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IT is known that the game of chess originated in India. It was passed on to the medieval West through the intermediary of the Persians and the Arabs, a fact to which we owe, for example, the expression "check-mate", (German: Schachmatt) which is derived from the Persian shah: "king" and the Arabic mat: "he is dead". At the time of the Renaissance some of the rules of the game were changed: the “queen”[1] and the two “bishops”[2] were given a greater mobility, and thenceforth the game acquired a more abstract and mathematical character; it departed from its concrete model strategy, without however losing the essential features of its symbolism. In the original position of the chessmen, the ancient strategic model remains obvious; one can recognize the two armies ranged according to the battle order which was customary in the ancient East: the light troops, represented by the pawns, form the first line ; the bulk of the army consists of the heavy troops, the war chariots ("castles"), the knights ("cavalry") and the war elephants ("bishops"); the "king" with his "lady" or "counsellor" is positioned at the centre of his troops. The form of the chess-board corresponds to the "classical" type of Vāstu-mandala, the diagram which also constitutes the basic layout of a temple or a city. It has been pointed out[3] that this diagram symbolizes existence conceived as a "field of action" of the divine powers. The combat which takes place in the game of chess thus represents, in its most universal meaning, the combat of the devas with the asuras, of the "gods" with the "titans", or of the “angels”[4] with the "demons", all other meanings of the game deriving from this one. The most ancient description of the game of chess which we possess appears in "The Golden Prairies" by the Arab historian al-Mas‘ūdī, who lived in Bagdad in the 9th century. Al-Mas‘ūdī attributes the inventionor codificationof the game to a Hindu king "Balhit", a descendant of "Barahman". There is an obvious confusion here between a caste, that of the Brahmins, and a dynasty; but that the game of chess has a brahmanic origin is proved by the eminently sacerdotal character of the diagram of 8 x 8 squares (ashtāpada). Further, the warlike symbolism of the game relates it to the Kshatriyas, the caste of princes and nobles, as al-Mas‘ūdī indicates when he writes that the Hindus considered the game of chess (shatranj, from the Sanscrit Chaturanga)[5] as a "school of government and defence". King Balhit is said to have composed a book on the game of which "he made a sort of allegory of the heavenly bodies, such as the planets and the twelve signs of the Zodiac, consecrating each piece to a star . . ." It may be recalled that the Hindus recognize eight planets: the sun, the moon, the five planets visible to the naked eye, and Rāhu, the "dark star" of the eclipses[6]; each of these "planets" rules one of the eight directions of space. "The Indians", continues al- Mas‘ūdī, "give a mysterious meaning to the redoubling, that is to say to the geometrical progression, effected on the squares of the chess-board; they establish a relationship between the first cause, which dominates all the spheres and in which everything finds its end, and the sum of the squares of the chess-board . . ." Here the author is probably confusing the cyclical symbolism implied in the ashteipada and the famous legend according to which the inventor of the game asked the monarch to fill the squares of his chess-board with grains of corn, by placing one grain on the first, two on the following, four on the third, and so on up to the sixty-fourth square, which gives the sum of 18,446,744,973,709,551,661 grains. The cyclical symbolism of the chess-board resides in the fact that it expresses the unfolding of space according to the quaternary and octonary of the principal directions (4 x 4 x 4 = 8 x 8), and that it synthesizes, in crystalline form, the two great complementary cycles of sun and moon: the duodenary of the zodiac and the 28 lunar mansions ; furthermore, the number 64, the sum of the squares on the chess-board, is a submultiple of the fundamental cyclic number 25920, which measures the precession of the equinoxes. We have seen that each phase of a cycle, “fixed” in the scheme of 8 x 8 squares, is ruled by a heavenly body and at the same time symbolizes a divine aspect, personified by a deva.[7] It is thus that this mandala symbolizes at one and the same time the visible cosmos, the world of the Spirit and the Divinity in its multiple aspects. Al Mas‘ūdī is therefore right to say that the Indians explain, "by calculations based on the chess-board, the march of time and the cycles, the superior influences which are exerted on this world, and the bonds which attach them to the human soul ..." The cyclical symbolism of the chess-board was known to King Alphonsus the Wise, the famous troubadour of Castille, who in 1283 composed his Libros de Acedrex, a work which draws largely from Oriental sources.[8] Alphonsus the Wise also describes a very ancient variant of the game of chess, the "game of the four seasons", which takes place between four partners, so that the pieces, placed in the four corners of the chess-board, move in a rotatory direction, analogous to the movement of the sun. The 4 X 8 pieces must have the colours green, red, black, and white; they correspond to the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter; to the four elements: air, fire, earth, and water, and to the four organic "humours". The movement of the four camps symbolizes cyclical transformation.[9] This game, which strangely resembles certain "solar" rites and dances of the Indians of North America, brings into relief the fundamental principle of the chess-board. The chess-board can be considered as the extension of a diagram formed by four squares, alternatively black and white, and constitutes in itself a mandala of Shiva, God in his aspect of transformer: the quaternary rhythm, of which this mandala is, as it were, the spatial "coagulation", expresses the principle of time. The four squares, placed around an unmanifested centre, symbolize the cardinal phases of every cycle. The alternation of the black and white squares in this elementary diagram of the chess-board[10] brings out its cyclical significance[11] and makes of it the rectangular equivalent of the Far-Eastern symbol of yin yang. It is an image of the world in its fundamental dualism.[12] If the world of the senses in its integral development results to some extent from the multiplication of qualities inherent in space and time, the Vāstu-mandala for its part derives from the division of time by space: one may recall the genesis of the Vāstu-mandala from the never-ending celestial cycle, this cycle being divided by the cardinal axes, then "crystallized" in a rectangular form.[13] The mandala is thus the inverted reflection of the principial synthesis of space and time, and it is in this that its ontological significance resides. From another point of view, the world is "woven" from the three fundamental qualities or gunas[14] and the mandala represents this weaving in a schematic manner, in conformity with the cardinal directions of space. The analogy between the Vāstu-mandala and weaving is brought out by the alternation of colours which recalls a woven fabric of which the warp and the woof are alternately apparent or hidden. Moreover, the alternation of black and white corresponds to the two aspects of the mandala, which are complementary in principle but opposed in practice: the mandala is on the one hand a Purusha-mandala, that is to say a symbol of the Universal Spirit (Purusha) inasmuch as it is an immutable and transcendent synthesis of the cosmos; on the other hand it is a symbol of existence (Vāstu) considered as the passive support of divine manifestations. The geometric quality of the symbol expresses the Spirit, while its purely quantitative extension expresses existence. Likewise its ideal immutability is "spirit" and its limiting coagulation is "existence" or materia; here it is not materia prima, virgin and generous, which is being referred to, but materia secunda, "dark" and chaotic, which is the root of existential dualism. In this connection one may recall the myth according to which the Vāstu-mandala represents an asūra, personification of brute existence: the devas have conquered this demon and have established their "dwelling-places" on the stretched-out body of their victim; thus they confer their "form" upon him, but it is he who manifests them.[15] This double meaning which characterizes the Vātstu-Purusha-mandala, and which, moreover, is to be found in every symbol, is in a sense actualized by the combat which a game of chess represents. This combat, as we have said, is essentially that of the devas and the asūras, who dispute the chess-board of the world. It is here that the symbolism of black and white, already present in the squares of the chess-board, takes on its full value : the white army is that of Light, the black army that of darkness. In a relative domain, the battle which takes place on the chess-board represents, either that of two terrestrial armies each of which is fighting in the name of a principle,[16] or that of the spirit and of darkness in man; these are the two forms of the "holy war"; the "lesser holy war" and the "greater holy war", according to a saying of the Prophet Mohammed. One will see the relationship of the symbolism implied in the game of chess with the theme of the Bhagavadgita, a book which is likewise addressed to Kshatriyas. If the significance of the different chessmen is transposed into the spiritual domain, the king becomes the heart, or spirit, and the other pieces the various faculties of the soul. Their movements, moreover, correspond to different ways of realizing the cosmic possibilities represented by the chess-board: there is the axial movement of the "castles" or war chariots, the diagonal movement of the "bishops" or elephants, which follow a single colour, and the complex movement of the knights. The axial movement, which "cuts" through the different "colours", is logical and virile, while the diagonal movement corresponds to an "existential"and therefore femininecontinuity. The jump of the knights corresponds to intuition. What most fascinates the man of noble and warlike caste is the relationship between will and destiny. Now it is just this that is so clearly illustrated by the game of chess, inasmuch as its moves always remain intelligible without being limited in their variation. Alphonsus the Wise, in his book on chess, relates how a king of India wished to know whether the world obeyed intelligence or chance. Two wise men, his advisers, gave opposing answers, and to prove their respective theses, one of them took as his example the game of chess in which intelligence prevails over chance, while the other produced dice, the symbol of fatality.[17] Al- Mas‘ūdī writes likewise that the king "Balhit", who is said to have codified the game of chess, gave it preference over nerd, a game of chance, because in the former intelligence always has the upper hand over ignorance. At each stage of the game, the player is free to choose between several possibilities, but each movement will entail a series of unavoidable consequences, so that necessity increasingly limits free choice, the end of the game being seen, not as the fruit of hazard, but as the result of rigorous laws. It is here that we see not only the relationship between will and fate, but likewise between liberty and knowledge; except in the case of in-advertence on the part of his opponent, the player will only safeguard his liberty of action when his decisions correspond with the nature of the game, that is to say with the possibilities that the game implies. In other words, freedom of action is here in complete solidarity with foresight and knowledge of the possibilities; contrariwise, blind impulse, however free and spontaneous it may appear at first sight, is revealed in the final outcome as a non-liberty. The "royal art" is to govern the worldoutward and inwardin conformity with its own laws. This art presupposes wisdom; which is the knowledge of possibilities; now all possibilities are contained, in a synthetic manner, in the universal and divine Spirit. True wisdom is a more or less perfect identification with the Spirit (Purusha), this latter being symbolized by the geometrical quality[18] of the chess-board, "seal" of the essential unity of the cosmic possibilities. The Spirit is Truth; through Truth, man is free; outside truth, he is the slave of fate. That is the teaching of the game of chess; the Kshatriya who gives himself over to it does not only find in it a pastime or a means of sublimating his warlike passion and his need for adventure, but also, according to his intellectual capacity, a speculative support, and a "way" which leads from action to contemplation.



NOTES [1] In Oriental chess this piece is not a "queen" but a "counsellor" or "minister" to the king (in Arabic mudaffir or wazir, in Persian fersan or fars). The designation "queen" in the Western game is doubtless due to a confusion of the Persian term fersan, which became alferga in Castillian, and the old French fierce or fierge for "virgin". Be that as it may, the attribution of such a dominant rôle to the king's "lady" corresponds well with the mentality of chivalry. It is significant also that the game of chess was passed on to the West by that Arab-Persian current which also brought with it heraldic art and the principal rules of chivalry. [2] This piece was originally an elephant (Arabic: al-fil) which bore a fortified tower. The schematic representation of an elephant's head in some medieval manuscripts could be taken either for a "fool's cap" or a bishop's mitre: in French the piece is called fou, "fool"; in German it is called, Läufer "runner". [3] See the author's Sacred Art in East and West (Perennial Books, London, 1967), Chapter I, "The Genesis of the Hindu Temple". [4] The devas of Hindu mythology are analogous to the angels of the monotheistic traditions; it is known that each angel corresponds to a divine function. [5] The word chaturanga signifies the traditional Hindu army, composed of four angas = elephants, horses, chariots and soldiers. [6] Hindu cosmology always takes account of the principle of inversion and exception, which results from the "ambiguous" character of manifestation: the nature of stars is luminosity, but as the stars are not Light itself, there must also be a dark one. [7] Certain Buddhist texts describe the universe as a board of 8 x 8 squares, fixed by golden cords; these squares correspond to the 64 kalpas of Buddhism (Cf. Saddharma Pundarika, Burnouf, Lotus de la bonne Loi, p. 148). In the Ramayana, the impregnable of the gods, Ayodhya, is described as a square with eight compartments on each side. We also recall, in the Chinese tradition, the 64 signs which derive from the 8 trigrams commented on in the IKing. These 64 signs are generally arranged so as to correspond to the eight regions of space. Thus we again encounter the idea of a quaternary and octonary division of space, which resumes all the aspects of the universe. [8] In 1254 St. Louis had forbidden chess to his subjects. The saint had in mind the passions which the game could unleash, especially as it was frequently combined with the use of dice. [9] This variant of chess is described in the Bhawisya Purana. Alphonsus the Wise also speaks of a "great game of chess" which is played on a board of 12 x 12 squares and of which the pieces represent mythological animals; he attributes it to the sages of India. [10] Given that the Chinese chess-board, which likewise had its origin in India, does not possess the alternation of the two colours, it is to be assumed that this element comes from Persia; it nevertheless remains faithful to the original symbolism of the chess-board. [11] It also makes of it a symbol of inverse analogy; spring and autumn, morning and evening are inversely analogous. In a general manner the alternation of black and white corresponds to the rhythm of day and night, of life and death, of manifestation and of reabsorption in the unmanifest. [12] For this reason the type of Vastu-mandala which has an uneven number of squares could not serve as a chess-board: the "battlefield" which the latter represents cannot have a manifested centre, for symbolically it had to be beyond oppositions. [13] See Sacred Art of East and West, Chapter 2, "The Foundations of Christian Art". [14] Cf. René Guénon, The Symbolism of the Cross (Luzac, London, 1958). [15] The mandala of 8 x 8 squares is also called Manduka, "the frog" by allusion to the "Great Frog" (maha-manduka) which supports the whole universe and which is the symbol of obscure and undifferentiated materia. [16] In a holy war it is possible that each of the combatants may legitimately consider himself as the protagonist of Light fighting the darkness. This again is a consequence of the double meaning of every symbol: what for one is the expression of the Spirit, may be the image of "dark" "matter" in the other's eyes. [17] The mandala of the chess-board, on the one hand, and dice, on the other, represent two different and complementary symbols of the cosmos. [18] We may recall that the Spirit or the Word is the "form of forms", that is to say the formal principle of the universe.

Original editorial inclusions that followed the essay in Studies : In my novitiate, when I had become aware of the corruptions of the lower soul and acquainted with its places of ambush, I always felt a violent hatred of it in my heart. One day something like a young fox came forth from my throat and God caused me to know that it was my lower soul. I cast it under my feet, and at every kick that I gave it, it grew bigger. I said: "Other things are destroyed by pain and blows: why dost thou increase?" It replied: "Because I was created perverse: that which is pain to other things is pleasure to me, and their pleasure is my pain". Muhammad b. ‘Ulyân of Nasâ ayn

al-‘ayn ath-thābitah, or sometimes simply al-‘ayn, is the immutable essence, the archetype or the principial possibility of a being or thing



(more..) , or sometimes simply, is the immutable essence, the archetype or the principial possibility of a being or thing ayn

al-‘ayn ath-thābitah, or sometimes simply al-‘ayn, is the immutable essence, the archetype or the principial possibility of a being or thing



(more..) , or sometimes simply, is the immutable essence, the archetype or the principial possibility of a being or thing gnosis

(A) "knowledge"; spiritual insight, principial comprehension, divine wisdom.(B) knowledge; gnosis is contrasted with doxa (opinion) by Plato; the object of gnosis is to on, reality or being, and the fully real is the fully knowable ( Rep.477a); the Egyptian Hermetists made distinction between two types of knowledge: 1) science ( episteme), produced by reason ( logos), and 2) gnosis, produced by understanding and faith ( Corpus Hermeticum IX); therefore gnosis is regarded as the goal of episteme (ibid.X.9); the -idea that one may ‘know God’ ( gnosis theou) is very rare in the classical Hellenic literature, which rather praises episteme and hieratic vision, epopteia, but is common in Hermetism, Gnosticism and early Christianity; following the Platonic tradition (especially Plotinus and Porphyry), Augustine introduced a distinction between knowledge and wisdom, scientia and sapientia, claiming that the fallen soul knows only scientia, but before the Fall she knew sapientia ( De Trinitate XII).



(more..) "knowledge"; spiritual insight, principial comprehension, divine wisdom.knowledge;is contrasted with(opinion) by Plato; the object ofis, reality or being, and the fully real is the fully knowable (477a); the Egyptian Hermetists made distinction between two types of knowledge: 1) science (), produced by reason (), and 2)produced by understanding and faith (IX); thereforeis regarded as the goal of(ibid.X.9); the -idea that one may ‘know God’ () is very rare in the classical Hellenic literature, which rather praisesand hieratic vision,, but is common in Hermetism, Gnosticism and early Christianity; following the Platonic tradition (especially Plotinus and Porphyry), Augustine introduced a distinction between knowledge and wisdom,and, claiming that the fallen soul knows onlybut before the Fall she knewXII). idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. jinn

Subtle beings belonging to the world of forms.



(more..) Subtle beings belonging to the world of forms. shaikh

(1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group.



(more..) (1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group. sufi

In its strictest sense designates one who has arrived at effective knowledge of Divine Reality (Ḥaqīqah); hence it is said: aṣ-Ṣūfī lam yukhlaq (“the Sufi is not created”).



(more..) In its strictest sense designates one who has arrived at effective knowledge of Divine Reality (); hence it is said:(“the Sufi is not created”). theology

divine science, theology, logos about the gods, considered to be the essence of teletai; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy ( prote philosophia) in contrast with physics ( Metaph.1026a18); however, physics ( phusiologia) sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus In Tim.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians ( theologoi) are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites.



(more..) divine science, theology,about the gods, considered to be the essence of; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy () in contrast with physics (.1026a18); however, physics () sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians () are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. yoga

union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism)



(more..) union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism) Advaita

"non-dualist" interpretation of the Vedānta; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being Brahman, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance.



(more..) "non-dualist" interpretation of the; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance. gnosis

(A) "knowledge"; spiritual insight, principial comprehension, divine wisdom.(B) knowledge; gnosis is contrasted with doxa (opinion) by Plato; the object of gnosis is to on, reality or being, and the fully real is the fully knowable ( Rep.477a); the Egyptian Hermetists made distinction between two types of knowledge: 1) science ( episteme), produced by reason ( logos), and 2) gnosis, produced by understanding and faith ( Corpus Hermeticum IX); therefore gnosis is regarded as the goal of episteme (ibid.X.9); the -idea that one may ‘know God’ ( gnosis theou) is very rare in the classical Hellenic literature, which rather praises episteme and hieratic vision, epopteia, but is common in Hermetism, Gnosticism and early Christianity; following the Platonic tradition (especially Plotinus and Porphyry), Augustine introduced a distinction between knowledge and wisdom, scientia and sapientia, claiming that the fallen soul knows only scientia, but before the Fall she knew sapientia ( De Trinitate XII).



(more..) "knowledge"; spiritual insight, principial comprehension, divine wisdom.knowledge;is contrasted with(opinion) by Plato; the object ofis, reality or being, and the fully real is the fully knowable (477a); the Egyptian Hermetists made distinction between two types of knowledge: 1) science (), produced by reason (), and 2)produced by understanding and faith (IX); thereforeis regarded as the goal of(ibid.X.9); the -idea that one may ‘know God’ () is very rare in the classical Hellenic literature, which rather praisesand hieratic vision,, but is common in Hermetism, Gnosticism and early Christianity; following the Platonic tradition (especially Plotinus and Porphyry), Augustine introduced a distinction between knowledge and wisdom,and, claiming that the fallen soul knows onlybut before the Fall she knewXII). Ibn Arabi

Ash-Shaikh al-Akbar (“The greatest master”). Wrote numerous Sufi treatises of which the most famous is his Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam and the most rich in content his Futūḥāt al-Makkiyah.



(more..) (“The greatest master”). Wrote numerous Sufi treatises of which the most famous is hisand the most rich in content his idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. logos

(A) "word, reason"; in Christian theology, the divine, uncreated Word of God (cf. John 1:1); the transcendent Principle of creation and revelation. (B) the basic meaning is ‘something said’, ‘account’; the term is used in explanation and definition of some kind of thing, but also means reason, measure, proportion, analogy, word, speech, discourse, discursive reasoning, noetic apprehension of the first principles; the demiurgic Logos (like the Egyptian Hu, equated with Thoth, the tongue of Ra, who transforms the Thoughts of the Heart into spoken and written Language, thus creating and articulating the world as a script and icon of the gods) is the intermediary divine power: as an image of the noetic cosmos, the physical cosmos is regarded as a multiple Logos containing a plurality of individual logoi ( Enn.IV.3.8.17-22); in Plotinus, Logos is not a separate hupostasis, but determines the relation of any hupostasis to its source and its products, serving as the formative principle from which the lower realities evolve; the external spech ( logos prophorikos) constitutes the external expression of internal thought ( logos endiathetos).



(more..) "word, reason"; in Christian theology, the divine, uncreated Word of God (. John 1:1); the transcendent Principle of creation and revelation.the basic meaning is ‘something said’, ‘account’; the term is used in explanation and definition of some kind of thing, but also means reason, measure, proportion, analogy, word, speech, discourse, discursive reasoning, noetic apprehension of the first principles; the demiurgic(like the Egyptianequated with Thoth, the tongue of Ra, who transforms the Thoughts of the Heart into spoken and written Language, thus creating and articulating the world as a script and icon of the gods) is the intermediary divine power: as an image of the noetic cosmos, the physical cosmos is regarded as a multiplecontaining a plurality of individual.IV.3.8.17-22); in Plotinus,is not a separatebut determines the relation of anyto its source and its products, serving as the formative principle from which the lower realities evolve; the external spech () constitutes the external expression of internal thought ( philosophy

love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenic philosophia is a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life; philosophia cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is prote philosophia, or theologike, but philosophy as theoria means dedication to the bios theoretikos, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personal askesis and inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death ( Phaed.67cd); the Platonic philosophia helps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy.



(more..) love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenicis a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life;cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is, or, but philosophy asmeans dedication to the, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personaland inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death (.67cd); the Platonichelps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy. ratio

literally, "calculation"; the faculty of discursive thinking, to be distinguished from intellectus, "Intellect."



(more..) literally, "calculation"; the faculty of discursive thinking, to be distinguished from, "Intellect." shaykh

(1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group.



(more..) (1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group. shaykh

(1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group.



(more..) (1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group. shaykh

(1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group.



(more..) (1) In Islam, a Sufi or other spiritual leader or master. (2) The term is also used more generally as an honorific title for a chief or elder of a group. sufi

In its strictest sense designates one who has arrived at effective knowledge of Divine Reality (Ḥaqīqah); hence it is said: aṣ-Ṣūfī lam yukhlaq (“the Sufi is not created”).



(more..) In its strictest sense designates one who has arrived at effective knowledge of Divine Reality (); hence it is said:(“the Sufi is not created”). theology

divine science, theology, logos about the gods, considered to be the essence of teletai; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy ( prote philosophia) in contrast with physics ( Metaph.1026a18); however, physics ( phusiologia) sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus In Tim.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians ( theologoi) are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites.



(more..) divine science, theology,about the gods, considered to be the essence of; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy () in contrast with physics (.1026a18); however, physics () sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians () are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. bhakti

the spiritual "path" (mārga) of "love" (bhakti) and devotion.



(more..) the spiritual "path" () of "love" () and devotion. Bodhisattva

Literally, "enlightenment-being;" in Mahāyāna Buddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry into Nirvāṇa in order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood.



(more..) Literally, "enlightenment-being;" inBuddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry intoin order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood. Brahman

Brahma considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called Para-Brahma.



(more..) considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called dharma

Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue.



(more..) Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue. Mahayana

The Larger Vehicle in contrast to the Hinayana, or Smaller Vehicle. It claimed to be more universal in opening Enlightenment to all beings, and inspired the emergence of the Pure Land teaching directed to ordinary beings—denoted as all beings in the ten directions. This tradition is characterized by a more complex philosophical development, an elaborate mythic and symbolic expression which emphasizes the cosmic character of the Buddha nature, and its inclusion of the key virtues of compassion and wisdom.



(more..) The Larger Vehicle in contrast to the Hinayana, or Smaller Vehicle. It claimed to be more universal in opening Enlightenment to all beings, and inspired the emergence of the Pure Land teaching directed to ordinary beings—denoted as all beings in the ten directions. This tradition is characterized by a more complex philosophical development, an elaborate mythic and symbolic expression which emphasizes the cosmic character of the Buddha nature, and its inclusion of the key virtues of compassion and wisdom. nirvana

In Buddhism (and Hinduism), ultimate liberation from samsara (the cycles of rebirths or the flow of cosmic manifestation), resulting in absorption in the Absolute; the extinction of the fires of passion and the resulting, supremely blissful state of liberation from attachment and egoism.



(more..) In Buddhism (and Hinduism), ultimate liberation from(the cycles of rebirths or the flow of cosmic manifestation), resulting in absorption in the Absolute; the extinction of the fires of passion and the resulting, supremely blissful state of liberation from attachment and egoism. samsara

Literally, "wandering;" in Hinduism and Buddhism, transmigration or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; also, the world of apparent flux and change.



(more..) Literally, "wandering;" in Hinduism and Buddhism, transmigration or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; also, the world of apparent flux and change. sat

"Being;" one of the three essential aspects of Apara-Brahma, together with cit, "consciousness," and ananda (ānanda), "bliss, beatitude, joy."



(more..) "Being;" one of the three essential aspects of, together with, "consciousness," and ananda (), "bliss, beatitude, joy." yoga

union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism)



(more..) union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism) ahimsa

"non-violence," a fundamental tenet of Hindu ethics, also emphasized in Buddhism and Jainism.



(more..) "non-violence," a fundamental tenet of Hindu ethics, also emphasized in Buddhism and Jainism. dharma

Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue.



(more..) Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue. idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. in divinis

literally, "in or among divine things"; within the divine Principle; the plural form is used insofar as the Principle comprises both Para-Brahma, Beyond-Being or the Absolute, and Apara-Brahma, Being or the relative Absolute.



(more..) literally, "in or among divine things"; within the divine Principle; the plural form is used insofar as the Principle comprises both, Beyond-Being or the Absolute, and, Being or the relative Absolute. karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. Advaita

"non-dualist" interpretation of the Vedānta; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being Brahman, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance.



(more..) "non-dualist" interpretation of the; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance. Bodhisattva

Literally, "enlightenment-being;" in Mahāyāna Buddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry into Nirvāṇa in order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood.



(more..) Literally, "enlightenment-being;" inBuddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry intoin order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood. dharma

Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue.



(more..) Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue. idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. jnana

Knowing or understanding. Though usually translated into English as "knowledge", "jñāna" does not mean proficiency in a subject like history or physics. It is not mere learning but inward experience or awareness of a truth. In Advaita it is the realization that one is inseparably united with the Supreme.



(more..) Knowing or understanding. Though usually translated into English as "knowledge", "jñāna" does not mean proficiency in a subject like history or physics. It is not mere learning but inwardor awareness of a truth. In Advaita it is the realization that one is inseparably united with the Supreme. Jodo

(A) Japanese term for "Pure Land." Though all Buddhas have their Pure Lands, the Land of Amida Buddha became the most well-known and desired in China and Japan because of its comprehensive nature, its popular propagation, and its ease of entry through recitation of his Name. (B) "pure land"; the untainted, transcendent realm created by the Buddha Amida (Amitabha in Sanskrit), into which his devotees aspire to be born in their next life.



(more..) Japanese term for "Pure Land." Though all Buddhas have their Pure Lands, the Land of Amida Buddha became the most well-known and desired in China and Japan because of its comprehensive nature, its popular propagation, and its ease of entry through recitation of his Name."pure land"; the untainted, transcendent realm created by the Buddha Amida (in Sanskrit), into which his devotees aspire to be born in their next life. marga

In Hinduism, a spiritual “way, path”; see bhakti, jnāna, karma.



(more..) In Hinduism, a spiritual “way, path”; see philosophy

love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenic philosophia is a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life; philosophia cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is prote philosophia, or theologike, but philosophy as theoria means dedication to the bios theoretikos, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personal askesis and inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death ( Phaed.67cd); the Platonic philosophia helps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy.



(more..) love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenicis a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life;cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is, or, but philosophy asmeans dedication to the, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personaland inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death (.67cd); the Platonichelps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy. prajna

As (1) prājñā: The individual being in the state (avasthā ) of deep sleep wherein the activity of the mind temporarily ceases and an unconscious, but fleeting, union with Brahman occurs; As (2) Prajñā: A Sanskrit term that denotes transcendental wisdom. It is considered one of the most important pillars of Mahāyāna Buddhism, including Zen.



(more..) As (1): The individual being in the state () of deep sleep wherein the activity of the mind temporarily ceases and an unconscious, but fleeting, union withoccurs; As (2): A Sanskrit term that denotes transcendental wisdom. It is considered one of the most important pillars ofBuddhism, including Zen. Pure Land

"Translation from the Chinese ching-t’u (jodo in Japanese). The term as such is not found in Sanskrit, the closest being the phrase ‘purification of the Buddha Land.’ Shinran describes it as the ‘Land of Immeasurable Light,’ referring not to a place that emanates light, but a realization whenever one is illumined by the light of compassion." (Unno)



(more..) "Translation from the Chinesein Japanese). The term as such is not found in Sanskrit, the closest being the phrase ‘purification of the Buddha Land.’ Shinran describes it as the ‘Land of Immeasurable Light,’ referring not to a place that emanates light, but a realization whenever one is illumined by the light of compassion." (Unno) Theravada

an early form of Indian Buddhism translated as "The Teachings (or "way") of the Elders." As a historical religious tradition, it was formed soon after the death of the Sakyamuni Buddha. (This form of Buddhism is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia.)



(more..) an early form of Indian Buddhism translated as "The Teachings (or "way") of the Elders." As a historical religious tradition, it was formed soon after the death of the Sakyamuni Buddha. (This form of Buddhism is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia.) Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. upaya

"Means, expedient, method;" in Buddhist tradition, the adaptation of spiritual teaching to a form suited to the level of one’s audience.



(more..) "Means, expedient, method;" in Buddhist tradition, the adaptation of spiritual teaching to a form suited to the level of one’s audience. Vedanta

"End or culmination of the Vedas," a designation for the Upanishads (Upaniṣāds) as the last portion ("end") of the Vedas; also one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy who have their starting point in the texts of the Upanishads (Upaniṣāds), the Brahma-Sūtras (of Bādarāyana Vyāsa), and the Bhagavad Gītā ; over time, Vedānta crystallized into three distinct schools: Advaita (non-dualism), associated with Shankara (ca.788-820 C.E.); Viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism), associated with Rāmānuja (ca.1055-1137 C.E.); and Dvaita (dualism), associated with Madhva (ca.1199-1278 C.E.); see "Advaita."



(more..) "End or culmination of the," a designation for the Upanishads () as the last portion ("end") of the; also one of the six orthodox () schools of Hindu philosophy who have their starting point in the texts of the Upanishads (), the(of Bādarāyana Vyāsa), and the; over time,crystallized into three distinct schools:(non-dualism), associated with Shankara(ca.788-820 C.E.);(qualified non-dualism), associated with Rāmānuja(ca.1055-1137 C.E.); and(dualism), associated with Madhva (ca.1199-1278 C.E.); see "Advaita." philosophy

love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenic philosophia is a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life; philosophia cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is prote philosophia, or theologike, but philosophy as theoria means dedication to the bios theoretikos, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personal askesis and inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death ( Phaed.67cd); the Platonic philosophia helps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy.



(more..) love of wisdom; the intellectual and ‘erotic’ path which leads to virtue and knowledge; the term itself perhaps is coined by Pythagoras; the Hellenicis a prolongation, modification and ‘modernization’ of the Egyptian and Near Eastern sapiential ways of life;cannot be reduced to philosophical discourse; for Aristotle, metaphysics is, or, but philosophy asmeans dedication to the, the life of contemplation – thus the philosophical life means the participation in the divine and the actualization of the divine in the human through the personaland inner transformation; Plato defines philosophy as a training for death (.67cd); the Platonichelps the soul to become aware of its own immateriality, it liberates from passions and strips away everything that is not truly itself; for Plotinus, philosophy does not wish only ‘to be a discourse about objects, be they even the highest, but it wishes actually to lead the soul to a living, concrete union with the Intellect and the Good’; in the late Neoplatonism, the ineffable theurgy is regarded as the culmination of philosophy. theology

divine science, theology, logos about the gods, considered to be the essence of teletai; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy ( prote philosophia) in contrast with physics ( Metaph.1026a18); however, physics ( phusiologia) sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus In Tim.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians ( theologoi) are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites.



(more..) divine science, theology,about the gods, considered to be the essence of; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy () in contrast with physics (.1026a18); however, physics () sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians () are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. apocatastasis

“Restitution, restoration”; among certain Christian theologians, including Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Gregory of Nyssa, the doctrine that all creatures will finally be saved at the end of time.



(more..) “Restitution, restoration”; among certain Christian theologians, including Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Gregory of Nyssa, the doctrine that all creatures will finally be saved at the end of time. Brahman

Brahma considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called Para-Brahma.



(more..) considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. adam

In Sufism this expression includes on the one hand the positive sense of non-manifestation, of a principial state beyond existence or even beyond Being, and on the other hand a negative sense of privation, of relative nothingness.



(more..) In Sufism this expression includes on the one hand the positive sense of non-manifestation, of a principial state beyond existence or even beyond Being, and on the other hand a negative sense of privation, of relative nothingness. idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. ex cathedra

literally, "from the throne"; in Roman Catholicism, authoritative teaching issued by the pope and regarded as infallible.



(more..) literally, "from the throne"; in Roman Catholicism, authoritative teaching issued by the pope and regarded as infallible. Advaita

"non-dualist" interpretation of the Vedānta; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being Brahman, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance.



(more..) "non-dualist" interpretation of the; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance. Bodhidharma

the 28th patriarch of Buddhism and the 1st patriarch of Zen, he is said to have brought the meditation school of Buddhism to China around 520 C.E. A legendary figure whose face is painted by many Zen masters. (His original name was Bodhi-dhana.)



(more..) the 28th patriarch of Buddhism and the 1st patriarch of Zen, he is said to have brought the meditation school of Buddhism to China around 520 C.E. A legendary figure whose face is painted by many Zen masters. (His original name was Bodhi-dhana.) Bodhisattva

Literally, "enlightenment-being;" in Mahāyāna Buddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry into Nirvāṇa in order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood.



(more..) Literally, "enlightenment-being;" inBuddhism, one who postpones his own final enlightenment and entry intoin order to aid all other sentient beings in their quest for Buddhahood. dharma

Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue.



(more..) Truth, Reality, cosmic law, righteousness, virtue. guru

spiritual guide or Master. Also, a preceptor, any person worthy of veneration; weighty; Jupiter. The true function of a guru is explained in The Guru Tradition. Gurukula is the household or residence of a preceptor. A brahmacārin stays with his guru to be taught the Vedas, the Vedāngas and other subjects this is gurukulavāsa.



(more..) spiritual guide or Master. Also, a preceptor, any person worthy of veneration; weighty; Jupiter. The true function of a guru is explained inis the household or residence of a preceptor. A brahmacārin stays with his guru to be taught the Vedas, the Vedāngas and other subjects this is humanism

The intellectual viewpoint increasingly prevalent in the West since the time of the Renaissance; it replaced the traditional Christian view of God as the center of all things by a belief in man as the measure of all things.



(more..) The intellectual viewpoint increasingly prevalent in the West since the time of the Renaissance; it replaced the traditional Christian view of God as the center of all things by a belief in man as the measure of all things. idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. jiriki

(A)Self power; the consciousness that one achieves Enlightenment through one’s own effort. In Pure Land Buddhism it is considered a delusory understanding of the true nature of practice and faith, which are supported and enabled through Amida’s compassion. (B) One who is "liberated" while still in this "life"; a person who has attained to a state of spiritual perfection or self-realization before death; in contrast to videha-muktav, one who is liberated at the moment of death..



(more..) Self power; the consciousness that one achieves Enlightenment through one’s own effort. In Pure Land Buddhism it is considered a delusory understanding of the true nature of practice and faith, which are supported and enabled through Amida’s compassion.One who is "liberated" while still in this "life"; a person who has attained to a state of spiritual perfection or self-realization before death; in contrast to, one who is liberated at the moment of death.. karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. mani

"jewel," often in the shape of a tear-drop; in Eastern traditions, understood to be powerful in removing evil and the causes of sorrow; see Om mani padme hum.



(more..) "jewel," often in the shape of a tear-drop; in Eastern traditions, understood to be powerful in removing evil and the causes of sorrow; see mantra

literally, "instrument of thought"; a word or phrase of divine origin, often including a Name of God, repeated by those initiated into its proper use as a means of salvation or liberation; see japa.



(more..) literally, "instrument of thought"; a word or phrase of divine origin, often including a Name of God, repeated by those initiated into its proper use as a means of salvation or liberation; see murti

Anything that has a definite shape; an image or idol; personification.



(more..) Anything that has a definite shape; an image or idol; personification. nembutsu

(A) "The practice of reciting Namu-Amida-Butsu (the Name of Amida) is known as recitative nembutsu. There is also meditative nembutsu, which is a method of contemplation. Nembutsu is used synonymously with myogo, or the Name." (Unno) (B) "remembrance or mindfulness of the Buddha," based upon the repeated invocation of his Name; same as buddhānusmriti in Sanskrit and nien-fo in Chinese.



(more..) "The practice of reciting(the Name of Amida) is known as recitative. There is also meditative, which is a method of contemplation.is used synonymously with, or the Name." (Unno)"remembrance or mindfulness of the Buddha," based upon the repeated invocation of his Name; same asin Sanskrit andin Chinese. Pure Land

"Translation from the Chinese ching-t’u (jodo in Japanese). The term as such is not found in Sanskrit, the closest being the phrase ‘purification of the Buddha Land.’ Shinran describes it as the ‘Land of Immeasurable Light,’ referring not to a place that emanates light, but a realization whenever one is illumined by the light of compassion." (Unno)



(more..) "Translation from the Chinesein Japanese). The term as such is not found in Sanskrit, the closest being the phrase ‘purification of the Buddha Land.’ Shinran describes it as the ‘Land of Immeasurable Light,’ referring not to a place that emanates light, but a realization whenever one is illumined by the light of compassion." (Unno) rupa

bodily or physical form, shape, appearance, figure, image (e.g. of a god)



(more..) bodily or physical form, shape, appearance, figure, image (e.g. of a god) shunya

“Void”, “emptiness,” in Sanskrit; in Mahāyāna Buddhism, the true nature of all phenomena, devoid of all independent self or substance.



(more..) “Void”, “emptiness,” in Sanskrit; in Mahāyāna Buddhism, the true nature of all phenomena, devoid of all independent self or substance. sutra

Literally, "thread;" a Hindu or Buddhist sacred text; in Hinduism, any short, aphoristic verse or collection of verses, often elliptical in style; in Buddhism, a collection of the discourses of the Buddha.



(more..) Literally, "thread;" a Hindu or Buddhist sacred text; in Hinduism, any short, aphoristic verse or collection of verses, often elliptical in style; in Buddhism, a collection of the discourses of the Buddha. svara

Sound; a note of the musical scale; accent in Vedic intonation.



(more..) Sound; a note of the musical scale; accent in Vedic intonation. tariki

(A) literally, "power of the other"; a Buddhist term for forms of spirituality that emphasize the importance of grace or celestial assistance, especially that of the Buddha Amida, as in the Pure Land schools; in contrast to jiriki. (B) Other Power; "The working of the boundless compassion of Amida Buddha, which nullifies all dualistic notions, including constructs of self and other. According to Shinran, ‘Other Power means to be free of any form of calculations (hakarai).’" (Unno)



(more..) literally, "power of the other"; a Buddhist term for forms of spirituality that emphasize the importance of grace or celestial assistance, especially that of the Buddha Amida, as in the Pure Land schools; in contrast toOther Power; "The working of the boundless compassion of Amida Buddha, which nullifies all dualistic notions, including constructs of self and other. According to Shinran, ‘Other Power means to be free of any form of calculations ().’" (Unno) Theravada

an early form of Indian Buddhism translated as "The Teachings (or "way") of the Elders." As a historical religious tradition, it was formed soon after the death of the Sakyamuni Buddha. (This form of Buddhism is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia.)



(more..) an early form of Indian Buddhism translated as "The Teachings (or "way") of the Elders." As a historical religious tradition, it was formed soon after the death of the Sakyamuni Buddha. (This form of Buddhism is still practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia.) Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. Advaita

"non-dualist" interpretation of the Vedānta; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being Brahman, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance.



(more..) "non-dualist" interpretation of the; Hindu doctrine according to which the seeming multiplicity of things is regarded as the product of ignorance, the only true reality being, the One, the Absolute, the Infinite, which is the unchanging ground of appearance. Agama

Traditional doctrine, science or knowledge; the āgama śāstras deal with ritual, iconography, the construction of temples, yantras and so on.



(more..) Traditional doctrine, science or knowledge; thes deal with ritual, iconography, the construction of temples,s and so on. arghya

Libation to the gods, rsis or fathers; an important part of sandhyāvandana (qv) is arghya-pradāna, the offering of arghya. Aghya also means valuable or venerable.



(more..) Libation to the gods,s or fathers; an important part of(qv) is, the offering ofalso means valuable or venerable. Atma

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with Atman

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with Atma

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with Atma

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with Atma

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with Atma

the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of Advaita Vedānta, identical with Brahma.



(more..) the real or true "Self," underlying the ego and its manifestations; in the perspective of, identical with avidya

"ignorance" of the truth; spiritual delusion, unawareness of Brahma.



(more..) "ignorance" of the truth; spiritual delusion, unawareness of Bhagavad Gita

lit. "the Song of the Lord"; a text of primary rank dealing with the converse of Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu) and the warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.



(more..) lit. "the Song of the Lord"; a text of primary rank dealing with the converse of(an incarnation of Vishnu) and the warrioron the battlefield of bhakta

a follower of the spiritual path of bhakti; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on adoration and love.



(more..) a follower of the spiritual path of; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on adoration and love. Brahma

God in the aspect of Creator, the first divine "person" of the Trimūrti; to be distinguished from Brahma, the Supreme Reality.



(more..) God in the aspect of Creator, the first divine "person" of the; to be distinguished from, the Supreme Reality. Brahman

Brahma considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called Para-Brahma.



(more..) considered as transcending all "qualities," attributes, or predicates; God as He is in Himself; also called Brahmin

"Brahmin"; a member of the highest of the four Hindu castes; a priest or spiritual teacher.



(more..) "Brahmin"; a member of the highest of the four Hindu castes; a priest or spiritual teacher. guru

spiritual guide or Master. Also, a preceptor, any person worthy of veneration; weighty; Jupiter. The true function of a guru is explained in The Guru Tradition. Gurukula is the household or residence of a preceptor. A brahmacārin stays with his guru to be taught the Vedas, the Vedāngas and other subjects this is gurukulavāsa.



(more..) spiritual guide or Master. Also, a preceptor, any person worthy of veneration; weighty; Jupiter. The true function of a guru is explained inis the household or residence of a preceptor. A brahmacārin stays with his guru to be taught the Vedas, the Vedāngas and other subjects this is hamsa

a renunciate (sannyāsin) who attains to Satyaloka after the death of the body, there to obtain liberation



(more..) a renunciate () who attains toafter the death of the body, there to obtain liberation homa

Offering oblations in the consecrated fire.



(more..) Offering oblations in the consecrated fire. idea

in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato, idea is a synonim of eidos, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning.



(more..) in non-technical use the term refers to the visual aspect of anything; for Plato and Platonists, it is the highest noetic entity, the eternal unchanging Form, the archetype of the manifested material thing; in Plato,is a synonim of, but in Neoplatonism these two terms have a slightly different meaning. Ishvara

(A) literally, "possessing power," hence master; God understood as a personal being, as Creator and Lord; manifest in the Trimūrti as Brahmā, Vishnu, and Shiva. (B) lit. "the Lord of the Universe"; the personal God who manifests in the triple form of Brahmā (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Transformer); identical with saguna Brahman.



(more..) literally, "possessing power," hence master; God understood as a personal being, as Creator and Lord; manifest in theas, andlit. "the Lord of the Universe"; the personal God who manifests in the triple form of(the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and(the Transformer); identical with Ishvara

(A) literally, "possessing power," hence master; God understood as a personal being, as Creator and Lord; manifest in the Trimūrti as Brahmā, Vishnu, and Shiva. (B) lit. "the Lord of the Universe"; the personal God who manifests in the triple form of Brahmā (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and Shiva (the Transformer); identical with saguna Brahman.



(more..) literally, "possessing power," hence master; God understood as a personal being, as Creator and Lord; manifest in theas, andlit. "the Lord of the Universe"; the personal God who manifests in the triple form of(the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), and(the Transformer); identical with jagat

"world"; the existing or manifested universe.



(more..) "world"; the existing or manifested universe. japa

"repetition" of a mantra or sacred formula, often containing one of the Names of God; see buddhānusmriti, dhikr.



(more..) "repetition" of aor sacred formula, often containing one of the Names of God; see jiva

the individual soul; the living being.



(more..) the individual soul; the living being. jnana

Knowing or understanding. Though usually translated into English as "knowledge", "jñāna" does not mean proficiency in a subject like history or physics. It is not mere learning but inward experience or awareness of a truth. In Advaita it is the realization that one is inseparably united with the Supreme.



(more..) Knowing or understanding. Though usually translated into English as "knowledge", "jñāna" does not mean proficiency in a subject like history or physics. It is not mere learning but inwardor awareness of a truth. In Advaita it is the realization that one is inseparably united with the Supreme. jnanin

a follower of the path of jñāna; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or gnosis.



(more..) a follower of the path of; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or jnanin

a follower of the path of jñāna; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or gnosis.



(more..) a follower of the path of; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or jnanin

a follower of the path of jñāna; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or gnosis.



(more..) a follower of the path of; a person whose relationship with God is based primarily on sapiential knowledge or karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. karma

action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1) sanchita karma: actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2) prārabdha karma: actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3) āgāmi karma :actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future.



(more..) action; the effects of past actions; the law of cause and effect ("as a man sows, so shall he reap"); of three kinds: (1): actions of the past that have yet to bear fruit in the present life; (2): actions of the past that bear fruit in the present life; and (3):actions of the present that have still, by the law of cause and effect, to bear fruit in the future. manas

mind; all of the mental powers



(more..) mind; all of the mental powers mantra

literally, "instrument of thought"; a word or phrase of divine origin, often including a Name of God, repeated by those initiated into its proper use as a means of salvation or liberation; see japa.



(more..) literally, "instrument of thought"; a word or phrase of divine origin, often including a Name of God, repeated by those initiated into its proper use as a means of salvation or liberation; see Maya

"artifice, illusion"; in Advaita Vedānta, the beguiling concealment of Brahma in the form or under the appearance of a lower reality.



(more..) "artifice, illusion"; in, the beguiling concealment ofin the form or under the appearance of a lower reality. moksha

liberation or release from the round of birth and death (samsāra); deliverance from ignorance (avidyā). According to Hindu teaching, moksha is the most important aim of life, and it is attained by following one of the principal mārgas or spiritual paths (see bhakti, jnāna, and karma).



(more..) liberation or release from the round of birth and death (); deliverance from ignorance (). According to Hindu teaching,is the most important aim of life, and it is attained by following one of the principalor spiritual paths (see, and). nirvana

In Buddhism (and Hinduism), ultimate liberation from samsara (the cycles of rebirths or the flow of cosmic manifestation), resulting in absorption in the Absolute; the extinction of the fires of passion and the resulting, supremely blissful state of liberation from attachment and egoism.



(more..) In Buddhism (and Hinduism), ultimate liberation from(the cycles of rebirths or the flow of cosmic manifestation), resulting in absorption in the Absolute; the extinction of the fires of passion and the resulting, supremely blissful state of liberation from attachment and egoism. Paramatman

The "supreme Self."



(more..) The "supreme Self." prakriti

Literally, "making first" (see materia prima); the fundamental, "feminine" substance or material cause of all things; see "purusha (puruṣa)."



(more..) Literally, "making first" (see); the fundamental, "feminine" substance or material cause of all things; see "purusha ( prakriti

In Hinduism, literally, “making first” (see materia prima); the fundamental, “feminine” substance or material cause of all things; see guna, Purusha.



(more..) In Hinduism, literally, “making first” (see); the fundamental, “feminine” substance or material cause of all things; see puja

ritual worship (in Hinduism)



(more..) ritual worship (in Hinduism) Rama

In Hinduism, one of the names by which to call God. In sacred history, Rama was the hero king of the epic Ramayana, and is one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. The term is also a form of address among sadhus



(more..) In Hinduism, one of the names by which to call God. In sacred history, Rama was the hero king of the epic Ramayana, and is one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. The term is also a form of address among Rama

The seventh incarnation (avatāra) of Vishnu and the hero of the epic tale, Rāmāyaṇa.



(more..) The seventh incarnation () of Vishnu and the hero of the epic tale, rishi

in Hinduism, a seer, saint, inspired poet; the Vedas are ascribed to the seven great seers of antiquity.



(more..) in Hinduism, a seer, saint, inspired poet; the Vedas are ascribed to the seven great seers of antiquity. sadhaka

A spiritual aspirant; one who endeavors to follow a method of spiritual practice.



(more..) A spiritual aspirant; one who endeavors to follow a method of spiritual practice. sadhana

A method of spiritual practice.



(more..) A method of spiritual practice. samsara

Literally, "wandering;" in Hinduism and Buddhism, transmigration or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; also, the world of apparent flux and change.



(more..) Literally, "wandering;" in Hinduism and Buddhism, transmigration or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth; also, the world of apparent flux and change. shastras

As (1) śāstra (s): Legal textbooks which codify the laws governing Hindu civil society (Mānava-Dharma-Shāstra) and canonize the rules for the sacred arts of dance, music, drama, and sculpture (Bharata-Natya-Śastra); also used more broadly to encompass the Vedas and all scriptures in accord with them; as (2) śastra: A weapon like a knife, sword, arrow.



(more..) As (1) śāstra (s): Legal textbooks which codify the laws governing Hindu civil society () and canonize the rules for the sacred arts of dance, music, drama, and sculpture (); also used more broadly to encompass theand all scriptures in accord with them; as (2) śastra: A weapon like a knife, sword, arrow. sat

"Being;" one of the three essential aspects of Apara-Brahma, together with cit, "consciousness," and ananda (ānanda), "bliss, beatitude, joy."



(more..) "Being;" one of the three essential aspects of, together with, "consciousness," and ananda (), "bliss, beatitude, joy." shakti

God’s power



(more..) God’s power sri

Literally, "splendor, beauty, venerable one;" an honorific title set before the name of a deity or eminent human being; also a name of Lakshmi (Lakṣmī), the consort of Vishnu (Viṣṇu) and the goddess of beauty and good fortune.



(more..) Literally, "splendor, beauty, venerable one;" an honorific title set before the name of a deity or eminent human being; also a name of Lakshmi (), the consort of Vishnu () and the goddess of beauty and good fortune. shudra

A member of the lowest of the four Hindu castes; an unskilled laborer or serf.



(more..) A member of the lowest of the four Hindu castes; an unskilled laborer or serf. shunya

“Void”, “emptiness,” in Sanskrit; in Mahāyāna Buddhism, the true nature of all phenomena, devoid of all independent self or substance.



(more..) “Void”, “emptiness,” in Sanskrit; in Mahāyāna Buddhism, the true nature of all phenomena, devoid of all independent self or substance. Sri

a prefix meaning “sacred” or “holy” (in Hinduism)



(more..) a prefix meaning “sacred” or “holy” (in Hinduism) sukta

Well spoken; a Vedic hymn.



(more..) Well spoken; a Vedic hymn. theology

divine science, theology, logos about the gods, considered to be the essence of teletai; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy ( prote philosophia) in contrast with physics ( Metaph.1026a18); however, physics ( phusiologia) sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus In Tim.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians ( theologoi) are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites.



(more..) divine science, theology,about the gods, considered to be the essence of; for Aristotle, a synonim of metaphysics or first philosophy () in contrast with physics (.1026a18); however, physics () sometimes is called as a kind of theology (Proclus.I.217.25); for Neoplatonists, among the ancient theologians () are Orpheus, Homer, Hesiod and other divinely inspired poets, the creators of theogonies and keepers of sacred rites. Tradition

(as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives.



(more..) (as the term is used by "Traditionalists" and in the "Perennial Philosopy":) Divine Revelation and the unfolding and development of its sacred content, in time and space, such that the forms of society and civilization maintain a "vertical" connection to the meta-historical, transcendental substance from which revelation itself derives. upanishad

Among the sacred texts of the Hindus, mostly Upaniṣāds discuss the existence of one absolute Reality known as Brahman. Much of Hindu Vedānta derives its inspiration from these texts.



(more..) Among the sacred texts of the Hindus, mostlydiscuss the existence of one absolute Reality known as. Much of Hinduderives its inspiration from these texts. vasana

Latent tendency; hidden desire; habit of mind.



(more..) Latent tendency; hidden desire; habit of mind. Veda

The sacred scriptures of Hinduism; regarded by the orthodox (āstika) as divine revelation (śruti) and comprising: (1) the Ṛg, Sāma, Yajur, and Atharva Saṃhitās (collections of hymns); (2) the Brāhmanas (priestly treatises); (3) the Āranyakas (forest treatises); and (4) the Upaniṣāds (philosophical and mystical treatises); they are divided into a karma-kāṇḍa portion dealing with ritual action and a jñāna-kāṇḍa portion dealing with knowledge.



(more..) The sacred scriptures of Hinduism; regarded by the orthodox () as divine revelation () and comprising: (1) theand(collections of hymns); (2) the(priestly treatises); (3) the(forest treatises); and (4) the(philosophical and mystical treatises); they are divided into aportion dealing with ritual action and aportion dealing with knowledge. Vedanta

"End or culmination of the Vedas," a designation for the Upanishads (Upaniṣāds) as the last portion ("end") of the Vedas; also one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Hindu philosophy who have their starting point in the texts of the Upanishads (Upaniṣāds), the Brahma-Sūtras (of Bādarāyana Vyāsa), and the Bhagavad Gītā ; over time, Vedānta crystallized into three distinct schools: Advaita (non-dualism), associated with Shankara (ca.788-820 C.E.); Viśiṣṭādvaita (qualified non-dualism), associated with Rāmānuja (ca.1055-1137 C.E.); and Dvaita (dualism), associated with Madhva (ca.1199-1278 C.E.); see "Advaita."



(more..) "End or culmination of the," a designation for the Upanishads () as the last portion ("end") of the; also one of the six orthodox () schools of Hindu philosophy who have their starting point in the texts of the Upanishads (), the(of Bādarāyana Vyāsa), and the; over time,crystallized into three distinct schools:(non-dualism), associated with Shankara(ca.788-820 C.E.);(qualified non-dualism), associated with Rāmānuja(ca.1055-1137 C.E.); and(dualism), associated with Madhva (ca.1199-1278 C.E.); see "Advaita." yoga

union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism)



(more..) union of the jiva with God; method of God-realization (in Hinduism) yogin

Literally, "one who is yoked or joined;" a practitioner of yoga, especially a form of yoga involving meditative and ascetic techniques designed to bring the soul and body into a state of concentration or meditative focus.



(more..) Literally, "one who is yoked or joined;" a practitioner of, especially a form ofinvolving meditative and ascetic techniques designed to bring the soul and body into a state of concentration or meditative focus. avatar

the earthly "descent," incarnation, or manifestation of God, especially of Vishnu in the Hindu tradition.



(more..) the earthly "descent," incarnation, or manifestation of God, especially of Vishnu in the Hindu tradition. Brahma

God in the aspect of Creator, the first divine "person" of the Trimūrti; to be distinguished from Brahma, the Supreme Reality.



(more..) God in the aspect of Creator, the first divine "person" of the; to be distinguished from, the Supreme Reality. buddhi

"Intellect"; the highest faculty of knowledge, to be contrasted with manas, that is, mind or reason; see ratio.



(more..) "Intellect"; the highest faculty of knowledge, to be contrasted with, that is, mind or reason; see in divinis

literally, "in or among divine things"; within the divine Principle; the plural form is used insofar as the Principle comprises both Para-Brahma, Beyond-Being or the Absolute, and Apara-Brahma, Being or the relative Absolute.



(more..) literally, "in or among divine things"; within the divine Principle; the plural form is used insofar as the Principle comprises both, Beyond-Being or the Absolute, and, Being or the relative Absolute. Intellectus agens

"agent Intellect"; in Aristotelian and scholastic epistemology, the faculty of the mind responsible for abstracting intelligible forms from the data of sense.



(more..) "agent Intellect"; in Aristotelian and scholastic epistemology, the faculty of the mind responsible for abstracting intelligible forms from the data of sense. logos

(A) "word, reason"; in Christian theology, the divine, uncreated Word of God (cf. John 1:1); the transcendent Principle of creation and revelation. (B) the basic meaning is ‘something said’, ‘account’; the term is used in explanation and definition of some kind of thing, but also means reason, measure, proportion, analogy, word, speech, discourse, discursive reasoning, noetic apprehension of the first principles; the demiurgic Logos (like the Egyptian Hu, equated with Thoth, the tongue of Ra, who transforms the Thoughts of the Heart into spoken and written Language, thus creating and articulating the world as a script and icon of the gods) is the intermediary divine power: as an image of the noetic cosmos, the physical cosmos is regarded as a multiple Logos containing a plurality of individual logoi ( Enn.IV.3.8.17-22); in Plotinus, Logos is not a separate hupostasis, but determines the relation of any hupostasis to its source and its products, serving as the formative principle from which the lower realities evolve; the external spech ( logos prophorikos) constitutes the external expression of internal thought ( logos endiathetos).



(more..) "word, reason"; in Christian theology, the divine, uncreated Word of God (. John 1:1); the transcendent Principle of creation and revelation.the basic meaning is ‘something said’, ‘account’; the term is used in explanation and definition of some kind of thing, but also means reason, measure, proportion, analogy, word, speech, discourse, discursive reasoning, noetic apprehension of the first principles; the demiurgic(like the Egyptianequated with Thoth, the tongue of Ra, who transforms the Thoughts of the Heart into spoken and written Language, thus creating and articulating the world as a script and icon of the gods) is the intermediary divine power: as an image of the noetic cosmos, the physical cosmos is regarded as a multiplecontaining a plurality of individual.IV.3.8.17-22); in Plotinus,is not a separatebut determines the relation of anyto its source and its products, serving as the formative principle from which the lower realities evolve; the external spech () constitutes the external expression of internal thought ( maitri

benevolence; kindness.



(more..) benevolence; kindness. Mutatis mutandis

more or less literally, "with necessary changes being made" or "with necessary changes being taken into consideration". This adverbial phrase is used in philosophy and logic to point out that although two conditions or statements may seem to be very analagous or similar, the reader should not lose sight of the differences between the two. Perhaps an even m