Buddhism has morphed in the present age – one of the most practiced religions worldwide. It has been in existence since time immemorial and originated from Asia. Some of the major dimensions of Buddhism nowadays include socially active Buddhism, westernized Buddhism among others. The present Buddhism is also characterized by secularism, engagement with contemporary leaders as well as teachers who are influential.

Engaged Buddhism: Socially Active BuddhismEngaged Buddhism is a contemporary movement within Buddhism that emphasizes the application of Buddhist principles and practices to social, political, and environmental issues. This approach was notably popularized by Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Not a Hanh and has inspired many practitioners globally to actively engage in social justice and humanitarian efforts.Origins and PrinciplesEngaged Buddhism emerged in the 20th century as a response to social and political turmoil, particularly in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Thich Nhat Hanh, a prominent figure in this movement, advocated for the idea of “interbeing,” which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life. This principle underpins Engaged Buddhism, promoting compassion, non-violence, and mindful action in addressing societal challenges. 

अनंत पद्मनाभस्वामी मंदिर की एक खासियत यह है की यह  मंदिर एक झील के बीच में स्थित है, इसीलिए इसे अनंतपुरा झील मंदिर भी कहा जाता है।

Since the commencement of Christianity till today, missionaries and evangelists have been instrumental in disseminating the gospel and establishing Christian communities around the globe. These efforts have shaped history and touched societies, cultures and persons across all continents. In this in-depth article, we will be exploring origin of missionary work among Christians, why these people do it, how they go about it and what stands as a result of their struggle for world Christianity.

Christian Missionary Work from Origin:Accountability for Christian mission can be traced back to the life of Jesus Christ through his teachings that made his disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). One can observe that right after the crucifixion plus resurrection experiences by Jesus’ followers, they began spreading gospel messages initially within Jerusalem before extending them to Romans then farther ahead into various nations.The first Christian missionaries like Paul and his colleagues traveled long distances to preach salvation message, establish congregations, traineeships and nurture new converts. They laid a foundation upon which Christianity expanded into other cultural context beyond its Jewish roots.

Motivations of Christian Missionaries:Several things motivate Christian missionaries. They include:Faith and Obedience: Missionaries often feel obedient to Christ’s command of making disciples or Christians, to whom He had given Himself as a ransom for all. To them, this is not just doing any work but a calling and an integral facet of their identity as Christians.Compassion and Love: Many missionaries are also driven by compassion for the needy and pain relieving motives. Alongside preaching, they engage in humanitarian activities; they give medical care, education, social services and they help people in practical ways who are suffering from poverty, injustice, oppression among others.Cross-Cultural Engagement: The fact that these people belong to different nations with diverse cultures and languages makes it a pull factor to many missionaries. They aim at narrowing the gap between the cultures that would be built up on relationships that would foster understanding and respect.Transformational Impact: Many missionaries have a strong desire to bring change in individuals’ lives as well as communities. This is because they believe in gospel overcoming division among people; it restores healthiness into them leading towards hope of redemption complete transformation of life.

Hinduism is one of the oldest and most diverse religious traditions in the world. Over the years, it has been deeply connected with social systems and cultural norms which have greatly impacted people’s lives for centuries. This paper will discuss two major social concerns that exist within Hindu society – caste system and women’s status. We will look at their historical background, development over time as well as current challenges faced by them; besides we are going to touch upon attempts made towards changing these aspects taking into consideration insights from Hindu religious texts, historical records and contemporary discourses.

Caste System in Hindu Society: Historical Views and Modern ChallengesThe “varna vyavastha” or caste system is a hierarchical division of people into different groups based on their birth, occupation and social status . There are four main categories under this traditional varna system:

• Brahmins (Priests): They belong to highest varna who perform priestly duties such as conducting rituals, studying scriptures etc.
• Kshatriyas (Warriors): This class includes warriors responsible for protecting society against external aggression and ruling kingdoms internally.
• Vaishyas (Merchants): Members of business community engaged mainly in wealth creation through trade activities like agriculture among others.
• Shudras (Servants): Labourers performing manual tasks considered inferior by other higher castes; they serve those above them.

First of all: The ancient Indian religion known as Jainism is well known for its deep philosophical teachings that explore the nature of life and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. The four basic ideas of Jain philosophy are Jīva, Ajiva, Asrava, and Bandha. We go on a journey to understand the nuances of these ideas in this blog post, delving into the core ideas of Jain philosophy and how it affects the lives of its adherents.

Jainism, one of the worlds oldest religions, offers deep insights on reality, human life and moral existence. Jain philosophy is founded on three fundamental ideas; Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekantavada (non-absolutism) and Aparigraha (non- possession). This book provides an in-depth examination of these basic aspects of Jainism such as their meaning, practical implications and transformative value in guiding people towards moral behavior and spiritual development.

The Principle of Non-Violence:The principle of non-violence is described as being not merely the backbone but also the corner stone of Jain philosophy. It goes further than just refraining from physical injury; it encompasses all forms of harm that are inflicted upon sentient beings including psychological, emotional or environmental harm. Ahimsa demands that individuals should acquire compassion, empathy for others and respect for each form of life since all forms are interconnected with a common nature. Jains embrace Ahimsa to avoid causing any suffering if they can help it, to create peaceful relationships with others and maintain harmony in their interaction with the world around them.