http://www.artipot.com/dir/society-and-culture/religion-and-spirituality/ Latest Religion and Spirituality articles from Artipot - your one-stop resource for free articles. http://www.artipot.com/articles/472777/dealing-with-death-on-an-extended-business-trip.htm When you are preparing an extended stay business trip, whether in your home country or abroad, it is common to draw up a contingency plan in order to prepare for certain problems that may occur along the way These problems may include what to do if you get separated from the group, if there is a natural disaster, and even in today's uncertain world what to do in case of a... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:17:22 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/472777/dealing-with-death-on-an-extended-business-trip.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/472177/is-church-on-wrong-side-of-same-sex-marriage-debate.htm Over the last few years, and especially in the last few months, I have read countless editorials that have asked the question "Is the church on the wrong side of the same sex marriage debate" Many critics of the Christian church have used history to state that the stance of many congregations on the same sex marriage debate is wrong, comparing it to the stance of many... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:03:39 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/472177/is-church-on-wrong-side-of-same-sex-marriage-debate.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/472055/picking-out-communion-favors.htm One of the most important events for any Catholic family is First Communion. It is often celebrated with a gathering of family and friends after a day's church services. Favors are often given to all of the guests as a way of thanking them for joining the family on this special celebration. There is huge amount of different options available to be given as Communion favors,... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:29:03 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/472055/picking-out-communion-favors.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/472048/how-the-belief-in-halloween-spirits-started-our-halloween-customs.htm For many, many years, Halloween has been associated with witchcraft and evil Satan's one night of the year to claim souls for Hell has been the belief of the church and pious individuals Halloween began as a pagan festival that celebrated nature and its gifts Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:24:52 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/472048/how-the-belief-in-halloween-spirits-started-our-halloween-customs.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/471123/the-archangels-michael-gabriel-raphael-and-uriel.htm An Archangel at its most basic definition is a high ranking angel The predominant religions of Christian, Judaism and Islam all recognize some form of archangel and it is generally accepted that there were four archangels Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:17:45 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/471123/the-archangels-michael-gabriel-raphael-and-uriel.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/471120/renaissance-art-and-the-depiction-of-archangels.htm Archangels were a commonplace subject for artists from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance Period As Angels of Presence, with the permission to enter the presence of God, the four Archangels - Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and Michael were recognized across the religions of Christianity, Juadaism and Islam, although their greatest roles were often documented in apocryphal... Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:10:44 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/471120/renaissance-art-and-the-depiction-of-archangels.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/470839/short-aphorisms.htm The following are the sayings of some of the wisest of men, which are put down in order that one may clearly see the way to go: 1 One who is watchful of all his actions of body, speech and mind, is clearly aware of those actions which are of benefit both to himself and to others Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:59:30 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/470839/short-aphorisms.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/468225/explanation-of-the-third-stage.htm The third stage is concerned with Insight (Vipassana), which leads one to, become free from the present conditions It is called the Transcendental-State (Lokuttara-Bhumi) and is like the soldier, mentioned in Chapter Six, who now has to face the enemy in the final battle Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:45:32 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/468225/explanation-of-the-third-stage.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/468221/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-5.htm Those who are in the process of gaining freedom are sub-divided into several stages; these being: Both these attain these states by 1 The Stream-Attainer (Sotapanna)overcoming the defilements, by 2 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:38:23 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/468221/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-5.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/468217/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-3.htm When one does this, one may get a temporary freedom, but only to the extent of freedom from the Corruption-of-Sense' Desires (Kamasava) One still has internal knowledge which is of a subtle nature Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:31:25 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/468217/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-3.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/468213/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-2.htm Knowledge which comes from the world, enters into us all the time This knowledge arises from attachment to the conventions which are popular in the world Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:24:25 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/468213/explanation-of-the-third-stage-part-2.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467838/explanation-of-the-fifth-stage-part-2.htm Fire is hot and we soon let go of it Then why does everybody aavoid the extinction of the aggregates Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:03:35 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467838/explanation-of-the-fifth-stage-part-2.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467835/explanation-of-the-fourth-stage.htm If the aspirant (Yogavacara) who is doing the practice knows that his Citta has become free, ana if at that time he has Reviewing-Knowledge (Paccavekkhana-Nanฺa), his Citta does not expand1 The reason for this is given under the heading of Stage 4, which says that we must have mindfulness to watch and be the master of the sense doors Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:36 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467835/explanation-of-the-fourth-stage.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467468/the-best-seats-in-the-house.htm If you are thinking of sports arenas then you are reading the wrong article. However, as an audience member at one point or another, you know the importance of being seated properly and comfortably at any event, even church. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:14:29 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467468/the-best-seats-in-the-house.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467368/combating-mara-during-samadhi-practice.htm Why can people not sit longer in Samadhi practice Guarding the moralities practising Samadhi and using Wisdom to investigate the formations are all good Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:17:38 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467368/combating-mara-during-samadhi-practice.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467213/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption-part-2.htm When the Adopting-Moment arises in any of the foregoing conditions, one departs from the Formed-Symbols (Sankhara-Nimitta), which is the same as quelling the Aggregates (Upadhi-Viveka) At the moment when the Path arises, one departs from one's past record, which is one's Tendency of Craving Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:03:29 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467213/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption-part-2.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467212/elements-dhatu-of-the-citta-and-the-bases-vatthu-on-which-the-citta-depends.htm Concerning the Bases on which Consciousness depends in the three realms of existence 1 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:59:28 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467212/elements-dhatu-of-the-citta-and-the-bases-vatthu-on-which-the-citta-depends.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467161/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption.htm In the "Mind-Consciousness-Process" of Cognition (Mano-Vinnanฺa-Vithi), in the Sensual Realm, objects are of two types These being: a) Distinct Objects (Vibhutarammanฺa) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:31:29 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467161/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/467159/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption-part-3.htm If one wants to be born into the realms of the Brahma Gods (Brahmaloka), one should be constantly on one's guard to prevent deterioration2 The forms of Jhana which deteriorate are practised by those who derive pleasure from objects of sense desires (Kamarammana) Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:24:35 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/467159/process-of-apperception-in-the-attainment-of-absorption-part-3.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466962/sermon-idea-generator.htm It is time to preach again and you don't know what to do. Will you Generate effective sermon ideas? Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:45:07 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466962/sermon-idea-generator.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466681/the-birth-of-beings-is-like-trading-part-2-the-sorrow-of-this-world.htm The Sorrow of this World All of us, men, women and traders should think wisely; we are horn and are bound to die; we have a physical body, so are sure to grow old ; relatives and parents cannot help us in this; when we die, we die alone and our minds cling to their merit and demerit Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:24:52 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466681/the-birth-of-beings-is-like-trading-part-2-the-sorrow-of-this-world.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466679/explanation-of-the-first-stage-part-2.htm If one has not diligently trained the Citta of the Sensual Realm, Then the Form Realm Citta cannot arise Concerning the training of the Sensual Realm Citta, one must first of all thoroughly know it and one must question where the Sensual Realm comes into being Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:17:40 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466679/explanation-of-the-first-stage-part-2.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466676/explanation-of-the-first-stage-in-which-one-concentrates-ones-attention-on-the-heart-base.htm The Heart-Base (Hadayavatthu) is the assembly place of the Formations (Sankhara) It is the place they all gather together Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:10:39 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466676/explanation-of-the-first-stage-in-which-one-concentrates-ones-attention-on-the-heart-base.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466673/the-five-hindrances-are-like-diseases-arising-in-the-heart.htm These Five Hindrances are like diseases which arise in our hearts; and the Meditation Practices are like remedies which are suitable for curing the diseases Thus, a form of practice should be chosen which is suitable for overcoming one's main hindrances Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:03:38 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466673/the-five-hindrances-are-like-diseases-arising-in-the-heart.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466670/the-form-realm-rupavacara-bhumi-part-2.htm One who guards the 8, 10, or 227 moral precepts1 may be considered to have overcome attachment to bodily sense desires, though his heart is still entangled with them Again, he will experience pleasant and painful feelings, strong or weak, according to circumstances, and not being skilled, he will not understand these states clearly Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:59:39 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466670/the-form-realm-rupavacara-bhumi-part-2.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466668/the-form-realm-rupavacara-bhumi.htm This section deals with the Form-Realm which is the Dhamma-of-Brahma One who is going to be born into one of the sixteen classes of the Brahma worlds, must have kept the Dhamma-of-Brahma1 constantly in his heart in this world [ that is, in this present existence ] Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:52:47 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466668/the-form-realm-rupavacara-bhumi.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466643/checking-church-chairs-quality.htm Church designs have been brought up to date along with other structure. From the traditional architecture, many have transformed the exteriors into modern-looking buildings. The once rigid and ascetic ambiance in the interior has been replaced with the lively and contemporary look. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:49:14 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466643/checking-church-chairs-quality.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466518/explanation-of-the-first-stage-part-3.htm These twenty-five states of the Citta only grasp at objects of the Sensual-Realm They cannot grasp at objects of the Form-Realm, the Formless-Realm, and Transcendental objects Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:38:22 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466518/explanation-of-the-first-stage-part-3.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/466517/explanation-of-the-second-stage.htm The second stage is included so that one may know the purpose of doing the practice, which is: 1 To drop thoughts, and to stop thinking about external objects Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:24:42 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/466517/explanation-of-the-second-stage.htm http://www.artipot.com/articles/465841/actions-give-rise-to-results-in-accordance-with-the-four-kammas-part-4.htm When the sense-doors are presented with a tainted object which comes from bad kamma done just prior to death; then at death the sense-doors cease to function and the Citta which is free of doors (ie Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:24:21 +0000 http://www.artipot.com/articles/465841/actions-give-rise-to-results-in-accordance-with-the-four-kammas-part-4.htm