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Dalai
Lama |
The spiritual head of the Tibetan
people, considered to be the incarnation of a Tibetan deity.
When each Dalai Lama dies, his soul passes into the body of
a child, who is recognised by the appearance of certain signs.
The current Dalai Lama, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatsho, was installed
in 1940. (Tibetan 'Vajrayana' Buddhsim is a development of
Mahayana Buddhism) and the Dalai Lama is therefore held in
great respect by many Buddhists, and also non-Buddhists who
see him as a great spiritual leader) |
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Daniel |
Biblical figure, a prophet after whom a book
in the Bible is named, famous for surviving a night in a den
of lions. |
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Dasam Granth |
Sikh scriptures made up of the hymns of Guru
Gobind Singh. |
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Dasahra (Dussehra) |
A ten day Hindu festival falling in September/October
and associated with both Lord Rama and Durga. |
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David |
Biblical figure, the second king of the Israelite
people, whose reign is regarded as a golden age in Jewish
history. David is also traditionally seen as the author of
most of the Psalms. |
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Dawah |
Inviting people to Islam either through preaching
or through the example of a good life. |
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Daya |
Compassion, a very important concept within
Sikhism. |
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Days of Awe |
The first 10 days of the Jewish year, beginning
with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur. |
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Dedication |
In some Christian denominations a ceremony
to welcome a new baby into the community and to pray for his/her
spiritual and physical well-being. |
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Deer Park Sermon |
The first message the Buddha gave following
his enlightenment, also known as 'setting in motion the wheel
of the law' and 'foundation of the kingdom of righteousness'.
The sermon occurred at the Deer Park near Benares. |
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'Deg, Teg, Feteh' |
'Victory to charity and the holy sword of God,'
a phrase from the Sikh Ardas. |
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Dharma / dhamma |
In Buddhism is commonly used to describe both
the teachings of the Buddha and the true nature of existence,
the way things really are, since this is what Buddhists believe
the teachings really contain. Theravadin Buddhists will use
the word 'dhamma / dharma" as a synonym for Buddhism |
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Dimensions of Religion |
Professor Ninian Smart maintained that there
are dimensions common to religions, of which he identified
seven: the doctrinal, the ethical, the ritual, the social,
the narrative (or mythical), the experiential and the material. |
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Diwali / Deepwali |
An Indian festival of lights celebrated at
the onset of winter by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. |
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diya (Diva) |
an oil lamp used at Diwali celebrations. |
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dua |
Voluntary prayers said by Muslims, which can
be spontaneous and extempore, or composed. These prayers are
additional to the salah, or obligatory prayers, performed
five times a day. |
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Dukha/Dukkah |
Can be variously translated by words such as
'unsatisfactoriness' or 'suffering'. The first of the four
noble truths of Buddhism is that all life (existence) is dukkha
- even good an pleasurable things, on account of the fact
that they never last |
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Durga |
Literally 'she who is difficult of approach';
the mother-goddess of Hindu tradition. In some aspects she
is fierce and terrible, the slayer of demons, whom she kills
with her scimitar. Another manifestation of this goddess is
Kali. |
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Durga Puha |
Alternative name for Hindu festival of Dasahra. |
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