This book investigates how Buddhism gradually integrated itself into the Chinese culture by taking filial piety as a case study because it is an important moral teaching in Confucianism and it has shaped nearly every aspect of Chinese social life. The Chinese criticized Buddhism mainly on ethical grounds as Buddhist clergies left their parents' homes, did not marry, and were without offspring-actions which were completely contrary to the Confucian concept and practice of filial piety that emphasizes family life. Chinese Buddhists responded to these criticisms in six different ways while accepting good teachings from the Chinese philosophy. They also argued and even refuted some emotional charges such as rejecting everything non-Chinese. The elite responded in theoretical argumentation by (1) translations of and references to Buddhist scriptures that taught filial behavior, (2) writing scholarly refutations of the charges of unfilial practices, such as Qisong's Xiaolun (Treatise of Filial Piety), (3) interpreting Buddhist precepts as equal to the Confucian concept of filial piety, and (4) teaching people to pay four kinds of compassions to four groups of people: parents, all sentient beings, kings, and Buddhism. In practice the ordinary Buddhists responded by (1) composing apocryphal scriptures and (2) popularizing stories and parables that teach filial piety, such as the stories of Shanzi and Mulian, by ways of public lectures, painted illustrations on walls and silk, annual celebration of the ghost festival, etc. Thus, Buddhism finally integrated into the Chinese culture and became a distinctive Chinese Buddhism.

"Why am I going through so much hell on the job?"A victory was secured for you over two thousand years ago with three nails and a tree. When you trust the Lord to navigate your career, you will triumph over every weapon wielded against you in the workplace.For believers, acquiring a job is more than merely a means to meet financial obligations, fulfi l career aspirations, or display one's talent. For it also provides an avenue for the Holy Spirit to refine our spiritual weapons and perfect the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.Providing biblical guidance, practical wisdom, and hope for managing challenging issues and relationships at work, 3 Nails and a Tree is the answer to the constant cycle of conflict and dissention at work.As you read this book, I pray that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of your heart to recognize Him as The Invisible behind the Visible in the Workplace.
"Biblically sound, practically helpful, wise and encouraging."-Marc D. Baldwin, PhD, Founder & President, Edit911, Inc. "For those seeking encouragement in the workplace, 3 Nails and a Tree willremind you that aft er the storm, there will be a rainbow.'"-Dwan Abrams, Bestselling author, editor, publisher

While we live in this challenging world, God reaches out to all whose hearts are full of fear, hurt, anger, discouragement, and hopelessness. It is God's desire to take these hurtful emotions and replace them with His love, peace, joy hope, faith, and strength. Just as a full glass cannot contain one more drop of water without overflowing, so it is with our hearts. They are so full of the negative that there is no room for God's positive.

Follow me on the journey of heart healing as we learn to pour out our hearts to God and allow Him to refill them. Receive simple encouragement and instruction from His Word as we continue on the path of discovering the depths of His Love. It is possible to find peace while living in this world of care.

In this volume amulets and talismans are studied within a broader system of meaning that shapes how they were manufactured, activated and used in different networks. Text, material features and the environments in which these artifacts circulated, are studied alongside each other, resulting in an innovative approach to understand the many different functions these objects could fulfil in pre-modern times. Produced and used by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the case studies presented here include objects that differ in size, material, language and shape. What the articles share is an all-round, in-depth approach that helps the reader understand the complexity of the objects discussed and will improve one's understanding of the role they played within pre-modern societies. Contributors Hazem Hussein Abbas Ali, Gideon Bohak, Ursula Hammed, Juan Campo, Jean-Charles Coulon, Venetia Porter, Marcela Garcia Probert, Anne Regourd, Yasmine al-Saleh, Karl Schaefer and Petra M. Sijpesteijn.

This book explores some key biblical principles of the kingdom of God and relates them to some (very) basic math. It draws on geometry and divinity to come up with some innovative practical theorems that are sure to titillate your mind and spirit. Put your thinking hat on Once you are born again, you are expected to grow through: faithfulness, obedience, observing, and doing God's Word. I call it "FOOD for growth," "GrowthFOOD," or simply "GFOOD." Eat, and live The book teaches that everyone has a life cycle. We all have shelf lives, use-by dates, and best-before dates. Are you past your use-by date? Furthermore, this book unveils a secret hidden in 1 Corinthians 12:31. Having church on the basis of spiritual gifts is excellent, but God expects his children to put into practice the agape love in its unconditional sense-the same way God loves us: the more excellent way. Ever heard of the Pythagoras theorem? Unveiling the connection between the Triune God and the tripartite man (both 3 in 1), the book takes you through what I call the intricacies of divine geometry, some interesting mental and spiritual gymnastics. Every human being is a triangle, the equilateral triangle being the standard of all shapes. Moving from Pythagoras theorem to what I call masochagoras theorems, you are sure to find out what type of triangle you are The book also explores the meaning of numbers. Discover their significance in your life. Some masochagoras theorems to do with numbers are proposed. Enjoy the intricacies of divine algebra. True worship happens when the human equilateral triangle connects in agape love with the divine equilateral triangle. Let God's kingdom come in your life. Apply the proposed masochagoras theorems and enjoy life in the kingdom-forever

This volume focuses on today's kibbutz and the metamorphosis which it has undergone. Starting with theoretical considerations and clarifications, it discusses the far-reaching changes recently experienced by this setting. It investigates how those changes re-shaped it from a setting widely viewed as synonymous to utopia, but which has gone in recent years through a genuine transformation. This work questions the stability of that "renewing kibbutz". It consists of a collective effort of a group of specialized researchers who met for a one-year seminar prolonged by research and writing work. These scholars benefitted from resource field-people who shared with them their knowledge in major aspects of the kibbutz' transformation. This volume throws a new light on developmental communalism and the transformation of gemeinschaft-like communities to more gesellschaft-like associations. Contributors are: Havatselet Ariel, Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Miriam Ben-Rafael, Sigal Ben-Rafael Galanti, Yechezkel Dar, Orit Degani Dinisman, Yuval Dror, Sylvie Fogiel-Bijaoui, Alon Gal, Rinat Galily, Shlomo Gans, Sybil Heilbrunn, Michal Hisherik, Meirav Niv, Michal Palgi, Alon Pauker, Abigail Paz-Yeshayahu, Yona Prital, Moshe Schwartz, Orna Shemer, Michael Sofer, Menahem Topel, and Ury Weber.