Religious Thought 15



Even if you are a monk, if your practice of the Way is not intense, if your aspiration is not pure, how are you any different from a layman? Again, even if you are a layman, if your aspiration is intense and your conduct wise, why is this any different from being a monk?
- Hakuin, "Zen Master Hakuin"
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The false promises of a merchant may persuade a buyer into purchasing his (faulty) goods; but these will be deprived of Allah's blessings.
- Hadith The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
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Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is a whole cliché, but your attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.
Joel Osteen
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Ever since Rabbi Akiba used the Passover seder to plan a revolutionary struggle against the Roman occupiers, the Jews have used the seder to begin concrete work on tikkun (healing and transformation).
- Rabbi Michael Lerner, the Tikkun Magazine Passover supplement 2006
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Mysterious World Landmark


1. The Cahokia Mounds


The Mystery
Although scientists are constantly discovering new information about the Cohokia community, the biggest mystery that remains is which modern Indian tribe is descended from the residents of the ancient city, as well as just what it was that caused them to abandon their settlement.

Animal Species With Most Number of Legs


Animals including humans have legs not just for locomotion but also to balance the weight of the entire body. But some animals, including insects are unique. They standout for the number of legs they exhibit. These animals have various attributes for the number of legs they have. Now, let’s take a glimpse in the life of those animals with multiple legs...

Maijishan Grottoes in China



 The Maijishan Grottoes are a series of 194 caves cut in the side of the hill of Majishan in Tianshui, Gansu Province, northwest China. This example of rock cut architecture contains over 7,200 Buddhist sculptures and over 1,000 square meters of murals. Construction began in the Later Qin era (384-417 CE).

Religious Thought 14



In the light of the Sun there is no difference between day and night. In the light of the Supreme Truth there is no difference between Shiva and Shakti.
- Jnaneshwar (also known as Jnanadeva)
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To my mind, democracy is more compassionate, more harmonious, more friendly than any other system. It respects others' rights and considers others equally as human brothers and sisters. Although you might disagree with them, you have to respect their wishes.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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Junayd received many gifts; and he decided that he would pass the next gift to the barber. Soon afterwards he was sent a bag of gold from Basra; and he took it to the barber. 'What is this?' the barber asked. Junayd replied: 'I decided to pass my next gift to you; and this is it.' The barber exclaimed: 'Have you no shame? You asked me to cut your hair for the sake of God; and now you offer me money! No one can do something for the sake of God, and then take payment for it.'
- Attar, "Junayd"
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God's best is the extras...that we get when we follow Jesus Christ. He has bonuses for us
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Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.
- Morris Joseph, "Judaism as Creed and Life"
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Religious Thought 13



Disparaging words pain a man even when uttered in jest. Therefore, those who know human nature are courteous even to their enemies.
- Tirukkural 100:995
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Without love we could not survive. Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together.
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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Dhu'l-Nun was asked: "What causes a devotee to be worthy of entrance to paradise?" He said: "One merits entrance to paradise by five things: unwavering constancy, unflagging effort, meditation on God in solitude and society, anticipating death by preparing provision for the hereafter, and bringing oneself to account before one is brought to judgment."
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The twelve days of Christmas come to an end on January 6, and the season of the Epiphany begins...Epiphany not only ends Christmas, it also fulfills it by celebrating the revelation of the Christ to the whole world...
- Phyllis A. Tickle, "What the Heart Already Knows"
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I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.
- St. Teresa of Avila
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So follow the way of the good, and keep to the paths of the just.
- Proverbs 2:20
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ADVANTAGES OF BLOOD DONATION

1. It gives you a free mini physical examination.

Before donating blood, your hemoglobin level will be tested. If it is low, then you will not be allowed to donate blood. Besides hemoglobin, your blood pressure level and body weight will also be checked. In addition, your blood will also be examined for detecting the presence of five diseases, namely, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. If you are not suffering from these diseases, only then you will be allowed to donate your blood.

2. Chances of heart disease and stokes are about 30% lesser in men who donate blood regularly.

3. Reduces blood pressure.

4. Iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people.

5. Production of new red blood cells enhanced. Bone marrow is activated.

6. Burns calories: one unit of blood donation causes burning of about 650 calories.

7. Feeling of Euphoria - well being.

8. Reduces Risk of Cancer.

9. A unit of blood donated by you can benifit three persons. Blood can be seperated into RBC, PLASMA and PLATELETS. All of them are life saving.

THATS WHY BLOOD DONATION IS ALSO CALLED RAKTDAAN MAHADAAN

30 Magnificent Examples Of Bird Photography


Bird photography is one of the most popular genres of nature photography. This should come as no surprise since birding is one of the world’s most popular pastimes! Bird photography is also a very challenging endeavor, requiring specialized skills and equipment – one does not simply pick up the camera used for family vacation photos and capture compelling avian images. On the same token, having the best possible photographic gear for the task does not ensure success either. It seems the most successful bird photographers are not only skilled photographic technicians, but also have a thorough understanding of avian behavior and habitat. Most importantly, they all have a deep love and appreciation for their subjects.

Amazing Moon Photography


Full moon is a lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. Lunar eclipses can only occur at full moon, where the moon’s orbit allows it to pass through the Earth’s shadow. Lunar eclipses do not occur every month because the moon usually passes above or below the Earth’s shadow. A full moon is often thought of as an event of a full night’s duration. This is somewhat misleading, as the Moon seen from Earth is continuously becoming larger or smaller (though much too slowly to notice with the naked eye). Full moons are generally a poor time to conduct astronomical observations, since the bright reflected sunlight from the moon overwhelms the dimmer light from stars. On 21 December 2008 the full moon occurred closer to the Earth than it has done at any time for the past 15 years. The Hindu, Thai, Hebrew, Islamic, Tibetan, Mayan, Neo-pagan, Germanic, Celtic, and the traditional Chinese calendars are all based on the phases of the Moon. None of these calendars, however, begins its months with the full moon. Check out our mind blowing collection of full moon photography!

The Ancient Origins Of Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. With increased media attention on beauty and perfection, celebrities and others alike are turning to plastic surgery more and more. Though media and advertising do play a large role in influencing many people's lives, researchers believe that plastic surgery obsession is linked to psychological disorders. Now, let us take a look at how the plastic surgery evolved into our modern lifestyle. Take a look...

The world's largest beetle

The largest insect in the world is a woodcutter-titanium (Latin Titanus giganteus). The length of its body is 17 cm, but there were also representatives of this species, whose length was 21 cm! 

San Boldo Pass - Italy

The San Boldo Pass is a small mountain pass in the Italian Veneto region between the towns Trichiana and Tovena in the Cison di Valmarino region over a distance of 17 km.