[0001 [0153 [0000 Ec[000000]LBf[16]AfricaB The second largest continent in the world, comprising more than 20 percent of the world's land, Africa is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, the Indian Ocean to the east and south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. It is connected to Asia by the Sinai peninsula. Ec[000000]f[16]LFThe Nile, Congo, and Zambezi Rivers, the Sahara Desert, Lake Victoria, and Mount Kilimanjaro are all found in Africa. Africa contains less than 10 percent of the world's population. Ec[000000]f[16]LBAllah BThe Arabic name for the God of Islam (Arabic people of faiths other than Islam also use this word to identify God). In Islam, Allah is the creator of the universe; the one and only God. Muslims believe that Allah is also the god of Abraham, the same god worshiped by the Jewish and Christian people. Ec[000000]f[16]LBArabian Peninsula BA peninsula is a body of land that is surrounded on three sides by water. The Arabian Peninsula is a body of land surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are all countries located on the Arabian Peninsula. Ec[000000]f[16]LBArabs BPeople from the Arabian Peninsula or parts of North Africa. Arabs and other people who live in these regions are sometimes called Semites. Although Arabs form one of the most important ethnic groups in the Islamic world, it should be remembered that not all Arabs are Muslims and not all Muslims are Arabs. Ec[000000]f[16]LBAryans BThe Aryans are a people who invaded India about 3,500 years ago, in approximately 1500 B.C. The Aryans traveled south from Iran or central Asia. In India, the Aryans conquered the advanced Dravidian civilization. Hinduism combines beliefs from both the Aryans and the Dravidians. Ec[000000]f[16]LBAshkenazim BWith the Sephardim, one of two major Jewish groups. The Ashkenazim are Jewish people originating from northern European countries such as Germany, France, Great Britain, and Poland. The Ashkenazim are the largest and most influential Jewish group. Many Ec[000000]f[16]LFAshkenazim have left Europe for America or Israel. Ec[000000]f[16]LBAsiaB The largest continent, comprising nearly 30 percent of the world's land, Asia also is the most populous, containing nearly 60 percent of the world's people. Asia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Arctic Ocean to the north. Asia and Ec[000000]f[16]LFEurope are part of the same landmass, but Asia's western limit is considered to be the Ural Mountains, although the countries of the Middle East jut further to the west. Asia is home to the world's highest mountain range: the Himalayas. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBangkok B The capital and largest city of Thailand, Bangkok is a center of Hinayana Buddhism, the state religion of that country. Bangkok has a population of about 6 million and has several hundred Buddhist temples. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBar Mitzvah BA religious ceremony for young Jewish men. The Bar Mitzvah, held at the age of thirteen, is considered a rite of passage into manhood. With the completion of the Bar Mitzvah (or Bat Mitzvah for women), young Jewish adults are expected to take on religious and moral responsibilities. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBat Mitzvah BA religious ceremony for young Jewish women. The Bat Mitzvah, held at the age of thirteen, is considered a rite of passage into adulthood. With the completion of the Bat Mitzvah (or Bar Mitzvah for men), young Jewish adults are expected to take on religious and moral responsibilities. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBenares BNow known as Varanasi, Benares is a Hindu holy city in India, and one of that country's most ancient cities. Located in the southeastern region of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Benares, on the Ganges River, is the destination of constant Hindu pilgrimages. The city has a population of Ec[000000]f[16]LFmore than a million and is also sacred to Buddhists and Sikhs. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBhagavad Gita BFrom the Sanskrit, meaning "Song of the Blessed." This epic poem, which dates from the sixth century B.C., was originally passed on orally--told aloud, not written down. The poem recounts a conversation between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna. In the poem, Krishna describes Ec[000000]f[16]LFthe paths of knowledge, which are the way to salvation. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBrahma BAn important Hindu god. IBrahmaI and IBrahmanI may refer to an essence of reality, or a universal divine spirit. The highest goal of Hinduism is the achievement of oneness with this Brahma. This goal of oneness with a higher being is similar to the Buddhist concept of Nirvana Ec[000000]f[16]LFand the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic goal of heaven. Ec[000000]f[16]LBBrahmans BBrahmans are Hindus of the highest caste and social class. Members of the Hindu priesthood are drawn from this caste, as are many individuals in important positions. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcanals BArtificial channels connecting rivers, lakes, or even oceans. Canals greatly facilitate travel, as they allow ships to move from one body of water to another. Important world canals include the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.B Ec[000000]f[16]BLcantor BA Jewish official who leads the congregation in songs and chants. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcaste BA system of social divisions within Indian society. Before the Indian constitution of 1950, caste determined the position one would hold in society. The four main castes--there were many smaller divisions--were priests and scholars, soldiers, merchants, and farmers. Ec[000000]f[16]LBceramics B Earthenware or porcelain articles, such as vases, usually fashioned from clay, baked at high temperatures, and then decorated. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcompassionate BTo be compassionate is to care for and identify with those who are less fortunate. The Buddha is known as the Compassionate One because he left a life of comfort and luxury and tried to find a way to relieve the suffering of others. Ec[000000]f[16]LBconcentration camps BPlaces where large numbers of people are forced to live in small areas. During World War II, millions of European Jews were forced into concentration camps by the forces of Nazi Germany. More than 6 million Jews and 3 million other people were killed by the Nazis during World War II. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcongregation BMembers of a religious community. Ec[000000]f[16]LBconvert BTo give up one set of beliefs for a new religion. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcovenant BAn agreement with a higher power. When the Jewish people were led out of Egypt by Moses, they made a covenant with God. The most important parts of this covenant are listed in the Ten Commandments, the rules of behavior that were to be followed by the Jewish people. Ec[000000]f[16]LBcremation BThe burning of a body to ashes after death. Many Hindus arrange to be cremated after death, and then to have their ashes placed in the Ganges river. Ec[000000]f[16]LBCrusades BThe Crusades were a series of wars during which European Christians tried to retake the holy city of Jerusalem in the years after 1097. The European crusaders made several attempts at retaking Jerusalem. Although they were not able to hold onto this holy city for a Ec[000000]f[16]LFlong period of time, the arts, spices, fabrics and other examples of Islamic culture which they took back to Europe had a major impact on European history and culture. The Crusades stimulated European civilization. Ec[000000]f[16]LBDalai Lama BThe Dalai Lama was at one time both the religious leader of Lamaism--the Tibetan form of Buddhism--and the head of government in Tibet. In the 1950s, the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet and made the country part of China. Since this time, the Dalai Lama has campaigned for the freedom of his people. Ec[000000]f[16]LBDevas B Hindu gods or divine beings. Ec[000000]f[16]LBdreidel BA four-sided toy top given to Jewish children. Dreidels are often given during the holiday of Hanukkah. Ec[000000]f[16]LBenlightenment BA state of heightened consciousness. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of the Buddhist religion, received enlightenment after giving up his luxurious life as a Hindu prince. Ec[000000]f[16]LBEuropeB Europe is part of the Eurasian landmass and is sometimes called the peninsular continent. Europe is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north; the Atlantic Ocean to the west; the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caucasus Mountains to the south; and the Ural Ec[000000]f[16]LFMountains and the Caspian Sea to the east. Europe is the second smallest continent, having only 7 percent of the world's land. It contains about 15 percent of the world's population. Ec[000000]f[16]LBfast BTo abstain from eating. In many religions, fasting is believed to help adherents to become closer to God or to better identify with suffering in the world. Ec[000000]f[16]LBFour Noble Truths BThe Buddha's observations about life. The first and most important of these truths is the admonition that all existence is suffering. The second truth is that suffering is caused by man's desires. The third truth is that an end to suffering is caused by an end of desire. The fourth Ec[000000]f[16]LFtruth is that the key to ending selfish desires is the noble Eightfold Path. Ec[000000]f[16]LBFundamentalist BHolding to the original teaching of a faith. Fundamentalists usually don't favor changing religious doctrine or practice in order to adjust to changing times. Ec[000000]f[16]LBGanges River BThe sacred Hindu river of the northeastern Indian subcontinent, the Ganges is nearly 1,600 miles long. It rises in the Himalayas, flows through the sacred cities of Allahbad and Varanasi (Benares), and merges with the Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh to form the vast Ganges Delta as it empties into the Bay of Bengal. Ec[000000]f[16]LBGautama Buddha BSiddhartha Gautama, who lived from 563 to 480 B.C., was an Indian prince who tried to develop a way of life and system of beliefs that lessened suffering. Siddhartha gave up his wealth and possessions and found enlightenment. He traveled India for 45 years and taught Ec[000000]f[16]LFothers a way of escaping their suffering. The Buddhist religion developed from his teachings. Ec[000000]f[16]LBghettos BSections of towns or cities in which members of religious, ethnic, or racial minorities live. In Europe, Jewish people lived in ghettos for many centuries. The term IghettoI is Italian in origin and referred to the walled-in Jewish quarter of medieval Venice. Ec[000000]f[16]LBGranada B The city in southern Spain that served as the capital of the independent medieval Moorish kingdom of the same name, and where the Moors built the Alhambra, a magnificent palace that remains one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture. After the Christian reconquest Spain, Ec[000000]f[16]LFGranada remained a Moorish stronghold until it fell to the forces of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492, ending Moorish power in Spain. The city, which today has a population of about 260,000, is the site of the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. Ec[000000]f[16]LBgurus BIndividuals who show others the way to spiritual enlightenment. Gurus, some of whom spend most of their lives in spiritual activities, are important in the Hindu religion. Ec[000000]f[16]LBHanukkah BA celebration of a great victory by the ancient Israelites over the Syrians. In ancient times, the Jewish people fought many battles against the Syrians and against other peoples who lived in the Middle East. In 168 B.C., Judah Maccabee led a revolt against the Ec[000000]f[16]LFSyrians, who were dominating the Jewish people. Although the Jews were outnumbered, they fought bravely and won a seemingly miraculous victory. Judah Maccabee was even able to take control of Jerusalem and rededicate the temple to the Jewish faith. Ec[000000]f[16]LBHinayana BHinayana, which means "Little Vessel," is the branch of Buddhism that is worshiped in south Asian and southeast Asian countries, such as Burma, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Hinayana Buddhism stresses the importance of the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama. Unlike some other Ec[000000]f[16]LFbranches of Buddhism, the adherents of Hinayana Buddhism are unlikely to view Siddharta Gautama as a god. Ec[000000]f[16]LBHolocaust BThe Holocaust was the killing of 6 to 7 million Jews (and several millions of other people) by Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. In the first days of the Nazi regime, Jewish people were deprived of their jobs and property. Soon, Jews were shipped to live in ghettos or concentration camps. Ec[000000]f[16]LFFinally, the Germans began a deliberate slaughter of all people with Jewish ancestry. Many of those Jews killed by the Nazis were German citizens; others were from Poland, France, Russia, or other parts of Europe. Ec[000000]f[16]LBidols BObjects which represents a god, spirit, or other deity. Idols are sometimes thought to have magical powers. Ec[000000]f[16]LBimam BA Muslim man who has studied the Qur'an extensively. In some mosques, the imam leads prayers. The imam may be asked about how the Qur'an applies to a particular situation. In Iran, imams may be individuals with great authority and influence. Ec[000000]f[16]LBInquisition BThe Inquisition was the system of courts set up by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in order to persecute Jews in Spain in the late 1400s. These courts were charged with finding those Jews who continued to practice their own religion. The Inquisition killed many Jews both in Ec[000000]f[16]LFSpain and in the Spanish colonies of the New World. Tens of thousands of Jews fled Spain to escape this persecution. Ec[000000]f[16]LBincarnation BIncarnation means, "in the flesh". In the Hindu religion, Sri Krishna, a Hindu god, is an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the Hindus' most powerful gods. This means that Krishna has the character of that god in human form. Although he looks like a person, Sri Krishna is also a god. Sri Ec[000000]f[16]LFKrishna is an important figure in the Hindu religion because of his having lived the life of a human. Ec[000000]f[16]LBIsraelites BThe ancient Israelites were a Semitic (Middle Eastern) people who migrated from Mesopotamia into the North African kingdom of Egypt, where they became enslaved by the Egyptians. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites escaped Egypt and eventually settled in Palestine. Ec[000000]f[16]LBIstanbul B The largest city of Turkey, Istanbul was originally known as Byzantium during antiquity. The city's name was changed in 330 to Constantinople, after Constantine the Great, when it was the capital of the Eastern Roman, or Byzantine, Empire. It became the Muslim capital of the Ottoman Ec[000000]f[16]LFEmpire from 1453 to 1922. The name Istanbul was adopted in 1930. Today, Istanbul is home to about 7 million and, although no longer the capital--Ankara is now the capital of Turkey--it remains Turkey's chief city and occupies a strategic spot on the Bosporus, the strait that controls shipping between the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Ec[000000]f[16]LBJerusalem B The capital of the present-day Jewish state of Israel, Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The city was the ancient capital of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Over time, Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians; ruled by Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Ec[000000]f[16]LFinheritors of his empire; was taken by the Romans, who ruled it during Christ's lifetime; and was captured by the Muslims, the Crusaders, and the Muslims again. In more recent times, Jerusalem was captured from the Ottoman Turks by the British during World War I, and recaptured by Israeli forces in 1948, who declared it part of the new state of Israel. After Ec[000000]f[16]LFcontinuous conflicts with Arabs, the Israelis eventually made Jerusalem Israel's capital. Ec[000000]f[16]LBKaaba BKaaba is the mosque of the city of Mecca, and is the holiest site of Islam. Kaaba was once a pagan temple. When Muhammad, who had been forced from Mecca for his beliefs, returned to Mecca in triumph in A.D. 630, he and his followers destroyed the pagan idols in Kaaba and Ec[000000]f[16]LFrededicated the structure to the worship of Islam. Today, hundreds of thousands of Muslims visit Kaaba every year. Ec[000000]f[16]LBkarma BThe result of the good or bad things a person has done in the course of a life. If a person has bad karma, his or her soul will be reborn as a lower form of life. The soul of a person with good karma may be reborn into a higher life-form. After a number of rebirths, a soul might become Ec[000000]f[16]LFone with Brahma--the highest state for Hindus. Ec[000000]f[16]LBkoan BRiddles called koans are used in Zen Buddhism. In Zen Buddhism, which is practiced in some parts of Japan, a Zen master may pose these questions to his students. The koans help the students to meditate by making them concentrate; the struggle for a solution also helps to aid their understanding of Buddhism. Ec[000000]f[16]LBKrishnamurti B An Indian Hindu religious leader of the twentieth century, Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) did much to spread his faith to the countries of the West, especially England and the United States. He settled in Ojai, California, where from 1969 he headed the Krishnamurti Foundation. His Ec[000000]f[16]LFwritings include ICommentaries on the Living, Freedom from the Known,I and IThink on These Things.I Ec[000000]f[16]LBKyoto B Capital of Japan until 1869, the historic city of Kyoto is a center of Japanese art and culture, and contains many fine Buddhist and Shinto temples. Today, this city on the main Japanese island of Honshu is an important industrial center and has a population of about 1.5 million. Ec[000000]f[16]LBLamaism BThe form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, a mountainous country located between India and China. For many centuries, the Dalai Lama, the highest Lamaist official, was both a religious leader and the head of government in Tibet. In the 1950s, the People's Republic of China invaded Tibet Ec[000000]f[16]LFand made the country part of China. Since this time, Buddhists from both inside and outside Tibet have tried to persuade China to respect the way of life of the Tibetan people. Ec[000000]f[16]LBLieutenant Colonel Ellison S. Onizuka B An American astronaut, and adherent of Buddhism, who was lost along with six other American astronauts when the space shuttle IChallengerI tragically exploded over Cape Canaveral, Florida, January 28, 1986. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMahayana BA branch of Buddhism that practices in northern Asian countries like China, Korea, and Japan. Mahayana Buddhism, which means "Greater Vessel," is not as strict a form of worship as the Buddhism of southern Asia. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Buddha is often worshiped as a god. Ec[000000]f[16]LFIn contrast, the Buddhists of southern Asia view the Buddha as a great teacher, but not as a god. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmandalas BSymbolic pictures used by the Buddhist and Hindu religions to represent the universe. Mandalas are often in the shape of a circle that encloses a square. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmantras BMantras are words or phrases used to concentrate the mind during meditation. Mantras, which sometimes have a mystical meaning, are used by the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMecca BMuhammad, the prophet of Islam, was born in the city of Mecca in A.D. 570. Mecca, located on an important trading route, was a place where Muhammad had the opportunity to meet people of many different religions. Although Muhammad and his family were driven from Mecca in Ec[000000]f[16]LF622, he returned to convert the city to Islam in 630. Located in an area that is now part of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mecca is Islam's holiest city. Muslims pledge to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during their lifetimes. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMedina BMuhammad, Islam's prophet, took his family to the city of Medina in A.D. 622, after having been persecuted in his native town of Mecca. Muhammad soon became the religious leader of Medina. From this city he began his campaign to spread his new religion. The Islamic calendar begins Ec[000000]f[16]LFwith Muhammad's journey to Medina. Like Mecca, Medina is located on land that is now part of the land of Saudi Arabia. Medina is the second holiest city in the Islamic world, after Mecca. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmeditation BBuddhists and Hindus meditate in order to concentrate on their religion more effectively. By sitting in comfortable positions and avoiding distracting thoughts, Buddhists and Hindus are able to achieve tranquil states of mind. The Buddha described meditation as "thinking Ec[000000]f[16]LFjust the thought." By this, he meant that proper meditation allowed a real understanding of the human condition. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMediterranean BThe Mediterranean Sea is an important body of water, surrounded by Europe, Asia, and Africa. Over the centuries, this sea has frequently been used by traders and invading armies. Greeks, Italians, Egyptians, Spanish, Lebanese, and Tunisians are all peoples of the Mediterranean. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmenorah BA special type of candlestick that holds seven or nine candles. Menorahs, which are used in Jewish religious ceremonies, are a symbol of the Israel. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMiddle Way BA way of life introduced by Gautama Buddha. In following the Middle Way, Buddhists avoid extremes of both luxury and deprivation. In this way, they control their desires and prepare the path to Nirvana. Ec[000000]f[16]LBminaret BA tall, thin tower that is part of a mosque. Minarets are used by a caller called a muezzin to announce prayers. Minarets were originally used at a time when mechanical clocks were rare and people needed to know exactly which time to go for prayers. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmiracles BOccurrences that cannot be accounted for within normal rules of science or medicine, thought to be blessings from divine beings. For instance, some people have reported being cured of serious illnesses that were thought to be incurable. Such occurrences are sometimes called miracles. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmonastery BA place where Catholic or Buddhist monks live and worship. Monks are priests who have decided to separate themselves from the larger society and devote their time to prayer or meditation. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmonkB A priest, generally a Catholic or a Buddhist, who has decided to separate himself from the larger society and devote his time to prayer or meditation. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmonotheism BThe belief that there is only one god or supreme being. In ancient times, most religions worshiped a large number of gods. The Jewish religion was the first of the living religions to believe in only one God, whom they called Yahweh. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmosque BAn Islamic house of worship. In mosques, Muslims--adherents of Islam--bow down in the direction of Mecca. Mecca is an Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia. Mosques, which often have beautiful exterior domes and towers, are known for having simple, uncluttered interiors, so as not to distract worshipers. Ec[000000]f[16]LBmuezzin BA Muslim man who calls other Muslims to prayer. Muezzin often call from a tower called a minaret. Muslims are supposed to pray five times a day. Ec[000000]f[16]LBMuslim BAn adherent of the Islamic religion. Muslims believe that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad was his final prophet. Ec[000000]f[16]LBNirvana BThe afterlife sought by the members of the Buddhist religion. Buddhists believe that by liberating their souls from desire over the course of a number of lifetimes, they can obtain Nirvana. Ec[000000]f[16]LBNobel laureate BA person who has received the prestigious Nobel Prize. The Nobel Prize is an annual award that was originally established by Alfred Nobel, a famous Swedish industrialist. This prize is awarded to those who advance the cause of humanity, and includes several categories, Ec[000000]f[16]LFsuch as the prizes for peace, medicine, and literature. Ec[000000]f[16]LBNorth AmericaB The third largest continent--about 16 percent of the world's land--North America includes Anglo-America, comprising the United States and Canada; Middle America, comprising Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies; and Greenland. The continent, which contains Ec[000000]f[16]LFabout 8 percent of the world's population, is bounded on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. Ec[000000]f[16]LBOneness of the past, present, and future BA Buddhist belief that holds that the past, present, and future are connected. This concept is important for Buddhists who believe that one's soul must go through several lifetimes in order to attain enlightenment. Ec[000000]f[16]LBpassive resistance BA form of resistance to authority that doesn't rely on violence. Mohandas Gandhi pioneered the use of passive resistance when he led a movement for Indian independence from Great Britain in the early and middle twentieth century. Gandhi's tactics made it possible for India Ec[000000]f[16]LFto become a free nation without the bloodshed that occurred in other independence movements. India became an independent nation in 1947. Ec[000000]f[16]LBPassover BDuring Passover, the Jewish people celebrate God's deliverance of their ancestors from Egypt. A lamb, known as the Paschal Lamb, is killed and eaten during the celebration of Passover. The slaughter of a lamb represents the ancient past, when blood was placed on the Ec[000000]f[16]LFentrances of Israelite homes so that God's wrath would pass over them; and at the same time be visited on Egyptian houses. Ec[000000]f[16]LBpatriarchs BMale religious and political leaders, generally fathers and leaders of tribes. Moses, Abraham, and Noah from the Old Testament of the Bible are all patriarchs. Muhammad, the prophet of the Islamic religion, is also a patriarch. Ec[000000]f[16]LBpilgrimage BA journey taken for the purpose of religious devotion. In the Islamic faith, members pledge to make at least one pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Ec[000000]f[16]LBphilosophers BThose who attempt to answer questions about the meaning of life. The fields of religion and philosophy often address the same questions. Ec[000000]f[16]LBprogressive BForward-looking. Progressive religious organizations attempt to make religion relevant to changing times. Ec[000000]f[16]LBprophets BThose who speak for God. Prophets often believe that God has directed them to bring a message to mankind. Prophets are important in Judaism and Islam. In the Old Testament, prophets often spoke out when they believed that the Jewish people had turned from God. In the Islamic Ec[000000]f[16]LFreligion, Muhammad is God's greatest and final prophet. Ec[000000]f[16]LBprostrate BThrow one's body down in a position of submission. Muslims prostrate themselves while praying as a symbol of respect to Allah. Ec[000000]f[16]LBpurifying BSymbolically cleansing oneself of impure thoughts or actions. The symbolic or ritual purification is often accompanied by a physical purification as well--a washing in a river or even a fasting to help to cleanse the body. Ec[000000]f[16]LBQur'an BAlso called the Koran. The scriptures of Islam. Muslims believe that the words from the Qur'an were transmitted from God to the prophet Muhammad. Some elements of the Qur'an have stories in common with Jewish and Christian scriptures. The Qur'an stresses God's Ec[000000]f[16]LFgreatness. The Qur'an is written in Arabic, the language used by Muhammad. Ec[000000]f[16]LBrabbi BThe word IrabbiI means "master" in Hebrew. Rabbis are religious leaders in the Jewish faith, in charge of religious observances at Jewish temples or synagogues. Rabbis are allowed to marry and sometimes have professions outside of the religious ministry. Ec[000000]f[16]LBreincarnation BThe rebirth of a person's soul in another being. A person may be reborn as another person, or even as an animal or insect. If a person becomes more enlightened during each of his or her lives, then he or she may become closer to oneness with god. Reincarnation is important to the Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Ec[000000]f[16]LBSabbath BThe seventh day of the week. In the creation story of Judaism and Christianity, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Similarly, the seventh day of each week is a day of rest. For Christianity, the Sabbath is Sunday. For Judaism, the Sabbath begins at Ec[000000]f[16]LFsundown on Friday and lasts for 24 hours. In Judaism, the observance of the Sabbath may involve precise rules. Ec[000000]f[16]LBsacred BReserved for religious veneration and not for use in the non-religious world. Religions hold sacred things to be worthy of special respect. Ec[000000]f[16]LBscripture BThe holy writings of a particular religion. The Qur'an of Islam, the Torah of Judaism, the Bible of Christianity, and the Vedas of Hinduism are all examples of scriptures. Ec[000000]f[16]LBsect BAn offshoot of a major religion. In some cases, sects make minor changes in the way the parent religion is practiced. In other cases, sects make such major changes that the religion bears little resemblance to its original form. Sufism is a sect of Islam and Mormonism is a Christian sect. Ec[000000]f[16]LBseder BThe ceremonial meal held at the beginning of Passover in Jewish homes. Passover celebrates God's assistance in leading the ancient Israelites out of Egypt. Ec[000000]f[16]LBSephardim BWith the Ashkenazim, one of two major Jewish groups. Most Sephardim have a Mediterranean, rather than a northern European background. The Sephardim originated from countries in North Africa, southern Europe or the Middle East. Ec[000000]f[16]LBShiitesB Members of a branch of the Islamic religion. About one out of every ten Muslims is a Shiite. Shiites, who predominate in the country of Iran and are also found in parts of Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, differ from the larger Sunni sect in that they are more likely to believe Ec[000000]f[16]LFin a strict application of Islamic religious law to everyday life. Shiites also stress the importance of the imam, the Islamic religious authority. Ec[000000]f[16]LBShivaB The Hindu destroyer god. Shiva, who is portrayed as having four arms, is thought to bring wars and disasters. Hindus believe that destruction of the old is necessary so that the new may be brought about. Shiva is one of the more important gods of the Hindu faith. Ec[000000]f[16]LBshrines BPlaces where the adherents of a particular religion may pay devotion. Ec[000000]f[16]LBshofar BA ram's horn. The shofar is blown in Jewish synagogues to announce the Jewish New Year. The Jewish New Year, which is known as Rosh Hashanah, usually occurs in September. Ec[000000]f[16]LBsocial divisions BThe rules by which different groups in a society relate to one another. Social divisions may be based upon income, occupation, property, race, class, religion, parentage, and education, or on a combination of these. In some societies, members of a social division may see very Ec[000000]f[16]LFlittle difference between their group and members of another group. However, other societies have rigid codes of conduct that separate different social groups. The traditional Indian caste system, which has changed much in recent years, is an example of a rigid social division. Ec[000000]f[16]LBSri Krishna BA Hindu god who adherents believe is an incarnation of Vishnu, one of the most important gods in the Hindu pantheon--group of gods. As an incarnation of Vishnu, Sri Krishna has the character of that god in human form. Sri Krishna is an important figure in the religion because of his involvement in everyday life. Ec[000000]f[16]LBSunni BSunnis make up the largest branch of the Islamic religion. Almost nine out of every ten Muslims is Sunni. The Sunni branch of Islam is the most influential in most Muslim countries--with the exception of Iran, where the Shiite sect is dominant. Sunnis tend to be less strict in their interpretation of Islamic law than are Shiites. Ec[000000]f[16]LBsutras BShortened versions of the teachings of the Vedas. Because the Vedas are a vast body of work, the sutras are necessary to bring out the most important lessons. Ec[000000]f[16]LBSwami B A title meaning Hindu religious teacher or leader. Ec[000000]f[16]LBsynagogues BJewish houses of worship. Synagogues also serve as centers for education and community life. Ec[000000]f[16]LBTaj Mahal BThe Taj Mahal was built while Shah Jahan, a Mogul king, ruled India in the mid 1600s. Although India is a largely Hindu country, it has on occasion had Muslim rulers. This beautiful building was intended as a tomb for Shah Jahan's wife. Ec[000000]f[16]LBtankas BTibetan religious paintings or drawings on woven material. Tankas are painted according to specific rules, frequently portraying scenes from Buddha's life, Buddha with various deities, or symbolic representations of the wheel of life. Ec[000000]f[16]LBTibet B An autonomous region of China, Tibet is a high plateau on the northern slopes of the Himalaya Mountains. The highest region of the world, Tibet's lowlands and valleys are 12,000 to 15,000 feet above sea level, its mountain passes are between 15,000 and 18,000 feet, and its mountain Ec[000000]f[16]LFranges exceed 24,000 feet. A center for Mahayana Buddhism, Tibet was ruled by a religious leader, the Dalai Lama, until it was invaded by the Communist Chinese in 1950. Ec[000000]f[16]LBTorah BThe first five books of the Hebrew Bible, kept in the Holy Ark of a Jewish synagogue. According to Jewish tradition, these books were written by Moses who gave them to the Jewish people at the same time he delivered the Ten Commandments. Some scholars think that Ec[000000]f[16]LFthe Torah was written at a later date. The Holy Ark is a special container for the Torah. Ec[000000]f[16]LBtranquil state BA state of consciousness where one is not bothered by desires or other distractions. Buddhists try to reach a tranquil state in their meditation. Ec[000000]f[16]LBuntouchables BA class of people at the bottom of Indian society. Untouchables are considered to be outside of the Hindu caste system. In the past, the untouchables had few rights and were openly despised by other groups. Since 1950, untouchables have their rights protected in the Indian constitution. Ec[000000]f[16]LBUpanishads BA philosophical interpretation of the 555 sutras of the Vedas. The Upanishads seek to answer important questions about meaning and life. Ec[000000]f[16]LBVedas BThe Vedas were collected by Hindu priests and scholars over centuries. The Vedas include stories of hundreds of gods and heroes and the deeds done by these figures. The Vedas also include Hindu observations about the meaning of life. The Vedas may date as far back as the eighth century B.C. Ec[000000]f[16]LBVishnu BThe Hindu preserver god who keeps the world going. Along with Brahma and Shiva, Vishnu is one of Hinduism's most important gods. Ec[000000]f[16]LBWestern Wall B Also called the Wailing Wall, this holy place for Jews is located in the Israeli city of Jerusalem and is the only remaining piece of the Temple of Solomon, which was originally built c. 970 B.C. Ec[000000]f[16]LByoga BIYogaI is a Sanskrit word that means "union." Yoga is a way in which Hindus and Buddhists try to unite with the ultimate reality. Some parts of yoga involve stretching and relaxation techniques that are commonly taught outside of Hindu and Buddhist countries. Ec[000000]f[16]LBYom Kippur BYom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. On this day, Jewish people fast and pray for forgiveness. Yom Kippur occurs after Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish New Year.