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Search results

  1. N

    First Teachings

    Those will work, thanks.
  2. N

    First Teachings

    Is there a term that refers to the 'first teachings' of different religions? For example, Christianity's God and his son Jesus who died for sins of man... or the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism. Thanks
  3. N

    "I am a Buddhist"

    ratikala, thanks for the welcoming. ;D I'm approaching this question about declaring oneself to be a Buddhist with curiosity. I hear this identification thrown around here quite a bit. There are many self-purported Buddhists and I've found myself in that category. It is also difficult to...
  4. N

    "I am a Buddhist"

    What are the meanings which can come from the declaration, "I am a Buddhist"? EDIT: Consider what it mean to you when you say or you hear someone say this. Is it counter to Buddhist practice to make that statement?
  5. N

    Sufist 'Fana'

    Sufist Fana is a term that denotes the annihilation of the self. Upon achieving fana a state of baqaa,which means to reside within Allah, is reached. The dissolution of the self is an interesting concept and has similar parallels in other religions. My question has to do with the self that...
  6. N

    Sufist 'Fana' and Buddhist 'Anatta'

    Great, and thank you for citing the sutras. What is needed now is a grand perspective, akin to Ablaze's on Anatta, regarding fana. If we can go as far as pinning down what Anatta is and is not, without explicitly stating the reality of the term, I question what exactly is being annihilated...
  7. N

    Sufist 'Fana' and Buddhist 'Anatta'

    Sufist Fana and Buddhist Anatta are two similar concepts in which the practitioner of either religion seeks to undergo a process of realizing the delusion of self and its eradication. Fana means 'annihilation' in the sense of completely eradicating the self and realizing a oneness with Allah...
  8. N

    Which Old Testament book

    With that said, can you, or anyone, recommend a particular translation that you think holds true to the original text. I presume there are many versions.
  9. N

    Which Old Testament book

    Oh, my apologies. Thank you for the direction. My assignment is on the Tanakh. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll add these to the list and weigh the options. I do plan to read the entire Tanakh, it's just impossible for me before the due date. In order to give proper consideration of...
  10. N

    Which Old Testament book

    I'm currently tasked with reading one book from the Old Testament and writing about it. With the amount of time I have available it is unlikely I can read the entire Old Testament to choose a preferred book, so I'm indecisive about which book to choose. I appreciate your suggestions...
  11. N

    The Religious Studies Undergraduate

    Studying religion has paid off manifold. It's a very rewarding subject. Much of the crossover into other fields that I pay attention to is within the international relations realm which religion naturally impacts. Knowledge about these topics really puts me at an advantage over others around...
  12. N

    The Religious Studies Undergraduate

    Really good to know. I'm living in Thailand right now and I'm coming along with the language, which helps with some introductory Pali, and I'll also be moving to India in about eight months. I've heard Hindi and Urdu are quite similar which is a plus, but I think Urdu does not use common...
  13. N

    The Religious Studies Undergraduate

    Yes, I'm finding many reasons to take more philosophy classes. Thanks for pointing out the value there. And it's about time I put some focus on a European language anyways. Cheers My background in Arabic is limited to many of those terms, which I am at least acquainted with if I do not know...
  14. N

    underrated and overrated professions.

    I would say the most underrated position is the student. It doesn't make money, shapes the rest of the person's life, and enlightens society. If it was held in higher regard there would be more interest and a more educated citizenry. The most useless profession would have to be the 'famous'...
  15. N

    How did you get into meditation?

    I started meditating around 2009 after a meditation retreat. A real 'enlightened' fellow was a mentor of sorts suggested it to me. That mentor is quite enmeshed in that particular lifestyle these days, but after a number of courses I fell out of that particular circle. It was Goenka's...
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    The Religious Studies Undergraduate

    What recommendations are there for the undergraduate in religion that would like to use the degree? After a couple of years spending government funds on college classes I have opted to pursue a BA in religious studies. Thank you, America. I enjoy the subject and I would like to go into...
  17. N

    Reports of the killing of an Iranian Baha'i received

    @Arthra - Thanks for the link. @InvestigateTruth - Oh my, I saw the name incorrectly. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
  18. N

    What is Yoga?

    Yoga is Unity, yesh. Yoga is a body of “physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines that originated in Ancient India with a view to attain a state of permanent peace(1).” This peace that is spoken of has different variations related to the various schools of thought...
  19. N

    Reports of the killing of an Iranian Baha'i received

    There isn't much being said about this death. A Tehran times article I found worded this as a "death" and not a killing. If Ayatollah Rezvani was killed, I presume it is for sectarian reasons, given the persecution of Baha'i followers.
  20. N

    So it looks like we may be going into Syria (?)

    Yesssh, and it always does bite the US back. Yet, non imperialistic nations continue to be toppled. Can you elaborate, please.
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