BP Glossary"

BP Library

"La Ilaha Illa Allah"	Islamic First Pillar, "There is no god but God." It continues that Muhammad is his prophet. To accept this creed is to be a Muslim.
Laity	Non- ordained members of a religious community with no special religious function.
Lakshmi	Hindu goddess of prosperity and good luck; Lord Vishnu's consort.
Lama	Tibetan Buddhism religious leader accredited with having magical powers, telepathy and TM.
Lao Tse	('the old master') Traditionally the author of the Tao Te Ching.
Lent	In Christianity, a forty day period of fasting and penitence leading to Easter. Originally a period of training and examination for those baptized at Easter.
Ley Lines	New Age geological lines of spiritual force.
Li	('ritual') Confucianism discipline, propriety or reverence; guaranteeing social welfare and harmony.
Li Ching	('book of ritual') One of five Confucian classics.
Libation	ritual pouring of sacred drink as an offering to divinity.
Life	The course of existence or sum of experiences and actions that constitute a person's existence.
Life force	that spiritual energy that separates physical life from physical death.
Lifespring	New Age seminars promoting human transformation and personal capacity.
Lila	('play') Hindu word for the sport of the gods; there is no other reason for creation.
Loraine Institute	New Age philosophy promoting earth powers, pyramids, and meditation.
Lotus	Buddhist symbolic use of a water lily depicting Buddhahood; roots are buried in the earth while the flower opens to the heavens. Sitting cross legged and upright is the lotus position for meditation.
Lotus Sutra	Buddhist Scripture depicting the Buddha's sermon to the cosmic powers; details eternal nature, and universal capacity for Buddhahood and the compassion and power of the Bodhisattvas.