Buddhism and the Brain Credit: Flickr user eschipul Over the last few decades many Buddhists and quite a few neuroscientists have examined Buddhism and neuroscience, with both groups reporting overlap. I’m sorry to say I have been privately dismissive. One hears this sort of thing all the time, from any religion, and I was sure in this case it would break down upon closer scrutiny. When a scientific discovery seems to support any religious teaching, you can expect members of that religion to become strict empiricists, telling themselves and the world that their belief is grounded in reality. They are always less happy to accept scientific data they feel contradicts their preconceived beliefs. But science isn’t supposed to care about preconceived notions. Despite my doubts, neurology and neuroscience do not appear to profoundly contradict Buddhist thought. Buddhists say pretty much the same thing. Mr. Although I despaired, I comforted myself by looking at the overlying cortex. The next day Mr.
Mahatma Gandhi Biography Early Life Indian nationalist leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India, which was then part of the British Empire. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as a chief minister in Porbandar and other states in western India. His mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious woman who fasted regularly. Young Gandhi was a shy, unremarkable student who was so timid that he slept with the lights on even as a teenager. In 1885, Gandhi endured the passing of his father and shortly after that the death of his young baby. Upon returning to India in 1891, Gandhi learned that his mother had died just weeks earlier. Spiritual and Political Leader When Gandhi arrived in South Africa, he was quickly appalled by the discrimination and racial segregation faced by Indian immigrants at the hands of white British and Boer authorities. Gandhi formed the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to fight discrimination. The Salt March
Stripping the Gurus—... To a Nunnery Nearly everyone is familiar with those three little monkey-figures that depict the maxim, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” I emphasize the positive approach: “See that which is good, hear that which is good, speak that which is good.” And smell, taste, and feel that which is good; think that which is good; love that which is good. Be enthroned in the castle of goodness, and your memories will be like beautiful flowers in a garden of noble dreams (Yogananda, 1986). For all future time, Paramahansa Yogananda ... will be regarded as one of the very greatest of India’s ambassadors of the Higher Culture to the New World (W. PARAMAHANSA YOGANANDA WAS the first yoga master from India to spend the greater part of his life in North America. Born in northeast India near the Himalayan border in 1893, Yogananda began practicing kriya yoga in his early years, and met his guru, Sri Yukteswar, at age seventeen. I have seen God myself. Swamiji was a phenomenon. I was charmed at this miracle.
Comunidad de Taizé Mahatma: Life of Gandhi, 1869-1948 This is a film which seeks to tell the life-story of Gandhi the Man and his incessant search for Truth. In this world so full of hatred and violence, this man of peace and goodwill fought all evil and injustice with Soul-Force. He stands out as a challenge giving the message of truth and non-violence, of love supreme and unbounded. He is the Mahatma - the Great Soul - the name given to him by the people of India. Gandhi has left an indelible mark on human history. His thought is ever relevant for all those who aspire for a better and fuller life. Animation, live photography and old prints, have been blended to give an integrated image of his life. Even a full-length documentary film is but an inadequate instrument for depicting Gandhi's many-splendoured life and his varied activities. Watch the full documentary now
Abu Bakr As a young man, Abu Bakr became a merchant and he traveled extensively in Arabia and neighboring lands in the Middle East, through which he gained both wealth and experience. He eventually came to be recognized as the chief of his clan.[4] On his return from a business trip to Yemen, he was informed that in his absence Muhammad had openly declared his prophethood. Not long after, Abu Bakr accepted Islam and was the first person outside the family of Muhammad to openly become a Muslim.[5] He was instrumental in the conversion of many people to the Islamic faith[6] and early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha was married to Muhammad, strengthening the ties between the two men.[3] Abu Bakr served as a trusted advisor and close friend to Muhammad. Abu Bakr's Caliphate lasted for a little over two years (or 27 months), ending with his death after an illness. Lineage and title[edit] Islamic Empire during the reign of Abu Bakr. There is a dispute over his name being Abdullah. Early life[edit]
History - Historic Figures: Mohandas Gandhi (1869 - 1948) Asceticism Asceticism (/əˈsɛtɪsɪz(ə)m/; from the Greek: ἄσκησις áskēsis, "exercise" or "training") is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing spiritual goals. Many religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and some Christian groups (for example, the Desert Fathers) include practices that involve restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth. They practised asceticism not as a rejection of the enjoyment of life, or because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of physical and metaphysical health. Etymology[edit] The adjective "ascetic" derives from the ancient Greek term askēsis, which means training or exercise. Sociological and psychological views[edit] Religious motivation[edit] Bahá'í Faith[edit]
Dervish A Dervish or Darvesh[1] (from Persian درویش, Darvīsh[2] via Turkish,[3] Somali: Daraawiish, Arabic: درويش, Darwīš) is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity. In this respect, Dervishes are most similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.[4] Etymology[edit] The Persian word darvīsh (درویش) is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian word that appears in Avestan as drigu-, "needy, mendicant", via Middle Persian driyosh[5] The Iranian word is probably a cognate with the Vedic Sanskrit word adhrigu-, an epithet of uncertain meaning applied to several deities. Religious practice[edit] A dervish. Many Dervishes are mendicant ascetics who have taken a vow of poverty, unlike mullahs. Of what avail is frock, or rosary,Or clouted garment? Rumi writes in Book 1 of his Masnavi:[8] Whirling Dervishes[edit] Orders[edit] Dervish State[edit] Brooklyn Museum - A Family of Dervishes Mahdists[edit]