Will the Dalai Lama reincarnate?

It is one of the most sensitive political issues in China: who has authority in Tibet? Many Tibetans revere the Dalai Lama and support his goal of greater autonomy from Beijing.

But to Chinese officials, the exiled spiritual leader is a traitor.

The role of Dalai Lama has been filled for centuries through "reincarnation". The current Dalai Lama, the 14th, turns 80 this year, and Beijing is keen to control the process of finding the 15th.

But the present Dalai Lama has said the role will one day end. Better to have no Dalai Lama than "a stupid one".

So, will he reincarnate? The BBC World Service

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-32032790

Definitions of Religion

1 The Study of Religion REL 2011, from James Livingston's Anatomy of the Sacred

final thoughts

Dear class, It has been a true pleasure and an honor for me to teach you about methods of analysis of religion this semester.There were some extraordinary young people in my three classes and our class discussions were priceless!

If you can take some time, would you please consider posting your thoughts about what you learned from the four films and the class discussions?

What new perspectives did you get on religion? Your own faith? or your own skepticism?

What might you do differently in the future regarding your own faith (be it religious or secular) or people of other religions?

Thank you!

Joseph Holbrook

Secular Modernity and Religious Revitalization

This is taken from Chapter 14 of "Anatomy of the Sacred" by Livingston.

Questions for review

 What doctrine in both Protestant and Islamic Fundamentalism contributes to their resistance to innovation or new interpretation?

Describe what factors in the modern world have contributed to the secularization process that has narrowed the scope of religion in some societies. What has caused scholars to have second thoughts about this thesis?

Characterize common features of the new Protestant Fundamentalism in America and radical Islam.

Describe the characteristics of American Fundamentalists’ premillenarian view of history? What is its religious and social significance?

Jim Jones Jonestown Nightmare in Paradise.

Published on Feb 17, 2013 Jim Jones Jonestown Nightmare in Paradise. In the Jungle , jim jones make his one People Temple, 1978 jim jones take the lives of almost a 1000 people and his own life


 


Questions for discussion: How does this video illustrate the concepts from the chapter on religious communities? Charismatic leaders? Founded religions? Why do you think people would be attracted to join a suicide cult?

Today's Lecture on Spiritual Energy

This weeks lecture ...

Why study Religion? Let me count the ways ...