Meditation was an integral part of Lord Mahavira's life. The Lord meditated deeply, both during his life as a householder and also during his life before enlightenment. Meditation and Kayotsarga had been his tools for self-purification and realisation. In this age of tension and stress, His meditation technique is beneficial to lead a happy and contented life.

Read more here: » Jainism: Lord Mahavira and Meditation

Total depravity (also called total inability and total corruption) is a theological doctrine that derives from the Augustinian doctrine of original sin and is advocated in many Protestant confessions of faith and catechisms, including those of Lutheranism,1 Anglicanism and Methodism,2 and especially Calvinism.3 The doctrine interprets the Bible as teaching that, as a consequence of the Fall of man, every person born into the world is enslaved to the service of sin and, apart from the grac ...

Including:

• Total depravity - Summary of the doctrine
• Total depravity - Biblical evidence for the doctrine
• Total depravity - Objections to the doctrine
• Total depravity - Footnotes

Read more here: » Total depravity: Encyclopedia - Total depravity

Hinduism and Marriage: Hindu Marriages

According to Hinduism, marriage between two souls is a very sacred affair that stretches beyond one life time and may continue up to at least seven lives. A husband and wife chose to come together more due to spiritual reasons than sexual, though they may not be mentally aware of the reasons for their decision to come together.

Read more here: » Hinduism and Marriage: Hindu Marriages

Another afterlife concept which is found among Hindus, Buddhists, and Wiccans is reincarnation, whether as humans, animals, or as spiritual beings. One consequence of the Hindu and Buddhist beliefs is that our current lives are also an afterlife, and both Hindus and Buddhists interpret events in our current life as being consequences of actions taken in previous lives. Some Neopagans believe in personal reincarnation, whereas some believe that the energy of one's soul reintegrates with a continuum of such energy whic ...

See also:

Afterlife, Afterlife - Afterlife as a belief, Afterlife - Afterlife as an individual existence, Afterlife - Afterlife as reward or punishment, Afterlife - Afterlife as reincarnation, Afterlife - Related studies, Afterlife - Criticism, Afterlife - Philosophical arguments

Read more here: » Afterlife: Encyclopedia II - Afterlife - Afterlife as reincarnation

The Christian Day of Atonement is based on the English translation of the the Jewish Holyday Yom Kippur. The Bible calls the day Yom Hakippurim (Hebrew, "Day of the Atonements"). The day is commemorated with a 25-hour fast by Jews, but normally a 24 hour fast by Christians who observe it. While not observed by the mainstream of Christianity, the small Christian groups (mostly those with origins in the old Worldwide Church of Go ...

Including:

• Day of Atonement Christian - Date
• Day of Atonement Christian - Biblical origin
• Day of Atonement Christian - Interpretation
• Day of Atonement Christian - The Day of Atonement and Eschatology

Read more here: » Day of Atonement Christian: Encyclopedia - Day of Atonement Christian

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has many beliefs unique to the church. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel. The fourth Article of Faith states that Latter-day Saints "believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission ...

See also:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - History, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Name of the church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Major Beliefs, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Godhead, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Church leadership and the priesthood, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - The Plan of Salvation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Scriptures, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Chapels, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Sunday Services, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Weekday meetings, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Temples, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Other practices, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Polygamy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Prayers, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Missionaries, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Education, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Finances, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - LDS Customs, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Titles, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Public Speaking, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Genealogy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Criticism and Controversy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Footnotes

Read more here: » Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Encyclopedia II - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Major Beliefs

Destiny and the dynamics of living often remove us from the place we belong to, from what we refer to as our hometown. Living away, we tend to get "hometown-sick".

We split ourselves, and suffer a 'body here, mind there' syndrome. Interestingly, this can happen not just to an individual or a family, but even collectively to a whole people.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Life and Death: Freedom From Exile  

Paul of Tarsus - Early life. Paul described himself as an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day, a Pharisee (Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5), and of the "Jews' religion ... more exceedingly zealous of the traditions" (Gal. 1:14 KJV). However, he was born as Saul in Tarsus of Cilicia and received a Jewish education. He apparently originated the use of Paul as a first name. In Latin, Paulus was a family surname, never a first name. The Latin word paulus, related to the Koine G ...

See also:

Paul of Tarsus, Paul of Tarsus - Life, Paul of Tarsus - Early life, Paul of Tarsus - Conversion and early teachings, Paul of Tarsus - Consultations with the Apostles, Paul of Tarsus - Founding of churches, Paul of Tarsus - Arrest Rome and later life, Paul of Tarsus - Paul's trip to Rome imprisonment and death, Paul of Tarsus - Theological teachings, Paul of Tarsus - Social views, Paul of Tarsus - Writings, Paul of Tarsus - The Legendary tradition, Paul of Tarsus - Alternative views, Paul of Tarsus - Christianity as mystery religion, Paul of Tarsus - Paul as usurper of the Apostles, Paul of Tarsus - Gnostic, Paul of Tarsus - Paul as inclusionist, Paul of Tarsus - New Perspective on Paul, Paul of Tarsus - Agent of Rome?, Paul of Tarsus - Notes

Read more here: » Paul of Tarsus: Encyclopedia II - Paul of Tarsus - Life

Conservative Christianity - Scholars theologians and writers. Contemporary Conservative Protestant scholars and theologians include: Norman Geisler, FF Bruce, Gary Habermas, N.T. Wright, Kenneth Kitchen, Bruce Metzger, R. C. Sproul, Edwin M. Yamauchi, Merrill Unger, John Warwick Montgomery, Cornelius Van Til, Greg Bahnsen, and Bryant G. Wood. Popular conservative Protestant writers and conservative Christian apologetist include: Josh McDowell ...

See also:

Conservative Christianity, Conservative Christianity - Introduction, Conservative Christianity - Conservative Protestantism, Conservative Christianity - Scholars theologians and writers, Conservative Christianity - Conservative Roman Catholicism, Conservative Christianity - Opus Dei

Read more here: » Conservative Christianity: Encyclopedia II - Conservative Christianity - Conservative Protestantism

See the related article Doctrines of Jehovah's Witnesses for additional details. Jehovah's Witnesses claim reliance on the Bible for their theology, and the scriptures noted below are commonly used by Witnesses and their organization as the basis for their claims of a biblical foundation for their doctrines. Many beliefs and practices are similar to mainstream Christian denominations, yet there are significant differences as well. Beliefs and practices that can be said to be distinctive of Jehovah's Witnesses include< ...

See also:

Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Origins, Jehovah's Witnesses - Membership, Jehovah's Witnesses - Organizational structure, Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines, Jehovah's Witnesses - The question of blood, Jehovah's Witnesses - Practices, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and governments, Jehovah's Witnesses - Opposition to Jehovah's Witnesses, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - Early eschatology, Jehovah's Witnesses - 1975, Jehovah's Witnesses - Recent changes, Jehovah's Witnesses - Jehovah's Witnesses and their families, Jehovah's Witnesses - Notes

Read more here: » Jehovah's Witnesses: Encyclopedia II - Jehovah's Witnesses - Beliefs and doctrines

Christianity has not been a monolithic faith since the first century, if ever, and today there exist a large variety of groups that share a common history and tradition within and without mainstream Christianity. Since Christianity is the largest religion in the world (making approximately one-third of the population), it is necessary to understand the various faith traditions in terms of commonali ...

See also:

Christian denomination, Christian denomination - Denominations, Christian denomination - Historical schisms and methods of classification schemes, Christian denomination - Western groups, Christian denomination - Eastern groups, Christian denomination - Non-mainstream Christianity, Christian denomination - Christians with Jewish Roots, Christian denomination - Uncategorized, Christian denomination - Messianic Movements, Christian denomination - New Thought, Christian denomination - Mandaeans, Christian denomination - Christian Related Movements, Christian denomination - Related Independent Religions

Read more here: » Christian denomination: Encyclopedia II - Christian denomination - Historical schisms and methods of classification schemes

We seem to be free, to do that which we choose and not that which is chosen for us; but possibly, the freedom may be illusory; in fact, it may be bondage.

We may be bound by predestination, the will of a Supreme Intelligent Power, or blind inexorable Nature, or the necessity of our own previous development.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace of Mind: Of Freedom, Fate And Free Will

Antichrist - Past identifications. Many people, or even nations or movements, have been thought by some to be the Antichrist. Paul of Tarsus has been theorized by some to have fulfilled the role of the Antichrist within the chronicles of the New Testament of the Bible itself. This theory is premised on an idea that the original teachings of Christ were subverted by Paul. The Roman emperor beginning with Nero, sometimes together with the four emperors who succeeded him in the year following his suicide, unt ...

See also:

Antichrist, Antichrist - Origin and meaning, Antichrist - Appearance of the word in the New Testament, Antichrist - The expected role of the Antichrist, Antichrist - Characteristics of the Antichrist, Antichrist - In popular culture, Antichrist - Identity of the Antichrist, Antichrist - Past identifications, Antichrist - Contemporary identifications, Antichrist - Prophetic Identification

Read more here: » Antichrist: Encyclopedia II - Antichrist - Identity of the Antichrist

A guru shows the path of enlightenment to seekers. The guru is both a formal teacher and a spiritual preceptor. He is a storehouse of spiritual energy, which he can transmit to others. He helps the aspirant to polish his inner self till it reflects the light of truth. In the Shirdi Sai Satcharita a seeker asks Shirdi Baba: "Where to go?" Baba replies: "High up". The seeker then asks: "How to go there?" Baba answers: "Take a guide, he will take you straight and make you avoid the ditches and wild beasts in the jungle". Even avatars like Rama and Krishna subjected themselves to the tutelage of worthy gurus like Vashishta and Sandipani.

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

Read more here: » Advantage of Guru: The Guru Shows The Path  

It was originally just a family service but was later established as a new church by Ming-Dao Wang (王明道) at Beijing in 1937. The Chinese Church in Christ (CCiC) was founded without the help of any foreign missionary so it was essentially Chinese Christians preaching to Chinese people. They also self administer and are self efficient economically. Ming-Dao Wang was especially tight on church entry. During the sixteen years from 1933-1949 only 570 believers received baptism sinc ...

See also:

Chinese Independent Churches, Chinese Independent Churches - 1. Gospel of Grace Church 福音堂, Chinese Independent Churches - 2. The True Jesus Church 真耶穌教會, Chinese Independent Churches - 3. The Church Assembly Hall 聚會所, Chinese Independent Churches - 4. The Chinese Christian Church 中華基督教會, Chinese Independent Churches - 5. The Jesus Family 耶穌家庭, Chinese Independent Churches - 6. The Chinese Church in Christ 基督徒會堂, Chinese Independent Churches - Summary

Read more here: » Chinese Independent Churches: Encyclopedia II - Chinese Independent Churches - 6. The Chinese Church in Christ 基督徒會堂

The Kamakura period saw the introduction of the two schools that had perhaps the greatest impact on the country: the Amidist Pure Land schools, promulgated by evagelists such as Genshin and articulated by monks such as Hōnen, which emphasized salvation through faith in Amitabha and remain the largest Buddhist sect in Japan (and throughout Asia) to this day; and the more philosophical Zen schools, which were equally rapidly adopted by the upper classes and had a profound impact on Japanese culture.

Buddhism in Japan, Buddhism in Japan - Early Chinese accounts, Buddhism in Japan - Nara Period, Buddhism in Japan - Ritsu, Buddhism in Japan - Jojitsu, Buddhism in Japan - Kusha, Buddhism in Japan - Sanron, Buddhism in Japan - Hosso, Buddhism in Japan - Kegon, Buddhism in Japan - Heian Period, Buddhism in Japan - Tendai, Buddhism in Japan - Shingon, Buddhism in Japan - Kamakura to Modern Period, Buddhism in Japan - Amidist Schools, Buddhism in Japan - Zen Schools, Buddhism in Japan - Nichiren Buddhism, Buddhism in Japan - Timeline

Read more here: » Buddhism in Japan: Encyclopedia II - Buddhism in Japan - Kamakura to Modern Period

Salvation

The Christian doctrine of deliverance from sin. The basic Christian doctrine is that Jesus died on the cross and paid the price of our sins, so that we are all saved from the spiritual consequences of our sins when we accept Jesus as our personal savior. Some teach we need only accept Jesus as our savior, others that we must keep his commandments.

(See also: Salvation , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Salvation Dictionary

Acts describes Paul's journey from Caesarea to Rome in some detail. The centurion Julius had shipped Paul and his fellow prisoners aboard a merchant vessel, whereon Luke and Aristarchus were able to take passage. As the season was advanced, the voyage was slow and difficult. They skirted the coasts of Syria, Cilicia, and Pamphylia. At Myra in Lycia, the prisoners were transferred to an Alexandrian vessel transporting wheat bound for Italy, but the winds being persistently contrary, a place in Crete called Goodhavens was reached with g ...

See also:

Paul of Tarsus, Paul of Tarsus - Life, Paul of Tarsus - Early life, Paul of Tarsus - Conversion and early teachings, Paul of Tarsus - Consultations with the Apostles, Paul of Tarsus - Founding of churches, Paul of Tarsus - Arrest, Rome, and later life, Paul of Tarsus - Paul's trip to Rome, imprisonment and death, Paul of Tarsus - Theological teachings, Paul of Tarsus - Social views, Paul of Tarsus - Writings, Paul of Tarsus - The Legendary tradition, Paul of Tarsus - Alternative views, Paul of Tarsus - Christianity as mystery religion, Paul of Tarsus - Paul as usurper of the Apostles, Paul of Tarsus - Gnostic, Paul of Tarsus - Paul as inclusionist, Paul of Tarsus - New Perspective on Paul, Paul of Tarsus - Agent of Rome?, Paul of Tarsus - Notes

Read more here: » Paul of Tarsus: Encyclopedia II - Paul of Tarsus - Paul's trip to Rome, imprisonment and death

The phrase "Colorless green ideas sleep furiously" was coined by Noam Chomsky as an example of nonsense. The individual words make sense, and are arranged according to proper grammar, yet the result is still nonsense. The inspiration for this attempt at creating verbal nonsense came from the idea of contradiction and irrelevant or immaterial characteristics (an idea cannot have a dimension of color, green or otherwise), both of which would be sure to make a phrase meaningless. The phrase "the square root of Tuesday" operates on the latter pr ...

See also:

Nonsense, Nonsense - Distinguishing sense from nonsense, Nonsense - Teaching machines to talk nonsense, Nonsense - Literary nonsense, Nonsense - Nonsense verse, Nonsense - The philosophy of nonsense, Nonsense - Reference

Read more here: » Nonsense: Encyclopedia II - Nonsense - Literary nonsense

Merit (Latin meritum), in general, is understood to be that property of a good work which entitles the doer to receive a reward (prœmium, merces) from him in whose service the work is done. By autonomasia, the word has come to designate also the good work itself, insofar as it deserves a reward from the person in whose service it was performed. In Catholic theology, a supernatural merit can only be a salutary act (< ...

Including:

• Merit -
  Catholic Doctrine
• Merit - NATURE OF MERIT
• Merit - The existence of merit
• Merit - CONDITIONS OF MERIT
• Merit - THE OBJECTS OF MERIT
• Merit - External Sources

Read more here: » Merit: Encyclopedia - Merit

History of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The Trinity God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit The Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Gospels Ten Commandments Sermon on the Mount Christian theology Salvation · Grace Christian worship Christian Church Catholicism Orthodox Christianity Protestantism Christian denominations< ...

Including:

• Christian theology - Sub-disciplines
• Christian theology - History
• Christian theology - Methodology
• Christian theology - Schools of Christian theology

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

History of Christianity Jesus of Nazareth The Apostles Ecumenical councils Great Schism The Crusades Reformation The Trinity God the Father Christ the Son The Holy Spirit The Bible Old Testament New Testament Apocrypha The Gospels Ten Commandments Sermon on the Mount Christian theology Salvation · Grace Christian worship Christian Church Catholi ...

Including:

• New Testament - What is the New Testament?
• New Testament - Books of the New Testament
• New Testament - The Gospels
• New Testament - History
• New Testament - Epistles
• New Testament - Prophecy
• New Testament - New Testament Apocrypha
• New Testament - Language
• New Testament - The History of Translation and Usage of the Phrase New Testament
• New Testament - Gospel sources
• New Testament - Authorship
• New Testament - Date of composition
• New Testament - The canonization of the New Testament
• New Testament - New Testament Text Types
• New Testament - Views on New Testament authority
• New Testament - Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
• New Testament - Protestantism

Read more here: » New Testament: Encyclopedia - New Testament