Chanting of mantras and the practice of meditation are time-honoured traditions in oriental religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Christians use the concept of chanting in a variety of ways in their prayer. The Divine Office or Prayer of the Church is a rhythmic recitation or singing of the Psalms in monastic communities. For a Christian the practice of meditation is the practice of an 'awareness' of God in Christ. Equally, at the heart of the practice of Christian meditation is the essential onslaught on the 'ego' so that we may be completely free from its domination. Prophet Isaiah says (30:15): "In conversion and tranquillity lies your salvation".

Read more here: » Spiritual Practices: Christian Mantras And Meditation

The practice of Christian meditation dates back to the beginning of Christianity; its objective is to daily 'empty the self' to experience the fullness of God. It is consonant with Jesus's invitation to his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him. It is central to Easter celebrations, 'dying' to rise to a New Life.

The way of meditation is the way of silence. Silencing the ceaseless chatter of a mind buzzing with thoughts is not easy. The way to silence is the way of the mantra. Choosing a sacred word and repeating it from the beginning to the end of the period of meditation forms part of the essential teaching of Christian meditation. It is advisable to choose a word of four syllables and pronounce them with equal length. The recommended word in the Christian Tradition is Ma-ra-na-tha. In Aramaic, the language of Jesus's time, it means 'The Lord comes'.

(See also: Christian Meditation, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Prayers to the (St.) Virgin Mary: The Akathist Hymn (Eastern Orthodox) Hail Mary (Roman Catholic) Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) (Roman Catholic) It Is Truly Meet (Eastern Orthodox) Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic) Mary, Mother of Grace (Roman Catholic) Memorare (Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary) (Roman Catholic) O Virgin Pure (Eastern Orthodox) Canticle of the Blessed Virgin (Roman Catholic) Prayers to angels and other s ...

See also:

List of prayers, List of prayers - Jewish prayers, List of prayers - Christian prayers, List of prayers - Islamic prayers

Read more here: » List of prayers: Encyclopedia II - List of prayers - Christian prayers

Christ and Budda: Jesus Through Buddhist Eyes

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, speaking to a capacity audience in the Albert Hall in 1984 united his listeners instantly with one simple statement: "All beings want to be happy; they want to avoid pain and suffering." I was impressed at how he was able to touch what we share as human beings. He affirmed our common humanity, without in any way dismissing the obvious differences.

When invited to look at 'Jesus through Buddhist eyes', I had imagined that I would use a 'compare and contrast' approach, rather like a school essay. I was brought us as a Christian and turned to Buddhism in my early thirties, so of course I have ideas about both traditions: the one I grew up in and turned aside from, and the one I adopted and continue to practise within. But after re-reading some of the gospel stories, I would like to meet Jesus again with fresh eyes, and to examine the extent to which he and the Buddha were in fact offering the same guidance, even though the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism can appear in the surface to be rather different.

Read more here: » Christ and Budda: Jesus Through Buddhist Eyes

Mani may refer to: Mani Peninsula in Greece Maní, Yucatán, a small city in Yucatán, Mexico Mani, Evros, a town in the northeastern part of the Evros Prefecture in Greece Mani (prophet), a third-century Persian prophet, the founder of the dualistic Manichaean religion, which borrowed eclectically from Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism Mani (name), a Persian and Indian masculine personal name Mani, short for the mantra of Avalokiteshvara, Om mani padme hum.

Read more here: » Mani: Encyclopedia - Mani

Read more here: » Introduction to Meditation: How to Meditate

It is due to the veil of ignorance that you have forgotten your real essential nature, the Sat-Chit-Ananda state. It is not at all necessary for you to renounce the world and run to some Himalayan cave to regain your lost divinity. Here is an easy Sadhana by which you can definitely attain God-consciousness, even while living in the world amidst multifarious activities.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Yoga: A Dynamic Yoga

A Buddhist chant is a form of musical verse or incantation, in some ways analogous to Hindu or Christian religious recitations. They exist in just about every part of the Buddhist world, from the Wats in Thailand to the Lamaist temples of India (re: Tibetan Government in Exile). Almost every Buddhist school has some tradition of chanting associated with it, regardless of being Theravada or Mahayana. Buddhist chant - Chanting. In Buddhism, chanting is the traditional means of preparing the mind for M ...

Including:

• Buddhist chant - Chanting
• Buddhist chant - Adherents

Read more here: » Buddhist chant

Japa, or Japam, is a spiritual discipline in which a devotee repeats a mantra or the name of the God. The repetition can be aloud or just the movement of lips or in the mind. This spiritual practice is present in the major religions of world. This is considered as one of the most effective spiritual practices. In Hinduism, Japamaala (a garland of beads) is used. In Hinduism, Vaishnavas generally use the Japamaala of Tulsi beads. The Shaivites use that of Rudrakhsa beads. A Japamaala made out of neem,crystal is also used. ...

Read more here: » Japa: Encyclopedia - Japa

A mantra is a religious syllable or poem, typically from the Sanskrit language. Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words and vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely b ...

Including:

• Mantra - Introduction
• Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism
• Mantra - Mantra Japa
• Mantra - Some Hindu mantras
• Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth
• Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra
• Mantra - The shanti mantras
• Mantra - Universal prayer
• Mantra - Other examples
• Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra
• Mantra - Remarks
• Mantra - What is Dharma?
• Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om
• Mantra - Mantras and Prayers
• Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan
• Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound
• Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism
• Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
• Mantra - Om mani padme hum
• Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists
• Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Read more here: » Mantra: Encyclopedia - Mantra

Prayer beads are traditionally used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers, chants or devotions. They are used by followers of four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. There seem to be basically three uses for prayer beads: Repetition of the same devotion a set (usually large) number of times. This is the earliest form of prayer beads (the Japa Mala) and the earliest Christian form (the prayer rope). Repetition of several different prayers in some pattern (the usual Western Chr ...

Including:

• Prayer beads - Buddhism
• Prayer beads - Christianity
• Prayer beads - Hinduism
• Prayer beads - Islam
• Prayer beads - Sikhism
• Prayer beads - Other

Read more here: » Prayer beads: Encyclopedia - Prayer beads

Christian meditation is a form of quiet (but not necessarily silent) contemplation often associated with prayer or scripture study. It is rooted in the Bible, which directs its readers to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God commands his people to meditate on his word day and night to instill obedience. The psalmist says that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). The Bible ...

Including:

• Christian meditation - History
• Christian meditation - Theology of Christian meditation
• Christian meditation - Christian meditation: many strands

Read more here: » Christian meditation: Encyclopedia - Christian meditation

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita ...

Read more here: » Svaha: Encyclopedia - Svaha

Celtic knots are a variety of (endless) knots and stylized graphical representations of knots used for decoration, first known to have been used by the Celts. Though Celtic knots were being created in pre-Christian times, these knots are most known for their use in the ornamentation of Christian monuments and manuscripts like the 8th century Book of Kells. Celtic knot - History. Not much history of the knots is available before the beginning of the Christian influence on the Celts in about A.D. 450. There i ...

Including:

• Celtic knot - History
• Celtic knot - Significance

Read more here: » Celtic knot: Encyclopedia - Celtic knot

"All Apologies" is a song by the American rock band, Nirvana. It is the twelfth and final song on, and the second single (along with "Rape Me") from, their 1993 album, In Utero. All Apologies - History. Usually seen as a swan song of sorts, "All Apologies" was actually written in 1990, four years before the death of its author, Kurt Cobain, and the subsequent dissolution of Nirvana. The earliest known studio version of the song was recorded on January 1, 1991 in Seattle, Washington; the song's lyrics ...

Including:

• All Apologies - History
• All Apologies - Meaning
• All Apologies - Covers
• All Apologies - Trivia
• All Apologies - Single
• All Apologies - Chart Positions

Read more here: » All Apologies: Encyclopedia - All Apologies

Hinduism (हिन्दू धर्म; also known as Sanātana Dharma - सनातन धर्म, and Vaidika-Dharma - वैदिक धर्म) is a worldwide religious tradition that is based on the Vedas and is the direct descendant of the Vedic religion. It encompasses many religious traditions that widely vary in practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. An array of deities, all manifestations of the one supreme monistic Ishvara, are venerated. Beliefs, codes and principles vary fr ...

Including:

• Hinduism - Core Concepts
• Hinduism - The Eternal Way
• Hinduism - Basic beliefs
• Hinduism - Practice Yoga Dharma
• Hinduism - The four objectives Of Life
• Hinduism - The four stages of Life
• Hinduism - The four classes of the society
• Hinduism - Nature of God
• Hinduism - Denominations
• Hinduism - Hindu sacred texts
• Hinduism - Shruti
• Hinduism - Bhagavad Gītā
• Hinduism - Smriti
• Hinduism - Origins and society
• Hinduism - Origins of Hinduism
• Hinduism - Etymology
• Hinduism - Vedic religion
• Hinduism - Hindu nationalism
• Hinduism - Temples
• Hinduism - Current geographic distribution
• Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought
• Hinduism - Pūrva Mīmāmsā
• Hinduism - Yoga
• Hinduism - Uttara Mimāmsā: Vedānta and its three main schools
• Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship
• Hinduism - The Bhakti schools
• Hinduism - Tantra
• Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism
• Hinduism - Tilaka symbol on forehead or between eyebrows
• Hinduism - Ahimsa non-violence vegetarian diet and the cow
• Hinduism - Hindu symbolism
• Hinduism - Murtis icons
• Hinduism - Sanskrit
• Hinduism - Mantra
• Hinduism - Criticism
• Hinduism - Hinduism
• Hinduism - Related systems and religions

Read more here: » Hinduism: Encyclopedia - Hinduism

Hinduism is most closely related to the subsequent Dharmic faiths of Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. As such, these religions display mutual respect and have historically had few conflicts. The worldview of Abrahamic religions, on the otherhand, has sharper differences with Hindu ideology and philosophy. These religions, seeing themselves as the exclusive paths toward God, have sometimes been pitted against Hinduism, with resulting conflicts. Hinduism and other religions - External link. Hinduism and Origins ...

Including:

• Hinduism and other religions - External link

Read more here: » Hinduism and other religions: Encyclopedia - Hinduism and other religions

A Buddhist chant is a form of musical verse or incantation, in some ways analogous to Hindu or Christian religious recitations. They exist in just about every part of the Buddhist world, from the Wats in Thailand to the Lamaist temples of India (re: Tibetan Government in Exile). Almost every Buddhist school has some tradition of chanting associated with it, regardless of being Theravada or Mahayana. Buddhist chant - Chanting. In Buddhism, chanting is the traditional means of preparing the mind for M ...

Including:

• Buddhist chant - Chanting
• Buddhist chant - Adherents

Read more here: » Buddhist chant: Encyclopedia - Buddhist chant

For main article, see Buddhist prayer beads Prayer beads or Japa Malas are also used in many forms of Mahayana Buddhism, often with a lesser number of beads (usually a divisor of 108). In Pure Land Buddhism, for instance, 27 beads rosaries are common. In China such rosaries are named "Shu-Zu" ("Counting Beads"); in Japan, "Juzu". These shorter rosaries are sometimes called 'prostration rosaries', because they are easier to hold when enumerating repeated prostrations. In Tibetan Buddhism, often larger malas are used of for example 111 beads: when counting, they calculate one mala as 100 mantras, and the 11 extra are ...

See also:

Prayer beads, Prayer beads - Buddhism, Prayer beads - Christianity, Prayer beads - Hinduism, Prayer beads - Islam, Prayer beads - Sikhism, Prayer beads - Other

Read more here: » Prayer beads: Encyclopedia II - Prayer beads - Buddhism

Prayer - Hindu Prayer. Hinduism has incorporated many kinds of prayer, from fire-based rituals to philosophical musings. Prayer was part and parcel of the Vedic lifestyle, and as such permeated their books. Indeed, the highest sacred texts of the Hindus, the Vedas, are a large collection of mantras (sacred hymns of Hindus, later adopted by Buddhists) and prayer rituals extolling a single supreme force, Brahman, that is made manifest in several lower forms as the familiar gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus in Indi ...

See also:

Prayer, Prayer - Approaches, Prayer - The act of prayer, Prayer - Prayer in the Abrahamic religions, Prayer - Prayer in the Bible, Prayer - Jewish prayer, Prayer - Christian prayer, Prayer - Islamic prayer, Prayer - Bahá'í prayer, Prayer - Prayer in other religions, Prayer - Hindu Prayer, Prayer - Buddhism, Prayer - Prayer in Jainism, Prayer - Neopagan Prayers, Prayer - Philosophical paradoxes of prayer, Prayer - The educational approach, Prayer - The Kabbalistic view of prayer, Prayer - The rationalist approach, Prayer - The experiential approach, Prayer - Experimental evaluation of prayer, Prayer - Historical polytheistic prayer, Prayer - Prevalence, Prayer - References and footnotes

Read more here: » Prayer: Encyclopedia II - Prayer - Prayer in other religions