Joseph Francis Borri. A great Hermetic philosopher, born at Milan in the 17th century. He was an adept, an alchemist and a devoted occultist. He knew too much and was, therefore, condemned to death for heresy, in January, 1661, after the death of Pope Innocent X.

He escaped and lived many years after, when finally he was recognised by a monk in a Turkish village, denounced, claimed by the Papal Nuncio, taken back to Rome and imprisoned, August 10th, 1675. But facts show that he escaped from his prison in a way no one could account for.

(See also: Joseph Francis Borri, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Boodhasp (Chald.) .An alleged Chaldean; but in esoteric teaching a Buddhist (a Bodhisattva), from the East, who was the founder of the esoteric school of Neo-Sabeism, and whose secret rite of baptism passed bodily into the Christian rite of the same name.

For almost three centuries before our era, Buddhist monks overran the whole country of Syria, made their way into the Mesopotamian valley and visited even Ireland. The name Ferho and Faho of the Codex Nazaraeus is but a corruption of Fho, Fo and Pho, the name which the Chinese, Tibetans and even Nepaulese often give to Buddha.

(See also: Boodhasp, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

SODALITY

It scarcely matters what one's crowd is composed of -- whether they be monks or murderers. What matters is the degree of fulfillment in belonging to it. When we understand that, we understand why Moonies and Mansons flourish. When we understand the power of tribality, we understand why the State can never successfully usurp the loyalties of friendship for its own purposes. In postmodern society, however, maturity is gauged by the degree to which we abandon the unsatisfied tribal instinct for the creation of totally isolated biological complexes. Unfortunately, the biological family no longer serves any real human need. What our society really needs is fewer babies and more healthy communities.

(See also: SODALITY, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

BRUNO, GIORDANO

A Dominican monk, absolute pantheist and an early promoter of unbridled sexual freedom. Best known for his work on the art of memory, which was essential for scholars in the 16th Century. Briefly, it consisted of using architecture, classical literature, religions ritual, etc., as vast mnemonic devices. Bruno's heady and bizarre occult ideas soon outdistanced his practical appeal and had him defrocked and on the run. Bruno was burned at the stake in 1600. Aleister Crowley claimed that Bruno was one of his former incarnations.

(See also: BRUNO, GIORDANO, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

Agnus-Castus Plant A species of Vitex, a willow-like tree sometimes called the chaste tree (from hagnos chaste vs agnos willow-like)

. "Prometheus is represented as crowned with the Agnus-Castus plant (logos), the leaves of which formed the Crown of the Victors in the 'Agonia' of the Olympic games; . . . This Agnus-Castus plant was used also in the fete of the Thesmophoria, in honour of Demeter -- the law -- 'nomos' -- bringer, whose priestesses slept on its leaves as encouraging chaste desires. In Christian times this custom survived among Nuns, who used to drink a water distilled from its leaves, and Monks used knives with handles made of its wood with the same intention of encouraging chastity" (BCW 9:267). (also BCW 10:90)

(See also: Agnus-Castus Plant, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Mount Carmel A mountain spur in Palestine, projecting into the sea south of Haifa, Israel; traditionally a sacred place and refuge, it is mentioned in the Bible (1 Kings 28:19) as the spot where Elijah publicly challenged the priests of Ba`al. Mt. Carmel was noted for its oracle, which was consulted by the emperor Vespasian.

It became a refuge for early Christian anchorites, and a monastery dedicated to Elijah existed there by 570. About 1156 the order of Carmelites was founded, dedicated to continuing on Mt. Carmel the way of life of Elijah, pictured as a monk and the founder of monasticism, and a monastery was built. St. John of the Cross, among others, uses it in metaphors for the mystic and spiritual journey. Blavatsky connects it with the Essenes.

See also MOUNTAINS, MUNDANE (BCW 11:256-7)

(See also: Mount Carmel, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bar, Pub

When I was in college, I read in a theology book that a monk on a mountain top and a man with his bottle of wine are really trying to get to the same place. That "place" translates to peace and a genuine feeling of being connected to the rest of the universe. Dreaming about being in bars and drinking may symbolize a need that you have for some type of a meaningful transformation. On the other hand, this dream may be a form of wish fulfillment, and you are escaping into a pleasurable environment where daily cares and concerns are meaningless. If you rarely allow yourself to relax and socialize, this dream may be compensatory in nature.

Source: Dream Lover Incorporated, http://www.dreamloverinc.com

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Bar, Pub, Meaning of Dreams about Bar, Pub, Dream Interpretation Bar, Pub)

Son-kha-pa (Tibet, Tibetan). Written also Tsong-kha-pa. A famous Tibetan reformer of the fourteenth century, who introduced a purified Buddhism into his country. He was a great Adept, who being unable to witness any longer the desecration of Buddhist philosophy by the false priests who made of it a marketable commodity, put a forcible stop thereto by a timely revolution and the exile of 40,000 sham monks and Lamas from the country. He is regarded as an Avatar of Buddha, and is the founder of the Gelukpa

(" yellow-cap ") Sect, and of the mystic Brotherhood connected with its chiefs. The "tree of the 10,000 images" (khoom boom) has, it is said, sprung from the long hair of this ascetic, who leaving it behind him disappeared for ever from the view of the profane.

(See also: Son-kha-pa, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Sramana (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root sram to exert]

Making effort or exertion; toiling, laboring; one who performs acts of penance and mortification -- an ascetic of such type. Particularly applied to Buddhist monks or mendicants, to Buddha, or to a Jain ascetic.

When a sravaka from theory goes into the actual practice of self-control in all its senses, he becomes a saramana, a practicer of the esoteric instructions. Mere asceticism, however, apart from strict spiritual aspiration and intellectual training, is of little value, and too often distracts the attention of the student merely to care for the body and its appetites. The story of the Buddha himself well illustrates this, for the time came when he abandoned ascetic mortification of the body and turned his entire attention to the far greater and more difficult spiritual and intellectual discipline and evolution.

(See also: Sramana, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana, The

(Jpn.: Daijo-kishin-ron; Chin.: Ta-ch'eng-ch'i-hsin-lun)

Abbreviated as Awakening of Faith. A work traditionally attributed to Ashvaghosha, a Mahayana scholar who lived from the first through the second century, though opinions on this differ. There are two Chinese translations of this work, the first done in 550 by Paramartha, who had gone from India to China, and the second around 700 by Shikshananda, a monk from Khotan in Central Asia. Paramartha's version has been the more popular. Awakening of Faith sets forth the fundamental doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism and attempts to awaken people to faith in it. It specifically takes up the concept of tathata, literally thusness or suchness, meaning the true aspect of reality. It was widely studied in China and Japan, and in China several commentaries on it were written.

(See also: Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana, Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment, Buddhism Enlightenment Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of Mendelian inheritance:

Mendelian inheritance - one method in which genetic traits are passed from parents to offspring. It is named after the Austrian monk, Gregor Mendel, who first studied and recognized the existence of genes and this method of inheritance; a hereditary process explainable in terms of the behavior of chromosomes, e.g., segregation of chromosomes, independent assortment, and homologous exchange of parts

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Bon (Tibetan) (possible variation of bod Tibet, or an ancient word meaning invoker)

Also pon and bhon. The Tibetan religion before the introduction of Buddhism in the latter half of the 8th century. The priest and adherents of Bon are called Bonpos (bon po), the ancient invokers for the pre-Buddhist and non-Buddhist kings and nobles of Tibet.

The Bon religion, which survives today, seems based on at least four sources:

1)    the ancient folk religions of the Tibetan people;

2)    the tradition of the ancient "invokers";

3)    a conscious competition with Buddhism in terms of doctrine, texts, institutions, pantheon, and ritual; and

4)    a number of non-Tibetan influences, including Hindu, Iranian, Central Asian, and other elements.

Bon has been influenced by Buddhism to the extent that it has its own Kanjur and Tanjur, its own monks and monasteries, and its own "Buddha," Shen-rab (gshen rab). All existing Bon literature was produced after the introduction of Buddhism, and shows the influence of and competition with Buddhism. Bon has also influenced Tibetan Buddhism, especially the Nyingmapa and Kargyupa sects.

(See also: Bon, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Asoka The name of two celebrated kings of the Maurya dynasty of Magadha. According to the chronicles of Northern Buddhism there were two Asokas: King Chandragupta, named by Max Muller the Constantine of India, and his grandson King Asoka. King Chandragupta was called Piyadasi (beloved of us, benignant), Devanam-piya (beloved of the gods), and Kalasoka (the Asoka who has come in time). His grandson received the name of Dharmasoka (the asoka of the Good Law) because of his devotion to Buddhism, his zealous support of it and its spreading.

The second Asoka had never followed the Brahmanical faith, but was a Buddhist born. It was his grandfather who had been converted to the new teaching, after which he had a number of edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks, a custom followed also by his grandson; but it was the second Asoka who was the more zealous supporter of Buddhism. He is said to have maintained in his palace from 60,000 to 70,000 monks and priests, and erected 84,000 topes or stupas throughout the world.

The inscriptions of various edicts published by him display most noble ethical sentiments, especially the edict found at Allahabad on the so-called Asoka's column in the Fort.

(See also: Asoka, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Asoka (Sanskrit). A celebrated Indian king of the Morya dynasty which reigned at Magadha. There were two Asokas in reality, according to the chronicles of Northern Buddhism, though the first Asoka - the grand father of the second, named by Prof. Max Muller the "Constantine of India", was better known by his name of Chandragupta.

It is the former who was called, Piadasi (Pali) "the beautiful", and Devanam-piya "the beloved of the gods", and also Kalasoka; while the name of his grandson was Dharmasoká - the Asoka of the good law- - on account of his devotion to Buddhism. Moreover, according to the same source, the second Asoka had never followed the Brahmanical faith, but was a Buddhist born.

 It was his grandsire who had been first converted to the new faith, after which he had a number of edicts inscribed on pillars and rocks, a custom followed also by his grandson. But it was the second Asoka who was the most zealous supporter of Buddhism; he, who maintained in his palace from 60 to 70,000 monks and priests, who erected 84,000 totes and stupas throughout India, reigned 36 years, and sent missions to Ceylon, and throughout the world.

The inscriptions of various edicts published by him display most noble ethical sentiments, especially the edict at Allahahad, on the so-called "Asoka’s column ", in the Fort. The sentiments are lofty and poetical, breathing tenderness for animals as well as men, and a lofty view of a king’s mission with regard to his people, that might be followed with great success in the present age of cruel wars and barbarous vivisection.

(See also: Asoka, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Dervish. A Mussulman - Turkish or Persian - ascetic. A nomadic and wandering monk. Dervishes, however, sometimes live in communities. They are often called the "whirling charmers".

Apart from his austerities of life, prayer and contemplation, the Turkish, Egyptian, or Arabic devotee presents but little similarity with the Hindu fakir, who is also a Mussulman. The latter may become a saint and holy mendicant the former will never reach beyond his second class of occult manifestations.

The dervish may also be a strong mesmerizer, but he will never voluntarily submit to the abominable and almost incredible self-punishment which the fakir invents for himself with an ever-increasing avidity, until nature succumbs and he dies in slow and excruciating tortures.

The most dreadful operations, such as flaying the limbs alive; cutting off the toes, feet, and legs ; tearing out the eyes and causing one’s self to be buried alive up to the chin in the earth, and passing whole months in this posture, seem child’s play to them. The Dervish must not be confused with the Hindu sanyasi or yogi. (See "Fakir").

(See also: Dervish, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

HERMIT, THE

The 9th Arcanum, lettered yod. As the Yod (or "I") of IHVH it is the singularity of all things. It's evident that there is only one being at the center and no other identity is real. The dark-cloaked figure who, knowing that self outside the center is but illusion, shuns outer reality in order to concentrate on the center of the cosmos within.

The Hermit (zodiacal sign of the Virgin) was to Crowley, " the hidden god" that is present in every man, the dormant genius it was his hope eventually to release. The Hermit of the Tarot is not just an ordinary wanderer nor does he represent even a Holy Man, living in the desert, eating locusts and wild honey. A true hermit has no need to set himself apart, even in a crowd there is only himself.

Each of us is a hermit!

Or rather, each of us is the One Hermit, who is God, utterly without company in the entire reaches of time and space. For our individual differences are but illusion and the being who looks out of the million-windowed room is the One Mind that inhabits all things. Teachers draw our attention to the endless line of identical cowled monks marching single file up the icy mountains of consciousness and then down into the valleys of death.

(See also: HERMIT, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )

Muni (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root man to think]

An ascetic, monk, devotee, hermit (especially one who has taken a vow of silence); a person who has attained union with his inner divinity by means of aspiration, so that filled with inspiration as he is, and guided by the inner spiritual monitor, he is said to attain more or less fully the status of an incarnate divinity on earth. With the Sanskrit expression hridayeshu sthitah (abiding in the hearts), the phrase has direct reference to the Silent Watcher of our planetary chain, who is in a sense the spiritual and mystical parent of the higher part of the human constitution.

In the plural, the celestial seven munis, a collective title given to the seven stars of Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Here is the reason the marharshis of this constellation play so important a part in archaic Hindu and theosophical esoteric teaching -- the genuinely evolved muni is one who is a true mahatma, one who has evoked into relatively full activity all the seven parts of his constitution.

Muni, however, is frequently used in Hindu writings in a merely complimentary or reverential sense, just as mahatma is, so that not every individual called muni or mahatma is such in the theosophical sense.

(See also: Muni, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Definition and meaning of French Frigate Shoals:

French Frigate Shoals - an open atoll in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) that consists of a large, crescent-shaped reef surrounding numerous small, sandy islets. While the land area is only one-fourth square kilometer (67 acres), the total coral reef area of the shoals is over 938 square kilometers (232,000 acres). The reef system associated with French Frigate Shoals supports the greatest variety of coral species in the NWHI, with 41species of stony corals documented. It also supports more than 600 species of invertebrates, many of which are endemic to the area, over 150 species of algae, and many species of fishes. Hundreds of green sea turtles travel to the shoals for safe nesting. The many small islets of French Frigate Shoals also provide refuge to the largest sub-population of endangered Hawaiian monk seals

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Definition and meaning of Kure Atoll:

Kure Atoll - the most remote of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and the northern-most coral atoll in the world, located at the extreme northwest end of the Hawaiian archipelago. The atoll has almost 80,000 acres of coral reef habitat with 28 species of stony corals so far documented. Kure Atoll is an important pupping and resting area for Hawaiian Monk seals. The island is also a nesting area for smany species of sea birds, and a wintering area for a variety of migratory bird species from North America and Asia

(Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) )

Also see these pages: Oceanography, Oceanography Sitemap, Coral Reef, Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change,

Swami:

A term of respectful address for a sannyasi, or monk.

(See also: Swami, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

Swamiji:

A term of respectful address for a sannyasi, or monk.

(See also: Swamiji, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Yoga Dictionary)

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V X Y Z

Dambulla (Sanskrit) The name of a huge rock in Ceylon. It is about 400 feet above the level of the sea. Its upper portion is excavated, and several large cave-temples, or Viharas, are cut out of the solid rock, all of these being of pre-Christian date.

They are considered as the best- preserved antiquities in the island. The North side of the rock is vertical and quite inaccessible, but on the South side, about 150 feet from its summit, its huge overhanging granite mass has been fashioned into a platform with a row of large cave-temples excavated in the surrounding walls - evidently at an enormous sacrifice of labour and money.

Two Viharas may he mentioned out of the many: the Maha Raja Vihara, 172 ft. in length and 75 in breadth, in which there are upwards of fifty figures of Buddha, most of them larger than life and all formed from the solid rock. A well has been dug out at the foot of the central Dagoba and from a fissure in the rock there constantly drips into it beautiful clear water which is kept for sacred purposes. In the other, the Maha Dewiyo Vihara, there is to be seen a gigantic figure of the dead Gautama Buddha, 7 feet long, reclining on a couch and pillow cut out of solid rock like the rest. "

This long, narrow and dark temple, the position and placid aspect of Buddha, together with the stillness of the place, tend to impress the beholder with the idea that he is in the chamber of death. The priest asserts . . . . that such was Buddha, and such were those (at his feet stands an attendant) who witnessed the last moments of his mortality" (Hardy’s East. Monachism).

The view from Dambulla is magnificent. On the large rock platform which seems to he now more visited by very intelligent tame white monkeys than by monks, there stands a huge Bo-Tree, one of the numerous scions from the original Bo-Tree under which the Lord Siddhartha reached Nirvana. "About 50 ft. from the summit there is a pond which, as the priests assert, is never without water."

(The Ceylon Almanac, 1834.)

(See also: Dambulla, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )