In 563 or 566 B.C.E., a prince was born to a noble family of the Shakya clan, in a very … More
Category: Religion
the Ka and the Ba
The ancient Egyptian people lived their lives with two main concerns: a happy life here and being able to enter … More
Five Point Peace Plan
Address to the U.S. Congressional Human Right’s CaucusSeptember 21, 1987 The world is increasingly interdependent, so that lasting peace – national, … More
Narada – a travelling musician and storyteller
Narada (Sanskrit: नारद, IAST: Nārada), or Narada Muni, is a sage divinity, famous in Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening … More
a command to follow the ‘millat’ (creed) of Abraham
The Quran contains a number of verses which include a command for all believers to follow the ‘millat’ of Abraham, … More
BIG TREASURES IN TIBET
Muslim invaders drove out Indian scholars to Tibet Muslim invaders destroyed Buddhist monasteries of Udandapura and Vikramasila (In Bihar region) … More
The Life of Saint Issa
This document is the most talked about document concerning the idea of Jesus traveling to India during his ‘missing years’. … More
Ur in Iraq is the birthplace of the patriarch Abraham
Ur (/ʊər/; Sumerian: 𒌶𒆠, 𒋀𒀕𒆠, or 𒋀𒀊𒆠 Urim; Akkadian: 𒋀𒀕𒆠 Uru; Arabic: أُوْر, romanized: ʾūr; Hebrew: אוּר, romanized: ʾūr) was an important Sumerian city-state in ancient Mesopotamia, located at the site of modern Tell el-Muqayyar (Arabic: تل ٱلْمُقَيَّر) in south Iraq’s Dhi Qar Governorate. Although Ur … More
Arahant – one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence
In Buddhism, an arahant (Pali: अर्हत्) or arhat (Sanskrit: अरहन्त) is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has … More
Cintāmaṇi
Cintāmaṇi (Sanskrit; Devanagari: चिंतामणि; Chinese: 如意寶珠; Pinyin: Rúyì bǎozhū; Japanese Romaji: Nyoihōju; Tamil:சிந்தாமணி), also spelled as Chintamani (or the Chintamani Stone), is a wish-fulfilling jewel within both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, said by some to be the equivalent … More
Inanna – goddess of love, war, and fertility
Inanna is an ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, and fertility. She is also associated with beauty, sex, justice, and political power. She … More
Nephites – Israelites lived in ancient North America
According to the Book of Mormon, the Nephites (/ˈniːfaɪt/) are one of four groups (along with the Lamanites, Jaredites, and Mulekites) to have settled in the ancient Americas. … More
Beta Israel – The History of Ethiopian Jewry
Jewish community in Ethiopia — the Beta Israel (House of Israel) — has existed for at least 15 centuries. Because of low literacy levels, a tendency … More
4 Ezra: A Book You’ve Probably Never Read
n one of the earliest postings on this blog, the difficulty of defining the exact limits of the Old Testament within the … More
The Prayer of Manasses
The Prayer of Manasses, also known as the Prayer of Manasseh is a short work of 15 verses recording a … More
A hajj closer to normal: 1 million Muslims
It is a scene that stirs hope — and relief — for Muslims around the world. A million pilgrims from … More
Where Christians killed, Muslims gave safe passage
Siege of Jerusalem (1187) The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin. … More
Shavuot: Jewish renewing commitment to God
The festival of Shavuot, marked this year on June 5 and 6, celebrates the biblical story of God revealing Torah … More
The Dalai Lama – His Holiness
The Dalai Lamas are believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and … More
– the next reincarnation of the Dalai Lama
A couple of years ago, during a meeting of Tibetan leaders in Dharamshala in India, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai … More
Michael Ruark 