Ancient Buddha statue in the Sukhothai period At Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Sukhothai, Thailand
Historical Approaches

The Origins and Rise of Buddhism

March 10, 2017

Where, and when did Buddhism begin? How did it become so popular, capturing the hearts and minds of millions of faithful followers around the globe? Delve into the life of Siddhartha Gautama and the tenets of his philosophy, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path to enlightenment. Then find out how these ideas developed and spread world-wide. […]

The Magi Journeying (c. 1890)
Christianity

Who Were the Three Wise Men?

February 22, 2017

‘We Three Kings of Orient Are’ is a popular carol, But we’re not sure that ‘The Three Wise Men were kings, were three, were from the Orient, or were wise. […]

Great Mosque of Mecca
Islam

The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca

February 11, 2017

By John L. Esposito, Ph.D, Georgetown University The Hajj is one of the five Pillars of Islam and is probably the most well-known among non-Muslims: the pilgrimage to […]

Job and His Friends
Christianity

An Analysis of Biblical Prophets

January 31, 2017

By Professor Charles Kimball, University of Oklahoma Prophets are people who convey God’s words or messages to their communities. Contrary to the popular image that […]

Historical Painting depicting Rumi on horseback surrounded by people
Islam

Rumi: The Poet of Spiritual Love

January 20, 2017

By Luke Timothy Johnson, PhD, Emory University The way of love is emphasized by Jalal ad-Din Rumi, whose dates are 1207–1273. He is called Mawlana, […]

Appearance of Jesus Christ to Maria Magdalena
Christianity

The Truth about Mary Magdalene

December 14, 2016

By Amy-Jill Levine, PhD,  Vanderbilt University Divinity School Although famed in Western culture as a repentant prostitute, and sometimes in popular imagination considered Jesus’ lover or […]

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