Glossary

Glossary of Terms: R

Ramadan

Holy month of fasting (the ninth month) in the Islamic calendar

In ISKCON, five forms of devotion that progress in intimacy: Shanta rasa, the rasa of reverence; dasya rasa, submission to a master or lord; sakya rasa, friendship for God; vatsalya rasa, recognizing the parenthood of God; and shringara rasa, the relationship of intimate erotic love.

Rasul

"Messenger," a prophet; according to the Quran, God sends one rasul to each community; Muhammad came as a rasul to the Arabs; other such messengers include Noah, Moses, and Jesus

RathaYatra

Major festival in India, during which an image of a deity is paraded through the streets; this allows darshan (auspicious viewing) for lower caste Hindus who are not permitted into a sanctuary.

Reformation Day

Reiki

A spiritual healing practice developed in Japan in the early 20th century; involves the art of applying the universal life energy (qi) to promote healing and wholeness; also known as Usui Shiko Ryoho system of healing.

Ren

Renxing

Restorationism

reestablishing of an earlier state that had been naturally or divinely ordained; Catholic reform and Counterreformation are examples of restoration

Ritvik

ISKCON, officiating priests appointed by Bhaktivedanta who later developed into gurus.

Riyada

Rolfing

form of bodywork built around manipulation of deep connective tissue (fascia) between bone joints; developed by Ida Rolf (died 1979)

Rosary

set of prayers recited while holding and counting a string of beads or knotted string

Rosh Chodesh Adar

Rosh Hashana

Rosicrucianism

mystical brotherhood from 17th century Germany, devoted to a revival of piety and learning; followed teachings of Christian Rosenkreutz (possibly 1378-1484)

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