Ponkawonka - glossary

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	Abdu'l-Baha	The son of Baha'u'llah,
	Abhaya	The Buddha depiction in which he is raising his hand to offer protection.
	Abhidhamma-pitka	The section of the Tipitaka that deals with Buddhist mental states and meditation.
	Abraham	The father of all Judaism, the first Hebrew. Patriach in Judaism and Islam
		According to Christianity, Judaism and Islam they were the first people on earth. They lived in the Garden of Eden, were tempted and sinned.
	Adam and Eve
	Advent	The four weeks before Christmas, during this time a candle is lit in church each Sunday.
		Different dynasties of caliphs took over spreading Islam through Africa and Spain. The dynasties were the Caliphate, Abbasids, Umayyads, Mongols, Safavids, Mughals, and Ottomans.
	After Muhammad
		According to Islam those who have a good judgment go to al-jannah (paradise) close to Allah but those with a bad judgment go to hell.
	Afterlife
	Ahimsa	Hindu & Jain belief of respect for all living things.
		Said to be the cause of all good. Zoroastrian priests preached to be good to help him win the war against evil in the universe.
	Ahura Mazda
	Akhand Path	The entire Guru Granth Sahib is read at once during Sikh festivals and weddings.
		The Hebrew word for going up. Used to describe a honor given to those who go up to make a blessing on the Torah or those that "go up" by emigrating to Israel.
	Aliyah
	All Souls' Day	A day is for Christians to remember the dead and falls out on November 2.
		Allah means "the God"
	Allah's Names	Allah means "the God"
		Christians use this as a place for the bread and wine for Eucharist. In Judaism, it was the place of sacrifice in the temple.
	Altar
		The Shinto goddess of the sun and heaven worshipped at her Shrine, Ise, which is taken apart and rebuilt once every 21 years.
	Amaterasu
		A ceremony which joins 14 year old boys and girls into the Sikh community. The ceremony involves drinking a water sugar mix called Amrit.
	Amrit Ceremony
	Anatman	Buddhist concepts that people are not permanent.
		An important Chinese value, honoring an ancestor even after their death could result in receiving heavenly mandate. Confucius told people to sacrifice and pray to your ancestors at shrines.
	Ancestor Worship
	Anekantavada	The Jain philosophy that there is no single truth to life but many perspective on things.
	Angra Mainyu	The cause of all bad at war with Ahura Mazda he helps Zoroastrians see good by showing bad.
		A religion or idea used in primal religions that every single thing has a spirit. As a religion bases itself on pleasing spirits since spirits are everywhere and control everything.
	Animism
	Annica	The Buddhist concept that nothing is permanent.
	Anuvratas	The basic morals expected of a normal Jain.
	Apocrypha	Books in the New Testament not fully accepted by the Church and are usually printed separately.
		The area that Muhammad lived in. The people were polytheistic until Muhammad spread Islam throughout the area.
	Arabian Peninsula
	Arahat	What a nearly perfect disciple is called in Thervada Buddhism.
	Archangels	According to Islam, the four important angels. They are Jibril, Mika'il, Israfil and Israil.
	Ardas	A Sikh ceremony in which worshipers asks for things from God.
		The cupboard in which Jews keeps the Torah scrolls. The ark usually has a curtain covering the door (Parochet), is decorated with Jewish themes and is against the wall facing towards Jerusalem.
	Ark
	Asana	Buddha's poses each which have meaning in Buddhism.
	Asanga	The Buddhist philosopher who founded the Yogacara school.
		A Christian holiday commemorating Jesus' ascension to heaven. It takes place on the 40th day after Easter.
	Ascension Day
	Ascension	40 days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.
	Asceticism	The ideal Jain life, which involves disconnection from worldly pleasures.
		The first day of lent. On this day Christian priests mark a cross on congregant's foreheads with ash taken from burned Palm fronds.
	Ash Wednesday
	Ashkenazim	Jews with ancestors from northern and eastern Europe.
		The four stages in a Hindu life that include: education and learning Vedas, marriage, retirement and giving up social life for religion.
	Ashramas
	Atman	The Hindu version of a soul.
	Avalokiteshvara	The most compassionate bodhisattva according to Mahayana Buddhism tradition.
		Are the forms that the Hindu God Vishnu takes to save the world when it's in trouble. The ten most important are: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narashima, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Buddha, Krishna and Kalki who has not yet appeared.
	Avatars Of Vishnu
	Avesta	TheZoroastrians sacred book.
	Babis	The followers of Bab who after his death joined Baha'u'llah.
		Feasts are spread around the calendar other festivals include; Baha'i fast, New-Ruz, Ridvan, Martyrdom of Bab and Birth of Baha'u'llah.
	Baha'i Holidays
Baha'i Scripture	Scriptures written by Baha'u'llah considered God's word by the Baha'i.
Baha'i	A relatively new religion based on the teaching of Baha'u'llah.
	A self proclaimed messenger of God he wrote many Baha'i texts when he was in exile. Eventually Baha'i broke away from Islam and became it's own religion.
Baha'u'llah
	This Christian ceremony admitting people into the church involves pouring water on them or immersing in water.
Baptism
	The Jewish coming of age when a boy turns 13 and is considered responsible for his actions and must keep all of the laws (Mitzvot).
Bar Mitzvah
	The Jewish coming of age when a girl turns 12 and is considered responsible for her actions and must keep all of the laws (Mitzvot).
Bat Mitzvah
Bethlehem	Place of Jesus' birth
Bhairva	The white skinned destructor depiction of the Hindu God Shiva.
Bhumisparsa	This is a depiction of Buddha touching the floor with his hand, a reminder of his enlightenment.
Bible	The Christian Bible is made from the Jewish Old Testament and the Christian New Testament.
	Are high-ranking ministers who supervise clergy, can ordain priests and confirm members of the church.
Bishops
	The state between enlightenment and nirvana that some Buddhists choose to stay in so they could help others.
Bodhisattva
	The first book of the Torah, deals with most of the stories from creation to the Jews enslavement in Egypt.
Book of Genesis
	The book of Psalms, written by King David is read in synagogues to request God's help in times of trouble.
Book of Psalms
Brahman	Hindu force known as the origin of all creation.
Buddhaghosa	A famous Buddhist philosopher who wrote the Visuddhimagga and widespread the language of Pali.
Buddhism	A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautma that believes in liberation from the life cycle.
Buddhist Councils	Are counsels to help decide critical issues in Buddhism, like the contents of the Tipitaka.
	Buddhists celebrate different types of holidays. Some festivals celebrate Buddha's life, Uposatha days are related to the moon and days directly related to things Buddha has done like Asalha and Wesak Day.
Buddhist Holidays
Buddhist Monks And Nuns
Buddhist Monks And Nuns	Buddhists must undergo an initiation to be accepted into the Monastic Order.
Buddhist Pilgrimages	Are trips to places associated with Buddha's life.
	Buddhists use rituals to help reach enlightenment they may pray to improve themselves or give alms to monks and nuns. They may also give symbolic offerings, circumambulation and may honor Buddha by prostration to his statue.
Buddhist Rituals
Cantor	The man who leads the service when Jews are praying in a minyan. Also called a Chazan
Catacombs	Christians underground network of burial places used for worship during their persecutions.
Chauri	A Sikh wisk held and waved over the Guru Granth Sahib as it is read.
	Chen Yen Ws Tantric but didn't take of when Kukia visited China Shingon, a school that believes that Vairocana Buddha is the source of all, was founded.
Chen Yen And Shingon
	The energy that Taoists believe travels through meridiansin the human body. Keeping harmony and exercise allow ch'i to flow, but the blockage of ch'i in the body can lead to pain.
Ch'i
Choir	Trained singers that sing hymns for and with the congregation in a Christian church.
Christian Vocation	Christians who dedicate their lives to serve God, and become priests or missionaries.
	There are many forms of Christians today they are; Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Ecumenism, Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostalism, Protestant, Lutheran,
Christianity
Christmas	The Christian holy day that commemorates the birth of Jesus.
Churches and Cathedrals	A place for Christian prayer, sermons and ceremonies. Churches and Cathedrals often contain altars, pulpits, choirs and bishops thrones.
	The ceremony that all Jewish boys in good health undergo at eight days where their foreskin is removed by a mohel, a trained circumciser. This is done as part of a ceremony that involves naming the baby.
Circumcision
Confession And Penance
Confession And Penance	Roman Catholics confess their sins to a priest.
Confucianism	A religion based on the teachings of Confucius.
Cosmology	The Buddhist system of explaining the world.
Crucifix	As a remembrance to Jesus crucifixion crosses are used as the symbol for Christianity.
	The death sentence of Jesus ordered by Pontius Pilate. The crucifixion took place on hill called Golgotha on the day that became Good Friday.
Crucifixion
Crusades	The military campaigns meant to gain control over Jerusalem for the safety of Christian pilgrims.
Dalai Lama	The leader of the Gelugpa order of Lamas.
Darshan	The simplest form of Jain worship.
	A Hindu worship ceremony in which a Hindu walks clockwise around a statue making eye contact with it.
Darshana
	A collection of Sikh hymns written by Guru Gobin Singh that he would not allow to be added to the Guru Granth Shaib.
Dasam Granth
	This Hindu celebration is held the day after Navaratri. During this holiday people worship shami trees.
Dassera
	According to Christianity Jesus will return to Earth and judge humans. Sinners will go to hell and the good will be sent to heaven.
Day Of Judgment
Dhammapada	This is the most important part of Sutta-pitkait teaches Buddhists how to achieve enlightenment.
Dharma	A Hindu's moral responsibility based on each individuals spiritual journey.
Dharma	Buddhists accept this as acknowledgement of the four noble truths and the eightfold path.
	A depiction of Buddha in standard meditating position used as an example for those trying to achieve enlightenment.
Dhyana
Diaspora	The second destruction of the temple and exile of the Jews caused them spread around the world.
	Also known as skyclad, they are Jains that give up cloths because they believe it leads connection with the world.
Digambara
Disciples	The 12 men that Jesus chose to help him and spread teachings.
Diwali	The Hindu autumn festival which is celebrated by lighting lanterns.
Doctrines And Teachings	Baha'i are monotheist and believe in gender and race equality. They believe the prophets are Abraham, Buddha, Muhammad, the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
Dukkha	The Buddhist concept that everything causes pain because Annica exists.
	A Christian celebration for Jesus' resurrection. Candles are passed around in church and an empty coffin is laid down so people can look for Jesus' body.
Easter Sunday
Easter	The Christian holiday representing Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.
	A state, for Christians, of union with God and leaving the body. During this saints and prophets receive divine messages from above.
Ecstasy
	Right; understanding, thought, speech, behavior, occupation, effort, contemplation and concentration are the eight things Buddhist believe are needed to overcome suffering.
Eightfold Path
Ema And Fuda	Shinto picture offerings.
	After Siddhartha meditated under the bodhi tree he reached a state of enlightenment. Fearing neither suffering nor death he became the Buddha.
Enlightenment
Epiphany	Signifies the day the wise men visited Jesus with presents.
Epistles	Paul's letters to the churches he founded.
	The Jewish light in the synagogue kept up on a chain from the ceiling in front of the ark. This light is always kept on to show Gods eternal glow, and his presence near the Torah Scrolls.
Eternal Light
Eucharist	Also known as Holy Communion, a Christian ritual that was formulated from the last supper.
	As a remembrance to Jesus' Last Supper, the Christian priests make a consecration of bread and wine for the congregation to eat.
Eucharist
Evil	Christians believe caused by Satan, sinners and ignorant people.
	Jews where exiled from Israel & Judah in various times. After the exile of 721 BCE the ten tribes were exiled and eventually "lost".
Exile
	The time that includes the Jews exit from Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea and the period of wandering for 40 years.
Exodus
Extreme Unction	The Christian practice of anointing the sick.
Ezra	The Jewish prophet who brought the Jews from exile back to Israel.
Falashas	The Jewish people of Ethiopia, believed to be descended from the tribe of Dan.
	Confucius believed that parents should teach their children virtue and children should respect their parents. This would lead to a well-governed society.
Family
Farwell Pilgrimage	Muhammad made a final ten-day pilgrimage for Muslims to Ka'ba in which he lectured and died.
	The Ancient Chinese art that believed that how you set up a building is how you receive health and luck.
Feng Shui
	Jain festivals are usually fasts. They include: Karttika-Purnima, Vira-Nirvana, Mahavira-Jayanti and the eight-day festival Paryusana.
Festivals
First Sermon	The original sermon of Buddha where he preached his ideas of ridding the world of suffering.
	Five books where edited by Confucius and used all over China especially by his followers. They where; History, Poetry, Rites, Changes and Annals of spring and autumn.
Five Classics
Five Great Vows	Jain nuns and monks must take five vows; ahimsa, satya,
	Muslims believe they have five supporting obligations to God and consider them the foundation of the religion. The pillars are: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.
Five Pillars Of Islam
	Also known as Panca Sila these are the five rules pertaining to treatment of others that Buddhists live by.
Five Precepts
	Confucius taught five relationships where necessary for a functioning society were; father and son, husband and wife, older and younger brother, emperor and minister, and finally friends the only equal one.
Five Relationships
	The positions of religious leaders in the Jain class system. These include: Arthats, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas and Monks.
Five Supreme Beings
Four Aims Of Life	Hinduisms four aims of life, which include: karma, artha, dharma and moksha.
	The four book in Confucianism are vital to the religion and must be learned. They are Analects, Mencius, The Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean.
Four Books
Four Noble Truths	The truths Buddhists must learn to understand.
	When Siddhartha traveled he saw death, sickness and old age. He traveled once more to discover an ascetic person whose examples gave him a new look at life.
Four Sights
	Angel sent to tell Mary that she had found favor in God's eyes and would give birth to a son. This visit was known as the Annunciation
Gabriel
Gagnes/Ganges	A river place held to be a dwelling place of Gods and a site for many Hindu pilgrimages.
Galilee	Area in which Jesus was raised, educated and first started preaching.
Garuda	The eagle that the Hindu God Vishnu rides.
Gion Festival	A Shinto festival to convince the kami to keep away disease.
	A forbidden idol that the Jews made while Moses was up on the mountain. Moses broke the tablets in anger and had to ask forgiveness for the people from God before receiving them again.
Golden Calf
Good Friday	The day of Jesus' crucifixion.
	To commemorate Jesus' crucifixion Christians bow to crosses, perform processions and go on pilgrimages. Lent's fast is broken now.
Good Friday
	The writings in the New Testament that describe Jesus' life divided into Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Gospels
Gurdwara	A room for Sikh prayer and worship which included a copy of Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Arjan	The Guru who wrote down the Guru Granth Sahib and founded the Sikh temple Harimandir Amristar.
	the final Guru and creator of Khalsa (Sikhs who defended the community) was almost important as Guru Nnak.
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Granth Shaib	a composure of Sikh hymns made by different Gurus. This book is actually considered a Guru.
Guru Nanak	The founder of Sikhism, before his death he passed over his position as Guru to a follower.
Guru Ram Das	the guru who created the Sikh wedding ceremony and founded the holiest Sikh city Amritsar.
	The Shinto god of farmers, fishermen and war that is dedicated in the shrines of Usa, Kyota and Kamakura
Hachman
Hadith	Sayings of the Muslim prophet Muhammad. They are second to the Qur'an's command.
Haggadah	The book used on Passover as a guide to the Seder.
Hail Mary	This Christian prayer to Virgin Mary is based on what the Bible says Gabriel spoke to Mary.
	The fifth pillar of Islam calls on all able Muslims to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetime.
Hajj
Halachah	The laws that Jews must follow based on teachings from the Torah and Oral Law.
	A Jewish holiday celebrated during December as a remembrance to rededication of the Temple after Judas Maccabeus led the Jews to defeat the Syrians. To remember the oil jug that lasted eight days in the Temple's holy lamp or menorah Chanukkah is eight days and a light is lighten each day in a small menorah. Also spelled Hanukah
Chanukkah
Harae	Shinto purification ritual.
	Some Christians celebrate a good harvest by farmers bringing some of their produce to church to be blessed and its then given to the poor.
Harvest Festivals
Hashem	A Jewish name for God that means "the name."
	A sect of Jews that is based on the word "Hasid" which refers to someone who goes beyond the letter of the law. Hasidim have a particular style of dress, some groups wear fur Shtreimel's on Shabbat and special occassions. Also spelled Chassidim.
Hasidism
Haumai	The bad quality of selfishness and influence of possessions, which Sikhs must avoid.
	The ritual performed at the end of Shabbat by Jews. This ritual involves a torch like candle, smelling spices and drinking wine or grape juice.
Havdala
Heaven	According to Christianity the place those who reached salvation during life go to bond with God.
	According to Christians state of absence of God. It may also be punishment for sinners and for those who have not reached salvation.
Hell
Herod	The dynasty that ruled Palestine during Jesus' life and were brought to question him during his trial.
Hijra	The name of the move Muhammad made from Mecca to Medina after fighting with the locals.
	At the birth ceremony of a Hindu, the symbol 'om' is written using honey on the baby's tongue after he/she has been washed ceremonially.
Hindu Birth
	Hinduism has many Gods and Goddesses. However, only some of these deities are widespread to temples all around India. A few of these are: Devi, Kali, Shakti, Parvati, Lakshmi, Durga, Sarasavti, Ganesh, Yama, Hanuman, Kartikeyya, Krishna and Ramma.
Hindu Gods
Hindu Marriage	A Hindu Marriage can take up to two weeks with all of the rituals.
Hindu Priests	The Hindus that lead services in temples and watch over the murtis.
Hindu Teachers	Shankara, Ramakrishna and Gandhi were all famous Hindu teachers.
	The most important part of a Hindu temple is the Shrine. These are dedicated to the god of the temple and usual include a spire roof, to connect it to heaven.
Hindu Temples
	A religion based in India that has vast amount of beliefs and gods. All gods and everything else are part of one ultimate being Brahman.
Hinduism
Holi	The Hindu New Year holiday, celebrated in March.
Holocaust	Refers of the mass slaughter of the European Jews by the Nazis.
	Are Hindu men and women who give up their passions and homes to devote their lives to religion. A few Hindu groups like this are: Sadhu, Sannyasin, Shiva Devotees and Guru.
Holy Hindus
Holy Trinity	Christians believe God exists as three beings; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
	The last week of the Christian holiday Lent Jesus story from his time of riding to Jerusalem to his burial is read out in church.
Holy Week
Hsi Wang Mu	The Toa goddess of immortality, who is worshiped by a cult.
Hukam	Gods will, in which Sikhs must follow to achieve redemption from life cycle.
Hymns	Sacred songs song by a congregation.
I Ching	Also known as Book of Changes it has a diagram in it that is used for predictions.
Iblis	The only angel to refuse to obey Allah's command.
	Can be found in every Buddhist temple or holy site. The statues are intended for symbolism, not realism.
Images of the Buddha
Immortality	The stage achieved by a Taoist after death if during life they where in harmony with nature.
Inari	The Shinto god of agricultural produce.
Incarnation	Also know as the Doctrine this was how Christians believe God came to Earth in the form of Jesus.
	Abraham's son which god told him to sacrifice. Abraham complied but God saved Isaac and blessed Abraham.
Isaac
Isaiah	The Jewish prophet who predicted the Jews Exile from Israel.
	Are festivals the Qur'an commands on Muslims and include: Day of Hijra, Dhu al-Hijja, Muharram, Layat al-Qadr, Layat al-Bar'h, 'Id al-Adha, 'Id-Mawlid and 'Id al-Fitr.
Islam Festivals
Islamic Architecture	Muslim mosques are made with plenty of pillars, arches and domes.
	Are taught to dress modestly; some choose to cover their heads with a scarf while some wear a Hijab or veil.
Islamic Women
	The son of Isaac, his name was later was changed to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons each a tribe of the Jews.
Jacob