In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. It can be applied to both the living and the dead and is an acceptable term in most of the world's popular religions. The Saint is held up by the community as an example of how we all should act, and his or her life story is usually recorded for the edification of future generations. The process of officially recognizing a person as a Saint, practiced by some churches, is called canonization and serves to hold up those individuals as rol ...

Including:

Saint - Definition specific to religion
Saint - Christianity Saint - Islam Saint - Judaism Saint - Hinduism Saint - Buddhism Saint - Other religions
Saint - Bibliography

Read more here: » Saint: Encyclopedia - Saint

See also:

Saint, Saint - Definition specific to religion, Saint - Christianity, Saint - Islam, Saint - Judaism, Saint - Hinduism, Saint - Buddhism, Saint - Other religions, Saint - Bibliography

Read more here: » Saint: Encyclopedia II - Saint - Definition specific to religion

In many religions it is believed that the God has revealed a message to a prophet or messenger. Some of these religions, such as some forms of Christianity and Islam, teach that their path is the only path to salvation. In other religions, like other forms of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Wicca, and Transcendentalism, it is believed that the followers of one's faith do not have an exclusive path to God. They hold tha ...

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Chosen people, Chosen people - Types of purposes, Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message, Chosen people - Superiority?, Chosen people - Judaism, Chosen people - Christianity, Chosen people - Roman Catholicism, Chosen people - Latter Day Saints, Chosen people - Christian Identity groups, Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies, Chosen people - Islam, Chosen people - Hinduism

Read more here: » Chosen people: Encyclopedia II - Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message

The Tevaram and the Tiruvachakam which are the hymns of the Saiva saints of South India, the Divya-Prabandham of the Alvar saints of South India, the songs of Kabir, the Abhangas of Tukaram and the Ramayana of Tulasi Das - all of which are the outpourings of great realised souls - are wonderful scriptures. They contain the essence of the Vedas.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Literature: Other Scriptures in the Hindu Literature

In India, whenever religion and philosophy were perceived to be in danger of getting distorted at the hands of a few, reformers emerged to steer the faith away from distortions. They were concerned with the protection of the essence of religion, which is devotion to God; they did their best to rid religion of unwanted fringe elements who tampered with its true nature and practice.

(See also: Hinduism Founders, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Hinduism Founders: Devadasas Rescued Faith From Ritual  

Hinduism is not a religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga practised and such sublime unique philosophy expounded. That is the reason why India is the only glorious land of sages, Rishis, Yogins and saints.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hinduism: Emphasis On Spiritual Practice

One Friday afternoon, on his way to offer the weekly namaz at a mosque, a friend found an accident victim lying unattended on the road. As he hesitated over what to do a few more passers-by joined him.

Reasoning to himself that the injured person will now be taken care of, he hurriedly continued to walk towards the mosque. But that day, no matter how hard he prayed, peace eluded him.

Something was missing. He agonised over whether he could remain indifferent to a fellow human being's suffering while making fervent attempts to serve God through prayer?

(See also: Charity, Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Charity: Worship God through Community Service  

Kabir Panthis: Kabir Panthis are the followers of saint Kabir. They are numerous in all the provinces of Upper and Central India. There are twelve branches. Kabir Chaura is at Varanasi. It is a big monastery of Kabir Panthis. Dharamdas was the chief disciple of Kabir.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Throughout history, various groups have considered themselves chosen by God for some purpose. This status may be viewed as a mark of superiority or a rank of special purpose and responsibility. Chosen people - Types of purposes. The sense of being a chosen people occurs in both religious and nonreligious contexts. The Abolitionists, who were largely Christian, considered themselves chosen by God to bring freedom and equal rights to the slaves. Many slaveholders, another largely Christian group, saw t ...

Including:

Chosen people - Types of purposes Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message Chosen people - Superiority? Chosen people - Judaism Chosen people - Christianity
Chosen people - Roman Catholicism Chosen people - Latter Day Saints Chosen people - Christian Identity groups Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies
Chosen people - Islam Chosen people - Hinduism

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An angel is an ethereal being found in many religions, whose duties are to assist and serve God or the gods. Angel - Etymology. The English word originated from Latin, angelus, which is itself derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, ángelos, meaning "messenger" (double gamma "γγ" is pronounced "ng" in Greek). The closest Hebrew word for angel is מלאך, mal'ach Hebrew word #4397 in Strong's, also meaning "messenger". "Angel" is also used in the English Version of the Bible for the ...

Including:

Angel - Etymology Angel - Angels in the Tanakh
Angel - Appearance of angels Angel - Purpose
Angel - Jewish views
Angel - Maimonides and rationalism
Angel - Christian views Angel - Islamic views Angel - Latter-Day Saint views Angel - Other religions
Angel - Hinduism Angel - Thelema
Angel - Angels as a development step of the soul Angel - Named angels and archangels Angel - Bibliography

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Advaita Vedanta (IAST advaita vedānta; Devanagari अद्वैत वेदान्त; IPA [ədvaitə vé:dα:ntə]) is probably the best known of all Vedanta schools of philosophy of Hinduism, the others being Dvaita and Vishishtadvaita (total six). "Advaita" literally means "not two", an ...

Including:

Advaita Vedanta - Adi Sankara: The Pillar of Advaita Advaita Vedanta - Salient Features of Advaitism
Advaita Vedanta - Three levels of Truth Advaita Vedanta - Brahman Advaita Vedanta - Māyā Advaita Vedanta - God Advaita Vedanta - Atman Advaita Vedanta - Salvation Advaita Vedanta - Other points
Advaita Vedanta - Are the world and God wholly false?
Advaita Vedanta - Status of the world Advaita Vedanta - Status of God Advaita Vedanta - Status of ethics Advaita Vedanta - Shankara's theory of creation Advaita Vedanta - Comparison with the Buddhist school of Shunyavada
Advaita Vedanta - Adi Sankara's thoughts in a summary Advaita Vedanta - The Impact of Advaita Advaita Vedanta - Advaita and Science Advaita Vedanta - Important Books and Figures of Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta - Mahavakya Advaita Vedanta - Founders & key texts Advaita Vedanta - Demigods Sages and Saints of Advaitins Advaita Vedanta - Later teachers and proponents
Advaita Vedanta - Other References

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An origin belief is any story or explanation that describes the beginnings of humanity, earth, life, and the universe (cosmogony). Such beliefs can be derived from many different venues including scientific investigation, metaphysical speculation, or religious belief. As with any set of beliefs, opinions regarding the validity of particular origins beliefs differ —points of view on these subjects vary widely. Origin belief - Creation myths. Origins beliefs commonly refer to creation myths — mytho ...

Including:

Origin belief - Creation myths Origin belief - Science-based beliefs
Origin belief - Accepted mainstream scientific theories Origin belief - Beliefs grounded in philosophical naturalism
Origin belief - Creation ex nihilo Origin belief - Religious creation beliefs Origin belief - Limits to the ontology of creation Origin belief - Creation within various belief systems
Origin belief - Babylonia Origin belief - Buddhism Origin belief - China Origin belief - Christianity Origin belief - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Origin belief - Creek Origin belief - Egyptian Origin belief - Classical Greece Origin belief - Hinduism Origin belief - Hopi Origin belief - Hmong Origin belief - Inca Origin belief - Islam Origin belief - Japan Origin belief - Jainism Origin belief - Judaism Origin belief - Maya Origin belief - Māori Origin belief - Navajo Origin belief - Norse Origin belief - Polynesian Origin belief - Randomness Origin belief - Sami Origin belief - Surat Shabda Yoga Origin belief - Taoism Origin belief - Zen Origin belief - Zoroastrianism

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In Hinduism, a Rishi (ṛṣi) is a sage and/or seer who "heard" (cf. shruti) the hymns of the Vedas from the Supreme Being Brahman while he was in deep meditation. A rishi can be regarded as a combination of a patriarch, a priest, a preceptor, an author of Vedic hymns, a sage, a saint, an ascetic, ...

Read more here: » Rishi: Encyclopedia - Rishi

Other related archivesA.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Advaita Vedanta, Binitarianism, Dvaita, Father, Gaudiya Vaishnava, Godhead (Christianity), Godhead (Hinduism), Godhead (Mormonism), Godhead (band), Hinduism, Holy Spirit, Judaism, Kabballa, Krishna, Latter Day Saint movement, New Thought Movement, Son, Trinity, Unitarianism, Vishistadvaita, Vishnu, nontrinitarian

Read more here: » Godhead: Encyclopedia - Godhead

Karma or "Karm"(Sanskrit: कर्म from the root kri, "to do", meaning deed) or Kamma (Pali: meaning action, effect, destiny) is a term in several eastern religions that comprises the entire cycle of cause and effect. Karma is a sum of all that an individual has done and is currently doing. The effects of those deeds actively create present and future experiences, thus making one responsible for one's own life. In religions that incorporate reincarnation, karma extends through one's present ...

Including:

Karma - Karma in the Dharma-based religions
Karma - Hinduism Karma - Buddhism
Karma - Analogs of Karma - God the judge Karma - Western interpretation
Karma - New Age and Theosophy Karma - Psychology

Read more here: » Karma: Encyclopedia - Karma

Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter Day Saint movement (Mormonism), and several of his associates, claimed that they were visited by angels on multiple occasions and for a variety of purposes in conjunction with the restoration of the gospel of Jesus. According to the official doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (Bible Dictionary entry on "Angels"): "These are the messengers of the Lord, and are spoken of in the epistle to the Hebrews as 'ministering spirits'. We learn from latte ...

See also:

Angel, Angel - Etymology, Angel - Angels in the Tanakh, Angel - Appearance of angels, Angel - Purpose, Angel - Jewish views, Angel - Maimonides and rationalism, Angel - Christian views, Angel - Islamic views, Angel - Latter-Day Saint views, Angel - Other religions, Angel - Hinduism, Angel - Thelema, Angel - Angels as a development step of the soul, Angel - Named angels and archangels, Angel - Bibliography

Read more here: » Angel: Encyclopedia II - Angel - Latter-Day Saint views

The sense of being a chosen people occurs in both religious and nonreligious contexts. The Abolitionists, who were largely Christian, considered themselves chosen by God to bring freedom and equal rights to the slaves. Many slaveholders, another largely Christian group, saw themselves as chosen to keep and sell slaves. The Nazis considered the Aryan race to be superior, and believed it was their mission to dominate over all races they considered "inferior." Many religious and charitable organizations consider themselves to be chosen by God to care for the sick and the suffering. Man ...

See also:

Chosen people, Chosen people - Types of purposes, Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message, Chosen people - Superiority?, Chosen people - Judaism, Chosen people - Christianity, Chosen people - Roman Catholicism, Chosen people - Latter Day Saints, Chosen people - Christian Identity groups, Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies, Chosen people - Islam, Chosen people - Hinduism

Read more here: » Chosen people: Encyclopedia II - Chosen people - Types of purposes

Views of being a chosen people are sometimes connected with ethnocentrism. The idea of a chosen people can be used to justify or create cultural imperialism, racism, and xenophobia. However, the "chosen status," by definition is a humbling one, as it claims to carry greater responsibility and sacrifices than others. An example of this type of thought is exhibited in the Christian writing, Phillipians 2:5-8: "Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as G ...

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Chosen people, Chosen people - Types of purposes, Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message, Chosen people - Superiority?, Chosen people - Judaism, Chosen people - Christianity, Chosen people - Roman Catholicism, Chosen people - Latter Day Saints, Chosen people - Christian Identity groups, Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies, Chosen people - Islam, Chosen people - Hinduism

Read more here: » Chosen people: Encyclopedia II - Chosen people - Superiority?

In Judaism, chosenness is the belief that the Jews are a people chosen to be in a covenant with God. The idea is not connected with tribal groupings as they are traditionally understood, as non-Jews are free to convert to Judaism. The Jewish idea of being chosen is first found in the Torah (five books of Moses) and is elaborated on in later books of the Hebrew Bible. This status carries both responsibilities and blessings as described in the Biblical covenants with God. Much is written about this topic in rabbinic literature. Judaism's teachings on being a chosen people are descr ...

See also:

Chosen people, Chosen people - Types of purposes, Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message, Chosen people - Superiority?, Chosen people - Judaism, Chosen people - Christianity, Chosen people - Roman Catholicism, Chosen people - Latter Day Saints, Chosen people - Christian Identity groups, Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies, Chosen people - Islam, Chosen people - Hinduism

Read more here: » Chosen people: Encyclopedia II - Chosen people - Judaism

Supersessionism is the belief of many Christians that Christians have replaced Israel as God's Chosen people. In this view, the Jews' chosenness found its ultimate fulfillment through the message of Jesus; Jews who remain non-Christian are no longer considered to be chosen, since they reject Jesus as the Messiah and son of God. Christians who ascribe to supersessionsism, cite the Bible verse John 14:6, attributed to Jesus: "I am the way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me" as ev ...

See also:

Chosen people, Chosen people - Types of purposes, Chosen people - Chosen to receive a message, Chosen people - Superiority?, Chosen people - Judaism, Chosen people - Christianity, Chosen people - Roman Catholicism, Chosen people - Latter Day Saints, Chosen people - Christian Identity groups, Chosen people - The Unification Church Moonies, Chosen people - Islam, Chosen people - Hinduism

Read more here: » Chosen people: Encyclopedia II - Chosen people - Christianity