Eastern Religions & Beliefs

Each year the master began the year, with an empty classroom.

Da siu yan is an age-old Cantonese practice of venting one’s anger or frustration in a non-confrontation manner. Its ritualistic nature need not be taken too seriously.

By keep choosing -- actions-- with a sense of morality, over just willfulness, one can get away from all karmic debts, even after enjoying life with all its pleasures and plights.

Divali is a colorful, vibrant festival celebrated with much pomp and splendor. It is the biggest festival in the country and signifies new beginnings. Though the reasons differ, the traditions underlying the festival continue as a time to be with family and friends and enjoy.

Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Pooja, Balipadyam and Bhai Dhooj are the five days celeberations during Diwali. Learn more about why, where, when ,what ,who and how Diwali is celebrated.

Vijaya Dashmi, also called Dasara or Dussehra is a festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil. It is also believed to bring in the light of knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, ignorance is the cause of suffering for humanity.

The only way to ride out the major catastrophes would be to regain our spirituality, hopefully by discovering the truth about life and the universe.

Punja Sahib is a historical Gurdwara dedicated to Guru Nanak the founder of the Sikh religion at Hasanbal. The Gurdwara commemorates the visit of the guru and his miracle of stopping a boulder hurled by a person with the palm of his hand. The imprint is there for all to see

The good always provoke the bad into calumny; the bad always provoke the good into derision.

Which of the disciples you would aspire to be, a cupboard worshiping disciple or a seeds sowing disciple?

We, more often than not, focus so much on the circumstances in our life, how less than favorable and painful they are. Instead of finding the honey (the lesson, the gift) they are bringing us. So how do we turn our pain into our greatest asset? Find the honey...

History of Anandpur Sahib.

The conflict between Christians and Muslims will always pervade as long as mistrust exists over the two great Religions. A call for serious dialogue to fleece out differences is a requisite for peace

The crow is a bird is associated with bad luck. The eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism also consider the crow as bad. But Tibetan Buddhism gives an exalted position to the crow.

...and the Divine Romance continues

The story of our rendezvous with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the subtle form at Muddenahalli

Two great texts. One view of why one could be deemed morally superior over another.

The spiritual law of karma is simply cause and effect.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder and first guru of Sikhism travelled India and abroad to spread his message of love and communal harmony. He even visited Mecca. Read that interesting story here .

The Japanese myth of how the Sun Goddess Amaterasu disgusted by her brother's behaviour, once withdrew from the earth and hid in a cavern.

Many people are asking me about the process of adopting Jainism as a religion. I receive a lot of emails from every corner of the world regarding this issue.

Sadhvi Siddhali Shree, previously known as Tammy Herbster, is the first American woman to become a Jain nun. Here is how a war veteran started her journey to her spiritual and ascetic life.

Acharya Shree Yogeesh is a great spiritual teacher. He is not a religious Guru and separates religion from philosophy and spirituality. His teachings are mainly based on Jain and Sankhya philosophy

Every religion believes in hell. Read on if you have the courage to see the worst set of sufferings and tortures in the hell.

IF THERE IS WHOLESALE REINCARNATION, I want to come back here. I love the earth. Find me in a large open space, on a wide stretch of beach, in the center of the ocean's circle, on a rocky mesa, or any place where there is naught but patch and sky...

What is the full meaning of the greeting Namaste? What does this greeting have in common with others? Find out why I would like to use this type of greeting more often.

This is the concluding part of my experience with 'Drishti' or 'Buri Nazar' or 'Evil eye' as it is called. This experience with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba taught me the the purpose and significance behind the concept of the evil and eye and the way to overcome it.

The concept of the evil eye, Nazar or drishti is a widely prevalent one. Though regarded as superstitious, it has a strong basis in the Truth. An experience with my master, Sri Sathya Sai Baba...

Many devotees throughout the world revere this unique spiritual master, but for those unfamiliar with him, here is a brief life of Yogananda, together with photos.

The Parsi temple and place of disposal of the dead is referred to as the Tower of Silence.

An interview with Justin Lundeen,an American guy living in Galesburg, Illinois, who has been converted to Jainism. Read his story of conversion and his matured views on Jainism.

Who Was Paythagoras? Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher as well as a mathematician, who born in 570 B.C.E. on the island of Samos. He was founder of Pythagoreanism, a religious movement, which has many similarities with Jainism. The similarity suggests that Pythagoras was influenced by Jainism, as his period resembles with the period of Vardhaman Mahaveer, the great philosopher of India, and as there was connection between Indians and Greeks from ancient times.

Listing over 15 Filipino superstitions that Filipinos still believe in up to these days from knowing the gender of an unborn baby to planting root crops on an empty stomach, sleeping with damped hair to sweeping at dusk and a lot more.

Ching-Ming, Qing Ming, Cheng Beng or Tomb Sweeping Day is the Chinese All Souls Day to remember the dead. Some people are now turning to cyberspace to offer these rites.

Chances are you have probably heard some humorous renditions of the teaching of Confucius. But did you know that Confucius was a real man?

According to ancient text, Pixiu is an auspicious and powerful beast. It is known by several other names such as Pi Yao, Tian Lu, Bi Xie, Tao Ba, etc.

Every year, the Goddess of Mercy is said to open treasury on the 26th day of the Chinese New Year to help the poor. Anyone can "borrow" from her.

A brief outline of the life of Confucius and a summary of the teachings of Confucius, along with a few sayings attributed to Confucius, this article will give you a basic understanding of Confucianism.

Most of the Jains like to hide the key factors of Jainism and talk only about Non-violence and Vegetarian diet. Here are some unique features of Jainism

Krishna enjoys a special position in Jainism. He is the elder cousin of Aritthanemi, the 22nd ford maker of Jainism. He is a half Chakravarti (Semi Emperor), and one of the 63 great personalities ..

people of other faiths slowly got attracted towards this less known religion.A small but increasing number of People started to adopt Jainism. Here I am introducing some of the great western individuals, who have converted to Jainism.

Garuda, a mythical bird, originated from Hindu mythology. A powerful predatory bird, he feeds exclusively on Nagas (serpents or dragon-like divine beings).

Confucius is one of the four greatest thinker, philosopher, and educator ever lived (the other three are Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad). To understand the teachings of Confucius is to understand the essence of the Chinese culture.

Confucius as a god and messiah. A discussion of the many legends and myths about the birth of Confucius and his divine origin.

The Divine Life Society described Sri Anandamayi Ma as “the most perfect flower the Indian soil has ever produced.” Born in a small village in Bengal on April 30, 1896, her parents named her Nirmala Sundari Devi, which means ‘immaculate beauty’. She came to be recognized as a powerful expression of the Divine and throughout India was regarded with great affection and reverence by people of all faiths.

A short and insightful commentary on verse two of the Tao Te Ching. Philosophical and spiritual guidance for your day. The Tao Te Ching offers guidance for virtuous living along the path of life. The Tao is one text of many that offer perennial wisdom and guidance for our journey through this life.

Taoism can be considered both a philosophy and a religion. Its principles were first expressed in the classic text Tao Te Ching, often attributed to the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, written about 500 BC. The essence of Taoism is "Tao," which means...

Elizabeth Gilbert has written a very entertaining and enlightening book about her travels to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Following her divorce, Elizabeth experienced a crushing depression resulting in panic, confusion, and weight loss. This is the...