Signs from the Unseen Realm

by Robert Ford Campany

Author	: Robert Ford Campany
Publisher	: University of Hawaii Press
Total Pages	: 330
Release	: 2012-05-17
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 0824865715

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In early medieval China hundreds of Buddhist miracle texts were circulated, inaugurating a trend that would continue for centuries. Each tale recounted extraordinary events involving Chinese persons and places—events seen as verifying claims made in Buddhist scriptures, demonstrating the reality of karmic retribution, or confirming the efficacy of Buddhist devotional practices. Robert Ford Campany, one of North America’s preeminent scholars of Chinese religion, presents in this volume the first complete, annotated translation, with in-depth commentary, of the largest extant collection of miracle tales from the early medieval period, Wang Yan’s Records of Signs from the Unseen Realm, compiled around 490 C.E. In addition to the translation, Campany provides a substantial study of the text and its author in their historical and religious settings. He shows how these lively tales helped integrate Buddhism into Chinese society at the same time that they served as platforms for religious contestation and persuasion. Campany offers a nuanced, clear methodological discussion of how such narratives, being products of social memory, may be read as valuable evidence for the history of religion and culture. Readers interested in Buddhism; historians of Chinese religions, culture, society, and literature; scholars of comparative religion: All will find Signs from the Unseen Realm a stimulating and rich contribution to scholarship.

The Bible Unfiltered

by Michael S. Heiser

Author	: Michael S. Heiser
Publisher	: Lexham Press
Total Pages	: 149
Release	: 2017-10-04
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1683590414

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The Bible is mysterious, surprising—and often deeply misunderstood. Dr. Michael Heiser, an expert in the ancient near east and author of the best selling The Unseen Realm, explores the most unusual, interesting, and least understood parts of the Bible and offers insights that will inspire, inform, and surprise you on every page. Dr. Heiser has helped to remind the church of the supernatural worldview of the Bible. In The Bible Unfiltered, you will see his methods and expertise applied to dozens of specific passages and topics. Gleaned from his years working as Faithlife's scholar-in-residence, this is some of the very best of Dr. Heiser's work.

The Unseen Realm

by Heiser, Michael S.

Author	: Heiser, Michael S.
Publisher	: Lexham Press
Total Pages	: 615
Release	: 2015-09-01
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 1577995570

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In The Unseen Realm, Dr. Michael Heiser examines the ancient context of Scripture, explaining how its supernatural worldview can help us grow in our understanding of God. He illuminates intriguing and amazing passages of the Bible that have been hiding in plain sight. You'll find yourself engaged in an enthusiastic pursuit of the truth, resulting in a new appreciation for God's Word. Why wasn't Eve surprised when the serpent spoke to her? How did descendants of the Nephilim survive the flood? Why did Jacob fuse Yahweh and his Angel together in his prayer? Who are the assembly of divine beings that God presides over? In what way do those beings participate in God's decisions? Why do Peter and Jude promote belief in imprisoned spirits? Why does Paul describe evil spirits in terms of geographical rulership? Who are the "glorious ones" that even angels dare not rebuke? After reading this book, you may never read your Bible the same way again. Endorsements "There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches." --Darrell L. Bock, Executive Director for Cultural Engagement, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership and Cultural Engagement "'How was it possible that I had never seen that before?' Dr. Heiser's survey of the complex reality of the supernatural world as the Scriptures portray it covers a subject that is strangely sidestepped. No one is going to agree with everything in his book, but the subject deserves careful study, and so does this book." --John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, School of Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary "This is a 'big' book in the best sense of the term. It is big in its scope and in its depth of analysis. Michael Heiser is a scholar who knows Scripture intimately in its ancient cultural context. All--scholars, clergy, and laypeople--who read this profound and accessible book will grow in their understanding of both the Old and New Testaments, particularly as their eyes are opened to the Bible's 'unseen world.'" --Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

An Introduction to the Sufi Path

by Anab Whitehouse

Author	: Anab Whitehouse
Publisher	: Bilquees Press
Total Pages	: 422
Release	: 2018-11-06
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	:

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By the Grace of God, my spiritual guide knew far, far more than what I have heard him say on any given occasion. Unfortunately, I have forgotten far, far more than what I remember of what has been related to me by him. Moreover, I have written far less than what I remember of what he taught me. The result of this funneling process is the present book – An Introduction to the Sufi Path. Everything that is good and correct in this book comes, by the Grace of God, through my shaykh or spiritual teacher who was willing to accept me as a reclamation project. Everything that is incorrect in An Introduction to the Sufi Path comes from my own shortcomings and ignorance. The material contained within An Introduction to the Sufi Path is intended to stimulate reflection concerning a variety of themes that are important to spiritual life in the midst of everyday life. God willing, the content given expression through the different chapters constitutes -- both individually as well as collectively -- a Sufi perspective. However, one does not have to be on the Sufi path or inclined to that path in order to engage the material in this book. Anyone with an interest in spirituality and mysticism will find, God willing, an abundance of themes within the boundaries of this work that are able to form the seeds of contemplative reflection for any faith background.

Modern Chinese Religion I (2 vols.)

by

Author	:
Publisher	: BRILL
Total Pages	: 1713
Release	: 2014-12-04
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 9004271643

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A follow-up to Early Chinese Religion (Brill, 2009-10), Modern Chinese Religion focuses on the third period of paradigm shift in Chinese cultural and religious history, from the Song to the Yuan (960-1368 AD). As in the earlier periods, political division gave urgency to the invention of new models that would then remain dominant for six centuries. Defining religion as “value systems in practice”, this multi-disciplinary work shows the processes of rationalization and interiorization at work in the rituals, self-cultivation practices, thought, and iconography of elite forms of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, as well as in medicine. At the same time, lay Buddhism, Daoist exorcism, and medium-based local religion contributed each in its own way to the creation of modern popular religion. With contributions by Juhn Ahn, Bai Bin, Chen Shuguo, Patricia Ebrey, Michael Fuller, Mark Halperin, Susan Huang, Dieter Kuhn, Nap-yin Lau, Fu-shih Lin, Pierre Marsone, Matsumoto Kôichi, Joseph McDermott, Tracy Miller, Julia Murray, Ong Chang Woei, Fabien Simonis, Dan Stevenson, Curie Virag, Michael Walsh, Linda Walton, Yokote Yutaka, Zhang Zong

Chan Before Chan

by Eric M. Greene

Author	: Eric M. Greene
Publisher	: University of Hawaii Press
Total Pages	: 337
Release	: 2021-01-31
Genre	: Religion
ISBN	: 0824886879

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What is Buddhist meditation? What is going on—and what should be going on—behind the closed or lowered eyelids of the Buddha or Buddhist adept seated in meditation? And in what ways and to what ends have the answers to these questions mattered for Buddhists themselves? Focusing on early medieval China, this book takes up these questions through a cultural history of the earliest traditions of Buddhist meditation (chan), before the rise of the Chan (Zen) School in the eighth century. In sharp contrast to what would become typical in the later Chan School, early Chinese Buddhists approached the ancient Buddhist practice of meditation primarily as a way of gaining access to a world of enigmatic but potentially meaningful visionary experiences. In Chan Before Chan, Eric Greene brings this approach to meditation to life with a focus on how medieval Chinese Buddhists interpreted their own and others’ visionary experiences and the nature of the authority they ascribed to them. Drawing from hagiography, ritual manuals, material culture, and the many hitherto rarely studied meditation manuals translated from Indic sources into Chinese or composed in China in the 400s, Greene argues that during this era meditation and the mastery of meditation came for the first time to occupy a real place in the Chinese Buddhist social world. Heirs to wider traditions that had been shared across India and Central Asia, early medieval Chinese Buddhists conceived of “chan” as something that would produce a special state of visionary sensitivity. The concrete visionary experiences that resulted from meditation were understood as things that could then be interpreted, by a qualified master, as indicative of the mediator’s purity or impurity. Buddhist meditation, though an elite discipline that only a small number of Chinese Buddhists themselves undertook, was thus in practice and in theory constitutively integrated into the cultic worlds of divination and “repentance” (chanhui) that were so important within the medieval Chinese religious world as a whole.

Stars Aligned

by Sergio Rijo

Author	: Sergio Rijo
Publisher	: SERGIO RIJO
Total Pages	: 160
Release	: 2023-09-13
Genre	: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN	:

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In "Stars Aligned: Unveiling the Secrets of Zodiac Compatibility," embark on a cosmic journey that promises to illuminate the intricate tapestry of human connections. Whether you're an astrology enthusiast or a newcomer to the celestial world, this comprehensive guide offers a profound exploration of the stars and their role in shaping our relationships. The cosmos has always held a captivating allure, and astrology, with its rich history, provides a unique lens through which we can understand the dynamics of love, friendship, and partnership. This book delves into the depths of the zodiac, revealing the profound influence of the planets, signs, and houses on our personal connections. Unveil the intricacies of each zodiac sign, from the fiery passion of Aries to the dreamy empathy of Pisces. Gain a deeper appreciation for the elements and modalities that shape these signs, and discover how they harmonize or clash with one another. But "Stars Aligned" is not just about decoding individual traits—it's about understanding how these traits come together in the intricate dance of relationships. Explore the art of synastry, where birth charts intertwine, revealing the cosmic blueprint of your connection with others. Through real-life stories and case studies, witness the transformative power of astrology in action. This book doesn't shy away from the complexities of human connection. It dives into the nuances of love languages, emotional and sexual compatibility, and the communication styles of each sign. Learn to identify and break free from unhealthy relationship patterns while cultivating positive ones that lead to lasting happiness. "Stars Aligned" also provides practical tools for navigating relationship challenges, including professional help when needed. Discover the influence of your Moon and Rising signs, and gain insights into the role of retrogrades and eclipses in your relationship's journey. As you embark on this cosmic exploration, remember that astrology is not just about prediction—it's a path to self-discovery and personal growth. The long-term dynamics of compatibility are also explored, helping you nurture and evolve your connections over time. This book isn't merely a guide; it's a companion on your quest for deeper, more meaningful relationships. It encourages you to use astrology as a tool for self-awareness, compassion, and understanding. The stars have aligned to bring you this insightful, engaging, and transformative journey into the heart of human connection. Whether you're looking to strengthen an existing relationship or embark on a new one, "Stars Aligned" is your map to unlocking the secrets of zodiac compatibility.

A Garden of Marvels

by Robert Ford Campany

Author	: Robert Ford Campany
Publisher	: University of Hawaii Press
Total Pages	: 209
Release	: 2015-09-30
Genre	: Literary Collections
ISBN	: 0824853490

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Between 300 and 600 C.E., Chinese writers compiled thousands of accounts of the strange and the extraordinary. Some described weird spirits, customs, and flora and fauna in distant lands. Some depicted individuals of unusual spiritual or moral achievement. But most told of ordinary people’s encounters with ghosts, demons, or gods; sojourns in the land of the dead; eerily significant dreams; and uncannily accurate premonitions. The selection of such stories presented here provides an alluring introduction to early medieval Chinese storytelling and opens a doorway to the enchanted world of thought, culture, and religious belief of that era. Known as zhiguai, or “accounts of anomalies,” they convey a great deal about how people saw the cosmos and their place in it. The tales were circulated because they were entertaining but also because their compilers meant to document the mysterious workings of spirits, the wonders of exotic places, and the nature of the afterlife. A collection of more than two hundred tales, A Garden of Marvels offers an authoritative yet accessible introduction to zhiguai writings, particularly those never before translated or adequately researched. This volume will likely find its way to bedside tables as well as into classrooms and libraries, just as collections of zhiguai did in early medieval times.

Making the Gods Speak

by Vincent Goossaert

Author	: Vincent Goossaert
Publisher	: BRILL
Total Pages	: 368
Release	: 2023-11-20
Genre	: History
ISBN	: 1684176530

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For two millennia, Chinese society has been producing divine revelations on an unparalleled scale, in multifarious genres and formats. This book is the first comprehensive attempt at accounting for the processes of such production. It builds a typology of the various ritual techniques used to make gods present and allow them to speak or write, and it follows the historical development of these types and the revealed teachings they made possible. Within the large array of visionary, mediumistic, and mystical techniques, Vincent Goossaert devotes the bulk of his analysis to spirit-writing, a family of rites that appeared around the eleventh century and gradually came to account for the largest numbers of books and tracts ascribed to the gods. In doing so, he shows that the practice of spirit-writing must be placed within the framework of techniques used by ritual specialists to control human communications with gods and spirits for healing, divining, and self-divinization, among other purposes. Making the Gods Speak thus offers a ritual-centered framework to study revelation in Chinese cultural history and comparatively with the revelatory practices of other religious traditions.