Read About It…: Учебно-Методическое Пособие Для Сту

Home , List of superstitions

Федеральное агентство по образованию УДК 81.2 ББК 81.2Англ.я7 Омский государственный университет им. Ф.М. Достоевского R30

Рекомендовано к изданию редакционно-издательским советом ОмГУ

Рецензенты: ст. преподаватель каф. иностранных языков ОмГУ С.Р. Оленева; ст. преподаватель каф. иностранных языков ОмГУ, канд. пед. наук Ж.В. Лихачева

R30 Read about It…: Учебно-методическое пособие для сту-

дентов факультета «Теология и мировые культуры» / Сост.

М.Х. Рахимбергенова. – Омск: Изд-во ОмГУ, 2006. – 92 с.

ISBN 5-7779-0675-3

Пособие ставит своей целью развить навыки англоязычного об- READ ABOUT IT… щения, научить беседовать на различные темы, касающиеся религии. Включены аутентичные тексты современной зарубежной периоди- Учебно-методическое пособие ки, художественной литературы, сайтов Интернета, представляющие собой широкий спектр литературных произведений начиная с древ- (для студентов факультета «Теология и мировые культуры») неегипетских мифов и заканчивая историческим романом. Может быть использовано в первую очередь для самостоя- тельной работы, но не исключает работы в аудитории. Для студентов I, II курсов дневного и вечернего отделений фа- культета «Теология и мировые культуры». УДК 81.2 ББК 81.2Англ.я7

Изд-во Омск ISBN 5-7779-0675-3 © Омский госуниверситет, 2006 ОмГУ 2006

2 СОДЕРЖАНИЕ ПРЕДИСЛОВИЕ

Предисловие ...... 4 Данное учебно-методическое пособие предназначено для сту- Text I. Black Cats and Broken Mirrors...... 6 дентов факультета «Теология и мировые культуры», владеющих Text II. The Life of Buddha...... 11 достаточными навыками чтения на английском языке и желающих Text III. Creation Legend of Sun Worshippers ...... 21 самостоятельно совершенствовать свои знания. Text IV. Why I converted to ISLAM after September 11...... 29 Материалы пособия позволят выработать разнообразные на- выки и умения: Text V. Dying for Their Beliefs: Christian Scientist Parents on Trial in Girl’s Death...... 34 • чтение больших информационных блоков; • извлечение необходимой информации; Text VI. In Search of the Gods ...... 40 • поиск новых идей, определение приоритетов; Text VII. Death and the Judgment...... 45 • критическое осмысление фактов и разных точек зрения; Chapter 1...... 45 • коммуникативные навыки в различных видах речевой дея- Chapter 2...... 47 Chapter 3...... 50 тельности. Учебно-методическое пособие состоит из 10 текстов, рассчи- Text VIII. What Miracles Mean...... 56 танных на работу в течение трех семестров, каждый из которых со- Text IX. Nicholas and Alexandra ...... 66 держит как минимум два занятия по внеаудиторному чтению. Chapter 1...... 66 Тексты заимствованы из разнообразных источников, напри- Chapter 2...... 72 мер, из современной художественной литературы, антологии, за- Text X. Moving Out of a Storefront into a Temple, New Haven’s рубежных журналов, сайтов Интернета. Известно, что чтение со- Church of Scientology is Booming ...... 79 временной литературы помогает компенсировать отсутствие опыта Список использованной литературы...... 91 непосредственного общения с иностранцами, способствует разви- тию адекватного восприятия поведения иностранцев при встрече с ними, позволяет более высоко оценить уровень собственной куль- туры. Задания упражнений предназначены для детальной отработ- ки отдельных элементов текста: синонимии, многозначности слов, развития навыков устной речи. Задания к текстам дают возможность организовать дискуссию по данной теме, используя при этом лек- сику текста, стимулируют высказывания студентов. Поскольку пособие имеет специальную направленность, ре- лигиозная тематика занимает в нем особое место. Приоритетной направленностью является все же место человека в религии. Подбор текстов позволяет обсудить самые актуальные на се- годня темы: новые религиозные движения, так называемые культы и секты (Moving out of a storefront into a temple, New Haven’s Church of Scientology is booming), неконвенциональные методы лечения

3 4 молитвой (Dying for their beliefs: Christian Scientist Parents on trial TEXT I in girl’s death), предрассудки и суеверия (Black cats and broken mirrors), понятие чуда в религии (What miracles mean), современ- Read the text and do all the tasks given below. ные исследования в попытке найти останки поселений древних богов (In search of the Gods), обращение в ислам (Why I converted to BLACK CATS AND BROKEN MIRRORS ISLAM after September, 11). Рекомендуется при выборе текста учитывать текущую разго- Do you think that it is bad luck to walk under a ladder or break a ворную тему, изучаемую на аудиторных занятиях. Так, например, mirror? Do you think that black cats and the number 13 are unlucky? текст «The life of Buddha» следует соотнести с темой Buddhism, There are over one million superstitions, and most people believe at либо использовать в качестве урока на повторение этой темы и т. д. least one or two of them. Упражнения следует выполнять в представленной последо- Many people are superstitious about numbers. They think that вательности. there are lucky numbers and unlucky numbers. The number 13 is often considered unlucky. In some parts of the world, buildings have no 13th floor and streets have no houses with the number 13. In Japan, 4 is considered unlucky because in Japanese the word «four» is pronounced the same as the word «death.» Japanese never give gifts of four knives, four napkins, or four of anything. What are the lucky numbers? Seven is a lucky number in many places, and 8 is considered lucky in Japan and China. In China, businesses often open on August 8 (8-8), and many couples register to get married at eight past eight on August 8. Supersti- tions about numbers are so widespread that some people – called numerologists – make a living giving advice about numbers. In 1937, when the Toyoda family of Japan wanted to form a car company, they asked a numerologist if «Toyoda» would be a good name for the company. The numerologist said it would not be. He explained that «To- yoda» took ten strokes of the pen to write, and 10 was not a lucky number. «Toyota,» however, took eight strokes to write, and eight was a very lucky number. The numerologist recommended «Toyota» as a better name for the company. The family took his advice. As a result, millions of people drive «Toyotas» and not «Toyodas.» In addition to superstitions about numbers, there are many other kinds of superstitions. There are superstitions about eating, sleeping, sneezing, and itching. There are superstitions about animals and holidays and horseshoes. There are even superstitions about superstitions. Those superstitions tell people how to reverse bad luck. For example, in many parts of the world spilling salt is bad luck. Throwing salt, however, is good luck. So, people who spill salt throw a

5 6 little of the spilled salt over their left shoulder. Throwing the spilled salt 1. Which words have the same meaning as the words in the reverses the bad luck. When the Japanese bump heads, they immedi- reading selection? ately bump heads again. According to a Japanese superstition, the first 1. Superstitions about numbers are widespread. bump means their parents will die, but the second bump «erases» the a. found in many places b. believed only by children first bump. To reverse bad luck in general, people turn around three 2. The family took his advice. times, turn their pockets inside out, or put their hats on backwards. In a. did what he suggested b. asked for more information the United States, baseball players sometimes wear their caps back- 3. There are superstitions that reverse bad luck. wards when their team is losing. It looks silly, but the baseball players a. change bad luck to good luck b. give the bad luck to some- don’t mind if it helps them win the game. one else Because there are so many superstitions, it is not surprising that 4. If you spill salt, immediately throw a little of the spilled salt some of them are contradictory. In Germany, it is good luck when the over your left shoulder. left eye twitches and bad luck when the right eye twitches. In Malaysia, a. use too much salt b. pour out salt accidentally it is exactly the opposite: a twitching right eye means good luck, and a 5. It looks silly, but the baseball players don’t mind if it helps twitching left eye means bad luck. Accidentally putting on clothes in- them win the game. side out brings good luck in Pakistan but bad luck in Costa Rica. In a. that’s OK with the baseball players Chile, unmarried people won’t take the last piece of food on the plate b. the baseball players don’t like to think about it because it means they will never marry. In Thailand, unmarried people 6. Some superstitions are contradictory. In Germany, it is good take the last piece because it means they will marry someone good- luck when the left eye twitches. In Malaysia, it is bad luck when the left looking. eye twitches. Some superstitions have been with us for so long that they have a. are very old b. mean the opposite become customs. In many parts of the world it is polite to say «Health» 7. Putting clothes on inside out brings good luck in Pakistan. or «God bless you» when someone sneezes. People used to think that a. in the house, rather than outside the soul could escape from the body during a sneeze. They said «God b. with the inside parts on the outside bless you» to protect people from losing their souls. Today we no 8. People used to think that the soul could escape from the body longer believe that people who sneeze are in danger of losing their during a sneeze. souls, but we say «God bless you» anyway. We say it not because we a. enter b. leave are superstitious, but because we are polite. Even people who say they aren’t superstitious would probably 2. What information is not in the story? not intentionally walk under ladders and break mirrors. Almost every- 1. There are over one million superstitions. one is at least a little superstitious. One woman says that when she got 2. Children are usually not superstitious. married, her aunt gave her white bath towels. «Never buy purple tow- 3. Many people are superstitious about numbers. els,» her aunt said. «If you use purple towels, your marriage will end.» 4. Numerologists make a living giving people advice about num- Does the woman believe that superstition? «No, of course not,» she bers. says. «It’s silly.» Does she use purple towels? «Well, no,» she answers. 5. It is always a good idea to take a numerologist’s advice. «Why take chances?» 6. Some superstitions tell people how to reverse bad luck. 7. Some superstitions are contradictory. 8. Some superstitions have become customs.

7 8 9. People who use purple towels are silly. lem.» I did that, and I got every answer right. I thought, «This is my 10. Almost everyone is at least a little superstitious. lucky pencil.» But later I discovered that my pencil was lucky only sometimes. When I studied hard, my pencil helped me, but when I didn’t 3. Form small conversation groups. Ask the people in your study hard, it didn’t help me. group if they know any superstitions about: Now write about something you have that is lucky. 1. salt 9. crows 17. itching 25. dropping silverware 2. ladders 10. owls 18. ears ringing 26. chopsticks C. Has there ever been a time when you’ve had very good – or 3. mirrors 11. rabbits 19. eye twitching 27. dreams very bad – luck? Write about it. Here is what one student wrote: 4. broom 12. elephants 20. shivering 28. finding a coin 5. combs 13. horseshoes 21. whistling 29. opening an umbrella Last month I had a very unlucky day. I overslept in the morning 6. knives 14. garlic 22. cutting nails 30. weddings because I had forgotten to set my alarm clock. It was raining. On the 7. shoes 15. four-leaf clovers 23. taking photos 31. new year’s day way to the bus stop I fell and got wet. Then I missed the bus and was 8. black cats 16. hiccups 24. cooking 32. funeral procession late for my class. That night a friend of mine called me while I was cooking dinner. 4. Writing It was a long phone call, and I forgot about my dinner. When I finished talking to my friend, I went into the kitchen to check on my dinner. It A. Make a list of superstitions that some people in your country was burned. I thought, «I have only two hands and one head. I’m trying believe. Here is an example from a student from Panama: to do too much.» But later I thought, «I was just not lucky today.» 1. Always sleep with your feet facing the door of your room. 2. If you give your sweetheart a handkerchief or socks, you will Now write about a time when you had good luck or bad luck. argue. 3. If you want a visitor to leave, turn your broom upside down. 5. What information is not in the story? 4. If a young woman is sweeping the floor and the broom acci- • There are over one million superstitions. dentally touches her feet, she will marry a rich old man. • Children are usually not superstitious. 5. To protect yourself from evil spirits, wear your pajamas inside • Many people are superstitious about numbers. out. • Numerologists make a living giving people advice about numbers. Now make your list. • It is always a good idea to take a numerologist’s advice. B. Write about something you have that is lucky – a lucky num- • Some superstitions tell people how to reverse bad luck. ber or a lucky hat, for example. Why is it lucky? Can you remember a • Some superstitions are contradictory. time when it brought you good luck? Here is what one student wrote: • Some superstitions have become customs. • People who use purple towels are silly. When I was a high school student, I had a difficult mathematics • Almost everyone is at least a little superstitious. test one day. Before the test our teacher told us, «Use the same pencil you used when you studied last night. When you can’t solve a problem, hold the pencil tightly. If you do that, you will be able to solve the prob-

9 10 TEXT II become a Buddha, an Enlightened One, and he was sad because he would not be able to benefit from the superior wisdom of the Enlightened One Read the text and do all the tasks given below. owing to his prior death and rebirth in a Formless Plane. After seven days Queen Maya died, and her place as mother was THE LIFE OF BUDDHA taken by her sister, whose devotion and love became legendary. When the young prince was in his twelfth year, the king called Gautama Buddha, the historical Buddha, lived in northeast India the wise Brahmans in council. They revealed that Siddhartha would de- between 563 and 483 BC. As a bodhisattva he had passed through thou- vote himself to asceticism if he cast his eyes on age, sickness, or death– sands of existences before coming to Earth for his ultimate transmigra- and, if he were to meet a hermit. tion. This last lifetime he began as a son of the King of the Sakya, Wanting his son to be a universal monarch instead, the king sur- Suddhodana, who ruled at Kapilavastu on the border of Nepal, and was rounded the palace with a triple enclosure and guard and proclaimed born in a village called Lumbini into the warrior tribe called the Sakyas that the use of the words «death» and «grief» were forbidden. The most (from where he derived the title Sakyamuni, meaning «Sage of the beautiful princess in the land, Yasodhara, was found for his bride, and Sakyas»). after Siddhartha proved himself in many tournaments calling for According to ancient tradition, Queen Maya, his mother, first had strength and prowess, when he was 16, the two were wed. a dream of a beautiful white elephant coming down into her womb, and Siddhartha was kept amused and entertained for some time by this was interpreted as a sign that the Buddha, or a universal emperor, this privileged life behind the palace walls until one day his divine vo- was about to be born. When her time came, Queen Maya went into the cation awoke in him, and he decided to visit the nearby town. The king garden and gave painless birth to the bodhisattva. He immediately called for everything to be swept and decorated, and any ugly or sad walked, spoke, and was received by Brahma. sight to be removed. But these precautions were in vain for while Five days after his birth, the young prince received the name of Siddhartha was traveling through the streets, an old wrinkled man ap- Siddhartha. When his parents took him to the temple, the statues of the peared before him. In astonishment the young prince learned that de- gods prostrated themselves before him, great were the rejoicings of the crepitude is the fate of those who live life through. Still later he met an people over the birth of this illustrious prince. Also at this time a devout incurable invalid and then a funeral procession. Finally heaven placed old man named Asita came down from the Himalayas to meet the new- in his path an ascetic, a beggar, who told Siddhartha that he had left the born prince. An ascetic of high spiritual attainments, Asita was particu- world to pass beyond suffering and joy, to attain peace at heart. larly pleased to hear this happy news. Having been a tutor to the King, Confirmed in his meditation, all these experiences awakened in he visited the palace to see the royal baby. The king, who felt honoured Siddhartha the idea of abandoning his present life and embracing asceti- by his unexpected visit, carried the child up to him in order to make the cism. He opened his heart to his father and said, «Everything in the world child pay him due reverence. To the surprise of all, the child’s legs is changing and transitory. Let me go off alone like the religious beggar.» turned and rested on the matted locks of the ascetic. Grief-stricken at the idea of losing his son, the king doubled the Instantly, the ascetic rose from his seat and recognizing in the guard around the walls and increased the pleasures and distractions young child the 80 signs that are pledges to a highly religious vocation, within. And at this point, Yasodhara bore him a son whom he called and foreseeing with his supernormal vision the child’s future greatness, Rahula (meaning «chain» or «fetter»), a name that indicated Gautama’s saluted him with clasped hands. The Royal father did likewise. The great sense of dissatisfaction with his life of luxury, while the birth of his son ascetic smiled at first and then was sad. Questioned regarding his mingled evoked in him much tenderness. His apparent sense of dissatisfaction feelings, he answered that he smiled because the prince would eventually turned to disillusion when he saw three things from the window of his

11 12 palace, each of which represented different forms of human suffering: a night of meditation, which passed through various stages as the illumi- decrepit old man, a diseased man, and a corpse. Yet even this could not nation that Gautama had sought slowly welled up in his heart. He knew stop the troubling thoughts in his heart or close his eyes to the realiza- the exact condition of all beings and the causes of their rebirths. He saw tions of the impermanence of all life, and of the vanity and instability of beings live, die and transmigrate. In meditating on human pain, he was all objects of desire. enlightened about both its genesis and the means of destroying it. His mind made up, he awoke one night and, casting one last look In this first stage he saw each of his previous existences, and then at his wife and child, mounted his horse Kataka and rode off accompa- understood the chain of cause and effect. In the second he surveyed the nied by his equerry Chandaka. At the city gates Siddhartha turned over death and rebirth of all living beings and understood the law that gov- his horse to Chandaka, then he cut off his hair, gave up his sumptuous erns the cycle of birth and death. In the third he identified the Four No- robes, and entered a hermitage where the Brahmans accepted him as a ble Truths: the universality of suffering, the cause of suffering through disciple. Siddhartha had now and forever disappeared. He became the selfish desire, the solution to suffering and the way to overcome suffer- monk Gautama, or as he is still called, Sakyamuni, the ascetic of the ing. This final point is called the Noble Eightfold Path, this being eight Sakyas. steps consisting of wisdom (right views, right intention), ethics (right For many years Gautama studied the doctrines until, having felt speech, right action, right livelihood), mental discipline (right effort, the need to learn more elsewhere, he traveled and fasted. His two teach- right mindfulness, right concentration), which ultimately lead to libera- ers had showed him how to reach very deep states of meditation tion from the source of suffering. (samadhi). This did not, however, lead to a sense of true knowledge or When day came, Gautama had attained perfect illumination, and peace, and the practice of deep meditation was abandoned in favour of a had become a Buddha. The rays emanating from his body shone to the life of extreme asceticism which he shared with five companions. But boundaries of space. He stayed in meditation for seven more days, and again, after five or six years of self-mortification, Siddhartha felt he had then for four more weeks he stayed by the tree. Through his process of failed to achieve true insight and rejected such practices as dangerous enlightenment he discovered that all sentient beings in this universal life and useless. possess buddhahold, and all are future potential buddhas. Resolved to continue his quest, Siddharta made his way to a deer From that time he had two alternate paths: he could enter Nirvana park at Isipatana, near present day Benares. Here he sat beneath a tree immediately, or else he could stay and spread enlightenment. After meditating on death and rebirth. Discovering that excessive fasts de- Brahma came in person to beg him to preach the law, Buddha yielded stroy strength, he learned that as he had transcended earthly life, so and stayed on the earth. For many years he traveled and taught his wis- must he next transcend asceticism. Alone and weak, he sat beneath the dom about the force of love and the destruction of all desire. sacred Bodhi tree of wisdom, and swore to die before arising without Although initially hesitant to share his insight on the grounds that the wisdom he sought. humanity might not be ready for such a teaching, the Buddha decided to Mara, the demon, fearful of Gautama’s power, sent his three communicate his discovery to those willing to listen. His first converts beautiful daughters to distract him. When that failed, Mara sent an army were the five ascetics with whom he had lived when he himself fol- of devils to destroy him. Finally Mara attacked Gautama with a terrible lowed the lifestyle of the ascetic. To these he preached his first sermon weapon capable of cleaving a mountain. But all this was useless, and in the Deer Park at Benares, outlining to them the Four Noble Truths. the motionless monk sat in meditation. Out of this small group the community of monks (or Sangha) grew to It was here that Siddharta attained a knowledge of the way things about 60 in size and came to include Buddha’s cousin, Ananda, and his really are; it was through this knowledge that he acquired the title Bud- son, Rahula. Later the Buddha was persuaded by his stepmother and dha (meaning «awakened one»). This awakening was achieved during a cousin to accept women into the sangha.

13 14 feel old. He visited all of the monasteries he had founded and prepared to meet his end. Before the Buddha’s death, he became severely sick. He jour- neyed northwest to the banks of the river Hiranyavati, walking with his disciples, and ate the food offered by a blacksmith. His illness had pro- gresses, and at the end, he came to the river and took a bath. Then he made a rope bed among eight sal trees, with each direction having two. He lay down on his side, right hand supporting his head, the other rest- ing on his body. All later reclining Buddhas (called Buddha’s Nirvana) are in the same posture. The Buddha’s disciples kept watch on him after they were told

the Buddha was going to nirvana. At night, a scholar of Brahman went The remaining 45 years of the Buddha’s life were spent journey- to see the Buddha, but was stopped by the Buddha’s disciple Ananda. ing around the plain of the Ganges, teaching and receiving visitors. Hearing this, the Buddha called the scholar Subhadda to his bed and «There are two extremes which are to be avoided: a life of pleas- spoke him. Thus the scholar became the Buddha’s last disciple. The ure – this is low and ignoble, unworthy and useless, and runs counter to final exhortation of the Buddha to his disciples was that they should not the affairs of the spirit; and a life of fasting – this is sad, unworthy and be sorry for losing their tutor. useless. Perfection has kept its distance from these two extremes, and Growing weaker, he spoke one last time: «Do not say we have no has found the middle way which leads to repose, knowledge, illumina- master now. The doctrine I have preached will be your master when I tion, and Nirvana. So here is the sacred truth about pain: birth, old age, have disappeared. Listen, I beg you: ALL CREATIONS ARE IMPER- sickness, death, and separation from that which one loves, are pain. And MANENT; work diligently for your liberation.» this is the origin of pain: it is thirst for pleasure, thirst for existence, Having pronounced these final words, Buddha went into the thirst for impermanence. And here is the truth about the suppression of jhana stages, or meditative absorptions. Going from level to level, one pain: it is the extinction of that thirst by the destruction of desire. after the other, ever deeper and deeper, he reached ecstacy. Then he «Charity, knowledge and virtue are possessions that cannot be came out of the meditative absorption for the last time and passed into lost. To do a little good is worth more than accomplishing works of a nirvana, leaving nothing whatever behind that can cause rebirth again in difficult nature. The perfect man is nothing unless he pours out kindness this or any other world and finally passed into Nirvana. on his fellow creatures, unless he consoles the abandoned. My doctrine After his death, Buddha’s remains were cremated, as became the is a doctrine of mercy. The way of salvation is open to all. Destroy your Buddhist tradition. The passing away, or the final nirvana, of the Bud- passions as the elephant would trample down a reed hut. But I would dha occurred in 483 BC on a full moon day in the month of May, have you know that it is a mistaken idea to believe that one can escape known in the Indian calendar as Wesak. from one’s passions by taking shelter in hermitages. The only remedy • You know that the story of Buddha was written in Sanscrit against evil is healthy reality.» (ancient language of India). Here you are given some glossary of the And so Buddha travelled and preached. He performed many Sanscrit names (from GLOSSARY of Esoteric Words and Phrases). miracles, and converted his family and many followers. During his life Gautama – Гаутама the Buddha had taught that no one was to succeed him as leader of the Sakya or Sakyamuni – Сакья / Сакьямуни Sangha. Instead, his followers were to take his teaching and rule as their Suddhodana – Шуддходана sole guides. By the time he reached the age of 80, Sakyamuni began to Kapilavastu – Капилавасту

15 16 Siddhartha – Сиддхартха Wesak: a festival which occurs at the Taurus full moon every year, Isipatana – Исипатана (место, посещаемое провидцами) celebrating the birth of the Buddha, and where the Hierarchy gather to Mara – Мара (бог смерти) receive newly released forces to the planet. A time for Initiation. Ganges – р. Ганг Subhadda: last person to be accepted into the Buddha’s Order. Subhadda – Субхадда Shakya: name of Siddhartha’s clan. Bodhisattva (Бодхисаттва): its earliest definition is a being seek- Lumbini: the garden where the Buddha was born; near the an- ing Buddhahood. Later in comes to mean a being destined for Buddha- cient city of Kapilavastu. hood who defers personal Enlightenment in order to help other sentient being on the path. In our story we refer to the Buddha as «Siddhartha» 1. You can see that some terms are explained in the text. Read when he is a prince, «Bodhisattva» when he decides to pursue the path to the text again and try to find the definitions to the following words. Enlightenment, and «Buddha» once he as attained Enlightenment. Liter- • Asita (Азита); ally, «He whose consciousness has become intelligence or buddhi.» • Yasodhara (Яшодхара); Those who need but one more life to become perfect buddhas. Name of • Kataka (Катака); office Lord Maitreya, known in the west as the Christ. The World • Rahula (Рахула); Teacher is the Master of Masters and teacher of angels and humanity. • Chandaka (Чандака); Brahma (Бра(х)мa): the third aspect of the Hindu trinity – Siva • Samadhi; (father / ray 1 – will), Krishna (son / ray 2 – love) and Brahma (mother / • Bodhi tree; ray 3 – intelligence). • Sangha (Сангха); Buddha: one who is «enlightened» and has attained the highest • Ananda; degree of knowledge possible for humanity in this solar system. Last • Hiranyavati. Avatar of the age of Aries. Previous World Teacher who historically 2. Look through the text and give the synonyms to the following manifested through the Prince Gautama around 500 BC. The Embodi- words. ment of Wisdom, he currently acts as the «Divine Intermediary» be- 1. sculpture 7. feedleness 13. exceed 19. opposite tween Shamballa and Hierarchy. 2. hermit 8. reincarnation 14. frightened 20. calmness Dharma: that which one must fulfil as an incarnate Being. One’s 3. religious 9. old and weak 15. inspiration 21. sermon duty as an understanding of the Law. Divine law, ethical doctrine – jus- 4. achievement 10. disabled 16. catholicity 22. particular role tice, harmony, virtue. 5. respect 11. stop 17. maintenance 23. happiness and Karma: the Law of Cause and Effect. Physical action. The Law 6. promise 12. temporary 18. shameful peace of Retribution. Karma of merit / demerit. The whole universe is condi- tioned by this law. Moral effect of an act committed which gratifies per- Learn them by heart. sonal desire. 3. Answer the following questions using the words from exer- Nirvana: the Way into new fields of spiritual experience and of cise 2. divine development – incomprehensible as of yet, even to the initiate of 1. What is mythological at the very beginning of the story? the third degree; this Way is revealed only when the antahkarana is built 2. What do we know about Gautama Buddha? and completed and the disciple becomes focussed in the Triad as con- 3. What old man from Himalayas visited the King? sciously as he / she is now focussed in the threefold lower nature; the 4. What 80 signs did he recognize? culmination of all knowledge and absolute wisdom.

17 18 5. Why did the king surround the palace with a triple enclosure дала еще одна встреча – с монахом, лицо которого было спокой- and forbid the use of the words «death» and «grief»? ным и умиротворенным, и тогда Сиддхартха понял, что должен 6. Why were these precautions in vain? найти путь, который помог бы избавить людей от страданий. 7. What does the name Rahula mean and what did it indicate? C вопросом в сердце он тайно покинул королевский дворец и 8. How did he become the monk Gautama? полностью посвятил себя жизни отшельника. 9. Why was the practice of deep meditation abandoned by Но тщетно искал он ответа на мучившие его вопросы у вели- Siddharta? ких наставников того времени. Тщетны были огромные лишения и 10. Did Mara help Gautama when he sat beneath the sacred Bo- жертвы, которые он добровольно перенес. Единственным их ре- dhi tree of wisdom? What did the devil do? зультатом стало лишь крайнее истощение тела. Спасла его неожи- 11. How did it happen that Gautama acquired the title Buddha? данная помощь дочери пастуха, девушки Суджаты, которая со всей 12. What did he identify in the third stage? скромностью предложила Сиддхартхе здоровую пищу, вернувшую 13. What were Buddha’s initial doubts about and what was his его к жизни. В тот момент он понял, что никакая крайность не мо- decision? жет быть полезна: ни чрезмерное самоограничение, ни неумерен- 14. What two extremes did Buddha mention and why must they ные наслаждения не приведут к прекращению страданий, не при- be avoided? ведут к Освобождению. Лишь золотая середина, срединный путь 15. What did he say about being the perfect man? согласуется с Законом. 16. What was Buddha’s last exhortation before he reached the Под сенью дерева Бодхи, или Древа Мудрости, он получил highest spiritual state? Просветление, которое навсегда освободило его от уз рождения, 17. What does the term Wesak mean? старости, болезни и смерти. Случилось это, когда Сиддхартхе было 35 лет. VI. Translate from Russian into English using the studied В возрасте 80 лет Будда ушел из жизни. Причиной его смер- above. ти послужила трапеза у бедного кузнеца Чунды, во время которой Более 25 веков назад в одном из маленьких государств на се- Будда, зная, что бедняк собирается потчевать своих гостей несве- веро-востоке Индии у царя Шуддходаны и его жены Майи после жим мясом, попросил отдать все мясо ему. Не желая, чтобы по- долгого ожидания родился сын Сиддхартха. Его родовое имя было страдали спутники, Будда съел его. Гаутама. Принц жил в роскоши, не ведая забот, со временем завел Мнения традиции и современных ученых относительно вре- семью и, вероятно, сменил бы на троне своего отца, если бы судьба мени жизни Будды расходятся. По мнению востоковедов, Будда не распорядилась иначе. жил приблизительно между 560 и 480 гг. до н. э., традиция же го- Несмотря на усилия отца, который всячески старался отвлечь ворит о том, что Учитель жил между 624/21 и 544/43 гг. до н. э. сына от философских размышлений, боги, согласно легенде, сде- лали так, чтобы принц с течением времени понял, в чем заключа- ется смысл его жизни. Однажды, гуляя по цветущим королевским садам, он столк- нулся сначала со стариком, затем с больным, и в довершение всего увидел мертвеца. Когда Гаутама узнал, что ни один человек на све- те не может избежать этих трех великих бед – старости, болезни и смерти, – его страдание было неописуемым. Но Сиддхартху ожи-

19 20 TEXT III formed the vault, which is arched over Geb, the god of earth, who lies prostrate beneath her from where, at the eastern horizon, she is poised Read the text and do all the tasks given below. on her toes to where, at the western horizon, bending down with out- stretched arms, she rests on her fingertips. In the darkness are seen the CREATION LEGEND OF SUN WORSHIPPERS stars that sparkle on her body and over her great unwearied limbs. When Ra, according to his wish, uttered the deep thoughts of his The myths from which this chapter has been constructed date mind, that which he named had being. When he gazed into space, that from the New Kingdom period, especially the Nineteenth and Twenti- which he desired to see appeared before him. He created all the things eth Dynasties (1552–1701 BC). Ra is the first human god (the pharaoh), that move in the waters and on the dry land. Now, mankind were born then a world god like Ptah in his giant form and lastly a cosmic deity. from his eye, and Ra, the Creator, who was ruler of the gods, became The priests were evidently engaged in systematising the theology of the the first king on earth. He went about among people. He took a form sun cult. Ra, the sun, is shown to be greater than his father, Nu, and a like theirs, and to him the centuries were as years. concession is made to the worshippers of Isis in the legend, which cred- Ra had many names that were not known to gods or men, and he its Ra with imparting to her the power she possessed. Horus is given had one secret name that gave him his divine power. The goddess Isis, recognition. He acquires the «eyes» of Ra (the sun and moon). Thoth who dwelt in the world as a woman, grew weary of the ways of man- also, as Ah, has control of the moon. The result of the compromising kind. She sought rather to be among the mighty gods. She was an en- process was to leave everything vague and even confused, but the chantress, and she wished greatly to have power equal with Ra in the greatness of Ra was made manifest. heavens and on the earth. In her heart, therefore, she yearned to know At the beginning the world was a waste of water called Mi, and it the secret name of the ruling god, which was hidden in his heart and was the home of the Great Father. He was Nu, for he was the deep, and was never spoken aloud. he gave life to the sun god who said: «Lo! I am Khepera at dawn, Ra at Each day Ra walked out, and the gods in his train followed him, high noon and Atum at eventide.» The god of brightness first appeared and he sat on his throne and uttered decrees. He had grown old, and as as a shining egg that floated on the water’s breast, and the spirits of the he spoke, moisture dripped from his mouth and fell on the ground. Isis deep, who were the Fathers and the Mothers, were with him there, as he followed him, and when she found his saliva she baked it with the earth was with Nu, for they were the companions of Nu. on which it lay. She shaped the substance into the form of a spear, and it Now Ra was greater than Nu, from whom he arose. He was the became a poisonous serpent. She lifted it up; she threw it from her, and divine father and strong ruler of gods, and those whom he first created, it lay on the path along which Ra would travel when he went up and according to his wish, were Shu, the wind god, and his consort, Tefnut, down his kingdom, surveying what he had made. Now the serpent that who had the head of a lioness and was called The Spitter because she Isis had created was invisible to both gods and men. sent the rain. In afterlife these two deities shone as stars amidst the con- Soon there came a day when Ra, the aged god, walked along the stellations of heaven and were called The Twins. path, followed by his companions. He came near to the serpent, which Then Geb, the earth god, came into being and Nut, the goddess of was waiting for him, and the serpent stung him. The burning venom the firmament, who became the parents of Osiris and his consort, Isis, entered his body, and Ra was stricken with great pain. A loud and and also of Seth and his consort, Nepthys. mighty cry broke from his lips, and it was heard in highest heaven. Ra spoke at the beginning of Creation, and ordered the earth and Then the gods who were with him spoke, saying, «What has hap- the heavens to rise out of the waste of water. In the brightness of his pened to you?» and «What thing is this?» majesty they appeared, and Shu, the uplifter, raised Nut on high. She

21 22 Ra did not answer. He shook, and all his body trembled and his Isis spoke to the divine father and said: «You must, even now, teeth chattered, for the venom overflowed in his flesh as the Nile does reveal your secret name to me, for, truly, you can be delivered from when it floods the land of Egypt. But at length he controlled himself your pain and distress by the power of your name.» and subdued his heart and the fears of his heart. He spoke, and his Ra heard her in sorrow. Then he said: words were: «I have created the heavens and the earth. Lo! I have even framed «Gather about me, you who are my children, so that I may make the earth, and the mountains are the work of my hands. I made the sea, known the dreadful thing that has happened to me. I am struck with and I cause the Nile to flood the land of Egypt. I am the Great Father of great pain by something I know not of ... by something that I cannot the gods and the goddesses. I gave life to them. I created every living see. Of that I have knowledge in my heart, for I have not done myself thing that moves on the dry land and in the sea depths. When I open my an injury with my own hand. Lo! I am without power to make known eyes there is light. When I close them there is thick darkness. My secret who has struck me so. Never before has such sorrow and pain been name is not known to the gods. I am Khepera at dawn, Ra at high noon mine.» and Atum at eventide.» He spoke further, saying: «I am a god and the son of a god. I am So spoke the divine father, but mighty and magic as were his the Mighty One, son of the Mighty One. Nu, my father, conceived my words, they brought him no relief .The poison still burned in his flesh secret name, which gives me power, and he concealed it in my heart so and his body trembled. He seemed ready to die. that no magician might ever know it and, knowing it, be given power to Isis, the enchantress, heard him, but there was no sorrow in her work evil against me.» heart. She wished above all other things to share the power of Ra, and «As I went about even now, observing the world that I have cre- to achieve this she must have revealed to her the sacred name that Nu ated, a malignant thing bit me. It is not fire, yet it burns in my flesh; it is had devised and uttered at the beginning. So she spoke to Ra, saying: not water, yet cold is my body and my limbs tremble. Hear me now! «Divine father, you have not yet spoken your name of power. If you My command is that all my children be brought near to me so that they shall reveal it to me I will have strength to give you healing.» may pronounce words of power that shall be felt on earth and in the Hotter than fire burned the venom in the heart of Ra. Like raging heavens.» flames it consumed his flesh, and he suffered fierce agony. Isis waited, All the children of Ra were brought to him, as was his wish. Isis, and at length the Great Father spoke in majesty and said: «It is my will the enchantress, came in their midst, and they all sorrowed greatly, ex- that Isis be given my secret name and that it leave my heart and enter cept her. She spoke mighty words, for she could utter charms to subdue hers.» pain and to give life to that from which life had departed. She spoke to When he had spoken thus, Ra vanished from before the eyes of Ra, saying: the gods. The sun boat was empty, and there was thick darkness. Isis «What ails you, holy father? You have been bitten by a serpent, waited, and when the secret name of the divine father was about to leave one of the creatures that you created. I shall weave spells. I shall defeat his heart and pass into her own, she spoke to Horus her son and said: your enemy with magic. Lo! I shall overwhelm the serpent utterly in the «Now, compel the ruling god, by a mighty spell, also to yield up brightness of your glory.» his eyes, which are the sun and the moon.» He answered her, saying: «A malignant thing bit me. It is not fire, Isis then received in her heart the secret name of Ra, and the yet it burns my flesh. It is not water, yet cold is my body, and my limbs mighty enchantress said: tremble. My eyes also have grown dim. Drops of sweat fall from my «Depart, O venom, from Ra. Come out from his heart and from face.» his flesh; flow out, shining from his mouth.... I have worked the spell.... Lo! I have overcome the serpent and caused the venom to be spilled on

23 24 the ground, because the secret name of the divine father has been given Then spoke Nu, god of primeval waters, and he said: «Hear me to me. ... Now let Ra live, for the venom has perished.» now, O my son. You who are mightier far than I, although I gave you So the god was made whole. The venom departed from his body, life. Steadfast is your throne; great is the fear of you among men. Let and there was no longer pain in his heart or any sorrow. your eye go forth against those who are rebels in the kingdom.» As Ra grew old ruling over men, there were those among his sub- Ra said: «Now do men seek to escape among the hills. They jects who spoke disdainfully about him, saying: «Old, indeed, is King tremble because of the words they have uttered.» Ra, for now his bones are silver and his flesh is turned to gold, although The gods spoke together, saying: «Let your eye go forth against his hair is still true lapis lazuli [dark].» those who are rebels in the kingdom and it shall destroy them utterly. To Ra came knowledge of the words that were spoken about him, When it comes down from heaven as Hathor**, no human eye can be and there was much anger in his heart, because there were rebellious raised against it.» sayings on the lips of men and because they sought also to kill him. He Ra heard and, as was his will, his eye went forth as Hathor spoke to his divine followers and said: against mankind among the mountains, and they were speedily slain. «Bring before me the god Shu and the goddess Tefnut, the god The goddess rejoiced in her work and drove over the land, so that for Geb and his consort, Nut, and the fathers and mothers who were with many nights she waded in blood. me at the beginning when I was in Nu. Bring Nu before me also. Let Then Ra repented. His fierce anger passed, and he sought to save them all come in secret, so that men may not see them and, afraid, take the remnant of mankind. He sent messengers, who ran swifter than the sudden flight. Let all the gods assemble in my great temple at Heliopo- storm wind, to Elephantine***, so that they might speedily obtain many lis*.» plants of virtue. These they brought back, and they were well ground The gods assembled as Ra wished, and they bowed before him. and steeped with barley in vessels filled with the blood of mankind. So Then they said: was beer made and seven thousand jars were filled with it. «Speak what you wish to say and we will hear.» Day dawned and Hathor went upstream slaughtering mankind. Ra He addressed the gods, saying: surveyed the jars and said: «Now shall I give men protection. It is my «O Nu, you, the eldest god, from whom I had my being, and you, will that Hathor may slay them no longer.» ancestral gods, hear and know now that rebellious words are spoken Then the god commanded that the jars should be carried to the against me by mankind, whom I created. Lo! They seek even to kill me. place where the vengeful goddess rested for the night after that day of It is my desire that you should instruct me what you would do in this slaughter. The jars were emptied out as was his wish, and the land was matter. Consider well among yourselves and guide me with wisdom. I covered with the flood. have hesitated to punish mankind until I have heard from your lips what When Hathor awoke her heart was made glad. She stooped down should now be done regarding them. and she saw her beautiful face mirrored in the flood. Then she began to «For Lo! I wish in my heart to destroy utterly that which I did drink eagerly, and she was made drunk so that she went to and fro over create. All the world will become a waste of water through a great the land nor took any heed of mankind. flood, as it was at the beginning, and I alone shall be left remaining, Ra spoke to her, saying: «Beautiful goddess, return to me in with no one else beside me except Osiris and his son Horus. I shall be- peace.» come a small serpent, invisible to the gods. To Osiris will be given ______power to reign over the dead, and Horus will be exalted on the throne * Heliopolis – now a suburb of Cairo, but once a great centre of that is set on the island of fiery flames.» Egyptian religion, seat of the cult of the sun-god Ra.

25 26 ** Hathor – in Egyptian mythology, a major goddess, the Lady of 5. Find the best way to complete each sentence. Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. *** Elephantine – a site of the southern tip of Elephantine Island, 1. Some deities continue to a) Thus Thoth has control of the in the Nile of Upper Egypt. exist in afterlife in different moon, the Spitter sent the rain and forms. Nut was the goddess of the firma- 1. Give the Russian equivalents to the following words. Learn ment. them by heart. 2. Gods had many unknown e) Usually they were malignant to men names hidden in the and wanted to have total power in 1. firmament 6. constellation 11. invisible 16. exalt heart. the heavens and on the earth. 2. divine 7. mankind 12. heaven 17. rebels 3. Things are supposed to be b) For example, myth says that 3. spirit 8. enchantress 13. serpent 18. wisdom created by gods. mankind was born from Ra’s eye. 4. deity 9. kingdom 14. malignant 19. remnant 4. Between goddesses there c) For example, some of them 5. virtue 10. protection 15. slaughter 20. slay were enchantresses. shine as stars of the constellation. 5. Gods were closely associ- d) This gave them divine power. 2. Give the English equivalents to the following words. ated with nature.

1. фараон 5. рассвет 9. плоть 13. разрушать 6. Answer the following questions. Use the words given above. 2. и вот! 6. закат 10. утаивать 14. раскаиваться 1. What time did this myth originate? 3. бездна 7. могучий 11. сомневаться 15. воля 2. Can you describe the personality of Ra? 4. супруг(а) 8. жало 12. наказывать 3. Why did Ra have many names? 4. What kind of goddesses was Isis? 3. Match the adjectives with the suitable noun. Translate. 5. What was her famous desire? 6. What did she do to reach her goal? 1. cosmic a) serpent 7. What caused Ra’s sufferings? 2. sun b) god 8. Why did Ra let secret name enter Isis’ heart? 3. divine c) thing 9. Why did Ra invite Nu and other gods and goddesses in secret? 4. eastern d) temple 10. What decision was made by gods? 5. poisonous e) father 11. Why did Hathor rejoice? 6. highest f) cult 12. Was the whole mankind slaughtered? 7. malignant g) deity 8. great h) horizon 9. mighty i) heaven

4. Look through the text and choose all the gods’ and goddesses’ names. Explain their hierarchy or relations between them.

27 28 TEXT IV Reem asked me to repeat my testimony: La ilaha il Allah. Mu- hammad – ur Rasool’ Allah. «There is no god but God, and Muhammad Read the text and do all the tasks given below. is his messenger». I said the words three times, smiling from ear to ear. I had just accepted Islam. WHY I CONVERTED TO ISLAM AFTER SEPTEMBER 11 I had started thinking seriously about converting the previous (as told to KAREN DUKESS) summer. And then, September 11 happened. That morning, I was doing volunteer work for an attorney in a New York office. We watched on a little black and white television as the World Trade Center collapsed. Before the attacks, Jean-Michelle The attorney said, «We should bomb everyone, the whole Arab world.» Ajon was just an American Catholic with I was shocked that she could say such a thing. an interest in a new religion. Today, she What the terrorists did was awful and wrong. But people grapples with her new life as a Muslim – shouldn’t blame the religion for the terrorism. The Koran, the holy book and explains her controversial decision of Islam, states that killing is a sin. What the terrorists did in the name to convert. of Islam was a misrepresentation of the religion. Hearing people blame it – instead of them – made me determined to stand up for my new faith. On October 28, 2001, six weeks On the day I recited my oaths, the director of the mosque, the Is- after Islamic terrorists attacked the World lamic Center of Long Island, commended me for my courage in accept- Trade Center and Pentagon, I stood in- ing the religion at a time of such strong anti-Islamic sentiment. I hadn’t side a mosque in Westbury, NY, for the converted to show my bravery, but his words reminded me that it was a first time. I sat in the back and watched men and women stand and big thing to do at the moment. kneel in unison as they silently prayed. The room was beautiful, open, and airy. A green carpet covered the floor, except for one aisle in the «IN THE MOSQUE, I FEEL AT PEACE» middle, which separated the men from the women. There is nothing Middle Eastern about my heritage. I am 31 years When the prayers ended, people started murmuring and looking old and was born and raised a Catholic in Queens, NY. As a child, I at me. Word had gotten around that I was going to «take shahada» – went to Catholic school and attended mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It recite the testimony that would officially make me a Muslim. was vast and beautiful, but totally impersonal. I’d always felt like there A young woman named Reem led me to a microphone. Cameras was a lot of God flowing through my life, but in church, people seemed started flashing. I hadn’t known that shahada would be so public. My to be going through the motions without any real connection to Him. clothes-sneakers, an old pair of Banana Republic pants, and a fleece After high school, I began to look into other religions, but noth- sweatshirt – suddenly seemed inappropriate. At least my hair was cov- ing really inspired me until two years ago, during a conversation I had ered by a hijab, the head covering Muslim women must wear. When I’d while working at a financial-services firm in Manhattan. I asked a Mus- arrived at the mosque, a group of women had wrapped it arround my lim coworker about his religion over lunch. As he talked about Islam, I head and tied it at my neck. A lot of people think making women wear a realized that everything he was saying meshed with my own beliefs. head covering suppresses us, but I think it’s liberating. It takes courage In the Catholic schools I used to attend, the nuns and priests were to wear one – to know you are beautiful, even with your hair covered. bitter, angry people. They never seemed like representatives of God. On that day, I began to truly feel part of the community. But in Islam, there is no one between you and God. Also, I liked the fact that in Islam, you totally run your life according to religion. It

29 30 makes you aware of what you eat and how you dress. Islam felt natural My conversion has been hardest on my mother. One day, shortly to me. It was like a good friend with whom I had a lot in common. after I took shahada, my mother saw a book I was carrying, «Under- I used to be very aggressive. Now, I am more patient – and spiri- standing Islam», and started yelling, «What do you need that for? It tually fulfilled. Muslims pray five times a day. I strive for that, but it’s goes against everything I believe.» In Islam, you’re not supposed to ar- difficult in America, because our busy schedules don’t allow much time gue with your parents, so I just told her, «Mom, this is natural to me.» for religion. I usually pray three times a day, and I go to a mosque near But I still haven’t worn the hijab in front of her. She also got upset a my home in Long Island once or twice a week. while back when she saw me wearing a necklace that said «Allahu ak- In prayer, Muslims stand and kneel at different times. Kneeling is bar,» which means «Allah is great.» She told me not to wear it any- the most vulnerable position; it’s very submissive. You feel an energy, more. But now, she’s calmed down. I explained, «Mom, it’s just God’s and it feels very pure. It’s your time with God. name. Only it’s spelled differently.» At the mosque, the people show a genuine openness to others – from MARIE CLAIRE (July, 2002) the homeless, drug addicts, whoever. True Muslims do not force religion on anyone; they just listen and help. The media may say Islam is 1. Look through the text and find the words which definitions hostile toward other religions, but in fact, Muslims in the U.S. – and are given below. throughout the Arab world – are peaceful and accepting of all other 1. unfriendly and aggressive; faiths. The Koran proclaims, «God does not love aggressors.» 2. to believe or say that someone is responsible for something All the negative feelings about Islam made me afraid to wear the wrong or that they caused it; hijab until just recently. I put it on briefly right after I converted, and 3. the basic testimony and creed of Islam; people stared. One day, I wore it on the subway, and a woman scowled 4. a large crowd of people; at me as if I were a terrorist. I never saw any hijabs outside of the 5. to change one’s religious or political belief; mosque. I figured either Muslim women weren’t wearing them, or they 6. giving a false account of some facts. just weren’t going out. Now, I notice a difference walking down the street in a hijab. Following the patterns above try to define the words below Without it, guys make comments. They are disrespectful. But when I yourself: wear it, they know I’m not available. Dating is prohibited, and mar- 1. hijab 3. messenger 5. coworker riages are arranged. But I’m seeing a Muslim guy. So I’m not going to 2. to suppress 4. intuition 6. sentiment say I’m the perfect convert. I’m still figuring it out. It’s a misconception that women can’t be independent within Is- 2. Look through the text again & find the words with the nega- lam. There are Muslim women with important jobs all around the tive meaning. Explain the way this meaning is expressed. world. I want to teach psychology at the college level one day. I’ve been to Muslim homes in which the man served me chocolates, making 3. Look through the text again and give the English equivalents tea with his wife. They were together, and they were unified. to the following phrases: Still, I sometimes think the men are a little spooky. I see the pic- 1. вставать и опускаться на колени одновременно, tures of terrorists in the newspaper, and they look like ordinary Middle 2. молиться в тишине, Eastern men. How do you know who’s crossed the line? When I meet a 3. произносить клятвенное заверение, Muslim man, I try to rely on my intuition – like any woman would. I 4. обвинять религию в терроризме, talk to him and ask him questions. And then, I trust my instincts. 5. ничего не воодушевляло меня по-настоящему,

31 32 6. строить жизнь согласно религии, TEXT V 7. никому не навязывать религию, 8. быть независимым в исламе, Read the title of the article. What do you expect to read in this 9. доверять интуиции, article about? 10. духовно исполнена. DYING FOR THEIR BELIEFS: 4. Answer the questions below. While answering try to use the CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST PARENTS words and the word-combinations from the tasks above. ON TRIAL IN GIRL’S DEATH 1. Why do people usually convert to other religion? by Jeffrey Good 2. What causes misconception of Islam? 3. What peculiarities made Ajon feel Islam natural? Have you heard anything about Christian Science? If you ha- 4. Imagine that a friend of yours is going to convert to other relig- ven’t, read now the article from The Wordsworth Dictionary of Be- ion (Islam, for instance). Will your position coincide with Jean- liefs & Religions given below this text. Michelle’s mother’s one? Amy Hermanson was a sunny seven-year-old with blond hair and 5. What should Muslims do to change the situation with misrep- bubbly ways. She liked to serenade adults with her favorite song: Dis- resentation of their religion? ney’s «It’s a Small World After All.» 6. Do you agree with the words of a convert «Mom, it’s just But Amy’s world went awry one Sunday in 1986. An adult friend God’s name. Only it’s spelled differently»? of her family noticed the child’s sunken eyes, her listless manner, the way her clothes hung from her tiny bones. She tried to get the child to sing her favorite song. «She used to come over and sing every verse to me. I couldn’t even get her to make a comment on the song, let alone sing it,» the friend, Mary Christman, would later tell investigators. She recalled her husband saying, «If the child does not receive medical attention, she will be dead within a week.» But Amy’s parents are Christian Scientists. They decided to try to heal the child with prayer rather than seek a doctor’s aid. Two days after the Christmans saw her, Amy died of diabetes. On Monday, Amy’s parents are scheduled to go on trial in the Sarasota County Courthouse on charges of third-degree murder* and felony child abuse**. Prosecutors say William and Christine Herman- son committed a crime by putting religious principles ahead of protecting their daughter. The Hermansons say their accusers are wrong. If convicted, the couple could face three to seven years in jail. At issue is a legal principle with national ramifications. Since 1967, no Christian Scientist in the United States has stood trial for de- nying children medical care for religious reasons. Six similar cases are pending, but the Hermansons are the first to go to court.

33 34 «The children are entitled to protection, and if the parents won’t On September 25, the Hermansons left Amy in a baby-sitter’s give it to them, they (the parents) will suffer the legal consequences,» care and went to Indiana for a Christian Science conference on spiritual says Mack Futch, an assistant state attorney in Sarasota County. healing. They returned on September 29. The Hermansons, however, have maintained that prosecutors But at 8:30 A.M.on September 30, 1986, a state social worker in want to violate their constitutional right of religious freedom. And in Sarasota took a call from Amy’s aunt. The worker’s notes sketched a interviews last week, their supporters maintained that the couple treated chilling picture: «Over the last two weeks Amy has lost 10 pounds, their daughter with a proven – if unconventional – method of healing. drinks constantly, eats large amounts of food, muscle tone is virtually Frederick Hillier, a Christian Science «practitioner» who was gone, eyes are sunken and functioning separately. Child can barely walk ministering to the child when she died, said that Christian Scientists re- and has to be carried – all indications point to diabetes but parents regard prayer as a better treatment than conventional medicine. «A Chris- fuse to take child to the doctor as they are Christian Scientists.» tian Scientist is doing nothing any different than anyone who has found A court hearing was scheduled for 1:30 P.M. and Amy’s father medical treatment to be effective,» said Hillier, who also acts as the arrived early. At 1:27 P.M., Hermanson took a phone call from home spokesman for Florida Christian Science churches. «Why do Christian reporting that Amy had taken a turn for the worse and an ambulance Scientists rely on spiritual healing when they could go to a physician if was en route. Learning this, the judge ordered that a medical doctor ex- they wanted to? In their experience, they found it to be effective.» amine Amy. Church members acknowledge that their methods sometimes fail, But it was too late. With Christian Science practitioner nearby, just as doctors sometimes fail, he said. But that doesn’t mean the Chris- Amy had died in her parents» bed. tian Scientists deserve criminal charges any more than the doctors do, he said. «We don’t claim any more than anyone else claims to be 100 Most Important Right percent effective,» Hillier said. «Even Jesus didn’t.» After performing an autopsy on the child, Associate Medical Ex- Amy’s third grade report card was her last. It showed A’s in read- aminer James C. Wilson concluded that medical treatment up to just ing, English, spelling, mathematics, science, and social studies. «Amy hours before her death probably could have saved Amy. The Herman- takes a keen interest in all her work,» a teacher wrote. sons have acknowledged they never sought such treatment. That does But in September 1986, Amy began fourth grade as a different not make them criminals, say their lawyers and supporters. child. Teachers noticed her dozing off in class, shedding weight at an «There isn’t anyone who is more loving to their children than alarming rate, and complaining of stomachaches. At one point, she held Christian Scientists,» said Bob Drabik, chairman of the board of direc- her hands over her ears and pleaded, «Stop the noise. Stop the noise,» at tors at Sarasota’s First church, Christian Science, where the Herman- the sound of a pencil scratching paper. sons are members. «After the school year began, Amy was often upset. She would Florida law says parents can’t be judged «abusive or neglectful» cry and say that she did not feel well,» said June R. McHugh, director because they withhold conventional medical treatment for religious rea- of the private Julie Rohr Academy attended by Amy and her older sons. Similar laws exist in most states. They were enacted under heavy brother, Eric. McHugh told inverstigators that about a week before lobbying from the Boston-based church after one of its members, Doro- Amy’s death, she told Mrs. Hermanson her daughter might be suffering thy Sheridan of Harwich, Massachusetts, was convicted in 1967 of from a physical ailment. McHugh recalled that Mrs. Hermanson said manslaughter in the death of her child. «William and Christine Herman- «The situation was being handled.» son, at all times material*** to the facts in this case, followed the reli- On September 22, one of the practitioners began praying for the gious teaching of their church and relied upon Christian Science healing child. in the care treatment of Amy Hermanson,» the court record states.

35 36 Within the legal community, there is considerable debate over brought up as a Congregationalist. She was frequently ill as a young whether that is an adequate defense when a child dies. Harvard law pro- woman. After a brief first marriage, she was married a second time, in fessor Alan Dershowitz says that such trials revolve around two impor- 1853, to Daniel Patterson. In the 1860s she tried all kinds of medication, tant constitutional rights: parents» freedom of religion, and children’s but turned to faith-healing and in 1862 came under the influence of Phi- right to grow up healthy. neas T Quimby (1802-66). While recovering from a severe fall in 1866 In cases where one right must take priority, Dershowitz says, the she turned to the Bible, and went on to develop a spiritual and meta- choice is clear: «It’s not a difficult question. Children have a right to physical system she called Christian Science, explaining her beliefs in live and be brought up to make their own religious decision.» Science and Health with Key to the Scripture, which proclaimed the Hillier, the Christian Science spokesman, said that church mem- illusory nature of disease. She married Asa G Eddy in 1877, and in bers view prayer as the best way to make sick children well. «We don’t 1879 founded at Boston the Church of Christ, Scientists. Her church want the right to do harm to children,» he said, «we only want the right attracted great numbers of followers. to do what is good for children.» ______1. Find in the text words defined below. Translate the sentences * third-degree murder: murder without intention they are used in. ** felony chid abuse: a serious crime involving hurting a child 1. one of the large number of complicated and unexpected result physically or psychologically that follow an action or a decision; *** material: related 2. not following what is done or considered normal or acceptable by most people; Christian Science 3. the state of being able to do what you want, without anything stopping you; A movement, founded by Mary Baker Eddy* in the 19th century, 4. waiting to be decided or settled; which seeks to reinstate the original Christian message of salvation 5. a person who speaks on behalf of a group or an organization; from all evil, including sickness and disease as well as sin. The first 6. a person who regularly does a particular activity, especially church of Christ, Scientist, was established in 1879 in Boston, USA, one that requires skill; followed in 1892 by the present worldwide organisation, with its head- 7. to be not successful in achieving something; quarters in Boston. The Bible and Eddy’s Science and Health with Key 8. to care for somebody, especially somebody who is sick or old, to the Scripture (1875) are the principle texts of the movement. God, and make sure that they have everything they need; who is seen as both maternal and paternal, is believed to be spirit and 9. the process of becoming or making somebody healthy again; the good creator; accordingly, sin, sickness, death, and matter itself only 10. to be unhappy or disappointed because something unpleasant seem real to mistaken human belief. Health is restored, not by recourse has happened to you. to medical treatment, but by applying to all aspects of life practices in keeping with the principle of divine harmony. Members must not turn 2. Look through the text and give the Russian equivalents to the to orthodox medical practitioners, but are to seek help from special following phrases: Christian Science healers, whose training is based on the Bible and Sci- 1. go away; ence and Health. In recent years, mainly because of recourse to outside 2. listless manner; medical help, the number of followers has declined. 3. to receive medical attention; *Eddy, Mary (Morse), nee Baker (1821–1910). American foun- 4. to heal with prayer; der of the Christian Science Church, born in Bow, New Hampshire and

37 38 5. to seek a doctor’s aid; TEXT VI 6. to put religious principles ahead; 7. to be at issue; Read the text and do all the tasks given below. 8. to deny medical care for religious reasons; 9. to suffer the legal consequenses; IN SEARCH OF THE GODS 10. to regard prayer as a better treatment; The Kon-Tiki trip was kid stuff. 11. to rely on spiritual healing; Thor Heyerdahl is off to find King Odin’s legendary home by Eve Conant 12. considerable debate; 13. to take priority; Azov is hardly the kind of place where most people would look for 14. to make own religious decision. adventure. Life is slow in this postcard-pretty Russian town on the delta of the muddy river Don. No one has bothered to tear down the statue of 3. Look through the text again and give the English equivalents Lenin in the main square. Azov used to be a busy port. But that was be- to the following phrases: fore the river’s channel shifted, leaving the town in sleepy solitude. 1. запавшие глаза; Until Thor Heyerdahl showed up. Half a world and more than 2. иметь право на защиту; half a century away from the route of his famous Kon-Tiki expedition, 3. нарушать конституционное право свободы вероисповеда- the Norwegian explorer is pursuing the most wildly ambitious quest of ния; his life. Conquering the Pacific on a balsa raft was kid stuff. This time 4. проверенные методы лечения; his goal is nothing less than to find Asgard, the fabled home of the Vi- 5. традиционная медицина; kings» gods. Its remains, he believes, are here in Azov, buried eight 6. по своему опыту; meters or more underground. Most experts on Norse history stop just 7. заслуживать уголовного наказания. short of calling the whole idea insane. But Heyerdahl, 86, is so confident, he has put up $100,000 of his own money in search of Asgard. 4. Answer the questions below. While answering try to use the His dream began when he was a schoolboy. Like all Norwegian words and the word-combinations studied above. youngsters, Heyerdahl had to read «Heimskringla» («The Orb of the 1. What were your first emotions after reading the text? World»), an epic history of Norway by Snorri Sturluson, a 13th-century 2. Can we guess the author’s attitude to the parents of the dead Icelandic poet and chieftain. The chronicle opens with a careful descrip- child? If so, find the phrases or words through which we can guess it. tion of the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and Russia, a land of giants, 3. How can you explain Emmy’s parents behavior? dwarfs, «blue men» and many kinds of stranger creatures. East of the 4. What will be the decision of the court, to your mind? Tanais (an ancient name for Don), in the lost city of Asgard, lived a 5. Tell everything you know about Christian Science movement. great conqueror named Odin. When the Romans invaded his land, he 6. What the most important rights are discussed in this text? led a band of followers across Russia and Germany to the Baltic Sea, 7. Were any of those rights violated in that case? where he finally died, promising his warriors they would someday re- join him in Asgard. «Then began [or rose anew] the belief in Odin, and 8. What is your personal attitude to prayer as a treatment? the calling upon him,» said Sturluson, who traced the lineage of Nor- 9. In your view, could school teachers have helped Emmy in her way’s kings directly from him. Heyerdahl’s critics say the 13th-century situation? If yes, what should they have done? text proves nothing. «It’s mythology, not confirmed by archeology,» 10. How must this problem be solved to avoid child’s death? scoffs Even Hovdhaugen, a professor at the University of Oslo. His col- league Prof. Gro Steinsland, an expert on early Norse religions, agrees:

39 40 «[It’s] like digging for the Garden of Eden.» But Heyerdahl insists the There’s hard evidence, too. Archeologists in Scandinavia have evidence all fits together. The saga’s geography is basically solid, he found no trace of a historical Odin. But they have dug up a major flaw reasoned; why not its genealogy? He made a few calculations. Sturluson in Sturluson’s account. «Heimskringla» says one tradition that Odin is widely accepted as accurate after the year 800 or so, in the days of brought from Asgard was cremation of the dead. That’s a detail arche- Hovdaun the Black. From there Heyerdahl counted 33 generations ologists can check. «Cremation already was the dominant [funeral] cus- backward to Odin. He did some quick math and found himself in the tom in Scandinavia,» says Stalsberg. But there was a change around first century B.C. That’s exactly when the Roman generals Lucullus and 2,000 years ago, when Odin supposedly arrived: people stopped burning Pompey conquered the Black Sea region. corpses before burial. What’s more, Sturluson himself contradicts the Heyerdahl had to check it out. «This is not my theory,» he says. Azov-was-Asgard idea. Another of his works, the «Prose Edda,» iden- «It’s Snorri’s. I’m just putting it to the test.» Early this year he began tifies Odin’s hometown as Troy. «That is rather far from Azov,» says digging for traces of Odin and his followers in Azov, on the east bank Else Mundal, a professor of Norse philology at the University of Ber- of the Don. Heyerdahl thinks Azov’s name might hold an echo of the gen. Keller adds: «I don’t think he’ll find what he’s looking for.» Norse word for deity: ass, as in Asgard, the garden of the gods. And the On the contrary, Heyerdahl has already found one thing he was deep silt here is loaded with ancient artifacts. This is where Greek colo- looking for: a roaring good time. You can see it when he visits the dig, nists built the region’s first major city some 2,500 years ago. Heyerdahl striding at a breakneck speed across the rough-cut planks that span the says what he’s looking for is a «change in the cultural layer» roughly square-walled pits. «It’s very, very important to enjoy what you are do- 2,100 years ago – signs of the royal exodus described by Sturluson. Other ing,» he says. «I would have been dead long ago if I didn’t have the archeologists say they don’t know what Heyerdahl is talking about. freedom to follow up on my own curiosity.» Heyerdahl has always Sturluson says «a great many other people went with Odin,» but even loved a good fight. «There will be a lot of quarrels ahead,» he gleefully Heyerdahl thinks most of the kingdom’s inhabitants stayed behind. predicts. «The danger is when everyone agrees.» There’s scant risk of Still, he figures the exodus must have left a discernible mark on that while Heyerdahl is on the job. the archeological record. He only has to find it. His researchers have exhumed numerous Roman-era items, including a child’s bracelet, sev- 1. Find in the text the words defined below. Translate the sen- eral belt buckles, an ancient safety pin and a six-pointed talisman they tences they are used in. describe as a zoomorph. By the time they stopped work for the summer 1. excitement and willingness to do new, unusual or rather dan- in July, at a depth of just over eight meters, they were unearthing bits of distinctive black-lacquer pottery from the first century B.C. It all sug- gerous journey or series of events; gests he’s on the right track, Heyerdahl asserts. 2. the state of being alone, especially when this is peaceful and Impossible, his critics say: Heyerdahl’s quest is based on a whole pleasant; series of false assumptions. «He just sees what he wants to see, ignoring 3. an organized journey that is made for a particular purpose such anything that gets in the way of his theories,» says Christian Keller, a as exploration; professor of archeology at Oslo’s Center for Viking and Medieval Stud- 4. an attempt to find something or someone by looking for them ies. The linguistic record, for one thing. The Norse word ass, from a carefully; Germanic root probably meaning «wind» or «breath,» has no known 5. a lot of people leave that place at the same time; connection to Azov. According to Anne Stalsberg, an associate profes- 6. anything that you see, read or are told that causes you to be- sor of archeology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technol- lieve something is true; ogy, the town’s name («low-lying place») dates back to the 17th cen- 7. if you go on it you try to find or obtain it; tury. And experts trace the name of Odin to the Germanic name Wotan, 8. something that you hope to achieve, especially when much not to the Black Sea. time and effort will be needed;

41 42 9. it indicates how long members of your family have had a par- 5. What promotes him? Give some epithets to describe him. ticular nationality; 6. Can you catch author’s attitude towards Heyerdahl’s quest? If 10. someone who has a mind that works unnormally, with the re- so, how? sults in a strange behavior; 7. Does Heyerdahl’s story illustrate the search of the truth? 11. feeling sure about own abilities, qualities, or ideas; 8. What were the experts’ points of view? 12. a country or group of people who have taken complete con- 9. What could be the results of this search? trol of another country or land; 10. Do you know the legends like that one in the history of your 13. to deny the truth of something said or written; own country [place]? 14. desire to know about something; 15. the fact that you are descended from certain people; 4. Translate from Russian into English. 16. divine quality or nature; state of being a god or a goddess; 17. to say that the event will happen; Тайна пятого озера 18. what is left [debris, relics, leftovers, corpse, body]; 19. a picture of animal often on the walls of cave; Недалеко от районного центра Муровцево, около 250 км от 20. Biblical place associated with «Paradise». Омска на север, на высоком берегу реки Тара находится ничем не примечательная деревушка Окунево. Обычные дома, обычные де- 2. Look through the text again and give the English equivalents ревенские жители, но именно в этих местах многие годы наблю- to the following phrases: дают загадочные явления. Например, в лесу сбиты верхушки мно- гих деревьев. С давних пор видят странные летающие объекты. 1. божественный сад 11. выдуманная родина Объяснение этим непонятным вещам может дать старинное 2. искать приключений 12. великий завоеватель сказание здешних мест. Легенда гласит, что в таежных болотах 3. остатки культуры древнего че- 13. малый риск ловека севера области стоит деревушка Окунево, и там, на дне Шайтан- 4. изменение культуры 14. боги народа Викингов озера, сотни тысяч лет покоится храм индусского бога Ханумана. 5. сонливое одиночество 15. специалисты по истории (ре- Чистейшая вода озер целебна. 6. противоречить идее лигии) Озера рождены Космосом много тысяч лет назад, возможно, 7. прослеживать родословную 16. обитатели царства в результате падения на Землю осколков огромного метеорита, бы- 8. главная традиция 17. тщательное описание ло их пять. Пятое озеро – Потаенное – скрыто от людей. Нашедше- 9. грандиозные поиски 18. группа последователей му его оно сулит счастье и несметное богатство. 10. ложное предположение Согласно гипотезе, выдвинутой группой сибирских истори- ков, 300 тысяч лет назад на территории Западной Сибири сущест- 3. Answer the questions below. While answering try to use the вовала высокоразвитая цивилизация, где зародились многие рели- words and the word-combinations from exercises 1, 2. гии мира. 1. Where is this place from the fabled home of the Vikings» gods Несколько лет назад на Татарском увале появился большой supposed to be? деревянный крест и православная часовня, в которой служит свя- 2. What can we learn from the article? щенник из Омска. 3. What caused Heyerdahl’s dream? Приходят сюда староверы, называющие себя инглидами. 4. Thor Heyerdahl is well-known Norwegian explorer. What is he Они считают, что именно здесь находилось знаменитое Беловодье. famous for?

43 44 TEXT VII It was conceived that the ka could leave the human body during sleep or while the subject lay in a trance. It then wandered about and Read the text and do all the tasks given below. visited people and places, and its experiences survived in the memory. Dreams were accounted for in this way as actual happenings. When a DEATH AND THE JUDGMENT man dreamt of a dead friend, he believed that his ka had met with the ka of the dead, talked with it and engaged in the performance of some Oth- Chapter 1. erworld duty. Sometimes the wandering ka could be observed at a dis- The human triad tance from where the sleeper lay. It had all the appearance of the individual, because it was attired in the «doubles» of his clothing and might carry the «double» of his staff. Ghosts, therefore, included «the spirits of the living», which were not recognised to be spirits until they vanished mysteriously. They might also be simply heard and not seen. During normal life the ka existed in the human body. It was sus- tained by the «doubles» of everything that was partaken of. After death it required food and drink, and offerings were made to it at the grave. In ancient times a cult believed that the ka could be fed by magic. It was essential that the dead should receive the service of the liv-

In the maze of Egyptian beliefs there were diverging views re- ing, and those who performed the necessary ceremonies and made the garding the elements that constitute the human personality. One triad offerings were called the «servants». Thus the Egyptian word for was a unity of the ka (spirit), the khu (soul) and the khat (the body). «priest» signified a «servant». If the ka or ghost were neglected and al- Another grouped khaybet (the shadow) with ka (the spirit) and sahu (the lowed to starve, it could leave the grave and haunt the offenders. Primi- mummy). The physical heart was called hati – it was supposed to be the tive people had a genuine dread of spirits, and their chief concern was seat of the intelligence, and its «spirit» was named ab, which signified the always to propitiate them, no matter how great might be the personal will and desires. The «vital spark», or controlling force, was symbolised sacrifice involved. as the sekhem, and the ran was the personal name. Sometimes a small «soul house» was provided by the wayside for The ka of the first triad is the most concrete conception of all. It the wandering ka, but more often an image of wood or stone was placed was probably, too, the oldest. The early people appear to have believed for its use in the grave. The statues of kings, which have been found in that the human personality combined simply the body and the spirit. In their tombs, were constructed so that their disembodied spirits might be those tomb scenes that depict the birth of kings, the royal baby is repre- given material bodies, and those that they caused to be built in various sented by two figures – the visible body and the invisible «double». The parts of the kingdom were primarily intended for a similar purpose and ka began to be at birth; it continued to live on after death. not merely to perpetuate their fame, although the note of vanity is rarely But a human being was not alone in possessing a ka. Everything absent in the inscriptions. that existed was believed to have its «double». A fish or other animal The ba of the second triad was a concept uniting both the ka and had a ka; so also had a tree; and there were spirits in water, in metals, in the khu. It is represented in bird form with a human head hovering over stone, and even in weapons and other manufactured articles. These spir- the sahu, or mummy, on which it gazes wistfully, always seeking to re- its were invisible to all except seers, who were those individuals able to enter the bandaged form. Like the ka, it required nourishment, which exercise on occasion the «faculty» that Scottish Highlanders call «sec- was provided, however, by the goddess of the consecrated burial ond sight». ground.

45 46 The khaybet, or shadow, is evidently the survival of an early be- cepted. This process is clearly indicated by the various burial customs lief. It is really another manifestation of the ka. Like all primitive peo- and the complex religious ceremonies that prevailed in different ages. ples, the ancient Egyptians believed that their shadows were their souls. The early people buried their dead crouched up in shallow graves Higher concepts evolved in time, but their cultured descendants clung to with due provision of nourishment and implements. They appear to the old belief, which was perpetuated by folk customs associated with have believed that the ka remained beside the body until the flesh de- magic practices. Spells were wrought by casting shadows on a man, and cayed. he might be insulted or injured if an offence were committed against his The Horus-worshipping, or Dynastic, Egyptians who pressed shadow. northwards on their gradual campaign of conquest, introduced a new The ran, or name, was also a manifestation of the ka. Power could burial custom. Instead of digging shallow graves, they erected brick- be exercised by uttering the name, because there was magic influence in lined tombs in which the dead were laid on their backs, fully extended, those words, which were believed to have spiritual «doubles». A per- clad in state and adorned with articles of jewellery. In the inscriptions, sonal name was the spirit identified; its service was secured when the the ka and khu are referred to, but no attempt was made, even in the name was uttered. The spirit was the name and the name was the spirit. First and Second Dynasties, to preserve the body from decay, and If a magician wished to work evil against an individual, he made use of sumptuous offerings were placed in the tombs. the name when uttering potent magical formulae. The dead were simi- Another burial custom involved secondary interment, as was the larly conjured up when their names were spoken in invocations; evil case in those European districts where early graves have been found to spirits were cast out by those who knew their names. To guard himself contain disconnected skeletons. In Egypt attempts were sometimes against wizards who uttered «words of power», or verbal spells, the made to arrange the bones in proper position, but they were often Egyptian therefore considered it necessary to have two names – the big heaped in confusion. It appears that temporary interment was a cere- name and the little name, or the true name and the good name. He kept mony of riddance, the object being probably to hasten the departure of his «big, true name» secret because it was the ran; his «good little the ka. Dismemberment was also practised, and many graves show that name» was his nickname and was not a part of his living being. decapitation was carried out after death. The revolt against dismemberment took place at the beginning of Chapter 2. the Third Dynasty, about 2700 B.C. Massive stone tombs were then constructed and the bodies of the dead were mummified. The idea was The burial customs either that the ka would ultimately return and cause the dead to live The diverging concepts regarding the soul in Egyptian religion again or that the existence of the soul in the nether world depended on arose from the mingling of beliefs caused by the mingling of peoples, the existence of the body upon earth. The embalming of the dead ulti- and also the Egyptian tendency to cling to every belief, or form of be- mately became general throughout Egypt, but the belief in dismember- lief, that evolved in the course of time in Egypt. A people who believed ment survived in the practice of disjointing one of the mummy’s feet. in the existence of «doubles» and in the transmigration of souls had Embalmers were licensed to practise their profession, and they many vague and complex concepts. Incoherencies were a feature of displayed much ingenuity and surgical skill. When a body was taken to their religious beliefs. It must be borne in mind, at the same time, that them, they produced models of mummies and arranged a price. The this review covers a vast period of time, during which various religious quality of their work depended on the amount of money spent by the cults exercised supreme influence in moulding Egyptian thought. One dead person’s friends. cult predominated at one period; another cult arose in turn to teach its The costliest method of embalming was as follows. The brain own peculiar tenets, with the result that all beliefs were ultimately ac- was extracted through the nostrils with the aid of instruments. The liver,

47 48 heart, lungs and intestines were drawn out and steeped in palm wine and her weapons and clothing, ornaments and perfumes and, perhaps, sev- sprinkled with rich perfume. The body was dried, and stuffed with eral articles of furniture. Then the entrance was closed up with stone- powdered myrrh, cassia, etc, and sewn up. It was afterwards covered work. A funeral feast in the antechamber concluded a ceremony that with nitre for seventy days. Then it was washed all over and carefully grew more and more elaborate as time went on. Food offerings were wrapped in bandages that had been dipped in a strong gum. As soon as afterwards brought at intervals by faithful mourners. it was carried back to the home, it was placed in a large coffin, shaped There were two distinct concepts of the afterlife, and these be- like a human form, that was inscribed with magic charms and decorated came confused in the ages that followed. The sun worshippers believed with sacred symbols and figures of gods and goddesses. that the souls of the dead passed to the first division of night, where The intestines were placed in four canopic jars, on the lids of those who were privileged to utter the magic spells that could compel which were often shaped the heads of the four protecting gods, who the obedience of the gods were permitted to enter the barque of Ra. In were the sons of Horus and represented the north, south, east and west. their tombs were placed models of the sun boat. The jars were placed in a chest and deposited in the tomb. The organs they contained were those that were believed to have caused the various Chapter 3. sins to be committed. Journey to the Other World The funeral procession was a solemn and touching spectacle. All the family were present, and women mourners wailed aloud on the way The Otherworld concept of the Osirian cult made more perma- to the cemetery on the western bank of the Nile. The mummy was nent appeal to the Egyptian mind. Heaven is pictured as the «double» of drawn along on a sledge. When the tomb was reached, the coffin was the Delta region, where apparently the concept had its origin. But, beset up on end, facing the south, and an elaborate ceremony was gone fore it can be reached, the soul must travel a long and weary way that is through. It was conducted by the chief mourner, who recited the ritual beset by many perils. The paradise of Aalu is situated in the west. Bleak from a papyrus roll while responses were made by the relatives. Two and waterless deserts have to be crossed, and these are infested by fierce females represented Isis and Nepthys, for a part of the ceremony was a reptiles. Boiling streams also intercept the pilgrim, who is always in reproduction of the scene enacted around the body of Osiris when it was danger of being compelled to turn back. restored and prepared for burial. The dead had also to be instructed how When the soul sets out, he takes with him his stave and his weap- to reach the Egyptian heaven. The journey could not be accomplished in ons and also food for nourishment. He climbs the western mountains safety without the aid of magic formulae. So these were spoken into the and then enters the Kingdom of the Dead. An immense sycamore tree ears of the corpse, as was probably the custom in the days of crouched towers before him with great clusters of fruit amidst its luxuriant foli- burials. But the danger was ever present that the dead would fail to re- age. As he approaches it, a goddess leans out from the trunk, as from a member all the priestly instructions which were repeated over them. window, displaying the upper part of her body. In her hands she holds a The formulae were therefore inscribed on the coffin and on the walls of tray heaped with cakes and fruit. She also has a pot of clear fresh water. the tomb, and as time went on it became customary to prepare rolls of The soul must eat the magic food and drink the magic water, and thus papyrus, which were ultimately collected into the Book of the Dead. become a servant of the gods if he is to proceed farther. If he rejects the This papyrus might be wrapped under the mummy bandages or else laid hospitality of the tree goddess, he will have to return again to the dark within the coffin. A bull was slaughtered to provide food for the suste- and narrow tomb from which he came and lead forever there a solitary nance of the ka and as a sacrifice to the gods. and joyless existence. The coffin was afterwards lowered down the grave shaft to the The soul of he who is faithful eats and drinks as desired, and then secret chamber in which had been placed the image of the dead, his or proceeds on the journey, facing many perils and enduring great trials.

49 50 Evil spirits and fierce demons surround him, desiring that he should die They drink the blood of those who are condemned before you, О a second death and cease to be. A gigantic tortoise rises against him. He just and good king. must fight against it with his lance. Serpents are poised to strike, and The soul concludes by declaring that he is sinless and expresses they must be overcome. The very insects have poisonous stings and the hope that no ill will befall him in the hall of judgment. must be driven away. But his most formidable enemy is the fierce god The jackal-headed god Anubis, «opener of the ways», then strides Seth, the murderer of Osiris, the terror of the good gods and of men, from the hall and leads the soul by the hand before Osiris, who had who appears as an enormous red monster with a head like a camel and heard the confession in silence. No word is uttered as the dead man en- the body of a hound, his long and forked tail erect and venomous, eager ters. The King of the Dead sits on his high throne within a dim pavilion. to devour the pilgrim on his way. His crown is on his head. In one hand he holds the crook and in the When the evil god is overcome and driven back, the soul goes other the flail. He is the supreme judge of the dead. Before him stands forward until he reaches the bank of a wide river. There a magic boat the sure balance on which the heart of the dead man will be weighed. awaits him. The crew consist of silent divinities who give him no aid. Thoth, the recording god, is beside it, and Horus and Maat, goddess of But before he can embark he must answer each question that the boat truth and justice, are there also. The guardian of the balance is a mon- addresses to him. He must know and tell how it is constructed in every ster, which is ready to fall upon sinners who are condemned before the part, and if the papyrus roll that was laid beside his mummy contains great god. Around the dread hall crouch the forty-two animal gods who the secrets of the boat and the magic formulae that must also be re- tear the wicked to pieces. peated, he will be ferried over the river and taken to the Osirian king- In the tingling silence that prevails, the pilgrim again recites the dom. The sulky «ferryman» is called Turnface – his face is always confession. Osiris makes no comment. Then, quivering with fear, the turned away from the dead who call to him. soul watches the gods deliberately weighing his heart in the balance, After entering the boat the soul’s journey is not yet near to its while Maat, the goddess of truth and justice, or her symbol, an ostrich end. He wishes greatly to join those happy beings who have their dwell- feather, occupies the opposite scale. ings in the blessed fields of Aalu, but he must first be tried before The trembling soul cries out to his heart not to witness against Osiris, the King of the Dead and Judge of All. The only approach to him. «O heart that was mine,» he says, «do not say «Behold the things paradise is through the hall of justice, which rises before him, stupen- he has done.» Permit me not to be wronged in the presence of the great dous and dark and full of mystery. The gate is shut fast. No man can god.» draw the bolts or enter without the permission of the king. If the heart is found to be neither too heavy nor too light, the dead Alone, and trembling with fear, the pilgrim soul stands before the man is acquitted. Thoth makes known the result of the weighing to gate with both hands uplifted in adoration. He is beheld by the shining Osiris, who then orders the heart to be restored to the man on trial. «He god who is inside. Then, in a clear, full voice the soul cries out in the has won the victory,» the King of the Dead exclaims. «Now let him deep silence: dwell with the spirits and the gods in the fields of Aalu.» Hail, unto you, О great god, you who are lord of truth! Released and rejoicing, the dead man goes forth to gaze on the Lo! I draw nigh to thee now, О my lord, and my eyes behold you wonders of the nether world. The divine kingdom is a greater and more beauty. glorious Egypt in which the souls work and hunt and combat against You I know, and I know also the two-and-forty gods assembled their enemies as in other days. To each man is allotted his task. He must with you in the hall of justice; till the soil and reap the grain that grows in abundance and to a great They observe all the deeds of the wicked; height. The harvest never fails, and famine and sorrow are unknown. They devour those who seek to do evil;

51 52 When the soul wishes to return to visit familiar scenes on earth, it 2. Answer the questions. enters the body of a bird or an animal, or perhaps it blossoms as a 1. How can we guess what early people thought about human flower. It may also visit the tomb as the ba and reanimate the mummy personality? and go forth to gaze on scenes that were familiar and dear in other days. 2. In what way were dreams explained? The souls of dead men whom Osiris condemns, because of sins 3. Why did ancient people try not to neglect the ka or ghost? committed on earth, are subjected to terrible tortures before they are 4. What would happen to a person whose shadow was offended? devoured by the animal gods who crouch, waiting, in the silent and aw- 5. Who could cast out evil spirit? ful hall of judgment. Tasks to chapter 2 Tasks 1. Read the statements and decide if they are true or false. 1. Look through three chapters and give the Russian equiva- 1. Throughout all Egypt history the body was never protected lents to the following words. from decay. 2. Dismemberment was replaced by embalming. 1. tomb 11. to conjure up 21. peril 3. The words of pity were said into the ears of the corpse. 2. seer 12. invocation 22. formidable

3. ghost 13. wizard 23. hospitality 2. Answer the questions. 4. grave 14. to decay 24. paradise 1. What caused such a variety of soul concepts? 5. to haunt 15. interment 25. justice 2. How did Egyptians make the soul leave the body quickly? 6. fame 16. riddance 26. to devour 3. What did the cost of embalming depend on? Why, in your 7. inscription 17. embalming 27. scale opinion, was the described method of embalming the costliest? 8. descendent 18. mummy 28. torture 4. What particular was in four jars? 9. to perpetuate 19. mourner 29. to condemn

10. spell 20. to wail 30. to acquit 3. Read the description of funeral procession and interpret it

into Russian.

Tasks to chapter 1 Tasks to chapter 3

1. Read the statements and decide if they are true or false. 1. Read the statements and decide if they are true or false. 1. Only people were believed to possess a ka. 1. To return to tomb the soul should accept an offer by goddess. 2. Humans could observe their own souls wandering about. 2. The most formidable enemy of the soul was a gigantic tortoise. 3. The statues of kings were intended both to give material body 3. In the end of the soul’s trip it was awaited by magic boat. to soul and to praise the deceased. 4. The pilgrim soul repented all its sins standing before the gates. 4. Ancient Egyptians believed their shadows to be their mind. 5. The souls of condemned dead men were returned to tomb. 5. Nowadays people have two names to protect themselves from evil spirit. 2. Answer the questions. 1. What was the journey of the soul so dangerous for?

53 54 2. What creatures did the soul have to overcome? TEXT VIII 3. Why was the ferryman called Turnface? 4. What is the procedure of being the dead man acquitted? Read the text and do all the tasks given below. 5. Was the life in the nether world similar to the earth one? WHAT MIRACLES MEAN

Woven into the history of the world’s religions, miracles are more about faith than fact. In «The Book of Miracles», NEWSWEEK»s Kenneth L. Woodward explains why so many people believe the unbelievable.

A decade ago, at the age of 12, Bernadette McKenzie found that she could no longer stand upright, even after three operations. She suffered from a tethered spinal cord, a rare congenital condition causing constant pain. The nuns at her school in suburban Philadelphia began a series of prayers, seeking the intercession of their deceased founder, Mother Frances de Sales Aviat, whom they regard as a saint. On the fourth day, Bernadette herself knelt by her bed, telling God that if this was to be her life she would accept it. But she wanted to know – a sign. If she were to walk again, she pleaded, let her favorite song, «Forever Young,» play next on the radio. It did. She immediately jumped up and ran downstairs to tell her family. Bernadette didn’t even notice that her physical symptoms had disappeared, something her doctors say is medically inexplicable. Her recovery is currently being evaluated by the Vatican as a possible miracle. Does God answer prayers? Do miracles – extraordinary events that are the result of special acts of God – really happen? Last week Christians and Jews around the globe celebrated the miracle stories cen- tral to each faith: the resurrection of Jesus at Easter and the deliverance of the Israelites at Passover. But are miracles now merely stories from long ago and – intellectually – very far away? Not to millions of believers worldwide. Every week of the year, somewhere in the world, believers gather to celebrate the miraculous deeds that God or the gods, a saint or a sage, worked on behalf of the faithful. Many Jews and Buddhists, as well as Christians, Hindus and Muslims, still look for – and, by their own accounts, experience – miraculous interventions in their lives. True, many people consider stories like Bernadette’s hopeless superstition, or mere coincidence. But many others allow for the possibility of the miraculous. According to a new

55 56 NEWSWEEK Poll, 84 percent of adult Americans say they believe that Hebrew prophets Elijah and Elisha, and set the pattern for the same God performs miracles and nearly half (48 percent) report that they miracles to be worked by the apostles Peter and Paul. have personally experienced or witnessed one. Three fourths of Ameri- Newsweek’s reporting on contemporary miracle stories, and the can Catholics say they pray for miracles, and among non-Christians – historical research I undertook for «The Book of Miracles», demon- and people of no faith at all – 43 percent say they have asked for God’s strates that believers still make room for the miraculous. And the his- intervention. tory of each faith explains why – even now – so many of us believe in Most Americans who pray for miracles ask for cures – for them- the unbelievable. selves or for loved ones. Indeed, half of those polled (50 percent) credit For as long as she can remember, Angela Boudreaux has been God with bringing back to life people who have been declared dead by praying to Francis Xavier Seelos, a Redemptorist priest whose bones medical authorities. Today, in fact, not only the Vatican but even some lay buried in her parish church in Gretna, La. In the summer of 1966, Muslim and Pentecostal groups have developed follow-up procedures to Angela, now 70, was diagnosed with liver cancer. After exploratory determine whether reported healings are in fact beyond medical expla- surgery showed huge tumor masses throughout 90 percent of the organ, nation. she was given two weeks to live. «She looked like someone out of a con- But for the believers, the real question isn’t one of fact but of centration camp,» recalls her physician, Dr. Alfred J. Ruffy Jr., now a faith. Whether the story is a sacred event like the parting of the Red Sea retired professor from the Wake Forest School of Medicine. But Angela or a contemporary account of a healing, the impulse is to ask, «Did this prayed to Father Seelos, asking for time to raise her four children. Al- miracle really happen?» The important issue, however, is not if a mira- most immediately, Ruffy noticed that the grapefruit-size tumor had be- cle «really» happened but what believers make of the stories of mira- gun to shrink, a reversal he says could not be attributed to the rudi- cles, whether the miraculous took place on the journey to the Promised mentary chemotherapy he had used. «It was the most remarkable case Land 3,000 years ago or in Philadelphia in our own time. Miracle sto- I’ve ever been involved with,» says Ruffy. The following November, An- ries, ancient and modern, do two things: they explain the ways of God gela was on her feet and caring for her kids. The Roman Catholic to the faithful, they are the means by which believers experience the Church declared the cure a miracle and two weeks ago Ruffy and the presence of God, or the gods, in their own lives. So if we are to grasp Boudreaux family were in Rome for the beatification of Father Seelos. why so many people hold fast to these stories, we have to know the tra- Healing the sick is the basic form Christian miracles take. In the dition in which the story unfolds and how miracles are understood in Gospels, Jesus works miracles either to elicit faith or – more often – as each faith. a response to an individual’s faith in him. In John’s Gospel especially, Miracles are found in all the world religions. In ancient India, as miracles are signs that in Jesus the long-awaited kingdom of God is in the ancient Middle East, miracles functioned as both signs and won- now present. By restoring the dead to life, Jesus is also restoring sinful ders. As wonders, they incited awe; as signs, they always signified the humankind to a new relationship with God – a mission that will be presence of transcendent power. When the Buddha dazzled his kinfolk completed only by his own death and resurrection. In sum, the healing by rising in the air, dividing his body into pieces and then rejoining miracles not only show the compassion of Jesus but also reveal what the them, he signaled for all to see that he had achieved complete liberation power and love of God are really like. from the iron laws of karma. When the Prophet Muhammad produced Throughout the early Christian centuries, those who died for water in the desert for his companions to drink, he demonstrated the Christ were also revered as intercessors with god in heaven. Even compassion of Allah the All-Merciful. And when Jesus raised Lazarus through their relics, it was believed, these «friends of God» above could from the dead, he signaled his power over death and foreshadowed his be conduits for prayers from the faithful on earth. This belief in «the own resurrection. He also echoed the miracles worked by the earlier communion of the saints» is what lies behind the miracles required by

57 58 the Catholic Church of those who – after death – are officially recog- that afternoon and, in the meantime, to have her family put mezuzas nized as saints. Restored to God themselves, they are, Catholics and throughout the house, do good deeds and light Shabbos candles. Her Orthodox alike believe, able to aid others who sincerely seek favors in mother reluctantly did as her daughter instructed, writing several this life. checks for charitable causes. That afternoon Shoshana was told that the A year ago Tyler Clarensau shuffled to the altar in the gym of rebbe had granted his blessing. Three days later, when doctors did a Park Crest Assembly of God Church in Springfield, Mo. It was, he biopsy on her mother, there were no signs of the cancer. «Someone’s thinks, probably the 200th time he’d sought healing for malformed knee prayers were answered,» the doctor said. joints that surgery had failed to correct. Suddenly, a group of 40 other Of all religious groups in the United States, surveys show, Jews Pentecostal teenagers encircled him and began to pray. Gradually the are least likely to believe in miracles. One reason may be the Hebrew whole congregation was raised to a prayerful roar. An hour later, when bible itself. Miracles gradually disappear as the Bible moves from the silence fell, a church volunteer pronounced that God had finally healed first book to the last. In Genesis, only God works miracles – that’s what Clarensau’s legs. Shakily, he stood up, all eyes on him. He began to do God does. But after Moses is introduced, control over miracles begins deep knee bends, something he hadn’t accomplished in years. Now he to shift from God to his prophets. Moreover, from Moses to Elijah and can run – slowly. «I’d heard stories about people getting healed,» says Elisha, miracles change from public performances for large groups to Tyler, 15, «and I thought it was pretty cool. But I didn’t really know for private miracles on behalf of individuals. Finally, God himself ceases to sure until it happened to me.» appear in the Biblical texts – and miracles cease, as well. The leaders of the Protestant Reformation rejected the Catholic Religious Jews believe that life itself is a miracle. Nonetheless, «cult of the saints» as pagan superstition. But the heirs of the Reforma- the Talmudic literature contains a number of miracle stories about a few tion continued to believe that God shows «special providences» over the great sages whose deep immersion in the Torah gave them the power to faithful – in effect, miracles by another name. Visions and prophecies work miracles. By the 18th century, Jewish mysticism developed the accompanied the waves of «awakenings» and revivals among American figure of the tzaddik ha-dor, a rebbe of exceptional holiness whose very Protestants. Many new sects and movements – including the Mormons soul is rooted in a higher realm; in this way he acts as a channel through – believed that God was restoring the church of the New Testament, which God’s blessings flow to the community and, in turn, as the agent with all its signs and wonders. If individual believers could experience of his people in petitioning God for favors. In Israel today – and in Ha- God for themselves, they could also experience his miraculous touch. sidic communities elsewhere in the world – rebbes are still regarded as But only in the last century, with the rise of Pentecostalism, has Protes- saints with unusual powers, and after death their grave sites become tantism democratized the miraculous. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, shrines. Pentecostals believe they themselves can work, as well as receive mira- As a great soul, Rabbi Schneerson belongs to a long line of Hasi- cles – just like the apostles of Jesus. dic saints. According to Chabad philosophy, a rebbe can work miracles Shoshana Levin is a singer-songwriter from a liberal Jewish fam- when he perceives that an illness or other misfortune is the will of God. ily on the West Coast. But for the last 10 years she has also been a stu- In those cases, he can beseech God to change what he has willed. More dent of the Torah and a member of Chabad Lubavitch, a Hasidic group often, however, the rebbe shows his followers how to use mezuzas and in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a devout believer in the power of its late rebbe, other artifacts of Orthodox observance to open the regular channels to Menachem Mendel Schneerson. In July 1992, Shoshana’s mother was God’s grace. Even after his death in 1994, Shneerson has remained a diagnosed with stomach cancer and not expected to live. The day after channel for those seeking miracles. His office still receives more than she heard the news, Shoshana went to the rebbe’s secretary with a letter 1,000 letters requesting blessing every day. asking Schneerson for a blessing (berucha). She was told to call back

59 60 Hisham Muhammad Kabbani is a Sufi saint, a sheik in the years, the government official often witnessed Baba work his signature Naqshbandi Order of Islam, which traces its lineage back to the miracle – producing out of air mounds of vibhuti, sacred ash that his Prophet Muhammad. Now 55 and head of the order in North America, devotees credit with healing properties. But it was in 1986 that Ras- he has an M.D. from Louvain University in Belgium. He relates a mira- gotra experienced Baba’s power firsthand. After suffering a heart at- cle story that occurred in 1971, when his own spiritual master, Sheik tack, Rasgotra lay in a hospital recovery room. Among the hovering Muhammad Nazim al-Haqqani, made a rare and unexpected visit to doctors and nurses he saw Baba, though the saint was a thousand miles Kabbani’s home in Lebanon. «He said to me, «I have received an inspi- away. When physicians told him he needed bypass surgery to avoid a ration from a chain of our grandmasters that your father is going to die fatal attack, Rasgotra consulted Baba in person, who told him he didn’t tonight at 7 p.m.» I asked, «How do you know this? My father is old but need it. Rasgotra skipped surgery and today, at 75, he plays 18 holes of in good health. «He said, «It is through our essence and the spiritual golf regularly. «I have total faith in Baba,» says Rasgotra. «Whatever connection that has been passed over thousands of years» It was 5 in he says comes about. Whenever you are with him you feel you’re shed- the evening and he told me to call the family together and not to tell my ding something and acquiring a new kind of life.» father. At five minutes before 7, my master came to my father’s room. For more than three millenniums, India has been a land of living My father told the sheik that he was in pain and his heart was failing. saints. It is also a land of nearly countless local gods and goddesses – When the clock was ringing at 7, my father passed away.» some 3 million of them, by one recent estimate. All gods, however, are In the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad rejects every request to but different forms of a single Absolute (Brahman) which is also the work miracles, saying that the Qur’an itself is a miracle, the only one a ground (Atman) of everyone who exists. Just as Hindu gods can de- Muslim needs. But in the oral traditions (ahadith) of his life, Muham- scend in human form, so the Hindu saint can achieve god-like con- mad works numerous miracles. He multiplies food for his companions sciousness. Thus, through rigorous meditation and other yogic practices, and heals a variety of ailments. Islamic theology distinguishes sharply the practitioner can decant his bottled divinity. Given this view, the line between the miracles (mu’jiza) that God’s prophets could perform and between human and divine is not as distinct as in the West. the karama, or wonders worked by later Muslim mystics and saints. Both Hinduism and Buddhism are quite precise about the kinds Islam means «submission» to Allah; Sufi mystics who submit their of powers or «superknowledges» that a successful practitioner of medi- minds and bodies in total prayer achieve a level of spiritual knowledge tation can expect. Among them are knowledge of one’s previous lives, that produces karama. Thus Sufi spiritual masters can intuit disasters, and the abilities to traverse great distances in a moment and to penetrate read the needs of souls and help the sick. the minds of others. But Buddhist sages, in particular, are wary of dis- From the beginning, Islam has also maintained a vigorous cult of playing these powers to others, lest it bolster the ego they are trying to the saints. The Qur’an itself speaks of friends of God (awliya’ Allah), overcome. Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, a Chinese Buddhist monk, and over the centuries Muslims have singled out certain figures for de- established a Chan monastery in San Francisco in 1970. In Asia, it is votion, including Muhammad’s favorite daughter, Fatimah. For Shiite reported that he could heal the ailments of those willing to follow the Muslims, the Prophet’s son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib even surpasses dharma of the Buddha. But in the United States, where he died in 1995, Muhammad as an intercessor with Allah. Pious Muslims venerate their Master Hua thought that using supernatural powers as a teaching tool saints, cherish their relics, invoke their protection and look to them for would be counterproductive in a rational, scientific society. blessings. Outside of Asian cultures, however, few believers encounter liv- Maharaj Krishna Rasgotra, a retired foreign secretary of India, ing saints – or their miracles. Indeed, in all the world’s religions the remembers the precise day almost 30 years ago when he became a most common miracles are those connected with prayers offered devotee of Saty Sai Baba, India’s most celebrated living saint. Over the anonymously at shrines. The «modern» shrine tradition may well have

61 62 begun 2,500 years ago, when the bones of the deceased Buddha were to a supernatural cause. A constant feature of the religious tradi- distributed as relics to tribal chieftains. Later they were collected and tions of the world, they often function as signs which testify to the enshrined in stupas across northern India. Today India is home to innu- divine approval of the message which is being proclaimed.» Does it merable shrines to assorted Hindu gods and goddesses who are also im- have the same common features yours includes? plored for miracles. In some Islamic countries, as in Catholic regions of Europe, pilgrimages to shrines remain a popular form of piety. But only 2. The word «miracle» is the key word in this text. Below you relatively recently have efforts been made to validate reported miracles. are invited to complete the chart of using the term with different The Marian shrine at Lourdes in France – where the first miracu- verbs. Translate the word-combinations and make up the sentences of lous cure was accepted in 1858 – has had only 66 of 6,000 healing your own. claims authenticated by the shrine’s medical boards. The last was in 1987. In Iran, the Jamkaran mosque outside the holy city of Qom has work been a point of pilgrimage for a thousand years. But only in 1998 did mosque officials begin investigating reported cures through its Registry of Divine Acts of Mercy. So far, officials have validated six miracles out of 270 claims. Miracles will always withhold their meaning from doubters and the merely credulous alike. In any case, miracles alone are never a substitute for faith. But as the United States becomes home to mira all the world’s religions, miracle stories have acquired a new and almost cle civic dimension. While they show that religions provide very different visions of how the transcendent operates in the world, those differences cease pray need not divide us: miracle stories also invite spiritual seekers to jour- for ney into worlds other than their own. As Gandhi understood, religion is itself an «experiment with truth.» But miracle stories can be interpreted only by communities of understanding and memory – that is, traditions. As an old Hasidic saying puts it, «He who believes all these tales is a fool, but anyone who cannot believe them is a heretic.» For believer and skeptic alike, that is the paradox inherent in any religious faith. 3. Look for the synonyms to the following words used in our ar- (With Patricia King in San Francisco, ticle. Sarah Downey in Chicago, Ana Figueroa in Los Angeles, 1. misfortune, Heather won Tesoriero and Michael Cronin in New York). 2. piety,

3. plead,

4. revival. 1. On a separate piece of paper write your own explanation of the word «miracle». Compare your version with a partner’s one. Is it 4. Give the English equivalents to the words in A and Russian possible to find anything common in them? Read the definition by the equivalents to the words in B. Wordsworth Dictionary of beliefs and religions: «Actions, happen- A: заступничество, необъяснимый, исцелять, знак, сострада- ings or events exceeding the known powers of nature and attributed ние, канонизация, грешный, почтенный, присущий;

63 64 B: resurrection, deeds, sage, intervention, coincidence, wonder, TEXT IX transcendent, kinfolk, foreshadow, venerate, intuit. Read the text and do all the tasks given below. 5. Answer the following questions. Everything studied above will help you. NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA 1. Is miracle always explicable? by Robert K. Massie 2. What do people usually ask when they pray for miracle? 3. What is the same and the different between modern and an- About the author. cient miracle stories? Born in Lexington, Kentuky, Robert K. Massie studied history at 4. The author says miracles are found in all the world religions. Is Yale University & Oxford University before embarking on a highly suc- there any difference? Can you give examples? cessful career as writer & editor. Among the publications with which 5. What modern miracle story mentioned in this text impressed the author has been associated are Newsweek, USA-1, The Saturday you most? Evening Post, The Reporter, Saturday Review, The New York Times 6. What is the basic form of Christian miracles? Magazine, and The New York Times Book Review. The affliction of 7. What is mentioned about new religious movements» attitude to the author’s young son by hemophilia inspired Mr. Massie’s interest in miracle within Christianity? the tragic drama of Nicholas & Alexandra, whose son also was stricken 8. What religious groups are least likely to believe in miracles? with the disease.This factor, as many reviewers have commented, gives Why? this brilliant work an added dimension of human understanding rare in 9. Is there any mentioning of holy books? Are any of them con- the writing of history. sidered to be a miracle? 10. The place taken by saints in religion is great. Are they rele- «I have a firm, an absolute conviction that the fate of Russia – vant to miracle? that my own fate and that of my family – is in the hands of God who 11. What country is a land of living saints? has placed me where I am. Whatever may happen to me, I shall bow 12. What is your personal attitude to miracle? What would you to His will with the consciousness of never having had any thought ask if praying for miracle? other than that of serving the country which He has entrusted to me.» Nicholas II

Chapter 1 The writing of this book is the result, like most things in the life, of a circumstance of Fate. Since the day, now over ten years ago, that my wife and I discovered that our son had hemophilia, I have tried to learn how other families dealt with the problem raised by this unique disease. In time, this led to curiosity about the response of the parents of the boy who was the most famous hemophiliac of all, the Tsarevich Alexis, the only son and heir of Nicholas II, last Tsar of all the Rus- sians.

65 66 Alexis was the center of this united family, the focus of all its cret tragedy of her life. How easy it was to reconstruct the stages of that hopes and affections. His sisters worshipped him. He was his parents» long Calvary.» pride and joy. When he was well, the palace was transformed. Everyone Hemophilia is as old as man. It has come down through the cen- and everything in it seemed bathed in sunshine. turies, misted in legend, shrouded with the dark dread of a hereditary From the beginning, the disease of hemophilia hung over this curse. On the Egypt of the Pharaohs, a woman was forbidden to bear sunny child like a dark cloud. The first ominous evidence had appeared further children if her firstborn son bled to death from a minor wound. at six weeks, when the boy bled from his navel. As he began to crawl Because over the last one hundred years it has appeared in the and toddle, the evidence grew stronger: his tumbles caused large, dark ruling houses of Britain, Russia and Spain, it has been called «the royal blue swellings on his legs and arms. When he was three and a half, a disease.» It remains one of the most mysterious and malicious of all the blow on the face brought a swelling which completely closed both eyes. genetic, chronic disease. Even today, both the cause and the cure are Medically, hemophilia meant that the Tsarevich’s blood did not unknown. Hemophilia follows no geographical or racial pattern; it ap- clot normally. Instead of clotting quickly as it would in a normal per- pears on all continents, in all races at a statistical ratio of one hemophil- son, the blood continued to flow unchecked for hours, making a swell- iac among every 10,000 males. ing or hematoma as big as a grapefruit. The worst pain and the perma- If Alexandra was surrounded by hemophilic relatives before she nent crippling effects of Alexis’s hemophilia came from bleeding into married, so were most of the princesses of Europe. So numerous were the joints. Blood entering the confined space of an ankle, knee or elbow Queen Victoria’s royal progeny – nine children and thirty-four grand- joint caused pressure on the nerves and brought nightmarish pain. children – that the defective gene had been spread far and wide. In mar- Sometimes the cause of the injury was apparent, sometimes not. In ei- rying and having children, hemophilia was considered one of the haz- ther cases, Alexis awakened in the morning to call, «Mama, I can’t walk ards royal parents faced, along with diphtheria, pneumonia, smallpox today,» or «Mama, I can’t bend my elbow.» Morphine was available, and scarlet fever. but because of its destructive habit-forming quality, the Tsarevich was In that era, every family, including royal families, had a long never given the drug. His only release from pain was fainting. string of children and expected to lose one or two in the process of «One morning I found the mother at her son’s bedside.» – wrote growing up. The death of a child was never a casual experience, but it Pierre Gilliard, Swiss tutor of the Tsarevich Alexis. «He had had a very rarely brought the life of a family to more than a temporary halt. Never- bad night. Dr. Derevenko was anxious as the hemorrhage had not theless, in Alexandra’s case the mere threat of death to her youngest stopped and his temperature was rising. The inflammation had spread child involved her totally, and through her, the fate of an ancient dy- and the pain was worse than the day before. The Tsarevich lay in bed nasty and the history of a great nation. Why was this so? groaning piteously. His head rested on his mother’s arm and his small, It is important to understand what the birth of Alexis meant to deadly white face was unrecognizable. At times the groans ceased and Alexandra. Her greatest desire after her marriage had been to give the he murmured the one word, «Mummy.» His mother kissed him on the Russian autocracy a male heir. Over the next ten years, she had four hair, forehead, and eyes as if the touch of her lips would relieve him of daughters, each healthy, charming and loved, but still not an Heir to the his pain and restore some of the life which was leaving him. Think of Throne. Each time Alexandra became pregnant, she prayed fervently for the torture of that mother, an important witness of her son’s martyrdom a boy. Each time, it seemed, her prayers were ignored. When Anastasia, in those hours of anguish – a mother who knew that she herself was the their fourth daughter, was born, Nicholas had to leave the palace and cause of those sufferings, that she had transmitted the terrible disease walk in the park to overcome his dissapointment before facing his wife. against which human science was powerless. Now I understood the se- The birth of the Tsarevich, therefore, meant far more to his mother than the arrival of just another child. This baby was the crowning of her mar-

67 68 riage, the fruit of her hours of prayer, God’s blessing on her, on her into renewed attempts to win His mercy by the fervent passion of her husband and on the people of Russia. prayers. All who saw the Empress with her infant son in those first Hour after hour, she prayed, either in the small room off her bed- months were struck with her happiness. At thirty-two, Alexandra was room or in the palace chapel, a darkened chamber lined with silken tap- tall, still slender, with gray-blue eyes and long red-gold hair. The child estries. For greater privacy, she established a small chapel in the crypt in her arms appeared to be glowing with health. The Tsarevich certainly of the Fedorovski Sobor, a church in the Imperial Park used by the was one of the handsomest babies one could imagine, with lovely fair household and soldiers of the Guard. Here, alone on the stone floors, by curls, great gray-blue eyes under the fringe of long curling lashes and the light of oil lamps, she begged for the health of her son. the fresh pink color of a healthy child. When he smiled, there were two In periods when Alexis was well, she dared to hope. «God has little dimples in his chubby cheeks. heard me,» she cried. Even as the years passed and one hemorrhage fol- Because she had waited so long and prayed so hard for her son, lowed another, Alexandra refused to believe that God had deserted her. the revelation that Alexis suffered from hemophilia struck Alexandra Instead, she decided that she herself must be unworthy of receiving a with savage force. From that moment, she lived in the particular sunless miracle. Knowing that the disease had been transmitted through her world reserved for the mothers of hemophiliacs. For any woman, there body, she began to dwell on her own guilt. Obviously, she told herself, is no more exquisite torture than watching helplessly as a beloved child if she had been the instrument of her son’s torture, she could not also suffers in extreme pain. become the instrument of his salvation. God has rejected her prayers; Hemophilia means great loneliness for a woman. At first, when a therefore she must find someone who was closer to God to intercede on hemophilic boy is born, the characteristic maternal reaction is a vigor- her behalf. When Gregory Rasputin, the Siberian peasant who was re- ous resolve to fight: somehow, somewhere, there must be a specialist ported to have miraculous power of faith healing, arrived in St. Peters- who can declare that a mistake has been made, or that a cure is just burg, Alexandra believed that God had at last given her an answer. around the corner. One by one, all the specialists are consulted. One by Russians are a compassionate people, warm in their love of chil- one, they sadly shake their heads. The particular emotional security that dren and deeply perceptive in their understanding of suffering. Why did doctors normally provide when confronting illness is gone. The mother they not open their hearts to this anguished mother and her stricken realizes that she is alone. child? Having discovered this and accepted it, she begins to prefer it that The answer, incredibly, is that Russia did not know. Most people way. The normal world, going about its everyday life, seems coldly un- in Moscow or Kiev or St. Petersburg did not know that the Tsarevich feeling. Since the normal world cannot help and does not understand, had hemophilia. When he missed a public function, it was announced she prefers to cut herself off from it. Her family becomes her refuge. that he had a cold or had suffered a sprained ankle. No one believed Here, where sadness need not be hidden, there are no questions and no these explanations and the boy became the subject of incredible rumors. pretensions. This inner world becomes the mother’s reality. So it was Alexis was said to be the victim of anarchists» bombs. At last, after Dr. for the Empress Alexandra in the little world of Tsarskoe Selo. Alexan- Fedorov warned Nicholas that the hemorrhage in the stomach could be dra, trying to control the waves of anxiety and frustration that kept roll- fatal at any hour, Count Fredericks received permission to begin pub- ing over her, sought answers by throwing herself into the Church. The lishing medical bulletins. Still, there was no mention of the cause. Russian Orthodox Church is an emotional church with a strong belief in Official announcements of the grave illness of the Heir to the the healing power of faith and prayer. As soon as the Empress realized Throne plunged Russia into national prayer. Special services were held that no doctor could aid her son, she determined to wrest from God the in great cathedrals and in small churches in lonely villages. Before the Miracle which science denied. «God is just,» she declared, and plunged blessed icon in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan in St. Petersburg,

69 70 Russians stood and prayed night and day. «All the servants, the Cos- 2. Answer the following questions. sacks, the soldiers and all the rest were wonderfully sympathetic,» 1. What prompted the author to write this book? Nicholas wrote to his mother. «At the beginning of Alexei’s illness, 2. What emotions are aroused by the description of Alexis’ dis- they begged the priest, Vassiliev, to hold a Te Deum in the open. They ease? begged him to repeat it every day until he recovered.» 3. What words did the author use to show mother’s fidget? More than once, it seemed the end had come. At lunch one day, 4. The author mentioned that hemophilia was spread among royal the Tsar was handed a note scribbled by the Empress from her place families. Why was the situation with Alexandra particular? beside Alexis’s bed. Alexis was suffering so terribly that she knew he 5. Why does hemophilia mean loneliness for a woman? was about to die. It was on this night, at the end of hope, that Alexandra 6. What became the Empress’ salvation? called on Rasputin. She asked Anna Vyrubova [The Empress Alexan- 7. What did Alexandra feel when Rasputin appeared? dra’s closest friend and confident] to telegraph him in Pokrovskoe, his 8. How did the author, the foreigner, describe the Russian Ortho- home in Siberia, begging him to pray for the life of her son. Rasputin dox church and the Russians? immediately cabled back: «God has seen your tears and heard your 9. Why did the Tsarevich become the subject of rumors? prayers. Do not grieve. The Litlle One will not die. Do not allow the 10. How did people react to the Heir’s illness? doctors to bother him too much.» A day later, the hemorrhage stopped. 11. Did Alexis change after it? The boy was spent, utterly wasted, but alive. 12. Can we say the same happen to Alexandra? Why? The part played by Rasputin’s telegram in Alexis’s recovery remains one of the most mysterious of the whole Rasputin legend. Chapter 2 A month later, Alexis had recovered sufficiently to be moved There was much about Gregory back to Tsarskoe Selo. Almost a year was to pass before Alexis could Rasputin that was repulsive. When he first walk again. He became a more serious child, more reflective and more appeared in 1905 in several of St. Peters- considerate of other people. For an eight-year-old boy, it was a matter to burg’s most elegant drawing rooms, the heralded Siberian «miracle worker» was ponder that his father was autocrat over millions of men and the master in his early thirties, broad-shouldered, of the largest empire on earth, and yet had no power to spare him the muscular, of average height. He dressed pain he had felt in his leg. For Alexandra, it was a supreme religious roughly in loose peasant blouse and baggy experience. She had been, for what seemed an eternity, in Hell. The trousers tucked into the top of heavy, power that vanquished Hell and saved her son had been a sign from cruedly made leather boots. He was filthy. Heaven. Beneath that sign stood Gregory Rasputin. He rose and slept and rose again without ever bothering to wash himself or change 1. Look through the text and find the synonyms to the following his clothes. His hands were grimy, his words. nails black, his beard tangled and encrusted with debris. His hair was 1. grief 7. spiteful 13. curing 19. exhausted long and greasy. Not surprisingly, he gave off a powerful, acrid odor. 2. destiny 8. posterity 14. achieve 20. tzar Rasputin’s eyes were his most remarkable feature. Friends and 3. miserably 9. successor 15. wonder 21. reflect enemies alike described their strange power. It was difficult to resist the 4. misery 10. solitude 16. forgiveness 22. immortality power of Rasputin’s steady gaze. Rasputin’s eyes were the foundation 5. helpless 11. shelter 17. mediate 23. overcome of his power, but when they failed him, he was quick to use his whee- 6. imprecation 12. inward 18. gossip dling tongue.

71 72 The rise of Gregory Rasputin would have been impossible in any and forty-four when he died. His birthplace was Pokrovskoe, a village country other than Russia. Even in Russia, pungent, shaggy, semi- on the Tura River in western Siberia. It was a hard, windswept land literate peasants did not normally take tea with prime ministers. where the temperature in winter dropped to forty below zero and to sur- Rasputin appeared in St. Petersburg as a starets – a Man of God who vive took great strength and hard physical work. Climate and isolation lived in poverty, asceticism and solitude, offering himself as a guide to had their effect on the mind, and more mystics, more holy men and other souls in moments of suffering and turmoil. Sometimes, as in his more outlandish sects came out of Siberia than any other part of Russia. case, the starets might also be a strannik – a pilgrim who carried his Rasputin’s first appearance in St. Petersburg occurred in 1903 poverty and his offerings of guidance in wanderings from place to and lasted for five months. Even in the capital, remote and sophisti- place. These were types that all Russians could recognize. Through cated, his reputation had preceded him. He was said to be a strange Si- Russian history, armies of impoverished pilgrims had walked across the berian moujik who, having sinned and repented, had been blessed with stepps from village to village and monastery to monastery, living on extraordinary powers. As such, he was received by the city’s most fa- whatever the peasants or monks might choose to give them. Many as- mous churchman, Father John of Kronstadt. John was a saintly figure cetics walked barefoot in the winter or wrapped their legs with heavy noted for the power of his prayers, and his church at Kronstadt was an chains. Some preached, others claimed powers of healing. If the Ortho- object of pilgrimages from across Russia. He had been the private con- dox church caught them preaching heresy, they went to prison, but their fessor to Tsar Alexander III and had sat with the family by Alexander’s poverty and self-sacrifice often made them seem holier than the local bed at Livadia while the Tsar was dying. To be received and blessed by priests. this most revered priest in Russia was an impressive step in Rasputin’s All Russians listened to these holy men. Even educated Russians progress. treated them with respect. Dostoyevsky wrote in The Brothers In 1905, Rasputin was back in St. Petersburg. This time, he was Karamasov, « The starets is he who takes your soul and makes it his.» taken to meet the aged Archimandrite Theophan, Inspector of the St. Before his death, Count Leo Tolstoy visited the revered starets of Opt- Petersburg Theological Academy and former confessor to the Empress ina Poustin for counsel. Alexandra. Like Father John, Theophan was struck by the apparent fer- Rasputin was a fraudulent starets. Most were saintly old men vor of Rasputin’s faith and arranged for him to meet ranking church- who had left all temptation and worldly goods behind. Rasputin was man, Bishop Hermogen of Saratov. With all of these priests and bish- young, he was married and had three children, and his powerful friends ops, Rasputin’s approach was the same. He refused to bow and treated later bought him the grandest house in his village. His mind was impure them with jolly, spontaneous good humor, as if they were friends and and his moral behavior was gross. His head was filled with Scriptures, equals. Put off balance by his egalitarianism and simple sincerity, they and his deep, powerful voice made him a compelling preacher. Besides, were also impressed by his obvious gifts as a preacher. He was a phe- he had wandered the length and breadth of Russia and twice made pil- nomenon, it seemed to them, which had been given to the Church and grimages to the Holy Land. He presented himself as a humble penitent, which the Church, then trying to strengthen its roots among the peasants, a man who had sinned greatly, been forgiven and commanded to do could put to valuable use. They welcomed him as a genuine starets. God’s work. It was a touching symbol of his humility, people said, that The truth about Rasputin’s effect on the Tsarevich will never be he kept the nickname «Rasputin» which he had earned as a young man precisely known. Few medical records of these episodes were kept and in his native village. «Rasputin» in Russian means «dissolute.» none survived the Revolution. There were those who, in regard to Rasputin was born Gregory Efimovich, the son of Efim, a farmer Rasputin,expressed scepticism that his presence had any effect at all. who once had been a coachman in the Imperial Mail. The year was Pierre Gilliard [Swiss tutor of the Tsarevich Alexis] mentions the theory 1872; thus he was thirty-three when he first met the Imperial Family, that Rasputin was a clever cheat who had an accomplice in the palace.

73 74 By 1911, St. Petersburg was in an uproar over Rasputin. It was dignant. Why should there be such a storm? The man has done nothing the Church which initiated the first formal investigation of Rasputin’s but good. Thus a messenger of death has placed himself between the activities and carried the first official complaints to the Tsar. Bishop throne and the nation... And because of the man’s fareful duality, under- Theophan, who had been impressed by Rasputin’s faith and had rec- stood by neither Tsar nor people, neither side can understand the other. ommended him to the Empress, was the first to entertain doubts. Once So the Tsar and his people, however apart, are leading each other to the he had been Alexandra’s confessor; now he advised her that something edge of the abyss.» was fearfully wrong about the «Holly Man» he had recommended to Pierre Gilliard was more succinct. «The fatal influence of that her. The result was that Theophan, a distinguished theologian, was man [Rasputin] was the principal cause of death of those who thought transferred from the Theological Academy to become Bishop of the to find in him their salvation.» Crimea. Next, the Metropolitan Anthony called on the Tsar to discuss 1. Look through the text again and find all the epithets used to Rasputin. Nicholas replied that the private affairs of the Imperial family describe the personality of Gregory Rasputin. Divide them into two were no concern of the Church. «No , Sire,» the Metropolitan replied, groups [with positive and negative meaning] and consider which one «this is not merely a family affair, but the affair of all Russia. The prevails in number. Make a conclusion. Tsarevich is not only your son, but our future sovereign and belongs to all Russia.» Nicholas nodded and quietly ended the interview. But soon 2. Answer the following questions. afterward, Anthony fell ill and died. 1. Can we guess that the book was written not by the Russian au- The single most damaging attack on Rasputin came from a flam- thor? If yes, how? boyant young zealot of a monk named Iliodor. Iliodor was fanatical in 2. The author said that the rise of Rasputin was possible only in his beliefs. He preached strict adherence to the Orthodox faith and the Russia. How did he explain this statement? Do you find these argu- absolute autocracy of the Tsar. In Rasputin, Iliodor saw an ally. When ments enough? Rasputin was first brought to him by Theophan , Iliodor welcomed the 3. How did the author explain the term starets? primitive religious fervor manifested by the starets. In 1909, Iliodor 4. What facts of Rasputin’s biography are mentioned in the text? discovered Rasputin’s other face. 5. Were there any priests trying to reveal Rasputin’s real face? After the Revolution, Basil Shulgin, an intensely monarchist What happened to them? member of the Duma and one of the two men who, trying to preserve 6. Do you consider Rasputin as positive or negative event in his- the monarchy, obtained the abdication of Nicholas II, analyzed tory of Russia? Why? Rasputin’s role: «Rasputin was a Janus... To the Imperial family he had turned his face as a humble starets and, looking at it, the Empress can- 3. Translate the text below into English. not but be convinced that the spirit of God rests upon this man. And to Григорий Распутин родился 29 июля 1871 года в селе По- the country he has turned the beastly, drunken unclean face of a bald кровское Тюменской области. Поскольку место его рождения было satyr from Tobolsk. Here we have the key to it all. The country is in- практически недосягаемо для большинства желающих, то о жизни dignant that such a man should be received under the Tsar’s roof. And Григория Распутина на родине сохранились лишь отрывочные и under the roof there is bewilderment and a sense of bitter hurt. Why неточные сведения, источником которых был в основном он сам. should they all be enraged? That a saintly man came to pray over the В 18 лет Распутин совершил первое паломничество в мона- unhappy Heir, a desperately sick child whose least imprudent move- стырь в Верхотуре, однако монашеского обета не дал. В 19 лет он ment may end in death? So the Tsar and the Empress are hurt and in- возвратился в Покровское, где женился.

75 76 Брак не остудил паломнический пыл (to cool his pilgrim’s ar- Николай не приветствовал частые появления Распутина во dour) Григория Распутина. Он продолжал посещать различные свя- дворце. Тем более, что вскоре в Петербурге стали ходить слухи о тые места, дошел даже до монастыря Атос в Греции и до Иеруса- крайне непристойном поведении Распутина. лима. И все это пешком! В конце концов чаша терпения была переполнена. В среде После таких путешествий Распутин возомнил (considered) императорского окружения возник заговор против Распутина. Его себя избранником Бога, объявил, что он святой, и на каждом шагу инициаторами были князь Феликс Юсупов (муж императорской (all around) рассказывал о своем чудодейственном даре приносить племянницы), Владимир Митрофанович Пуришкевич (депутат IV исцеление. Слухи о сибирском знахаре стали распространяться по Государственной Думы, известный своими ультраконсервативны- России, и вскоре уже не Распутин совершал паломничества, а люди ми взглядами) и великий князь Дмитрий Павлович (двоюродный стремился попасть к нему. Многие из его пациентов прибывали из брат императора Николая). 30 декабря 1916 года они пригласили далеких краев. Необходимо отметить при этом, что Распутин нигде Григория Распутина во дворец Юсупова для встречи с племянни- не учился, не имел даже примерного представления (has no idea) о цей императора, известной петербургской красавицей. В пирож- медицине, был неграмотным. Однако он безукоризненно (impecca- ных и напитках, поданных гостю, содержался цианистый калий. bly) играл свою роль: действительно помогал людям, мог успоко- Однако яд не подействовал. Нетерпеливые заговорщики решили ить тех, кто находился на грани отчаяния. использовать стопроцентное средство – Юсупов выстрелил в Рас- Однажды Распутину было знамение (sign) – ему явилась Бо- путина. Но ему снова удалось спастись. Когда он выбежал из гоматерь, которая рассказала о болезни царевича Алексея, единст- дворца, его встретили Пуришкевич и великий князь, которые в венного сына императора Николая II, и приказала Распутину ехать упор застрелили «сибирского старца». Он еще пытался подняться в Петербург и спасти наследника престола. на ноги, когда его связали, засунули в мешок с грузом и сбросили в В 1905 году Распутин попал в столицу Российской империи, прорубь (ice-hole). Позже вскрытие (necropsy) показало, что старец, причем в очень удачный момент. Дело в том, что церковь нужда- уже будучи на дне Невы, отчаянно боролся за свою жизнь, но в лась в «пророках» – людях, которым бы верил народ. Распутин конце концов захлебнулся (became breathless)... был как раз из этой категории – типичная крестьянская внешность, простая речь, крутой нрав. Однако враги говорили, что Распутин использует религию лишь как ширму (screen) для жажды денег и власти. В 1907 году его пригласили к императорскому двору – как раз в разгар одного из приступов болезни у цесаревича. Дело в том, что императорская семья скрывала гемофилию наследника, опаса- ясь общественных волнений. Поэтому они долго отказывались от услуг Распутина. Однако когда состояние ребенка стало критиче- ским, Николай сдался. Вся последующая жизнь Распутина в Санкт-Петербурге была неразрывно связана с лечением царевича. Однако не ограничива- лась этим. Распутин приобрел много знакомых в высших слоях петербургского общества. Обе дочери Григория Распутина были определены в гимназию.

77 78 TEXT X Matthew glances around a fluorescent-lit, drop-ceilinged room that looks like a driving school – all motivational posters and video Do you find the new religious organizations to be a dangerous equipment shoved into corners. Matthew sighs. «This,» he says, closing movement? the book, «is the ideal org.» Can we consider them cults? «This» is New Haven’s Church of Scientology, a squat office on What causes the appearance of sects and cults? Have you heard Whalley Ave. that looks more like one of the city’s storefront churches anything about Scientology Church? than the site of a new civilization’s inception. In a city founded by per- Have any of your friends or acquaintances joined scientology? secuted pilgrims, it’s easy to dismiss just another religious sect, espe- Read the definition of the term «scientology» given by the cially one so often characterized by the media as a kooky, anti- Wordsworth dictionary of beliefs and religions. psychiatry prayer group. But Scientologists like Matthew claim to be A movement on the fringe of Christianity, developed in the USA part of the «world’s fastest growing religion» and describe the era to by L Ron Hubbard in the 1950s, which strives to open the mind of ad- come as a sort of Golden Age for Scientology. Now, New Haven’s Sci- herents to all great truths and to self-determination. Jesus is seen as entologists are constructing a multi-million dollar church. Just down the one of several important teachers. The Church’s scientific and religious road, Yalies remain blissfully unaware of the movement starting in their claims have given rise to much controversy, as have its methods of fi- own backyard. nancial management, and in the 1980s it defended several lawsuits in the USA. Nevertheless it has a wide following. What most passesby know about Scientology they’ve gleaned Now read the Internet site article about this organization and do from supermarket tabloids. But, the facts of this religion are far stranger the tasks below. than a 300 pound baby. Followers believe in an Overlord, or Creator- figure named Xenu, who, 75 million years prior, sent his planet’s excess MOVING OUT OF A STOREFRONT INTO A TEMPLE, population, or Thetans, on space planes (modeled after Douglas DC-8s) NEW HAVEN’S CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY to the planet Teegeeack, or Earth, for extermination. Loading the IS BOOMING Thetans into Earth’s volcanoes, he pelted them with hydrogen bombs – such that their exploded corpses adhered to the flesh of the native earth- The Yale Herald / October 1, 2005 lings. According to Scientologists, this cosmology is really no less be- By Adriane Quibly lievable than the Virgin Birth or Jesus’s resurrection. But what seems a little bit strange is that all this was prophesied in the «50s by an entre- Matthew has a scrubbed, clean face. He preneur named L. Ron Hubbard, who is best known outside the church smiles a lot. He can’t be older than 23, 24. His as the author of hundreds of sci-fi pulps. cornflower blue polo has been ironed. It matches New Haven’s Scientologist clan plans to move from the former his eyes. On the left breast, his shirt is imprinted furniture store that they currently occupy into the former 1926 Olive with the phrase, «This is it! / The Ideal Org! / Branch Masonic Temple, a space three times as large. A display case in We’re putting it here!,» just over the heart. If the present office showcases the impressive refurbishment plans – all you ask him what the «Ideal Org,» refers to, plush velvet, scrollwork, and mysterious symbols carved like Wedge- Matthew will pull a book off a shelf of leather- wood onto dimly lit, buttery walls. bound volumes, flipping to a page he has already A Scientology Center on Though symbolically this new facility marks their «Golden Age» memorized: «One would look at this ideal org Hollywood Boulevard in in New Haven, its interior is currently gutted and empty. Just last week- Hollywood, California and know that this was the place a new civilization was being established for this planet.» end, a modest tag sale aimed to raise the last of the funds: L. Ron Hub-

79 80 bard cassette tapes lay for sale alongside sweater-vests and «60s cook- dent. A video screened to newcomers explains Scientology’s core prac- books. Minister Carol Yingling came to work in slippers. «I forgot I tice – Dianetics, a pseudo-psychological confessional that aims to rid sold my favorite black shoes,» she explained to the sparse congregation, participants of the bad memories that inhibit their current behavior. «I pointing at her feet, «I had to buy them back on the way over here.» never get depressed – ever,» a member of the congregation testified of On that Sunday, Yingling was only speaking to twenty-five peo- the process. When asked by the video’s narrator think back on negative ple sitting in folding chairs. The new church, however, has space for phrases they hear constantly, a man described how the phrase, «I’m a almost five times that many. To make full use of the new elbow room, loser, I’m a loser,» loops in his head. The scene recalls, of course, the Rachel, the head of recruitment, says they’re looking to double the Beck lyric, «I’m a loser, baby / So why don’t you kill me?» Even Beck, number of staff members – from the present 40 to around 80. Will the indie-teen-idol, is a registered Scientologist, whose glammy smile church look to Yale to fill the gap? graces Scientology’s shiniest propaganda. Currently, there are no registered Scientologist student groups on Five or six teenaged girls sit in the back row at service one Sun- campus, and no Yalies attend services. But certainly Yale will feel the day, sneaking peaks at sci-fi romances one minute and listening to the effects of the church expansion. Recruitment schemes are growing more minister the next. In the past year, both the University of Cincinatti and and more insidious – swiftly zooming in on fumbling, self-seeking col- the University of Houston have printed op-eds against aggressive re- lege students, individuals desperate for a connection with something cruitment techniques. greater. Rachel herself was recruited right out of college, and nearly as Matthew, Rachel, and Don admit they actively recruit from soon as she stepped foot in the church, she was offered a staff position: «business colleges and typing colleges» in the area, but haven’t yet set «I finished the Basic Study manual before I finished my first Dianetics foot on Yale’s campus – a feat which requires paperwork. University course,» she bragged to her friend and co-worker, Don, a Southern Chaplain Reverend Frederick J. Streets, doesn’t mind their recent en- Connecticut State University drop out. In other words, Rachel finished croachment: «When it comes to Yale students,» he said in a phone in- qualifications for a clergy position before she even attended Sunday terview, «my main concern is that before they give their commitment school. [to any group] they should be very critically thinking about it, what’s Though Scientologists have occupied the Elm City since the re- expected of them, what do they think they’re going to get out of it, be- ligion’s advent in the «50s in the form of «missions,» the first church fore deciding to be a part of it.» came about in the early «80s, and recruitment is only now edging to- Before a Yalie considers Scientology, he or she should consider ward the University’s campus. Recently, Scientologists have actively the cost, even before the creed. The major contrast between Scientology recruited near the intersection of York and Broadway, outside the stu- and other organized religions is a system of mandatory donations, like dent-flooded Gourmet Heaven, touting «stress tests» which encourage tithes, that must be paid to undergo the auditing sessions necessary to students to evaluate their lives using a handy written examination as attain enlightenment. well as an «e-meter,» a pseudo-scientific measuring device outfitted «They’re the only religious group I know that self-consciously with two steel cylinders, which purportedly senses, through changes of operates as if it is a business,» Jon Butler, professor of religious history mass, the moment when the person holding them grabs hold of an idea. at Yale, said. Speaking of how Scientology offers classes in everything Until the FDA stepped in in 1963, Scientologists freely marketed the from drug awareness to marriage counseling, Rachel mentions that device as a psychological aid and medical panacea. Today, there’s a what’s really helpful are the classes on finances. She pulls out two small warning label. books written by Hubbard – The Dynamics of Money and Financial It’s easy to understand how Scientology’s most immediate claim Control. But the church’s real financial record is not spelled out as – a cleansing of stress – might attract the oft-overworked college stu- clearly. IRS evidence tracks funds from congregants through money

81 82 laundering systems in Panama, to numbered Swiss bank accounts. A stand: the «analytic mind.» Like psychoanalysis, whose terms Hubbard 1991 Time Magazine article estimated the income of just one of their appropriated, the «Auditing sessions» that cure these problems’ prices branches at $503 million per year. The Golden Age comes with a price. run steep and are the only way for a «preclear» (someone whose mind is The church is often marred by lawsuits from disenchanted congregants still cluttered with engrams), to achieve «clear,» or, in other religions: who claim Scientology scammed them out of thousands of dollars – enlightenment. promising enlightenment. But Scientologists draw a hard line between the type of therapy «It’s an option,» Yingling said of the donations. «People some- they offer and psychological therapy. Don, a church staff member, times give more.» Rachel and Matthew are happy to work at the speaks at length of Scientology’s accepting nature – citing the Creed Church. That way, their auditing sessions are «discounted.» A chart on written by Hubbard whose first tenet is «that all men of whatever race, the back wall shows them how many levels they have left before they color, or creed were created with equal rights» – but he admits that there reach «clear,» and shows the strata of enlightenment above that. It is a kind of person they would be unwilling to welcome into the fold: seems to go up and up forever. «If you wanted to be a psychologist and gave lobotomies, then we’re Scientologists think a lot of things can be solved by «auditing,» a against that,» he says. «We’re just against people hurting other people.» process that medical professionals don’t agree with. A framed sign on In a classroom just behind him, an instructor sports a shirt that screams: Rachel’s desk reads, in friendly, curly script, «If you have come here to «Psychiatric drugs turn children into Killers!!!» The argument that to- be cured of a physical illness, see the registrar.» The registrar is a full day’s youth is over-medicated has perhaps been more tastefully made in time staffer who schedules auditing sessions. Scientology’s blacklist of less absolute terms. diseases, which are «purely psychosomatic» and thus curable through On Yale’s campus, academics looking solely at statistics would auditing, include tuberculosis, heart conditions, the common cold, ar- disagree with church leaders that psychology is detrimental. «The attack thritis, and ulcers – from which Hubbard himself suffered. And some of on psychology is dangerous precisely for people who need reputable the biggest court battles Scientologists have fought have been against counseling,» said Professor Butler. University Chaplain Rev. Streets, the families of the dead who demanded repercussions for an institution whose office provides pamphlets advertising «Mental Health and Coun- which pulled their loved ones away from clinically proven modes of seling Services» alongside pamphlets from «Indigo Blue, A Center for mental healing toward a «religion» founded on the un-researched ideas Buddhist Life at Yale,» is also worried about such a hard and fast divi- of a man who failed grade school. sion. «I believe that there should be and can be a healthy relation between Though the religion publicly disavows psychology, Scientolo- science and health and religion,» he said. «Religious groups make the gists» core beliefs encapsulate a good deal of psychological rhetoric, an separation much more strongly than I would.» Like the Christian Right, irony which isn’t lost on Butler. «Well, I mean, there’s a very crude cults and religious sects galvanize their various supporters around a parallel between Scientology and the earliest stages of Christian devel- «Satanic figure,» Butler argues. «There are certain people in society opment in the sense that you’re creating a new religious system,» Butler who thrive on the existence of evil and the personification of evil.» In observed. «And they use a variety of techniques to create themselves, order to become a staff member of the Church of Scientology, one must such as appropriating a language we esteem.» swear an oath that one has not undergone psychoanalysis. Unlike relig- Closely following Freud’s theories of repression, Scientologists ions interested in converting the downtrodden, Scientologists’ restric- believe that bad memories, or «engrams,» become infused with every- tion on who it will agree to «help» seems to counter an argument like thing concurrent to them. To rid the mind of «engrams,» congregants Don’s that the church is solely interested in «helping people.» must consciously move their bad memory associations from this «reac- There is one segment of the «Gay Ivy» that Scientology might tive mind» to the portion of their brain which can analyze and under- not «help,» exactly: homosexual students. «I have gay friends,» says

83 84 Don, «but they’re not Scientologists.» Homosexuals are classified as an 1. Here you are given the definitions to some difficult words from «outness on the second dynamic,» Rachel explains gently. Ask her what this text. Look them through and try to understand their meanings. she means and she’ll define «Dynamic two» as sexuality, and «out- Sci-fi – science fiction-stories in books, magazines, and films about ness,» as a problem, a deviation (all of this is in their bible, Dianetics). events that take place in the future or in other parts of the universe; This seems to be the core of Scientologists’ belief. Whereas many relig- to squat – to occupy an unused building or unused land without ions embrace difference and celebrate it, Scientology professes to em- having a legal right to do so; brace difference and then eradicate it. «That’s just a part of the person’s kooky – slightly strange or eccentric, but often in a way which case,» Rachel says, speaking still of the rhetorical possibility of a ho- makes you like them; mosexual. «And it would be able to be audited.» earthling – used in science fiction to refer to human beings who But New Haven’s congregation concentrates less on the negative live on the planet Earth; aspects of their burgoening congregation, and more on celebrating their to gut (a building) – to destroy the inside of it so that only its out- messiah figure, L. Ron Hubbard. The Whalley branch sports a brass side walls remain; sculpture of Father Hubbard’s pouting bust, a framed portrait of him indie (music) – rock or pop music produced by new bands work- glowering and ponderous hangs behind the main podium, and upstairs, ing with small, independent record companies; in the church’s administrative wing, an office is kept for him, dusted lobotomy – a surgical operation in which some of the nerves in regularly, in case he stops by. It looks like the lair of a less glamorous the brain are cut in order to treat severe mental illness; Mr. Burns – complete with an imposing executive chair, a wide desk, a scam – an illegal trick, usually with the purpose of getting money jar of pens, a bookshelf housing some of his many writings, a fax ma- from people or avoiding paying tax; chine, and – according to rumors–a cup of coffee to be refilled daily. downtrodden – people treated very badly by people with power, But Hubbard has been dead for nearly ten years. and they do not have the ability or the energy to do anything about it. «It’s a tradition,» says Minister Carol Yingling as she shows off the second floor. «Every church keeps an office. We’re building an of- 2. Look through the text and find the following words. Give fice for Mr. Hubbard in our new building.» their Russian equivalents. Match them with their definitions. In this Golden Age of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard’s office stays 1. advent 6. enlightenment 11. op-ed empty. And so, too, may the chairs in their new building. «We don’t tell 2. be persecuted 7. exterminate 12. refurbishment people what to believe about God,» Carol Yingling says on a Sunday, 3. burgeon 8. fraternity 13. scam watching her congregation file out. «People come to it on their own.» 4. deviation 9. haven 14. tenet

5. disavow 10. lawsuit 15. thrive At her request, the writer’s name has been changed.

a) case in a court of law which concerns a dispute between two Vocabulary notes: people or organizations; Org – organisation b) to do well and be successful, healthy, or strong; Oft-overworked – often worked too hard c) the fact of it starting or coming into existence; IRS – inland Revenue Service (внутренняя налоговая служба d) to be treated cruelly and unfairly, often because of race or be- США) liefs; FDA – Food and Drug Administration (управление по контро- e) to say that you are not connected with something or responsi- лю за продуктами и лекарствами в США) ble for it;

85 86 f) a final spiritual state in which everything is understood and 5. Can you explain the scientologists’ main claim? there is no more suffering or desire; 6. How do they offer to solve the problem of bad memories? g) doing something that is different from what people consider to 7. Can we catch the author’s attitude to this organization? If yes, be normal or accebtable; find the words and phrases which help us do it. h) a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based; 8. What scientific and religious signs does this movement have? i) an illegal trick, usually with the purpose of getting money from 9. What information from this text would you use to persuade people or avoiding paying tax; your friend to avoid New Haven’s Scientologist clan? j) a page containing articles in which people express their opin- 10. Why to your mind did the author ask to change her name? ions about things; k) people who have the same profession or the same interests; 5. Translate the extract taken from «Encyclopedia about l) the act or process of cleaning it, decorating it, and providing it Crimes and disasters» into English. All studied above will help you. with new equipment or facilities; m) a place where people or animals feel safe, secure, and happy; Церковь Сайентологии n) to grow or develop rapidly; o) to kill a group of people or animals. Основателем «Церкви сайентологии» был отставной (retired) морской офицер Ла- 3. Give English equivalents to these words. Make sentences of файет Рон Хаббард. Он родился в Тилдене your own using these words. (американский штат Небраска) в 1911 г. После второй мировой войны Хаббард 1. становиться известным 9. прихожанин взялся за написание научно-фантастических 2. отправная точка (начало) 10. отражение романов. В 1950 г. Хаббард, написавший к 3. блаженно 11. последствия этому времени уже 76 таких романов, выпус- 4. бульварная пресса 12. священник тил книгу под названием «Дианетика: совре- 5. хитрый, коварный 13. доход менная наука о духовном здоровье». Термин 6. универсальное средство 14. пагубный L. Ron Hubbard «дианетика» он объясняет как сочетание гре- 7. выдуманный 15. логовище ческих слов, в переводе означающих «через душу» или «через соз- 8. агрессия, вторжение 16. ловкий трюк нание», т. е. наукой о сознании, или сайентологией – наукологией. Дианетика, по утверждениям самого Хаббарда, решает свои задачи 4. Answer the following questions. Use the words from the tasks не прибегая к помощи гипноза, наркотиков, хирургии и других ис- above. кусственных средств. 1. What version of earth’s origin is given in this text? Who was it «Дианетика» наделала много шума. В течение трех месяцев prophesied by? было продано 100 тысяч экземпляров книги. 2. What persons are usually recruited by Scientologists? Первоначально Хаббард объявил дианетику наукой, но, встре- 3. The leader of new religious movement is usually considered to тив сопротивление со стороны ученого мира, довольно быстро пе- be a charismatic person. Is it the same with L. Ron Hubbard? What is реименовал ее в религию. Для своей религии Хаббард придумал mentioned about him in this text? сложный набор по-ученому звучащих терминов. Человек, вступаю- 4. Why in your opinion do they consider the classes on finance щий в общество «Церковь сайентологии», называется до-ясным, т. е. really helpful?

87 88 еще не освобожденным от осаждающих его духовных затруднений, во время длительных сеансов, когда пациентов заставляют многие в отличие от разрешившего свои проблемы ясного сайентолога. часы сидеть то с закрытыми, то с открытыми глазами, выполнять Ясный – цель дианетической терапии – может быть создан из пси- разные команды вроде «садитесь сюда», «пересядьте в это кресло» хопата, невротика, сумасшедшего, преступника или нормального и т. п. человека, если у них органически здоровая нервная система. Общество сайентологов ввело наказания за проступки ве- Процесс превращения из до-ясного в ясное состояние зани- рующих. Эти наказания могут выражаться в денежных штрафах мает немалый срок и обходится совсем недешево. Цель всех этих размером до нескольких тысяч долларов. манипуляций состоит в том, чтобы избавить человека от энгармов, Результатом слишком интенсивного прояснения были мно- таящихся в подсознании и нарушающих его духовное здоровье. гочисленные случаи депрессии, истерии, даже самоубийства. По разъяснению Хаббарда, в основе всего находятся тетаны В различных странах проводилось следствие с целью опре- – бессмертные духи, существующие 74 млрд лет. Это всемогущие, делить, в какой мере сайентология является новой религией. В од- неразрушимые существа. Тетаны страдали лишь от своего бессмер- ном официальном отчете в Австралии сайентология характеризо- тия, которое им порядком наскучило. Тогда они решили заняться валась как крупнейшая в мире организация неквалифицированных играми, создавая различные Вселенные, но и это им надоело. Тогда лиц, практикующих опасные методы, замаскированные под психо- они решили ограничить самих себя, свою власть, свои знания и терапию. стали перевоплощаться сначала в деревья, потом в животных и, на- В начале 1986 г. Хаббард умер, оставив ворочающую миллио- конец, в более высокие формы жизни – в людей. После ряда пере- нами империю и армию фанатичных и послушных приверженцев. воплощений они накопили отягощающие их энгармы, успев со- вершенно забыть о своем божественном происхождении. Эту великую тайну раскрыл Хаббард, тем самым заложив ос- новы сайентологии. Освобождаясь от энгарм, до-ясный должен последовательно пройти восемь степеней ясности, прежде чем его объявят ясным. Известно, что любое производство требует денег. Успеха в этом деле можно было достичь, лишь истратив не менее 10 тысяч долларов. Превратив сайентологию из псевдонауки в религию, Хаб- бард соответственно перестроил и организацию. Он составил спе- циальные молитвенники, правила проведения воскресных церков- ных служб, включая церемонии крещения, браков и похорон, кото- рыми должны были руководствоваться все священники нового культа. Формально целью общества считается пропаганда и просве- щение в области теологии и религиозной философии в приложении к сайентологии. Церковь распространяет веру в переселение душ и обещает физическое бессмертие. Весь набор нелепостей (absurdity), в которые заставляют поверить неофита, выдается малыми дозами

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1. Два в одном. Декабрь 2004 – январь 2005. 2. Эррикер К. Буддизм. М.: ФАИР-ПРЕСС, 2003. 304 с. 3. Alice A. Bailey’s Initiation, Human and Solar Lucis Publishing Co., New York, 2001. 4. Ancient Egypt. Myth and history. 2004s and Grosset. 480 с. 5. Even more true stories. By Sandra Heyer. Longman, 1992. 94 c. Учебное издание 6. The dangerous science of religion. Moving out of a storefront into a temple, New Haven’s Church of Scientology is booming. The Yale Herald/October 1, 2005 … www.rickross.com/reference/scientology Составитель /history/history76. Майра Хаджимуратовна Рахимбергенова 7. Life of Buddha. www.souledout.org/wesak/storybuddha.html 8. Marie Claire. 2002. July. 9. Newsweek. 2000. May I. 10. Robert K. Massie. Nicholas and Alexandra. Bantam Double- READ ABOUT IT… day Dell Publishing Group, Inc. 1985, New York. 596 с. 11. The Wordsworth Dictionary of beliefs and religions. W&R Учебно-методическое пособие Chambers Ltd 1992. 586 с. (для студентов факультета «Теология и мировые культуры»)

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