seriously and a prospective mujtahid should be investigated for righteousness. For Sunni Mulsims, taqlid is understood differently and means following any one of the four major schools of thought founded by imams from the 9th to the 11th centuries: Hanbali, Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i.

Posted by admin on March 25, 2005

Zoroaster (Zarathustra): Although his character has been highly mythologized, Zoroaster is almost certainly an historical figure who lived somewhere around 600 BC in Persia. Zoroastrianism was formerly the dominant religion in Persia. Since the conquest of the Arabs, it has become a minor religion, mainly in Iran and India.

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Posted by admin on March 21, 2005

Lenten Fasting

From the 5th to 9th cent. strict fasting was required; only one meal was allowed per day, and meat and fish (and sometimes eggs and dairy) were forbidden. During and since the 9th cent. fasting restrictions were gradually loosened. By the 20th cent. meat was allowed, except on Fridays. Pope Paul VI began (1966) a trend toward penitential works (such as acts of charity) in conjunction with Lent.

Posted by admin on March 14, 2005

Mechthild of Magdeburg (Germany), a female visionary of the 13th Century, has become a legend to many, known for her love songs and spiritual insight which she recorded throughout a number of texts. Her life work, Fliessende licht der Gottheit (Flowing light of the Godhead) consists of seven books total which feature descriptions of her own visionary experiences, letters of advice and criticism, allegories, reflections, and prayers. Mechthild, in her lifetime, was criticized harshly for being a woman who took a position on spiritual matters, but today has perhaps attained a stronger respect as both an accomplished seer and author.

Posted by admin on March 08, 2005

Some Aboriginal communities in Australia have developed a "Rainbow Spirit Theology", which aims to combine Aboriginal world views and spirituality with Christian theology. This includes the use of traditional Aboriginal rituals and dances to act out biblical stories.

Posted by admin on February 28, 2005

It is on this auspicious day that the great saint Marulasiddha (12th century AD), blessed his disciple Siddheswara with the holy words “Tarala Balu” (Long Live, my Lad). Since that day, the full moon day of this month is known as “Taralabalu Hunnime” in the Indian calendar. The Swamiji heading the Ashram is known as Taralabalu Swamiji.

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Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya is the 21st in the lineage of the Gurus of this Ashram descending from the 12th century AD. To mark this occasion of the holy blessings of the founder, a 9-day programme is held every year symbolizing the nine steps he placed around the place where he established the religious seat (Saddharma Peetha). This year on February 24, Dr, Shivacharya, the head of the Ashram is taken in procession in a Karnatak crossed palanquin on the streets where the festival is held and ascends the silver throne on this holy occasion – a jubilant event for the disciples who throng literally by the hundreds of thousands from different parts of the State to witness and show their respects to the religious seat of their faith.

Posted by admin on February 24, 2005

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Sri Ramakrishna, who was born in 1836 and passed away in 1886, represents the very core of the spiritual realizations of the seers and sages of India. His whole life was literally an uninterrupted contemplation of God.

The greatest contribution of Sri Ramakrishna to the modern world is his message of the harmony of religions.

Posted by admin on February 22, 2005

The Teutonic word Lent, which we employ to denote the forty days' fast preceding Easter, originally meant no more than the spring season.

Posted by admin on February 21, 2005

Monks from Sri Lanka have had an important role in spreading both Theravada and Mahayana throughout South-east Asia. It was in Sri Lanka, in the 1st century AD during the reign of King Vatta Gamini that the Buddhist monks assembled in Aloka-Vihara and wrote down the Tripitaka, the three basket of the Teachings, known as the Pali scriptures for the first time. It was Sri Lankan nuns who introduced the Sangha of nuns into China in 433AD. In the 16th century the Portuguese conquered Sri Lanka and savagely persecuted Buddhism as did the Dutch who followed them.

Posted by admin on February 04, 2005

Amongst followers of the Buddhist and Hindu faiths, if you so wish to offer a blessing to another, simply raise your right hand, with palm extended toward the recipient, and say, Abhaya-Hasta. The gesture is basically one of reassurance or encouragement.

Posted by admin on February 01, 2005

The Holy Lance was a sacred relic claimed to have been the very lance used in piercing the side of Jesus as he hung from the cross. Its existence in Jerusalem has been recorded through the 5th century and into the 6th up until the city was captured by the Persians in the year of 615. The point of the lance, however, managed to have survived and was brought to Hagia Sophia in Constantinople where it was placed within an icon. In 1241 the antiquity was presented to Louis IX of France where he then preserved it inside the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Ultimately, it would become lost during the French Revolution and has not surfaced since its disappearance.

Posted by admin on January 26, 2005

The concept of “sin”, a notion containing strong presence within the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic ideologies, is not included within the central beliefs of the Buddhist religion. The typical definition offered by the above-mentioned religions for sin is the broader notion of estrangement from God which cannot be reconciled except through divine forgiveness. The Buddhist does not share this same concept, though does maintain an observance of right and wrong action.

Posted by admin on January 18, 2005

Prepared by the Persian prophet Siyyid `Alí-Muhammad and substantiated by his chosen subject, Bahá'u'lláh, the Bahá'í Faith is a relatively new religion grown out of yet very distinct from the realm of Islam. The primary teaching is that there is one God who progressively reveals his Will to humanity. Furthermore, Bahá'í followers act strongly in notions of world unification—oneness in race, religion, and nation—and carry a strong focus on family, service to others, and eliminating all prejudices.

Posted by admin on January 11, 2005

The Five Precepts and Ethical Conduct

The Five Precepts and Ethical Conduct

(the minimum moral obligations of a lay Buddhist)

1. Not to destroy life
2. Not to steal
3. Not to commit adultery
4. Not to tell lies
5. Not to take intoxicating drinks

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Posted by admin on January 05, 2005

Gandhi’s Seven Deadly Sins

1. Wealth without Work
2. Pleasure without Conscience
3. Science without Humanity
4. Knowledge without Character
5. Politics without Principle
6. Commerce without Morality
7. Worship without Sacrifice

Posted by admin on December 28, 2004

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism, or Mazdaism, is an ancient Persian faith centered on the combined elements of monotheism and dualism, which are thoroughly explored inside the Avesta, the practice’s sacred scripture. Founded by Zarathushtra, also known as Zoroaster, the group’s beliefs are central to the idea of constant struggle between the spirit of good (“Spenta Mainyu”) and the spirit of evil (“Angra Mainyu” or “Ahriman”). According to the Supreme God, Ahura Mazda, men are allowed the freedom of choosing the path of either spirit. Of course, the route of righteousness is encouraged, the religion’s motto standing as Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. In its prime, between 559 BC and 651 AC, the ideology was the dominant world religion, and therefore the most powerful world religion at the time of Jesus. In fact, many scholars today believe that Zoroastrianism had a significant influence on Judaism, Mithraism, and Manichaeism, and thus indirectly influenced Christianity and Islam. Zoroastrianism is still practiced today, with around 150,000 existing members primarily present in India and Iran.

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Posted by admin on December 20, 2004

Hannukah

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (Dec. 15th is the last day of Hannukah this year - 2004). In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."

Posted by admin on December 15, 2004

The Black Stone

The most sacred object in the Ka'Ba is a black stone embedded in the southeastern corner of the building, about five feet above the pavement. It is referred to as the "cornerstone" or "foundation" of the house and as "the right hand of God on earth." The black stone is pre-Islamic, and while its origin is unknown, myths affirm that it fell from heaven. Muslims kiss or touch it on occasion, as, for example, in the performance of the pilgrimage (Hajj), but they insist that it is not an idol and that prayers are addressed to Allah, not to the black stone. In 930 A.D. Qarmartians stole the stone, and some twenty years passed before they returned it.

Posted by admin on November 23, 2004

Purim

Purim is the most joyfull celebration in Juadiasm. The Word Purim seems to have its origin in Persia. Purim is the plural of pur, which means “lot”. The festival commemorates the rescue of the Jews from exrtermination in Persia. Haman advised the King to kill the jews and to cast lots to termine the day. Through the bravery of Esther and Mordechai they could persuade the kind to spare the jewish people. The story is recorded in the book of Esther and is read during the Purim festival. Over time, the word Purim became a symbol of deliverance and salvation for the Jews.

Posted by admin on November 17, 2004

The dying

Visiting the sick is a basic duty one Muslim has for another, and is not reserved only for close friends and family. Consequently, the Muslim patient will often have many visitors. For the Muslim, visiting a sick brother or sister in faith is a basic form of worship to bring one closer to God. For the Muslim, the whole of this life constitutes a trial and a test for the human by means of which his final destiny is determined. For him, death is the return of the soul to its Creator, God, and the inevitability of death and the Hereafter is never far from his consciousness. This serves to keep all of his life and deeds in perspective as he tries to live in preparedness for what is to come.

Posted by admin on November 11, 2004

Baha'u'llah

April 21st was Ridvan (the first day) in the Bahai religion. Ridvan marks the declaration of Baha’u’llah in the Garden of Ridvan in 1863. He announced that he was the prophet that was promised by the Bab. November 12. this year will be the day Ba'hais celebrate the Birth of Baha'u'llah

Posted by admin on November 10, 2004

Consubstantiation

In Christianity Consubstantiation is the doctrine that the substance of Christ’s body and blood is present with that of bread and wine in the Eucharist. Although Martin Luther did not use the term, it is associated with his teaching; he used the analogy of fire present in a red-hot iron.

Posted by admin on November 01, 2004

Svayamvara

Svayamvara means choice or self-selection. It is a term used to describe the selection of a husband by a young woman. It is one of the eight legally approved types of Hindu marriage, prevelent till the eleventh century A.D.
Normally, the celebration of a svayamvara ceremony was widely publicized and suitors were invited from far and wide without any restriction of caste, creed, or status. The young woman would observe all of the assembled suitors and put the jaimala (the garland of victory) around the neck of the man of her choice. Sometimes the choice depended on the fulfillment of a special condition involving a test of the skill or prowess of the suitor. For example, in the well-known svayamvara of princess Sita, the condition to be fulfilled was the breaking of the huge ancient bow of Shiva. Rama, the young prince of Ayodhya, fulfilled this condition. Another example is that of Arjuna, who won Draupadi as his wife by exhibiting extraordinary skill in archery and successfully hitting the eye of a fish.
Even in the present practice of arranged marriage in India there is a covert choice on the part of the bride, disguised in the custom of getting the verbal consent of the girl before the final scriptural rite of marriage.

Posted by admin on October 19, 2004

Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of personal and communal abstention and religious discipline. Moreover, it is a period of self-examination and forgiveness and thus in some measure parallels the Jewish Yom Kippur. Fasting is believed to be effective in cleansing the believer's heart, especially when abstention extends beyond refraining from food and drink and is accompanied by increased religious devotion as shown by reading the Qur'an and supererogatory prayers. Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon signaling the end of the lunar month. There follows immediately the id al-Saghir or id al-fitr festival which lasts several days.

Posted by admin on October 14, 2004

Jainism

Jainism continues to be a living faith in India, with adherents living in nearly every state, but concentrated mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Jainism has practically no following outside the country of its birth. The core of Jaina ethics is the doctrine of ahimsa or non-injury to any living creature. Jainism does not espouse belief in a creator but divides the universe into two independent, eternal categories: Jiva (life) and ajiva (non-life).

Posted by admin on October 12, 2004

Burdah

Burdah means woolen cloak in Arabic. The Burdah is the mantle of Muhammad, which he gave the poet Ka’b ibn Zuhayr as reward for a poem. Bought by the first Umayyad caliph and preserved as a symbol of the caliphate until Mongols burned it in 1258. The Ottomans later claimed it was still extant and in their possession. It is preserved as such today in Istanbul. Burdah is also the popular name of the beloved poem on Muhammad by al-Busiri (d. 1294), probably the most widely known poem in Arabic and a favorite for recitation on all occasions, especially the Mawlid of Muhammad.

Posted by admin on September 24, 2004

Asceticism

As early as the Orphic-Pythagorean cults (late sixth century B.C.) askesis assumed a religious significance in reference to the purification of the immortal soul for its release from a mortal body. This was accomplished by dietary restrictions, celebacy, and other physical and mental austerities. This religious form of ascetic discipline was grounded, as in countless similar manifestations in the history of religion, in a belief in the dualism of matter and spirit.

Posted by admin on September 17, 2004

Martyrdom of Polycarp

The Martyrdom of Polycarp is the first document to mention an annual, anniversary commemoration at the tomb of a martyr (18:3), a custom which became universal in the church in the third century. Each local church kept a list of such dates and these lists became the basis of early church calendars of fixed feasts. At first these observances consisted of a memorial banquet, customary in Roman funerary rites. By the fourth century they began to be formalized by church authorities into a vigil service followed by celebration of the Eucharist analogous to the Easter rites.

Posted by admin on September 15, 2004

Al-Quds

The arabic name of Jerusalem is Al-Quds. It is one of the three most holy cities and focus of Pilgrimages in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. The first Mosque in Medina was directed towards Jerusalem in the North and not towards Mecca in the south. It was only later, that the direction of prayer was changed towards Mecca. The Miraj, the miraculous midhight journey of the prophet, took place from the "further mosque" or the Masjid al-Aqsa, which popular sources associated with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. And in the later seventh century there was constructed on the Temple Mount the Shrine of the Dome of the Rock.

Posted by admin on September 13, 2004

Holy person

The "holy person" of Hinduism is the man or woman who by birth or individual achievement has special access to the divine power which he/she may manipulate or transmit to produce miracles or psychic wonders. The Hindu holy person must also give evidence of extraordinary communion with or absorption in a God or Goddess of the absolute reality (Brahman).

Posted by admin on September 10, 2004

Milindapanha

The Melindapanha is one of the two most authoritative extracanonical texts in Theravada Buddhism. It was written by an unknown author in northern India around the first or second century A.D., originally written in Sanskrit or Prakrit. It was translated early into Pali and is no more extant in the original. The Milindapanha consists of a series of questions and dilemmas raised by King Milinda (usually identified as the Greco-Indian King Menanda), which are then answered by the Monk Nagasena. The stage is set with an account of the past lives of Nagasena and Melinda. The remainder of the first three books discusses basic doctrinal and ethical issues. These include Karma, the nature of the individual, the idea of rebirth without transmigration and the attainment of perfection. The remaining four books are lacking in the fourth century A.D. Chinese translation, and are likely a later addition. They are concerned with clarifying more technical details of buddhist thought.

Posted by admin on September 08, 2004

Pope Pius VII

Pope Pius VII was pope from 1846-1878. With 32 years he is the longest reigning pope in history. He called the first Vatican Council (1869-1870), defined the dogma of Immaculate Conception (1854) and issued the “Syllabus of Errors” (1864).

Posted by admin on September 03, 2004

Ganesh Chaturthi

August 30th is the day of the famous Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi. It celebrates the birthday of the very popular Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is done. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. He is the Lord of power and wisdom.

Posted by admin on August 30, 2004

Rasul

Besides the prophets, the Nabi, the Qu'ran also mentions Apostles, the Rasul. Except for Hud and Salih, apostles who were sent to the arab people before they were given the Qu'ran, it is possible to make the theological distinction of the usage of the Qu'ranic terms Nabi and Rasul by saying every apostle is also a prophet but not all prophets are also apostles. More importantly though is that both terms refer to a inspired religious leader, with Nabi stressing the relationship of the leader to a revealed book (kitab) while Rasul underscores his advocacy to a community of people (Umma). Muhammad, therefore, is described as God's first apostle to the arabs (Hud and Salih notwithstanding) and God's last prophet to mankind, revealing a book without error or contradiction, the Qu'ran.

Posted by admin on August 26, 2004

Bar Mitzvah

Although the term Bar Mitzvah appears in the Talmud to designate one who is obliged to observe the law, its modern use does not appear before the fifteenth century. No reference to a special celebration for a girl, the Bat Mitzvah, is found before the nineteenth century, and this ceremony is observed far less frequently than Bar Mitzvah. The central element in the celebration is the calling up of the boy or girl to read the Torah in the Synagoge, usually on the first Sabbath after his or her thirteenth birthday.

Posted by admin on August 25, 2004

The current Pope

The current Pope, John Paul II, is the 262nd Pope in a long line of Popes that refer back to St. Peter. He is Polish and the first non-Italian Pope since 1522. He is the most traveled Pope in history.

Posted by admin on August 13, 2004

3 Great teachers of Confucianism

In Confucianism there are 3 Great teachers that shaped Confucianism and its development. The Successors of Confucius, Mencius und Hsun Tzu differ in their perception of Human Nature. Mencius held that man’s nature is originally good, and that man’s task is to develop the inherent goodness through a balance of effort and spontaneity, eventually realizing a commonality of man’s nature with the nature of heaven. Hsun Tzu on the other hand held that man’s nature is not good but evil, and man and society needed controls in the form of laws and rites.

Posted by admin on August 10, 2004

Transfiguration of Lord Jesus

August 6th commemorates the occasion where Jesus' appearance became clear on Mt. Tabor as it became clear to his disciples that that there was a connection between the traditional Jewish holy figures and Jesus.

Posted by admin on August 06, 2004

Haile Selassie

July 23rd is the Birthday of Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie’s birthday is one of the most important celebrations for those who follow the Rastafarian religion. Rasta’s believe that Haile Selassie is not dead and is the living God for the black people. The event is celebrated by the singing of hymns to the sound of drums and prayers.

Posted by admin on July 16, 2004

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule, as expressed in Matthew 7.12 for example, is known to most religions as well as philosophies of ethics. The oldest known recording of this rule comes from Confucianism. It is recorded in The talks of Confucius (5.13): “What I don’t want that others do to me that I should not do to others.”

Posted by admin on July 15, 2004

Jaina Traditions

In Jainism there are two major monastic traditions. Svetambara refers to the tradition in which Jaina monks and nuns renounce all possessions and wear only simple white cotton garments, as in contrast to the ascetic nakedness practiced by the Digambaras.

Posted by admin on July 14, 2004

The Jesuits

The Spanish churchman Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) is the founder of the catholic order “Society of Jesus”, also known as the Jesuits. This order was founded in 1540. He organized the order in accordance with his spiritual experiences. The order is noted for highly centralized governance, strong ties to the papacy and practical zeal shown in missions, schools, study of theology, science, humanities and retreat work. Their rapid growth and quality made them leaders in the Catholic Reformation and afterward a strong influence. Dissolved in 1773 owing to pressures from monarchs, and reestablished in 1814, the society is now the largest Roman Catholic religious order of men. Today there are about 24,000 Jesuits.

Posted by admin on July 13, 2004

Crucifix

A Crucifix is a cross bearing an image of the crucified Christ. Early Christians saw the cross as a symbol of triumph, but avoided any realistic representation of Christ crucified. The earliest known crucifixes from the sixth century show Christ the Victor reigning from the Tree, where he stands crowned and robed in royal splendor. It was not until the twelfth and thirteenth century that devotion to the passion of Christ found expression in crucifixes which stressed Christ’s suffering.

Posted by admin on July 12, 2004

Matyrdom of the Bab

July 9th is the day of Martyrdom of the Bab. It honors the day on which Ali Muhammed was executed in 1850. May 23rd is the day of the Declaration of the Bab. This holy day honors the day in 1844 on which the declaration by Sayyid Ali Muhammad was made that he is the “coming one”. He made the announcement in secret to Abdul Baha and four others, and also declared that there would be no other prophet for 1000 years.

Posted by admin on July 09, 2004

King Asoka

King Asoka was a major figure both in the political history of India and in the history of Buddhism. He made his contribution to the development of Buddhism by adopting the Dharma (the norm for religious morality) as the legitimating and guiding principle of his rule, and by giving his special support to the Buddhist cause. After completing several successful military campaigns he came under Buddhist influence and publicly repented for the suffering his military expeditions had caused. In his various edicts he renounced violence as a policy of state, prohibited the sacrifice of animals and adopted a policy of toleration and support of other traditions.

Posted by admin on July 07, 2004

Transubstantiation

The doctrine which defines the conversion of the bread and wine of the Eucharist into the substance of Christ’s body and blood at consecration is called Transubstantiation.

Posted by admin on July 06, 2004

Guru Purnima

Guru Purnima day also heralds the coming of the life-giving rains, the monsoon season in India. During this season, sannyasis traditionally stay at one place and engage in scriptural studies and contemplation. This period is called the Chaturmas or literally the four months.

Posted by admin on July 01, 2004

King Milinda

King Milinda was a Greek and an experienced soldier who thought he knew a chariot when he saw one. But Nagasena demonstrated that if Milinda's chariot were gradually dismantled - knock a spoke out of a wheel here, a plank off there, then a bit of the frame and so on - there was no way for Milinda to decide at exactly what step in the procedure he should stop imputing 'vehicle' and start imputing 'heap of firewood'. Nagasena said this was because the chariot had no power to define itself from its own side. Nor was there any ideal chariot form 'in the sky' which engaged and disengaged with the timber at definite stages of assembly and disassembly. Milinda's mind was the only thing that could make the distinction between vehicle and firewood. And there were no logical rules, stepwise procedures or decision trees for Milinda to decide when to cease imputing one thing and impute another.

Posted by admin on June 30, 2004

The Upanishads

The Upanishads are a collection of writings composed between 600 and 200 BCE. The word Upanishad is Sanskrit and means “to sit down near to”. It refers to the tradition of that time of wisemen teaching their insights to their followers who would sit with them and listen to their teachings. The Upanishads are philosophical texts concerned with learning about Brahman (the all-pervading life-force) and the relationship between Brahman and the universe. In these teachings the ideas of karma, samsara and moksha are introduced for the first time. Almost all the Upanishads are concerned with the relationship between atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (the universal soul).

Posted by admin on June 29, 2004

Krishna

Krishna is one of the most popular of all Hindu deities. He is the eighth avatar of Vishnu (depending on which count you go by) but is also worshipped as a god in his own right. The stories of Krishna are mainly told in the Puranas. Krishna was an extremely beautiful baby with dark skin and enormous eyes and he was born wearing jewellery fit only for a king. Krishna is usually portrayed as the 'blue' god. He became blue by drinking poisoned milk given to him by an evil monster who was trying to kill all the babies in his village. Krishna did not die, but remained a blue colour. He is often shown playing a flute and on many occasions he is with his partner Radha. Krishna’s life is often performed as a folk-drama, called Krishnalila. Krishna finally died when he was inadvertently shot in the foot, and returned to heaven. He is one of the best loved of all the Hindu gods.

Posted by admin on June 28, 2004

The Umma

In the eighth and ninth century it was a critical issue for the Islamic world to define the Islamic community (umma) and its solidarity. Scholars of that time had realized, that the community could only be based on directives of the Qur’an supplemented by sayings of the Prophet and then applied to the lives of believers. The system they evolved set forth a tacit as well as an explicit code of behavior; comprehensive yet elastic, it became the law (Sharia - literally: a way or path to water, could also mean to ordain or to make clear). There are four schools of law in Islam. They are overlapping but also distinct. The strictest one, which leaves little room for personal judgement is the Hanbalite school. The Malikite school is similar to the Hanbalite school, but it allows personal judgement as a last resort, when the Qur’an and the Sunna do not give any clear judgement. The Hanafite school on the other hand, although the most formal and literalist, is most flexible to reasoning and to creating new norms as well as using personal judgement. The Shafite school tries to combine the more traditionalist schools with the more rationalist school. The Shafite school is the youngest of the four schools of law.

Posted by admin on June 25, 2004

Ganesha

One of the popular God's in Hinduism is Ganesha. Ganesha is one of Shiva’s sons and he has the head of an elephant. In the past seventy years Ganesha has become very popular, perhaps because of his association with overcoming obstacles, whether they be foreign rule, religious divisions, or economic and technological backwardness.

Posted by admin on June 24, 2004

Kalam

There are two tendencies which were particularly significant in laying the foundation of Kalam: the Qadariyya, “free-willers,” who held that man as well as God possesses qadar, the “capacity to act”; and the jabriyya, “predestinarians,” who insisted that God controls everything through his jabr, “compulsion.” Both these ways of thinking were indigenous to Islam. Other theological and philosophical models, while not without influence, were never determinative in the development of Kalam. Legend has it that the greatest school of early Kalam grew out of this dispute. This was the Mu’tazilla, those who “stand aloof” in a neutral position. They became the dominant school of Kalam in the Abbasid court of al-Ma’mun (AD 813-33) and for some time after. Calling themselves “the people of {the Divine} Justice and Unity,” they embraced reason as well as revelation, emphasized human free will for the sake of divine justice, insisted that the Qur’an was created in time (otherwise it would compromise God’s unity), and utterly rejected literal anthropomorphic characterizations of God.

Posted by admin on June 23, 2004

Christians in the Roman Empire

In the first 4 centuries Christians experienced severe persecution in the Roman empire. Historians reconstruct three waves of persecution. The first was around the year 64 under Nero. The second started at the time of the 1000 year celebration of the Roman empire (in the year 248), initiated by the emperor Decius and carried on by Valerian (253-260). The third wave of persecution was under the emperor Diocletian in the early 4th century. With the Edict of Tolerance under Galerius (311) and the Edict of Milan (313), Giving Christianity favored status, under Constantine (West Rome) and Licinius (East Rome) Christianity began to gain acceptance in the Roman empire. In 323 Constantine defeated Licinius and became emperor of the entire Roman Empire. This marks the beginning of the rise of Christianity. After another non-Christian emperor, Julian (361-363), Christianity became the undisputed dominant religion in the Roman empire by the end of the 4th century.

Posted by admin on June 22, 2004

Gabriel

Gabriel is an Angel that appereared to Daniel in the Bible (Dan. 8:16, 9:21). As the Angel of Annunciation he also appeared to the father of John the Baptst and and to Mary (Luke 1:11-38). Christian tradition makes him the archangel whose trumpet signals the last judgement (I Thess. 4:16). In Islam Gabriel (Jibril) is the angel who revealed the Qu’ran to Muhammad.

Posted by admin on June 21, 2004

Muhammad Abduh

Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905) was an Egyptian advocate of Islamic modernism. He was banished from Egypt by the British for fighting against the colonial authority. Besides trying to free the Muslims from colonial rule he was also concerned about reforming their religious beliefs. Commitment to science and participation in public life was in his view consistent with Islamic ideals and Islamic tradition. Muhammad Abduh argued for a sensitive exercise of individual judgment in matters of law, as opposed to the strict adherence to the sharia and he argued for more reliance on the Ijma, or community consensus, in determining legislative policy.

Posted by admin on June 18, 2004

Major World Religious Populations

Major World Religious Populations
Christianity: 2 billion
Islam: 1.3 billion
Hinduism: 900 million
Secular/Agnostic/Atheist: 850 million
Buddhism: 360 million
Chinese Traditional: 225 million
Primal-Indigenous: 190 million
Sikhism: 23 million
Yoruba (Africa): 20 million
Juche: 19 million
Spiritism: 14 million
Judaism: 14 million
Baha'i: 6 million
Jainism: 4 million
Shinto: 4 million
Neo-Paganism: 1 million
Unitarian-Universalism: 800 thousand
Rastafarianism: 700 thousand
Zoroastrianism: 150 thousand
- Source: adherents.com -

Posted by admin on June 17, 2004

Choirs of Angels

In Christian theology there are nine choirs of angels. From highest to lowest, they are: seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, virtues, powers, principalities, archangels, and angels.

Posted by admin on June 16, 2004

Guru Arjan Sahib

The Guru Arjan Sahib laid the foundation of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in the middle of the tank of Amritsar. All of the Sikhs desired that it should be the tallest building in the new town. Guru Arjan Dev however felt otherwise. He reminded his followers that humility should be a great virtue. The temple was therefore built on as low an elevation as possible. To counter the Muslim belief that God's House is in the west and the Hindu belief that it is in the east where the sun rises, the Harmandir Sahib had entrances on all four sides. Guru Arjan Dev exclaimed; "My faith is for the people of all castes and all creeds from whichever direction they come and to whichever direction they bow." To help raise money for these monumental public works projects, the Guru declared that all Sikhs should donate 1/10th of their earnings to charity. June 16th is Guru Arjan Sahib Day.

Posted by admin on June 15, 2004

Fasting

Members of the Baha’i faith believe that fasting is an important part of religious life, and every year the fast begins on March 2nd and ends at the spring equinox which is usually around the 21st March. The idea of fasting is not to cause pain or suffering but to free the person of bodily constraints allowing them to be able to concentrate on the spirit. The Baha’i fast is in remembrance of the messengers of God who become so occupied in delivering to the world messages from God that they had little time to feed the body.

Posted by admin on June 14, 2004

Guru Hargobind

Guru Hargobind fought a fierce battle against Mughal forces in December of 1634 in India. They did not want the Sikhs to settle in the town and build a Gurdwara. The Gurus forces were victorious although they were heavily outnumbered. After the battle Guru Hargobind showed his respect and tolerance of other religions by not only finishing the work on the Gurdwara but also ordered the building of a mosque for Muslims. Sikhs celebrate Guru Hargobind Day on the 11th of June this year.

Posted by admin on June 11, 2004

Two thieves

Although not named in the New Testament, tradition names the two thieves crucified at the same time as Jesus as Dismas and Gestas.

Posted by geros on June 10, 2004

Corpus Christi

June 10th is Corpus Christi, a festival of Roman Catholicism honoring the Holy Eucharist on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, but today often kept on the following Sunday. First promoted by Juliana of Liege (ca. 1230), the feast was promulgated by Urban IV in 1264 and became universal in the Western church in the following century.

Posted by geros on June 09, 2004

Akiba Ben Joseph

Akiba Ben Joseph was one of the most venerated sages of the period of the formation of the Talmud. He left an indelible imprint on the earliest codes of Jewish life, the Mishnah and Tosefta, as well as the Talmud and later codes.

Posted by geros on June 08, 2004

Master Kung

Master Kung, the founder of Confucianism lived in China in the years 551 – 479 B.C. He is a philosopher and teacher who created one of the major ethico-religious and social-political traditions of China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. The goal of life in Confucianism is to live in accord with Heaven. Heaven and man from Confucian view are not fundamentally separate; man living in accord with his virtuous nature is a man in relation to Heaven, the key to understanding the Confucian religious life.
When asked about death, Confucius replied that he knew nothing of life, how could he know about death. When asked about spirits he stated that one should respect them but keep them at a distance.

Posted by geros on June 07, 2004

All Saints day

June 6th 2004 is All Saints day in the Orthodox Church. This is a festival honoring all Christian Saints, known and unknown. It is universally observed in the Western church on November 1st since the ninth century. The eve (All Hallows Eve, or Halloween) is popularly observed with childrens' pranks. Eastern Orthodox Churches observe All Saints on the Sunday after Pentecost.

Posted by geros on June 04, 2004

The Bhagavadgita

The Bhagavadgita is probably the most popular book in Hinduism. The Bhagavadgita is a part of the Mahabarata (the great Epos), it consists of only 18 Chapters (chapters 25 - 42) in the 6th of 18 books of the Mahabarata. The Bhagavadgita is an interlude, in which Arjuna, a Pandava warrior, is about to go to the war with the Kauravas. Knowing that a lot of the Kauravas are his relatives he has doubts about whether he should go to war. In this moment Krishna appears to him and debates with him. These 18 chapters in which Arjuna and Krishna debate and Arjuna recognises Krishna's might became very popular as a summary of Hindu thought and morals.

Posted by geros on June 03, 2004

Athansius

Athansius (ca. 295-373) was Bishop of Alexandria. He is one of the most important theologians of the early Christian church. He fought to defend the council of Nicaea (325) and to include the Holy Spirit in the Trinity. In his life he was exiled 5 times and spent 17 years in exile.

Posted by geros on June 02, 2004

The Three Jewels

The Three Jewels or treasures of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. They are also called the Three Refugees, as each devotee seeks Refuge in these along his path to enlightenment. The Buddha is the Buddha who went and showed the path to enlightenment, the Dhamma is the teaching of the Buddha that guides one to enlightenment or the world-ordering principle as revealed by the Buddha and the Sangha is the community of Buddhists.

Posted by geros on June 01, 2004

Bede Griffiths

Bede Griffiths (1906 - 1994) was an English Benedictine monk who settled in India in 1955, where he deepened his own Christian spirituality and went on to become one of the great mystical teachers of our time. In India he assumed the dress and ascetic discipline of a Hindu holy man and established a Christian community, following the customs of the Hindu ashram. His thinking always remained rooted in Catholicism but his openness to the Hindu tradition made him known as an interreligious person.

Posted by geros on May 28, 2004

Allah Akbar

"Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, La Allah Il Allah, La Allah Il Allah U Mohammed Rassul Allah" is heard by more people than any other sound of the human voice. This is the prayer recited by muezzins from each of the four corners of the prayer tower as Moslems all over the world face toward Mecca and kneel at sunset. It means: "God is great. There is no God but God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God."

Posted by geros on May 27, 2004

Hui

Hui is the Chinese name for Umma. Before the establishment of the Peoples republic of China, Hui was a term used for all Muslims in China. In the Peoples Republic of China Hui is the name of the third largest of 56 officially recognized national minorities and the biggest of nine Muslim minorities in China. The Hui consists of about 9 million Muslims.

Posted by geros on May 26, 2004

Biblical Commandments

There are 613 Mitzvot (Commandments) in the Torah. These are divided into 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments, which are said to correspond to the 248 bones and 365 muscles of the human body (or 365 days of the solar year). Since no counts of the laws of the Torah yields exactly 613, various sets of rules have been set forth according to which the commandments are to be counted.

Posted by geros on May 25, 2004

Ananda

Ananda was - according to legend - the closest disciple to Buddha who loved Buddha very much and cried at his death. Later on he reached enlightenment and learned not to hold on to the person Buddha, but his teachings as only they lead to liberation. He became one of the most important founders of Buddhism.

Posted by geros on May 24, 2004

Declaration of the Bab

May 23rd is the day of the Declaration of the Bab. This holy day honours the day in 1844 on which the declaration by Sayyid Ali Muhammad was made that he is the “coming one”. He made the announcement in secret to Abdul Baha and four others, and also declared that there would be no other prophet for 1000 years.

Posted by geros on May 21, 2004

The Hagia Sophia

The most important ancient church building that still stands is the Hagia Sophia. The domed Basilica was built in 537 in Constantinopel (now Istanbul) in the Byzantine empire. It was converted into a mosque in 1453 and in the following years four Minarets were added. Since 1935 it has been a museum with much of its original mosaic work uncovered.

Posted by geros on April 20, 2004

Mahavir Jayanti

April 15th is Mahavir Jayanti, A holy day in Jainism honoring the birthday of Lord Mahavira, their founding father. He lived in the sixth Century BC in northern India, thus living in a similar time and area as Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. To Jainas Mahavira is the 24th and last in a series of enlightened teachers who have lived in the present cycle of cosmic history.

Posted by admin on April 16, 2004

Mahashivrati

The Mahashivrati (also known as Shivaratri) festival is a festival in Hinduism dedicated to the God Shiva. On this day Shiva’s temples are fully decorated and many devotees gather in worship of Shiva. On this day Shiva performed the Tandava, a dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction. According to different legends the day also marks Shiva’s first appearance as a pillar of fire, his marriage to Sati, the mother divine or the day he saved humankind by swallowing poison, that threatened to kill mankind. This year Mahashivatri is celebrated on February 19th.

Posted by geros on February 19, 2004

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