Jina Parshvanatha Idol of Pārśva Pārśva or Pārśvanātha (c. 877–777 BCE) was the twenty-third Tirthankara of Jainism.[1] He is the earliest Jain leader for whom there is reasonable evidence of having been a historical figure.[2][3][4] Life[edit] When he was a prince he saved a serpent that had been trapped in a log in an ascetic’s fire. Keśī is believed to have been born about 166 to 250 years after the death of Pārśva. Pārśva is the most popular object of Jain devotion. Notes[edit] Jump up ^ Fisher 1997, p. 115Jump up ^ Charpentier, Jarl (1922). References[edit] Deo, Shantaram Bhalchandra (1956), History of Jaina monachism from inscriptions and literature, Poona [Pune, India]: Deccan College Post-graduate and Research Institute, pp. 59–60 Fisher, Mary Pat (1997), Living Religions: An Encyclopedia of the World's Faiths, London: I.B.Tauris, ISBN 1-86064-148-2 Glasenapp, Helmuth Von (1999), Jainism, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-1376-2
Indus Valley Civilization The major sites of the Indus Valley Civilization imposed over modern borders The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) was a Bronze Age civilization (3300–1300 BCE; mature period 2600–1900 BCE) extending from what today is northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and northwest India (see map). Along with Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, it was one of three early civilizations of the Old World, and the most widespread among them, covering an area of 1.25 million km2.[3] It flourished in the basins of the Indus River, one of the major rivers of Asia, and the now dried up Sarasvati River,[4][5] which once coursed through northwest India and eastern Pakistan together with its tributaries flowed along a channel, presently identified as that of the Ghaggar-Hakra River on the basis of various scientific studies.[7][8][9] The Harappan language is not directly attested and its affiliation is uncertain since the Indus script is still undeciphered. Discovery and history of excavation Chronology Geography Cities
Basics of Buddhism The Four Noble Truths The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha's teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering. The Four Noble Truths are a contingency plan for dealing with the suffering humanity faces -- suffering of a physical kind, or of a mental nature. The Third Noble Truth, the truth of the end of suffering, has dual meaning, suggesting either the end of suffering in this life, on earth, or in the spiritual life, through achieving Nirvana. Breathing Space London – KBT at Breathing Space How can we live a life that is rich and fulfilling in a world that is transient and where pain is inevitable? Kindness Behaviour Training (KBT) is a new Breathing Space course run as an 8 week course suitable for newcomers as well as anyone who has completed an MBCT or MBRP course. It will explore Buddhist psychology and meditation to help stay well from addiction and depression and managing anxiety, as well as drawing on positive psychology and 'third wave' therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and compassion focused therapy. Read more about Kindness Behaviour Training Course dates and booking
Mahavira Mahavira (540 BCE–468 BCE[1]), also known as Vardhamana, was the twenty-fourth and last tirthankara of Jainism. He was born into a royal family in what is now Bihar, India. At the time of his birth, the whole town marked prosperity in term of agriculture, health, wealth and wisdom. It is for this reason that he was named as Vardhman (Hindi : Vridhi) by his parents. Mahavira attained nirvana after his physical death at the age of 72. Early life[edit] Queen Trisala and the Newborn Mahavira According to Śvētāmbara traditions, the embryo of Mahavira was transferred from a Brahmin woman, Devananda, to a Kshatriya woman, Trisala. As a son of the king, Mahavira had all luxuries of life at his command. Jain traditions are not unanimous about his marital state. Ascetic life and awakening[edit] Kevala Jñāna of Mahavira At the age of 30, Mahavira abandoned all the comforts of royal life and left his home and family to live ascetic life for spiritual awakening. Teachings[edit] Mahavira's moksa.
Maurya Empire The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in ancient India, ruled by the Maurya dynasty from 322–185 BCE. Originating from the kingdom of Magadha in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (modern Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh) in the eastern side of the Indian subcontinent, the empire had its capital city at Pataliputra (modern Patna).[1][2] The Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya, who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western India, taking advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal westward by Alexander's Hellenic armies. By 316 BCE the empire had fully occupied Northwestern India, defeating and conquering the satraps left by Alexander.[3] Chandragupta then defeated the invasion led by Seleucus I, a Macedonian general from Alexander's army, gaining additional territory west of the Indus River.[4] History[edit] Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya[edit] Bindusara[edit]
The Church and School of Wicca How to Become a Buddhist: 11 Steps Edit Article Edited by Bodhidharma, Glutted, Rob S, Bodhangkur and 54 others You may be interested in Buddhism, joining a community or integrating the Buddha's great teachings. Whatever your reasons, this article will teach you the basics of what you need to know to become a Buddhist. Siddhartha Gottama, founder of Buddhism and Supreme Buddha of our era, taught that all suffering derives from some sort of desire, whether it be your own or that of those around you. Think about that. Ad Steps 1Read about Siddhartha Gautama the "Awakened one", the father of Buddhism. 11The Eightfold Path is broken down into three sub-topics:Wisdom Right ViewRight IntentionEthical Conduct Right SpeechRight ActionRight LivelihoodMental Development Right EffortRight MindfulnessRight Concentration Ad Tips Warnings Become Buddhist because you want to, not because you think it is an 'easy' religion.If you choose to become a Buddhist, be loyal to your religion. Things You'll Need
Jain World The Main schism of the Jain Church was the one between the Svetambaras and the Digambaras. The Svetambaras believe that even before this schism, there had been seven other schisms. These schisms had started when certain important leaders of the Church had disagreed with the views of the Main Church on some points of philosophy or ritual. These leaders had then taken away their followers and established what one might call separate sects. However, these schisms had little permanent effects, for the newly formed sects had either disappeared or had joined the main Church again on the death of their leaders. The seven schisms have been all described together in Avashyaka Niryukti, VIII, 56-100. The first of these schisms, as we have already seen, happened during the life of Mahavira himself. The second schism was started by Tissagutta in Rajagriha. The third schism was led by Asadha at Seyaviya, 214 years after the death of Mahavira. The Eighth Schism --- Digambaras and Svetambaras
Indian religions Ganesha, a deity common to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Primarily a widely-worshipped Hindu deity. Indian religions are the religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent; namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.[web 1][note 1] These religions are also classified as Eastern religions. Although Indian religions are connected through the history of India, they constitute a wide range of religious communities, and are not confined to the Indian subcontinent.[web 1] Evidence attesting to prehistoric religion in the Indian subcontinent derives from scattered Mesolithic rock paintings. The documented history of Indian religions begins with the historical Vedic religion, the religious practices of the early Indo-Aryans, which were collected and later redacted into the Vedas. The Reform Period between 800-200 BCE marks a "turning point between the Vedic religion and Hindu religions". The early Islamic period (1100-1500 CE) also gave rise to new movements. History Periodisation
Religions - Zoroastrian: The Parsis Dal Sabzi for Aatman: Mahavira Mahavira was born in Kundapura near Vaishali. He was born as a prince, in Bihar. The traditional Jaina date for Mahavira's birth is 599 BC. Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. He was a reformer. He propagated Jainism, as taught by his predecessors. Mahavira was conceived in the womb of Devananda, who had fourteen prophetic dreams. To return to the life story of Mahavira, while the latter was in the womb of his mother, the wealth of the parent household increased. Mahavira married a princess named Yasoda, and they had a daughter, who was named Anoja. Severe austerities practiced by Mahavira: In the summer meditation under the rays of the sun or a walk through sun-baked fields. The power of endurance of Mahavira was tremendous. His message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma-charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion. Jainism is self originated. Ravindra Kumar Jain
Middle kingdoms of India Middle kingdoms of India (or Classical India) refers to the political entities in India from the 3rd century BCE and the 13th century CE. This period begins after the decline of the Maurya Empire, and the corresponding rise of the Satavahana dynasty, beginning with Simuka, from 230 BC. The "Middle" period lasts for some 1,500 years, and ends in the 13th century, with the rise of the Delhi Sultanate and the end of the Chalukya Cholas (Rajendra Chola III died 1279). The Northwest[edit] The Mauryan Empire, during the 2nd century BC, became a collage of regional powers with overlapping boundaries. The invading tribes were influenced by Buddhism which continued to flourish under the patronage of both the invaders and the Satavahanas and Guptas and provides a cultural bridge between the two cultures. The Indo-Scythian Sakas[edit] The Indo-Greeks[edit] The Yavanas[edit] The Yavanas or Yonas were described as living beyond Gandhara. The Indo-Parthians[edit] The Pahlavas[edit] The Kushans[edit]
Who are the Yazidis? Profile of Iraq's misunderstood 'devil worshippers' But in their home town of Sinjar, from where they have now fled to the mountains above, they were welcoming in a way that belied their fearsome reputation as Satanists. For ordinary Iraqis, they are bogeymen to frighten children with. But for religious extremists through the centuries, they have been Devil-worshippers to be slaughtered. The misidentification came about because the Yazidis worship a fallen angel, the Malek Tawwus, or Peacock Angel. Their religion is not just an offshoot of Christianity or Islam. They have kept their religion alive through the Talkers, men who are taught the entire text of their missing holy book by memory as children, and who in turn pass it on to their own sons. Cars queue to leave the Hamdaniyah town of Mosul (Anadolu/ Getty) The Yazidis once lived in a wide area, across Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. They have been persecuted both for their religious beliefs, and for their ethnicity. There are darker sides to the Yazidis.