The Theosophical Glossary
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Adyar Pamphlets Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits No. 144 Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits by H.P
Adyar Pamphlets Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits No. 144 Theories About Reincarnation and Spirits by H.P. Blavatsky From The Path, November, 1886 Published in 1930 Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, Chennai [Madras] India The Theosophist Office, Adyar, Madras. India OVER and over again the abstruse and mooted question of Rebirth or Reincarnation has crept out during the first ten years of the Theosophical Society's existence. It has been alleged on prima facie evidence, that a notable discrepancy was found between statements made in Isis Unveiled, Volume I, pp. 351-2, and later teachings from the same pen and under the inspiration of the same Master.[ See charge and answer, in Theosophist. August 1882] In Isis it was held, reincarnation is denied. An occasional return, only of “depraved spirits" is allowed. ' Exclusive of that rare and doubtful possibility, Isis allows only three cases - abortion, very early death, and idiocy - in which reincarnation on this earth occurs." (“C. C. M." in Light, 1882.) The charge was answered then and there as every one who will turn to the Theosophist of August, 1882, can see for himself. Nevertheless, the answer either failed to satisfy some readers or passed unnoticed. Leaving aside the strangeness of the assertion that reincarnation - i.e., the serial and periodical rebirth of every individual monad from pralaya to pralaya - [The cycle of existence during the manvantara - period before and after the beginning and completion of which every such "Monad" is absorbed and reabsorbed in the ONE -
The Nature of Hellenistic Domestic Sculpture in Its Cultural and Spatial Contexts
THE NATURE OF HELLENISTIC DOMESTIC SCULPTURE IN ITS CULTURAL AND SPATIAL CONTEXTS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Craig I. Hardiman, B.Comm., B.A., M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 2005 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Dr. Mark D. Fullerton, Advisor Dr. Timothy J. McNiven _______________________________ Advisor Dr. Stephen V. Tracy Graduate Program in the History of Art Copyright by Craig I. Hardiman 2005 ABSTRACT This dissertation marks the first synthetic and contextual analysis of domestic sculpture for the whole of the Hellenistic period (323 BCE – 31 BCE). Prior to this study, Hellenistic domestic sculpture had been examined from a broadly literary perspective or had been the focus of smaller regional or site-specific studies. Rather than taking any one approach, this dissertation examines both the literary testimonia and the material record in order to develop as full a picture as possible for the location, function and meaning(s) of these pieces. The study begins with a reconsideration of the literary evidence. The testimonia deal chiefly with the residences of the Hellenistic kings and their conspicuous displays of wealth in the most public rooms in the home, namely courtyards and dining rooms. Following this, the material evidence from the Greek mainland and Asia Minor is considered. The general evidence supports the literary testimonia’s location for these sculptures. In addition, several individual examples offer insights into the sophistication of domestic decorative programs among the Greeks, something usually associated with the Romans. -
Folk Hinduism in West Bengal
1 Folk Hinduism in West Bengal In the rural areas of India, we see a variety of notions about the nature of gods and goddesses. They are not “high gods,” as we see in the pan-Indian brahmanical forms of Hinduism, but rather regional deities, intimately associated with villages and towns. Indeed, some would not be characterized as gods and goddesses by most people, for those supernatural entities given offerings and worship include ghosts, ancestors, water and plant essences, guardian spirits, and disease con- trollers. We see some overlap of tribal deities, the deities of non-Hindu or semi- Hindu villagers, with the village gods or gramadevatas of village Hinduism. These may be µeld or mountain spirits, or angry ghosts of women who died violent deaths. All of these may be seen in the large area of folk Hinduism. There is no sharp differentiation between the tribal deities, village deities, and gods and god- desses of brahmanical Hinduism. Rather than a polarity, we see a continuum, for these traditions worship many deities in common. Some themes that may be noted in the worship of folk gods and goddesses: Regionalism: These deities are associated with speciµc places, temples, µelds, and streams. The Kali of one village is not the same as the next village’s Kali. One Chandi gives good hunting, another Chandi cures disease. Goddesses are not pan-Indian; they are speciµc to a person’s tribal or caste group, ex- tended family, neighborhood, or village. Pragmatism: These deities are rarely worshiped in a spirit of pure and ab- stract devotion. -
The Mahāyana Sūtra the Distinctively Vast Previous Prayers of the Ārya
The Mahāyana Sūtra known as The Distinctively Vast Previous Prayers Of The Ārya Bhagavān Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā (The Medicine Buddha Sūtra) translation by Annie Bien Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā Full Title: In Indian language: ārya-bhagavān-bhaiṣajyaguru-vaiḍūrya-prabhasya-pūrva- praṇidhāna-viśeṣa-vistara-nāma-mahāyāna-sūtra In Tibetan language: 'phags pa bcom ldan 'das sman gyi bla bai dur ya'i 'od kyi sngon gyi smon lam gyi khyad par rgyas pa zhes bya ba theg pa chen po'i mdo In English: The Mahāyana Sūtra Known as The Distinctively Vast Previous Prayers of the Ārya Bhagavān Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā Degé Kangyur Toh 504, vol. 87 (rgyud da), folios 274a1–283b7 Translation by Annie Bien © 2018 Translation by Annie Bien 2 Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā Contents Summary 4 Acknowledgments 4 The Translation 5 Bibliography 19 Translation by Annie Bien 3 Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā Summary The Buddha has been traveling and arrives in Vaiśāli. He remains there to teach his sangha of monks, bodhisattvas, and multitude of sentient beings how to purify their karmic obscurations, safeguard their lives, and have a better rebirth through knowing the name of the Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā. Acknowledgments Thanks to my compassionate and kind teacher, Khyongla Rato Rinpoche for asking me to translate this sūtra for our class at the Tibet Center. This translation is also dedicated to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many thanks to my enthusiastic advisors, Paul Hackett and Geshe Dorji Damdul, and my dear husband for his help on the graphics, Paul Merwin. Translation by Annie Bien 4 Medicine Guru Vaidūryaprabhā The Translation Sanskrit homage: oṁ namaḥ sarvajñāya | namo bhagavatebhaiṣajyaguruvaidūryaprabharājāya tathāgatāya Om. -
Echoes of the Orient: the Writings of William Quan Judge
ECHOES ORIENTof the VOLUME I The Writings of William Quan Judge Echoes are heard in every age of and their fellow creatures — man and a timeless path that leads to divine beast — out of the thoughtless jog trot wisdom and to knowledge of our pur- of selfish everyday life.” To this end pose in the universal design. Today’s and until he died, Judge wrote about resurgent awareness of our physical the Way spoken of by the sages of old, and spiritual inter dependence on this its signposts and pitfalls, and its rel- grand evolutionary journey affirms evance to the practical affairs of daily those pioneering keynotes set forth in life. HPB called his journal “pure Bud- the writings of H. P. Blavatsky. Her dhi” (awakened insight). task was to re-present the broad This first volume of Echoes of the panorama of the “anciently universal Orient comprises about 170 articles Wisdom-Religion,” to show its under- from The Path magazine, chronologi- lying expression in the world’s myths, cally arranged and supplemented by legends, and spiritual traditions, and his popular “Occult Tales.” A glance to show its scientific basis — with at the contents pages will show the the overarching goal of furthering the wide range of subjects covered. Also cause of universal brotherhood. included are a well-documented 50- Some people, however, have page biography, numerous illustra- found her books diffi cult and ask for tions, photographs, and facsimiles, as something simpler. In the writings of well as a bibliography and index. William Q. Judge, one of the Theosophical Society’s co-founders with HPB and a close personal colleague, many have found a certain William Quan Judge (1851-1896) was human element which, though not born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated lacking in HPB’s works, is here more with his family to America in 1864. -
Haunting the Tradition of the Novel : Generic Double Play in Diasporic
HAUNTING THE TRADITION OF THE NOVEL: GENERIC DOUBLE PLAY IN DIASPORIC FICTION by Shan Qiang He B.A., Shanghai International Studies University, 1982 M.A., Shanghai International Studies University, 1985 M.A., Simon Fraser University, 1989 THESIS SUBMlTIED IN PARTIAL FULFLLLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF in the Department of English @ ShanQiang He SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY April 1995 All rights reserved This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. Approval Name: Shan Qiang He Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title of thesis: Haunting the Tradition of the Novel: Generic Double Play in Diasporic Fiction Examining Committee: Chair: Prof Paul Budra Prof Paul Delany Senior Supervisor Prof Samuel Wong Department of English Prof Paul Matthew St Pierre Department of English Prof Gail Faurschou School of Communication Faculty of Applied Sciences Prof Sneja Gunew External Examiner Department of English University of Victoria Date Approved: April 10, 1995 PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENSE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser Universi the right to lend my thesis, pro'ect or extended essay (the title oB which is shown below) to users o f' the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. I further agree that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is,understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. -
Buddhapada and the Bodhisattva Path
Contents List of Figures 7 Foreword 9 Michael Zimmermann and Steffen Döll Introduction 11 1 Seeing the Footprint 15 1.1 Introduction 15 1.2 Translation 17 1.3 The Nature of an Awakened One 20 1.4 The Different Footprints 23 1.5 Problems with Marks on the Footprint 27 1.6 The Thousand Spokes 30 1.7 The Wheel 36 1.8 Summary 41 2 A Vision of the Thirty-two Marks 43 2.1 Introduction 43 2.2 Translation 44 2.3 The Webbed Feet and the Protuberance 51 2.4 The Buddha’s Footprints on the Stairs from Heaven 55 2.5 The Buddha’s General Appearance 57 2.6 The Significance of the Thirty-two Marks 61 2.7 The Thirty-two Marks as Brahminical Lore 63 2.8 Summary 68 3 The Great Lineage of Buddhas 71 3.1 Introduction 71 3.2 Translation 75 3.3 Visual Elements in the Description of Vipaśyin 84 3.4 The Marks and dharmatā 87 3.5 The Birth of a Buddha 89 3.6 Seeing the Marks as a Means of Conversion 94 3.7 Seeing the Marks as a Means of Healing 100 3.8 Summary 101 4 The Karma of the Wheel-mark 103 4.1 Introduction 103 4.2 Translation 105 4.3 Assessing the Lakkhaṇa-sutta 106 4.4 Introducing the Karmic Perspective 110 4.5 The Marks in Their Karmic Setting 113 4.6 Aspiring to Be Endowed with the Marks 122 4.7 The Marks and Masculinity 128 4.8 Summary 134 Conclusion 137 Abbreviations 141 References 143 Index 171 List of Figures Figure 1: Fragment Description of Footprint 24 Figure 2: Different Footprints 25 Figure 3: Footprints with Wheel 39 Figure 4: Worshipping the Buddha’s Footprints 40 Figure 5: Buddha with Webbed Hand 53 Figure 6: The Buddha’s Descent from Heaven 56 Figure 7: Footprints with svastikas 62 Figure 8: The Buddha and His Six Predecessors 73 Figure 9: Baby Footprints 86 Figure 10: Footprint with Birds 99 Figure 11: Footprint-Wheels with many Spokes 104 Figure 12: Lion Capital 116 Figure 13: Wheel-marks on the Feet of a Seated Buddha 127 Foreword About Hamburg Buddhist Studies Ever since the birth of Buddhist Studies in Germany more than 100 years ago, Buddhism has enjoyed a prominent place in the study of Asian reli- gions. -
György Könczei1
DOI 10.31287/FT.en.2018.1.3. GYÖRGY KÖNCZEI1 NEW EXAMPLES AND APPROACHES IN METHODOLOGY FOR THE WRITING OF THE HISTORY OF DISABILITY 1. INTRODUCTION – THE CONTEXTUAL FRAMEWORK 1.1. Discard or hold in high esteem? A specific vantage point in research efforts in the context of the history of disability In this paper our scrutiny regarding the history of disability aims to undertake the reconstruction of patterns perceived in the context of both the acceptance and exclusion of persons with disability. The continuous revisiting of this topic, broken down to research-related questions formulated time and time again, is an essential ingredient of the research effort, due partly to the changing components perceived in the development of society, partly to new findings rooted in the nature of science in development. The primary focus of our paper is related to specific methodological issues in the context of the history of disability. 1.1.1. A social issue to provide the background to our research effort The social issue which necessitates the invocation of the history of disability as a vantage point to be provided – a background, as it were, to the whole concept of | S research – is the oppression of persons with disability in constantly changing forms at various epochs throughout the history of social as well as cultural development. PECIAL This spectacularly visible phenomenon justifies the need for scrutiny while providing a context for the everyday relevance of that issue. I ssE 1.1.2. Our research-related question U The focus, in a nutshell, -
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA BALAJI VANI Volume 5, Issue 4 April 2011
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA BALAJI VANI Volume 5, Issue 4 April 2011 HARI OM March 1st, Swamiji returned from India where he visited holy places and sister branch in Bangalore. And a fruitful trip to Maha Sarovar (West Kolkata) water to celebrate Mahashivatri here in our temple Sunnyvale. Shiva Abhishekham was performed every 3 hrs with milk, yogurt, sugar, juice and other Dravyas. The temple echoed with devotional chanting of Shiva Panchakshari Mantram, Om Namah Shivayah. During day long Pravachan Swamiji narrated 2 special stories. The first one was about Ganga, and why we pour water on top of Shiva Linga and the second one about Bhasmasura. King Sagar performed powerful Ashwamedha Yagna (Horse sacrifice) to prove his supremacy. Lord Indra, leader of the Demi Gods, fearful of the results of the yagna, stole the horse. He left the horse at the ashram of Kapila who was in deep meditation. King Sagar's 60,000 sons (born to Queen Sumati) and one son Asamanja (born to queen Keshini) were sent to search the horse. When they found the horse at Shri N. Swamiji performing Aarthi KapilaDeva's Ashram, they concluded he had stolen it and prepared to attack him. The noise disturbed the meditating Rishi/Sage VISAYA VINIVARTANTE NIRAHARASYA DEHINAH| KapilaDeva and he opened his eyes and cursed the sons of king sagara for their disrespect to such a great personality. Fire emanced RASAVARJAM RASO PY ASYA from their own bodies and they were burned to ashes instantly. Later PARAM DRSTVA NIVARTATE || king Sagar sent his Grandson Anshuman to retreive the horse. -
WND-CD Pop-Up Glossary
THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY acharya (Skt) An honorific title meaning teacher, conferred upon a priest who guides the conduct of disciples and serves as an example to them. Abbreviations: Skt = Sanskrit; Chin = Chinese; Kor = Korean; Jpn = Japanese; b. = born; d. = died; r. = reign; n.d. = no dates; c. = circa; fl. = flourished THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY acting administrator Hojo Yoshitoki (1163–1224), the second regent of the Kamakura government. THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY administrator of priests An official rank within the Buddhist priesthood.The administrator of priests as the highest-ranking official was general supervisor over the other priests and nuns. Later the system of ranking for priests became a matter of formalism, with such titles bestowing honor but indicating no specific function or position. THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY Agama sutras A generic term for the Hinayana sutras. THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY Ajatashatru A king of the state of Magadha in India. Incited by Devadatta, he killed his father, King Bimbisara, a follower of Shakyamuni, and ascended the throne to become the most influential ruler of his time. Later he contracted a terrible disease and, in remorse for his evil acts, converted to Buddhism and supported the First Buddhist Council for the compilation of Shakyamuni’s teachings. THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY Ajitavati See Hiranyavati. THE WRITINGS OF NICHIREN DAISHONIN POP-UP GLOSSARY alaya-consciousness Also called “storehouse consciousness.” The level of consciousness where the results of one’s actions (karma), good or evil, accumulate as karmic potentials or “seeds” that later produce the results of happiness or suffering. -
Yonas and Yavanas in Indian Literature Yonas and Yavanas in Indian Literature
YONAS AND YAVANAS IN INDIAN LITERATURE YONAS AND YAVANAS IN INDIAN LITERATURE KLAUS KARTTUNEN Studia Orientalia 116 YONAS AND YAVANAS IN INDIAN LITERATURE KLAUS KARTTUNEN Helsinki 2015 Yonas and Yavanas in Indian Literature Klaus Karttunen Studia Orientalia, vol. 116 Copyright © 2015 by the Finnish Oriental Society Editor Lotta Aunio Co-Editor Sari Nieminen Advisory Editorial Board Axel Fleisch (African Studies) Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (Arabic and Islamic Studies) Tapani Harviainen (Semitic Studies) Arvi Hurskainen (African Studies) Juha Janhunen (Altaic and East Asian Studies) Hannu Juusola (Middle Eastern and Semitic Studies) Klaus Karttunen (South Asian Studies) Kaj Öhrnberg (Arabic and Islamic Studies) Heikki Palva (Arabic Linguistics) Asko Parpola (South Asian Studies) Simo Parpola (Assyriology) Rein Raud (Japanese Studies) Saana Svärd (Assyriology) Jaana Toivari-Viitala (Egyptology) Typesetting Lotta Aunio ISSN 0039-3282 ISBN 978-951-9380-88-9 Juvenes Print – Suomen Yliopistopaino Oy Tampere 2015 CONTENTS PREFACE .......................................................................................................... XV PART I: REFERENCES IN TEXTS A. EPIC AND CLASSICAL SANSKRIT ..................................................................... 3 1. Epics ....................................................................................................................3 Mahābhārata .........................................................................................................3 Rāmāyaṇa ............................................................................................................25 -
Ganga As Perceived by Some Ganga Lovers Mother Ganga's Rights Are Our Rights
Ganga as Perceived by Some Ganga Lovers Mother Ganga’s Rights Are Our Rights Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati Nearly 500 million people depend every day on the Ganga and Her tributaries for life itself. Like the most loving of mothers, She has served us, nourished us and enabled us to grow as a people, without hesitation, without discrimination, without vacation for millennia. Regardless of what we have done to Her, the Ganga continues in Her steady fl ow, providing the waters that offer nourishment, livelihoods, faith and hope: the waters that represents the very life-blood of our nation. If one may think of the planet Earth as a body, its trees would be its lungs, its rivers would be its veins, and the Ganga would be its very soul. For pilgrims, Her course is a lure: From Gaumukh, where she emerges like a beacon of hope from icy glaciers, to the Prayag of Allahabad, where Mother Ganga stretches out Her glorious hands to become one with the Yamuna and Saraswati Rivers, to Ganga Sagar, where She fi nally merges with the ocean in a tender embrace. As all oceans unite together, Ganga’s reach stretches far beyond national borders. All are Her children. For perhaps a billion people, Mother Ganga is a living goddess who can elevate the soul to blissful union with the Divine. She provides benediction for infants, hope for worshipful adults, and the promise of liberation for the dying and deceased. Every year, millions come to bathe in Ganga’s waters as a holy act of worship: closing their eyes in deep prayer as they reverently enter the waters equated with Divinity itself.