Religious pluralism - Jewish views. There is a separate entry on Jewish views of religious pluralism, which discusses both classical and modern views of Judaism's relationship to other religions, and the permissibility and purpose of inter-faith theological dialogue. Religious pluralism - Christian views. Christianity teaches that mankind's nature is corrupted and damaged, and that the result of such damage, known as Sin, is damnation. To avoid such a fate ...

See also:

Religious pluralism, Religious pluralism - Pluralism as the belief that more than one religion can teach truths, Religious pluralism - Pluralism is not relativism, Religious pluralism - Pluralism as interfaith dialogue, Religious pluralism - Conditions for the existence of religious pluralism, Religious pluralism - History of religious pluralism, Religious pluralism - Antiquity, Religious pluralism - Medieval times in Europe, Religious pluralism - The Protestant Reformation, Religious pluralism - Enlightenment, Religious pluralism - Classical Greek and Roman pagan religious views, Religious pluralism - Inter-religious pluralism between different religions, Religious pluralism - Jewish views, Religious pluralism - Christian views, Religious pluralism - Muslim views, Religious pluralism - Bahá'í views, Religious pluralism - Hindu views, Religious pluralism - Buddhist views, Religious pluralism - Intra-religious pluralism between different denominations within the same religion, Religious pluralism - Jewish views, Religious pluralism - Christian views, Religious pluralism - Muslim views

Read more here: » Religious pluralism: Encyclopedia II - Religious pluralism - Inter-religious pluralism between different religions

Many a Hindu has said that the most succinct and powerful abbreviation of the overwhelmingly diverse realm of Hindu thought is to be found in the Bhagavad Gita. Essentially, it is a microcosm of Vedic, Yogic, Vedantic and even Tantric thought of the Hindu fold. Composed between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC, the Bhagavad Gita (literally: Song of the Lord) is a part of the epic poem Mahabharata and is revered in Hinduism. It is not limited to Vaishnavs, as some people incorrectly assume, since it is accepted by Tantrics and non-denominational ...

See also:

Hindu scripture, Hindu scripture - The Vedas, Hindu scripture - The Upanishads, Hindu scripture - Post-Vedic Hindu scriptures, Hindu scripture - The Bhagavad Gita, Hindu scripture - The Puranas, Hindu scripture - Other Hindu texts

Read more here: » Hindu scripture: Encyclopedia II - Hindu scripture - The Bhagavad Gita

The denomination of each banknote is given in Chinese. The numbers themselves are given in financial Chinese numeral characters, as well as Hindu-Arabic numerals. The denomination is also given in Mongol, Tibetan, Uyghur and Zhuang on the back of each banknote. On the front of the note is also the representation of the denomination in Chinese Braille. Renminbi - Banknotes. CNY 100 CNY 50 CNY 20 (introduced with the 5th series beginning in 1999) CNY 10 CNY 5 See also:

Renminbi, Renminbi - Exchange rate, Renminbi - Renminbi units, Renminbi - Denominations, Renminbi - Banknotes, Renminbi - Coins, Renminbi - RMB Series, Renminbi - 4th Series, Renminbi - 5th Series, Renminbi - History, Renminbi - Exchange rate of the U.S. dollar vs. the renminbi

Read more here: » Renminbi: Encyclopedia II - Renminbi - Denominations

Shaktism, on the other hand, is a denomination of Hinduism that worships Shakti, or Devi Mata -- the Hindu name for the Great Divine Mother -- in all of her forms whilst not rejecting the importance of masculine and neuter divinity (which are however deemed to be inactive in the absence of the Shakti). In pure Shaktism, the Great Goddess, or Devi, is worshiped as nothing less than the highest divinity, Supreme Brahman Itself, the "one without a second," with all other forms of Divinity, female or m ...

See also:

Hindu views on God and gender, Hindu views on God and gender - Smarta and Advaita, Hindu views on God and gender - Vishnu and Shiva, Hindu views on God and gender - Shakti, Hindu views on God and gender - Ardhangini: the cornerstone of relationships, Hindu views on God and gender - In other Indian religions

Read more here: » Hindu views on God and gender: Encyclopedia II - Hindu views on God and gender - Shakti

Dipavali: (Sanskrit) "Row of Lights."

A very popular home and community festival during which Hindus of all denominations light oil or electric lights and set off fireworks in a joyful celebration of the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. It is a Hindu solidarity day and is considered the greatest national festival of India. In several countries, including Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago, it is an inter-religious event and a national holiday. It occurs in October- November.

(See also: Dipavali, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

The main religions in the DRC are: Indigenous traditional beliefs: 11.5% Roman Catholic Christianity: 41% Protestant Christianity: 32% Indigenous Christianity: 13.5%, nearly all of whom (13%) are followers of Kimbanguism. Other Christian denominations: 1% Islam: 1.5% There are small communities of Jews and Hindus who work in commercial urban areas. Atheism is very rare.

See also:

Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - People language and background, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Religions and beliefs, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Indigenous traditional beliefs, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Catholic and Protestant Christianity, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Kimbanguism and Indigenous Christianity, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Religion today, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Farming hunting food and drink, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Nganda restaurants, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Dress and fashion, Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Music

Read more here: » Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Encyclopedia II - Culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - Religions and beliefs

Śaivism is a form of nondual spiritual practice and philosophy originating in India. Śaivites believe that the entire creation is both an expression of conscious divinity and is non-different from that divinity which they call "Śiva". Because he is simultaneously the created and the creator, Śiva is both immanent and transcendent. This concept contrasts with many semitic religious traditions in which God is seen as fundamentally different from the creation and transcendent, or "higher" than the creation. As in all Hindu denominations, Ś ...

See also:

Shaivism, Shaivism - Philosophy and Worship, Shaivism - History, Shaivism - Features of Shaivism, Shaivism - Within Hinduism, Shaivism - Shaiva Upanishads

Read more here: » Shaivism: Encyclopedia II - Shaivism - Philosophy and Worship

Hinduism (Hindu Dharma): (Sanskrit) India's indigenous religious and cultural system, followed today by nearly one billion adherents, mostly in India, but with large populations in many other countries. Also called Sanatana Dharma, "eternal religion" and Vaidika Dharma, "religion of the Vedas."

Hinduism is the world's most ancient religion and encompasses a broad spectrum of philosophies ranging from pluralistic theism to absolute monism.

It is a family of myriad faiths with four primary denominations:

• Saivism,
• Vaishnavism,
• Shaktism and
• Smartism.

These four hold such divergent beliefs that each is a complete and independent religion. Yet, they share a vast heritage of culture and belief:

• karma,
• dharma,
• reincarnation,
• all-pervasive Divinity,
• temple worship,
• sacraments,
• manifold Deities,
• the guru-shishya tradition and
• a reliance on the Vedas as scriptural authority.

From the rich soil of Hinduism long ago sprang various other traditions. Among these were Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, which rejected the Vedas and thus emerged as completely distinct religions, disassociated from Hinduism, while still sharing many philosophical insights and cultural values with their parent faith.

Though the genesis of the term is controversial, the consensus is that the term Hindu or Indu was used by the Persians to refer to the Indian peoples of the Indus Valley as early as 500 bce. Additionally, Indian scholars point to the appearance of the related term Sindhu in the ancient Rig Veda Samhita. Janaki Abhisheki writes (Religion as Knowledge: The Hindu Concept, p. 1): "Whereas today the word

Hindu connotes a particular faith and culture, in ancient times it was used to describe those belonging to a particular region. About 500 bce we find the Persians referring to 'Hapta Hindu.' This referred to the region of Northwest India and the Punjab (before partition).

The Rig Veda (the most ancient literature of the Hindus) uses the word Sapta Sindhu singly or in plural at least 200 times. Sindhu is the River Indus. Panini, the great Sanskrit grammarian, also uses the word Sindhu to denote the country or region.

While the Persians substituted h for s, the Greeks removed the h also and pronounced the word as 'Indoi.' Indian is derived from the Greek Indoi."

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan similarly observed,

"The Hindu civilization is so called since its original founders or earliest followers occupied the territory drained by the Sindhu (the Indus) River system corresponding to the Northwest Frontier Province and the Punjab. This is recorded in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures, which give their name to this period of Indian history. The people on the Indian side of the Sindhu were called Hindus by the Persians and the later Western invaders. That is the genesis of the word Hindu" (The Hindu View of Life, p. 12).

See: Hindu.

(See also: Hinduism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

satguru (sadguru): (Sanskrit) "True weighty one."

A spiritual preceptor of the highest attainment - one who has realized the ultimate Truth, Parasiva, through nirvikalpa samadhi - a jivanmukta able to lead others securely along the spiritual path. He is always a sannyasin, an unmarried renunciate.

All Hindu denominations teach that the grace and guidance of a living satguru is a necessity for Self Realization. He is recognized and revered as the embodiment of God, Sadasiva, the source of grace and of liberation.

See: guru bhakti, guru, guru-shishya relationship, padapuja.

(See also: Satguru, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

The Philippines is the fourth largest Roman Catholic country, the thirteenth largest Protestant country, the fortieth largest Islamic country, the seventh largest Hindu country, and the seventeenth largest Buddhist country. About 92% of all Filipinos are Christians: 83% belong to the Roman Catholic Church while the other 9% belong to various Protestant denominations. Although Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, many, however, stil ...

See also:

Philippines, Philippines - History, Philippines - Politics and Government, Philippines - Geography, Philippines - Administrative divisions, Philippines - Economy, Philippines - Demographics, Philippines - Languages, Philippines - Religion, Philippines - Culture

Read more here: » Philippines: Encyclopedia II - Philippines - Religion

The Philippines is the fourth largest Roman Catholic country, the thirteenth largest Protestant country, the fortieth largest Islamic country, the seventh largest Hindu country, and the seventeenth largest Buddhist country. About 92% of all Filipinos are Christians: 83% belong to the Roman Catholic Church while the other 9% belong to various Protestant denominations. Although Christianity ...

See also:

Philippines, Philippines - History, Philippines - Politics and government, Philippines - Geography, Philippines - Administrative divisions, Philippines - Economy, Philippines - Demographics, Philippines - Languages, Philippines - Religion, Philippines - Culture

Read more here: » Philippines: Encyclopedia II - Philippines - Religion

The Philippines is the fourth largest Roman Catholic country, the thirteenth largest Protestant country, the fortieth largest Islamic country, the seventh largest Hindu country, and the seventeenth largest Buddhist country. About 92% of all Filipinos are Christians: 83% belong to the Roman Catholic Church while the other 9% belong to various Protestant denominations. Although Christianity ...

See also:

Philippines, Philippines - History, Philippines - Politics and Government, Philippines - Geography, Philippines - Administrative divisions, Philippines - Economy, Philippines - Demographics, Philippines - Languages, Philippines - Religion, Philippines - Culture

Read more here: » Philippines: Encyclopedia II - Philippines - Religion

Condoms and other mechanisms of contraception, along with abortion, are condemned by the Roman Catholic Church, some Christian denominations, and many Hindus for moral reasons relating to their beliefs regarding the purpose of the sexual faculty. Opinions of Orthodox Christian bishops, Jewish authorities, Muslims, Buddhists, and other Christian denominations vary on the matter. Condemnations of contraception are typically based on the belief that sex has both procreative and unitive aspects; and that to restrict t ...

See also:

Condom, Condom - Overview & History, Condom - Disadvantages, Condom - Condom Physical Properties & Standards, Condom - Latex versus Duron/Polyurethane, Condom - Condom failure, Condom - Proper use, Condom - Effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexually-transmitted infections STIs, Condom - Health issues, Condom - Prevalence of condoms, Condom - Female condoms, Condom - French Letter, Condom - Religious attitudes towards use of condoms, Condom - Factors influencing condom use, Condom - Geographic location, Condom - Drug use, Condom - Anti-condom trends, Condom - Laws and policies restricting condoms, Condom - Somalia, Condom - Environmental impact, Condom - Other uses for condoms

Read more here: » Condom: Encyclopedia II - Condom - Religious attitudes towards use of condoms

Gautama Buddha - Hinduism. Some Hindu denominations regard Buddha as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Buddhists in general do not consider the Buddha to be God or an avatar of any god, and view such notions as Hinduism's (largely successful) attempt to "absorb" Buddhism. The general decline of Buddhism in India has been attributed to this "absorption" not only of the Buddha as a religious figure but of development in parallel Vedanta philosophy which began challenging Buddhism's philosophically st ...

See also:

Gautama Buddha, Gautama Buddha - Buddha's life, Gautama Buddha - Conception and birth, Gautama Buddha - Marriage, Gautama Buddha - The Great Departure, Gautama Buddha - After leaving, Gautama Buddha - The Great Passing, Gautama Buddha - Personality and character, Gautama Buddha - Physical characteristics, Gautama Buddha - Teachings, Gautama Buddha - The Buddha in other religions, Gautama Buddha - Hinduism, Gautama Buddha - Islam, Gautama Buddha - Christianity, Gautama Buddha - Judaism

Read more here: » Gautama Buddha: Encyclopedia II - Gautama Buddha - The Buddha in other religions

A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi was issued 15 August 1948, and followed up exactly one year later by a definitive series depicting cultural heritage, mostly Hindu temples and gods (3). An issue on 26 January 1950 commemorated the inauguration of the Republic. Definitives included a technology and development theme (4) in 1955, a series all showing the same map of India (5) in 1957, denominated in na ...

See also:

Postage stamps and postal history of India, Postage stamps and postal history of India - Postal history of India, Postage stamps and postal history of India - Postal history of Indian states, Postage stamps and postal history of India - 20th Century, Postage stamps and postal history of India - India Post post-independence 1947, Postage stamps and postal history of India - Stamp Gallery

Read more here: » Postage stamps and postal history of India: Encyclopedia II - Postage stamps and postal history of India - India Post post-independence 1947

The Ottoman Empire, before it began to decay, had an elaborate system of administering the non-Muslim "People of the Book." That is, they made allowances for accepted monotheists with a scriptural tradition and distinguished them from people they defined as pagans. (Buddhists and Hindus as well as some African groups were the ones with which they came in contact.) As People of the Book (or dhimmi), Jews, Christians and Mandaeans (in some cases Zoroastrians ...

See also:

Assyrian people, Assyrian people - Language, Assyrian people - Neo-Aramaic Koine, Assyrian people - Assyrians and Islam, Assyrian people - Ottoman Assyrians, Assyrian people - Late Ottoman massacres and other issues, Assyrian people - Assyrian Diaspora, Assyrian people - Assyrians in Iraq, Assyrian people - Neo-Assyrian revival, Assyrian people - Assyrian denominations

Read more here: » Assyrian people: Encyclopedia II - Assyrian people - Ottoman Assyrians

Smartism: (Sanskrit) Sect based on the secondary scriptures (smriti).

The most liberal of the four major Hindu denominations, an ancient Vedic brahminical tradition (ca 700 bce) which from the 9th century onward was guided and deeply influenced by the Advaita Vedanta teachings of the reformist Adi Shankara. Its adherents rely mainly on the classical smriti literature, especially the Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharata, the latter of which includes the Bhagavad Gita), Puranas and Dharma Shastras. These are regarded as complementary to and a means to understanding the Vedas. Smartas adhere to Shankara's view that all Gods are but various depictions of Saguna Brahman. Thus, Smartas are avowedly eclectic, worshiping all the Gods and discouraging sectarianism.

The Smarta system of worship, called panchayatana puja, reinforces this outlook by including the major Deity of each primary Hindu sect of ancient days: Ganesha, Surya, Vishnu, Siva and Shakti. To encompass a sixth important lineage, Shankara recommended the addition of a sixth Deity, Kumara. Thus he was proclaimed shanmata sthapanacharya, founder of the six-fold system. One among the six is generally chosen as the devotee's preferred Deity, Ishta Devata. For spiritual authority, Smartas look to the regional monasteries established across India by Shankara, and to their pontiffs. These are the headquarters of ten orders of renunciate monks who spread the Advaita Vedanta teachings far and wide. Within Smartism three primary religious approaches are distinguished: ritualistic, devotional and philosophical.

See: dashanami, panchayatana puja, Shankara.

(See also: Smartism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Condoms and other mechanisms of contraception, along with abortion, are condemned by the Roman Catholic Church, some conservative Protestants, and many Hindus for moral reasons relating to their beliefs regarding the purpose of the sexual faculty. Opinions of Orthodox Christian bishops, Jewish authorities, Muslims, Buddhists, and many Christian denominations vary on the matter. Condemnations of contraception are typically based on the belief that sex has both procreative and unitive aspects; and that to restrict t ...

See also:

Condom, Condom - Overview, Condom - Condom failure, Condom - Proper use, Condom - Effectiveness of condoms in preventing STDs, Condom - Health issues, Condom - Prevalence of condoms, Condom - Female condoms, Condom - French Letter, Condom - Religious attitudes towards use of condoms, Condom - Factors Influencing Condom Use, Condom - Geographic Location, Condom - Drug Use, Condom - Anti-Condom Trends, Condom - Laws and policies restricting condoms, Condom - Environmental impact, Condom - Other uses for condoms

Read more here: » Condom: Encyclopedia II - Condom - Religious attitudes towards use of condoms

Pune is a vibrant cultural city and home to people of various religious denomination and demoninations. It also hosts various national festivals and cultural events throughout the year. During the month of August or September each year, the city celebrates the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival culminates in a carnival-like procession along the busy thoroughfares of the city. This is one of the most important yearly events in the city. Indeed, it was in Pune that Lokmanya Tilak initiated the concept of the "Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav" - the collective communal celebration of the festival of Lord Ganesha. The city also has an a ...

See also:

Pune, Pune - Geography, Pune - Climate, Pune - History, Pune - Economy, Pune - Civic administration, Pune - Culture, Pune - Transport system, Pune - Education, Pune - Hospitals, Pune - Places of interest, Pune - Important roads, Pune - Important phone numbers, Pune - Current Events, Pune - Famous personalities, Pune - Pune District, Pune - Pune Division

Read more here: » Pune: Encyclopedia II - Pune - Culture

The Methodist Church announced its support for the bill on 19 July, according to the Rev. Timoci Nawaciono, head of the church's Nasea circuit. Methodist support was much coveted by the government, as almost two-thirds of indigenous Fijians are affiliated to the denomination. Nawaciono acknowledged, however, that Methodist support for the legislation was far from unanimous, and said that on 24 July, all parishioners will be asked to complete forms stating their individual op ...

See also:

Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - The Methodist Church, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - Dissident Methodists opposed, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - The Roman Catholic Church, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - Dissident Catholics support, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - Hindu groups, Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - Other religious groups

Read more here: » Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji: Encyclopedia II - Religious reaction to the Reconciliation Tolerance and Unity Bill Fiji - The Methodist Church

Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): (Sanskrit) "Way of Vishnu."

One of the four major religions, or denominations of Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one billion Hindus.

It gravitates around the worship of Lord Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their consorts. The doctrine of avatara (He who descends), especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." There are either 10, 22 or 34 avataras of Vishnu, according to various scriptures. The most renowned avataras were Rama and Krishna. The last to come will be Kalki, the harbinger of a golden age on Earth.

Vaishnavism stresses the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti (devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in Vaikuntha, heaven. Foremost among Vaishnava scriptures are the Vaishnava Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata Purana. Among the earliest schools were the Pancharatras and the Bhagavatas.

The five major contemporary schools (founded between 1000 and 1500) are those of Ramanuja (Sri Vaishnavism), Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and Chaitanya. Philosophically they range from Madhva's pure dualism to Vallabha's lofty monistic vision.

(See also: Vaishnavism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Vaishnavism (Vaishnava): (Sanskrit) "Way of Vishnu."

One of the four major religions, or denominations of

Hinduism, representing roughly half of the world's one

billion Hindus.

It gravitates around the worship of Lord

Vishnu as Personal God, His incarnations and their

consorts. The doctrine of avatara (He who descends),

especially important to Vaishnavism, teaches that

whenever adharma gains ascendency in the world, God

takes a human birth to reestablish "the way." There are

either 10, 22 or 34 avataras of Vishnu, according to

various scriptures. The most renowned avataras were

Rama and Krishna. The last to come will be Kalki, the

harbinger of a golden age on Earth.

Vaishnavism stresses

the personal aspect of God over the impersonal, and bhakti

(devotion) as the true path to salvation. The goal of

Vaishnavism is the attainment of mukti, defined as

blissful union with God's body, the loving recognition that

the soul is a part of Him, and eternal nearness to Him in

Vaikuntha, heaven. Foremost among Vaishnava scriptures

are the Vaishnava Agamas, Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata

Purana. Among the earliest schools were the Pancharatras

and the Bhagavatas.

The five major contemporary schools

(founded between 1000 and 1500) are those of Ramanuja

(Sri Vaishnavism), Madhva, Nimbarka, Vallabha and

Chaitanya. Philosophically they range from Madhva's pure

dualism to Vallabha's lofty monistic vision.

(See also: Vaishnavism, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)