Читать книгу The History of almost Everything. Practical guide of the eaters of Time - Lim Word - Страница 14

The end of Antiquity in the chronology of some history schools is the emergence of Islam. The Messenger of the New World Religion, the Prophet Mohammed is born on April 20, 571, in Mecca (Saudi Arabia), in the influential tribe of the Kurdsit, loses his parents, receives testimonies of his mission (signs on the body). At twenty-five, he marries a forty-year-old Khadija, engaged in trade, escorting caravans and construction (in particular, repairing the Kaaba). At forty, almost every evening, Mohammed ascends a mountain near Mecca, where he prays in a cave that has survived to this day. He has enlightenment, which is performed in the surahs (verses) of the Quran. A new religion, Islam (“submission to God”), accept the wife and several relatives. The first preaching by the Kaaba causes a mockery among the crowd, then Mohammed finds the right words, and the situation is somewhat straightened. For three years, the Muslim community recruited about a hundred people. After the death of his uncle, the influential Abu Talib, the patron of Mohammed, the Islamists are forced out of Mecca (the preacher claims that even his most beloved relative, since he did not convert to Islam, falls into hell, this position is not pleasant for the majority of Quraysh). The community moves to the city of Medina, where it suffers many difficulties (seven or eight dates per person per day of work). At the same time, raids on trade caravans and the struggle for the spread of faith begin. The first battles Muslims lose, but their perseverance brings fruit, and the army of Mohammed enters without a fight in Mecca. It follows a series of wars for the unification of tribes, raids on the mighty Byzantium. During the capture of one of the cities, in order to avoid the consumption of wine by the soldiers, a sura, prohibiting alcohol, is adopted.

Mohammed dies in Medina, his body finds peace in the central Mosque.

The division of Muslims into Shiites and Sunnis occurred when the exclusive right to the power of the son-in-law (father of the wife) of the prophet, Ali Talib, challenged another imam. The battle ended in a truce, but after Ali they were killed. Muslims who believe that the authority in the Caliphate should belong only to the descendants of Ali Talib (the Alids) are Shiites, those who recognize it as worthy of any, the chosen Muslim are Sunnis. The Shiites believe that Imam Muhammad, who once disappeared under unexplained circumstances, is present in their midst; he observes people and is preparing to become a new messiah.

The aggravation of the struggle between the two branches of Islam occurs during the steep rise of the Ottoman Empire: the sultan needs a good reason to attack one of the Muslim countries. Prior to this, the differences between Shiites and Sunnis were not considered as significant at all.

The idea of Islam is one God (Allah). The difference from Christianity is not acceptance of the principle of the Trinity of God, in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In addition, Muslims suggest that Issa (Jesus) did not die on the Cross for the redemption of the sins of mankind, but… then follows a complicated story, how He escaped it. Meanwhile, the idea of Christianity is precisely the earthly life of the god-man, as a result of which God the Father, which is too majestic for people’s understanding, exchanges with people a clear enough, although not completely revealed, so that immortality, wisdom, and force can be given to them. The resurrection of the integral part of God, which has now absorbed the human essence, presupposes the possibility of familiarizing all who are like the resurrected. The Holy Spirit (something like a female hypostasis, as some theologians believe) is an ethereal weightless glue holding the Father, Son and people together.

The basis of the Fundamentals is Love, as a special state, in which people feel the presence of God, they understand the meaning of Eternal Life, exchange thoughts without words (understand all the languages of the world), perform miracles, speak and do exceptionally right things.

In Islam, a paradise full of carnal pleasures (for men), Garden – Jannat is shown quite fully. Women are from among former spouses, and also, being in the morning beautiful, every time virgin gurii. Children, despite their intense sex life, are not born. Buildings – from gold and silver bricks with a scent of musk. Paradise has several levels, the upper one of which is the Firdaus garden; above is only the Throne of Allah.

Islamic theologians do not always agree with this idea of paradise and believe that these descriptions reflect only ideas about it at the level of modern concepts.

All this is not present in the Christian Eden, which is, however, somewhat vague. “The Revelation of John the Theologian” represents the City of God, the New Jerusalem, as a crystalline Cube, with a side of 2,400 kilometers. However, the Apocalypse itself is considered by many Christian theologians to be an apocrypha – a work on a biblical theme, unreliable, and not fully recognized by the Church.

The third world religion is Judaism (the Old Testament, the starting point of Christianity and, to some extent, of Islam, little like its continuations). This principle does not suggest, surprisingly, any intelligible posthumous, except for the chapters of the Bible on the evocation of spirits. The Old Testament eschews the ideas of the wandering of a weightless soul and broadcasts only about prolonging a person’s life in his carnal children.

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1. Catholic church.

(Consistently) Narthex (the porch). Annex in front of the entrance to the temple, checkpoint. It is located on the west side of the main building. The usual place for penitents, “listening” to the few, heretics and pagans.

Naos. The main part of the temple. On the left, closer to the entrance is located, separated by an impenetrable grille, a room for confession reception.

Nave (from the Latin navis – ship) – separated by columns, having the form of elongated rectangles, parts of the interior.

Belltowers. Are located at the entrance to the temple, on either side of the entrance, or above it (in the singular), are usually merged with the building. The main purpose – the convocation of the church service, the celebration of time and special events. In the Western tradition, often used carillon – a mechanical tool that performs on the bells any melody. In modern Catholic churches, bells can be replaced with metal rods, the vibrations of which are amplified by electronics.

The chapel (chapel). Dedicated part of the temple, annex, to accommodate an additional altar with a throne, for worship. Thanks to the side-chapel, in one temple it is possible to perform more than one liturgy (from the Greek “common cause”) per day. This rule is the same for the Catholic and Orthodox churches. It can be said that after the main worship, this altar must accumulate a special strength for at least 24 hours.

Saddledness. The intersection of the main nave and the transept (transverse nave). Usually it is crowned by a dome or a tower.

Transsept (from Latin “for” and “fence”). Cross nave, crossing the main longitudinal nave at a right angle, outside the main building forming protuberances – apses.

Apse. In Western European architecture, a semicircular ledge, or a similar in form internal part of the temple, which contains an altar complex.

Crown of chapels. A number of chapels surrounding the apse, radiating from the rays and separated from the choir bypass (de-ambulant).

Chorus (from other Greek group dance). The space before the main throne, where the chorus of singers is placed. Now it includes the Presbytery (Latin Presbyterium – a place for the elect), where only priests could previously go. In some Catholic churches, and now the place of the choir is fenced off by a low balustrade – or is provided for a free tour to all visitors. There may also be a wind organ, a priest-musician, a pulpit, a table and chairs for the preacher.

Deambulary (from the Latin ambio – walking around all around). Semicircular bypass gallery around the altar part of the temple. Allows parishioners to bypass the presbytery to pass to the chapels, respectively, small altars or sacred relics, and also (through the patterned lattice) to survey the shrines that are in the main altar part of the cathedral.

2. Symbolic significance of the architecture of the Orthodox church:

1) The porch. The face of the earth’s being.

2) The stages of the ascent from the earthly to the heavenly.

3) The heavenly realm of earthly existence

4) Visible Sky

5) The main part of the temple

6) Amvon – the region of representation (meeting) of each other to Heaven and Earth

7) The dome above the altar is a symbolic and real Kingdom of Heaven

8) The throne is the throne of the Heavenly King

The internal structure of the Orthodox church is detailed in the section “Russian dynasties”, for the best adjustment for this era.

Protestant churches (temples), despite their influence (the United States, England, in all around the world 800 million people), usually do not differ richly decorated. There is no icon-worship, veneration of the relics of the saints: accordingly, there are no icons in the building, or arches with relics. Attitude to the saints, at the same time, respectful. The building of the church can be any leased public building. In the altar there is a table stretched across the hall, with books of the Old and New Testaments, and lamps. Here, with the sermons of the Padres (the Father), the liturgy, communion and baptism are held. The two sacraments are the only ones recognized by this denomination. Much attention is paid here to solving the worldly problems of parishioners, unraveling family conflicts, quarrels of neighbors, etc. (faith without deeds is dead). Protestants (from Latin “publicly proving”) are usually not in some kind of confrontation with the Jewish religion, such as the Orthodox and Catholics, see the state of Israel as an important field of God’s activities until the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The priest, as a rule, is elected, from among the most respected parishioners. Apostolic succession (elevation to the rank through ordination, that is, consecration) is absent.

3. The synagogue (other Greek “meeting”, or Hebrew, bate knes – “house of assembly”, it is also “meadat meat” – “small sanctuary”) – the place of public worship, the center of religious life (Jewish) community.

1) Entrance, a place for a washbasin (washing of hands). On the door frame is attached a case with a fragment from the Torah, mezuzah – before it the parishioner should be touched. This case can be recognized by the initial letter Ш, one of the names of God – “Shaddai”. This (but not necessarily mandatory) rule extends to private Jewish dwellings. Married women enter the sanctuary, usually with something covered (wig, headscarf, etc.) head and. Women’s pants, calling clothes, neckline – are not welcome. Men are wearing a headdress in the synagogue (and, in general, outside it): it is a symbol of recognizing the power of God.

2), 3). Prayer rooms on the edges of the prayer hall. Sacred texts, relics, memorable photographs can be placed here. This interior helps to increase the useful area of the walls of the sanctuary, and also creates conditions for more confidential communication among parishioners, including discussions on earth affairs, etc. Men and women, usually only during prayer, gather separately. This custom does not work during a festive meal or a concert (once again, yes: the synagogue, in spite of its high sacral value, is not the Temple, but only the House of Assembly).

4) Bima or Almea. The elevation in the center of the synagogue, with a table where the chosen minister (rabbi, hazzan, or another worthy parishioner) reads the Torah and (usually the final public reading) excerpts from the book of the Prophets – Gaftary. Sometimes readers (called by parishioners) can replace each other. The main provisions of these texts: an indication of the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise, a request for the restoration of Zion, the coming of the Messiah and the confirmation of the throne of David, gratitude for the gift of the Torah, the Prophets and the Sabbath or the feast.

5) In some cases, the bima has a fenced passage to the synagogue ark (6), or merges with it. In this place are located lamps.

6) The Synagogue Ark, Hebrew. aron kodash. The symbolic reflection of the Ark of the Covenant, the cabinet in which the Torah scrolls are located. When you open the doors of the ark, those present, if they sit, stand up. The most important prayers are pronounced before the open (Celestial Gate) cabinet.

7) Above the ark is the Unquenchable lamp, ner-tamid, the symbol of the Menorah, the oil (golden, seven-barrel) lamp of the Temple. Neramid, ideally, should burn all night, just like the Menorah in the Temple, and (preferably) also a day. The Menorah itself symbolizes at the same time the unity and diversity of human nature. The branches of the lamp resemble a tree and, thus, symbolize (the root of the Heaven) the Tree of Life.

4. Mosque (Arabic “place of worship”) – Muslim prayer (liturgical) structure. The first mosque is a cubic building in Mecca, Kaaba (Arabic “Cube”), or also “Beitou-Llah” – “House of God”. During the annual hajj (pilgrimage), believers seven times bypass the sanctuary (ritual tawaf – “circumvention”), pronouncing prayers, asking for mercy and forgiveness.

Inside the Kaaba there are three columns; two lamps, a table, to put on it any objects, for example incense; The walls and floors are made of marble. The upper inner walls of the Kaaba are closed by a curtain on which the shahada is written. Shahada, the symbol of the faith of Muslims, reads word for word: “I testify that there is no other God besides Allah, and I also testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The meaning of the last words is the rejection of other beliefs in the same spirit, from the multitude of other preachers who preach their teachings in pre-Islamic times, and so interfere with each other.

1) Pond for bathing before prayer (prayer).

2) The main prayer hall (for men). Ahead are the venerable elders, then to the entrance – middle-aged people and youth. The floors are carpeted. On the walls are excerpts from the Koran. Images of living beings are forbidden. Namaz includes waist and earthly obeisances (sitting on the knees), praising Allah (“Allahu Akbar”), lifting palms to the sky, while the thumbs touch the earlobes, reading the suras of the Koran …

3) For women, a separate room is set up, or a balcony with an opaque curtain.

4) Minbar – tribune, the department with which the imam reads Friday’s sermon. The Imam – “the one who lies ahead, the one who leads the prayer” is also “an example for imitation” – a clergyman who manages the mosque, which produces common prayers and tribes.

Trebas are sacred actions and prayers, performed by a priest at the request (request, order) of individual parishioners.

Imam in prayer can be any worthy Muslim who knows the Koran well, regardless of his social status. In Turkey, the imams are elected by parishioners, and (secular) authorities claim. This service (usually without interruption from the conduct of any other activity, which gives daily bread) promotes the multilateral development of man. Imams are often teachers (mentors), interlocutors, writers, etc.

In Shiites, the imam (the supreme imam), who has the right to interpret the Koran and guide believers, can only be (blood) heirs of the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, Abu Talib. “Small Imams”, ie, in the Sunni tradition, imams are appointed fuqaha (people who have a special theological education for service in the mosque). Hereditary right and appointment instead of elections are practiced, first of all, in Iraq, among Shiites, and also part of Saudi Arabia.

Mulla is a connoisseur of the Muslim ritual, the teacher of the madrasah and, also, the imam.

Muezzin (“screaming in public”) is an assistant to the Imam. Being on a high minaret, the muezzin calls on Muslims to perform compulsory prayer.

Kadi has the status above the imam of the mosque, and is the head of the Muslims of the city or region. In addition to worship, the kadi deals with litigation, family conflicts, the investigation of various kinds of crimes, and the punishment of the perpetrators. Kadi may be elected, or appointed, depending on the specifics of the state.

5. Mihrab. The niche in the wall of the mosque, indicating the direction to Mecca, giving the impression of an infinite deepening, serving as a focal point of the views of the parishioners. Usually the mihrab is richly decorated, well lit, has two columns and an arch. In the very hollow, he has the right to perform prayer, first of all, the imam.

6. Minaret (the Arab “manara”), a high narrow tower for the call of Muslims for prayer. Early minarets have a circular staircase from the outside, more modern ones – inside.

7. Park with ponds (fountains) for rest, a frequent addition to the mosque.

Confucianism in Chinese is called Pinyin, the “School of Educated People”, and does not contain the name of the founder, philosopher and politician of Confucius, that is, Kun-Fu-tzu (the real name is “Teachers of the Kun clan” – Zhong-ni, 551—479 BC). Several secondary Pentateuch, written on fragments of memories that survived the most severe persecutions in the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi, scientists contains descriptions of the rites of veneration of ancestors, temples created in their honor, morals, the history of a fictional ideal country. In general, the idea of the One Creator (Great Sky), hell, paradise, immortality of the soul is present, but not explicitly expressed. Heaven is seen as a resonator, a source of moral senses, reacting to the behavior of people and sending them signs. In a sense, Confucianism coincides with the Chinese people’s religion (also Pinyin), numbering more than 500 million followers. After Heaven, an important component here is the Qi-like energy, as well as the reality of the souls of the ancestors (who, under certain conditions, can be heeded).

Hinduism, although it was recognized in many European countries and the United States, as an unusual course of psychotherapy, is still localized primarily in native India. There, in fact, this complex of philosophical ideas, ethical norms, traditions is called (in Sanskrit, the ancient language of the higher caste), Sanatana-Dharma (“Eternal Law”). The sacred texts – the Vedas, the Upanishads, the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, like the set of books of the Old Testament in many respects (albeit much less realistically) reflect the history of the formation of the universe, and of the native country. With some caution, as the supreme God of Hinduism, one can define the concept of Brahman (originally – “Prayer”), the soul of the world, the primordial nature of things and phenomena. He can be worshiped as any form that the individual imagines in his mind. Supporters of Vaishnavism serve the Absolute in the guise (avatar) of the Vishnu-Keeper of the Universe, and also whether it is more understandable, humanlike and active reflections – Krishna and Rama. Shivaites worship Shiva, the essence of the static male origin of the universe, the creator of rebirth, sometimes destructive. The general meaning of service, observance of accepted norms – merging with the Absolute, while preserving, however, and some of its individual beginning, the improvement of personal status, including material, with each subsequent rebirth. Brahma (Brahma) – the god of creation, you can say, is the first among equals, together with Shiva and Vishnu is Trimurti (triad), in fact, the spiritual beginning of the All – Brahman.

Buddhism also claims to be a world religion, a very controversial, but all the more worrying, mind of the continuation of Hinduism. The founder is the Buddha Shakyamuni, ie, in Sanskrit, the “Awakened Sage” (623 – 543 BC). Actually, the buddhas before Shakyamuni, according to sources, there are several, but he is the most famous. The future awakened Teacher of mankind, under the guidance of which people will lead exclusively a holy life – Maitreya (Skt. “Loving”, “Benevolent”). The main idea is non-resistance to evil by violence, passive resistance to adversity, acceptance of the world as it is. Because of this behavior, the higher rational being (that is, the Buddhist monk, who received the higher enlightenment in the cycle of his rebirths) must leave the system of the world, more precisely, the captivity of his consciousness, which created such a mosaic image of him. No gods, One Mind, Paradise, Hell, as a natural area of attraction of a religious ascetic, Buddhism does not presuppose (although it does not deny their very existence). The only goal is the “fading of the candle” of consciousness, nirvana in spirit, and not the body (paranirvana), total and final death.

Shamanism, although not a recognized world religion, was once distributed throughout the Earth. Now it is localized in some tribes of South, North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Siberia and the Far East. The origin of the term, perhaps, from the Sanskrit scraman (śramaṇa) is a wandering hermit, an ascetic ascetic. The second version is the Tungusic-Manchurian Sam-man, that is, the “lover of knowledge”. The shaman introduces himself into trance by tambourine strikes, dances, special singing, and lays for a long time, not reacting to external influences. In an anxious dream, traveling on the branches or roots of the archetypal World Tree, he visits the middle, higher, or lower worlds. Higher – are inhabited by enlightened good essences, the lowest – by evil creatures. Schemes of other worlds are very individual, therefore can not be reduced to a common, acceptable for the creation of a classical religion, a picture.

One of the varieties of shamanism is voodoo (Voodoo). Basic beliefs – the world is inhabited by a multitude of spirits, loa (from the French loi – “law”), which can be contacted, and receive some help. Sacrifices are laid out on the altar (sweets, alcohol, killed animals, priest) (a hungan, a mambo (woman)), enters into a trance, opens a conversation with the other world, such cults are untied from high morality, are based on the principle of simple trade: “you to me, and I to you.” Traditional world religions affirm the possibility of having a temporary distance between the act of man and retribution. A believer can endure life all his life, while diligently complying with moral norms – and not gain material prosperity. The award is given in Heaven.

Not everything is so straightforward. Working people, patience, patient, loving each other, and God’s, parishioners, as a rule, achieve success in their earthly existence. You can compare the standard of living in, built on the Christian principles of Europe and the United States, and, let’s put the Voodoo Haiti, whose inhabitants demand everything at once – there is a difference.