A Preliminary Study of Relationship between Chinese Elegant Ideology and Environmental Mobilization

This study investigated the relationship between “Chinese elegant ideology" and environmental mobilization to explore a new possibility of consciousness awakening for environmental protection. The author considered the life posture of scholar-emits in the Tang and Song Dynasties. It conveyed a demand for the inheritance of ideas and civilizations as well as elegant and sustainable life orientation. The study will further identify the ideological and spiritual guidance and practical demonstration of cultural ideology for environmental movements by considering the causes and influential factors of environmental mobilization in modern society. It is supposed to get a trade-off between natural integration and social integration. The given elegant life dynamics of the Tang and Song Dynasty will construct an interaction between nature and mainstream human social behavior, which dramatically reduces the segregation and contradiction between social and natural integration. This study will advocate a sustainable and contracted "new form" that appeals to human spirits by studying the selection of the scholar-emits in the Tang and Song dynasties.

Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Jazūlī and the Place of Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt in Jazūlite Sufism

This article discusses the career of Muḥammad ibn Sulaymān al-Jazūlī (d. 869/1465), his compilation of Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt, and the place of this work in Jazūlite Sufism. The teachings of the Jazūliyya Sufi order emphasized intense spiritual devotion to the Prophet Muḥammad as a means of access to the Divine. As a manual of prayers and invocations on behalf of the Prophet, Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt became one of the most popular works of Islamic devotional literature. This widespread popularity was partly due to the Jazūliyya’s doctrinal connections with the Qādiriyya and Shādhiliyya Sufi orders. In Jazūliyya Sufi practice, the recitation of Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt and the prayers and litanies of the order were used to instill a “Muḥammadan” consciousness in the mind of the disciple. This higher consciousness was meant to serve as a compass of spiritual guidance for the “true seeker of God” (al-murīd al-ṣādiq), who aspired to the highest levels of Sufi knowledge.

THE PROBLEM OF PRESERVING THE ETHNIC IDENTITY OF THE UKRAINIAN DIASPORA IN BRAZIL

Problem setting. The Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil is one of the most remoted ethnic entity. Having a difficult history of emigration, Ukrainians have integrated quite well into the life of this country, but still managed to preserve its culture, language and traditions. The study of this phenomenon will help to clarify the conditions and factors that allowed Brazilian Ukrainians not to lose its mental connection with their homeland and to represent its nation with dignity outside Ukraine. Recent research and publications analysis. Various aspects of the phenomenon of the diaspora, as well as its history, place and significance in socio-economic, cultural and political life are studied by the following researchers: M. Astvartatsurova, V. Yevtukh, W. Safran, G. Sheffer and others. Issues of the Brazilian diaspora are considered by: O. Borushenko, I. Zakrevs’ka, I. Sushinska and others. Problems of national (ethnic) identity are the subject of search of such scientists as L. Bielovetska, M. Voronina, S. Sidorenko, E. Smith and others. Paper object. The aim of the article is to study the conditions and factors of preserving the ethnic identity of the Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil, as well as to clarify the role of religion, education, language in its provision. Paper main body. Today, the diaspora can be defined as an ethnic community that arises outside their homeland due to various migrations, and, due to unwillingness (or impossibility) to fully assimilate in non-ethnic societies, retains its ethnic identity (culture, language, traditions, etc.). In order to preserve, reproduce and develop, the diaspora creates certain institutions that consolidate its position and ensure interaction with the country of residence and the country of origin. One of the key features in understanding the diaspora is ethnic identity, which is defined as an individual's identification with a particular nation, awareness of their belonging to a national community based on a set of characteristics (territory, citizenship, language, mentality, temperament, history, culture, religion, common interests, aspirations, goals, ideals, needs, etc.), which fundamentally distinguish this nation from other similar groups. All these characteristics are inherent in one of the most remoted ethnic communities - the Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil, which is also one of the oldest (dates back to the late nineteenth century). And quite numerous (according to various estimates from 600,000 to 1,000,000 people). What helps Brazilian Ukrainians not to lose, to preserve their national identity far beyond its historical homeland? Factors that determined the formation of the ethnic identity of the Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil are, first of all, the challenges and threats that united immigrants from Ukraine, and secondly, the territory of their compact coexistence (southeastern Brazil). An important factor in the formation and preservation of ethnic identity in Brazil is the church, that historically unites Ukrainian community. An indisputable role in preserving Ukrainian identity belongs to the native school in Brazil. From the first years, Ukrainian settlers began to take care of a place where their children could get at least primary education. Today, Brazil has a network of Sunday and Saturday schools, as well as private Ukrainian schools. An indicator of ethnic identity is the language for the study of which a favorable policy has been introduced in Brazil: there are courses in the Ukrainian language and literature; created conditions for free teaching of the Ukrainian language as a foreign language in public schools located in places of compact residence of ethnic Ukrainians. A number of cultural and public societies, which appeared at the end of the 19th century, play a significant role in preserving Ukrainian identity in Brazil and they are still functioning. Brazil is actively developing Ukrainian-language media, including Internet resources, on which Brazilians of Ukrainian origin promote and propagate Ukrainian culture. Conclusions of the research. Ukrainians have been quite successful in integrating in Brazil, taking a worthy place in its socio-economic and socio-political life, but at the same time they have been able to preserve their national identity. Certain factors contributed to the creation of a fairly large and authoritative Ukrainian diaspora in Brazil, which is characterized by its ethnic identity. The church, which supports and provides spiritual guidance, plays a significant role in preserving the identity of Ukrainian migrants; a school that provides education and upbringing of new generations; created socio-political and cultural associations that help to socialize in a non-ethnic society and at the same time cultivate their national traditions.

“Confucianism”, an Alternative Source of Belief in Contemporary Chinese Society: An Empirical Study of the Founding of Xin 信 in a “Confucian” Company

Open claims to Confucian values, often associated with cultural traditionalism and a larger revival of Confucianism among the Chinese population from the 2000s onwards, have gained momentum in the world of entrepreneurs. The intensity of this phenomenon can be explained by a wide variety of motivations, among which a desire to establish a belief, a sort of xin 信 towards traditional values, has emerged from within the “Confucian” company. Based on fieldwork carried out between 2017 and 2018 at TW, a private company located in Dongguan (Guangdong), this paper aims to analyze the efforts undertaken by “Confucian” managers to use the spiritual guidance role of Confucianism. Our work is organized into three sections. First, we analyze the main modalities of proselytizing within TW. Then, based on the personal experiences of three employees of this company, we try to understand how they live the jiaohua and to what extent this “educational” experience inspired by Confucianism has allowed them to reorient themselves towards a new way of perceiving the world. Finally, by placing it in a broader context, that of contemporary Chinese society’s crisis of values, we question the role Confucianism can play in the foundation of a population’s beliefs.

Evil and Meaningful Existence: A Humanistic Response through the Lens of Classical Theism

This study modestly proposes a humanistic response as supplementary to classical theism in addressing concrete cases of gratuitous human suffering. Classical theism places evil in God’s divine plan of salvation for humanity. There is thus a good reason behind human suffering. However, there are times when suffering is so intense and dehumanising that any attempt to justify it in terms of God’s love for humanity fails to make sense in the lives of most people. It is at this point that a humanistic response, coupled with spiritual guidance, becomes relevant. A humanistic response expresses itself through an African ethical theory and practice known as Ubuntu. It pivots on key human values such as love, compassion, trust, consideration, dialogue, forgiveness, solidarity, justice as equity, etc. It is in a spirit of togetherness that most existential challenges can be squarely faced to make human life more meaningful. Ultimately, a humanistic response recommends a change of attitude towards human suffering. Suffering should be seen as part of what it means to Be in this finite world, and that it is in one’s struggle towards the heights that one finds a sense in living. Keywords: Evil, Classical Theism, Humanistic Response (Ubuntu), Attitudinal Change.

Contemporary Influences on the Role of Imams in Britain: A Critical Analysis of Leadership and Professionalisation for the Imamate in 21st Century Britain

This article is based on the findings from a research project, referred to hereafter as #ImamsBritain, commenced with a series of discussions with Imams in the north of England.. The role of the Imam has undergone far-reaching changes over the last thirty years chiefly due to the changing socio-economic and political climate, which in turn has directly affected the needs of Muslim communities. Consequently, Imams are now seen as professionals who need a wider range of pastoral care skills that go beyond those of their traditional role, which was mainly focused on religious teaching and spiritual guidance, The second stage of the data analysis for the research involved the exploratory Group Delphi technique, in which the Imam respondents underwent the processes of two critical reflections on the data collected. The resultant findings reflect their individual perceptions of the kind of training and development they need. This provides a unique framework for constructing a professional guide for Imams in Great Britain. The discussions and critical analyses in this paper draw on the discourses of professionalisation and pastoral care and relevant reports and reviews on Imam training in Europe and Canada.

The Effect of Spiritual Guidance of Reproductive Health by Booklets on The Changes of Adolescent's sAttitudes: Dating Status In Premarital Sexual Behavior

The spiritual guidance of reproductive health and safety is oriented towards strengthening moral ​​and religious values ​​in addressing adolescent reproductive health problems with an approach on several aspects, such as preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and developmental. The booklet is a medium of guidance/learning that can attract interest and help teenagers understand the guidance material. This study aimed to determine the effect of the spiritual guidance of reproductive health care professionals by booklets on changes in adolescent attitudes towards dating status in premarital sexual behavior. A combination of qualitative and quantitative experimental research with a pre-experimental design, one group pretest-posttest, with a total sample of 26 adolescents, selected a purposive sampling technique. The spiritual guidance intervention used booklets for six meetings with 60-90 minutes each meeting within 2 months. Data were collected through pre-test and post-tests using interview sheets and Likert scale questionnaires. Data were analyzed qualitatively and statistically tests using the Wilcoxon test. The results showed that the sexual behavior of adolescents in dating was including holding hands, embracing the arms/shoulders and waist, hugging, kissing cheeks and lips, stroking the head, laying on the partner's thighs, and having sex with condoms. Then, from the statistical test, the negative ranks between the pre-test and post-test values were 0. Meanwhile, the positive ranks between the pre-test and post-test values indicated that 24 respondents with a positive value and a mean rank value of 13.00, and 2 respondents with a pre-post value remain the same. The Wilcoxon test shows the p-value (sig) 0.000 <0.05. Thus, the spiritual guidance of reproductive health care professionals using booklets significantly affected changes in adolescent attitudes towards dating status in premarital sexual behavior.

The 1860s

During the 1860s, Twain worked as a journalist in Virginia City, Nevada, and San Francisco and traveled to Europe and the Middle East (most notably Palestine) on an excursion with a group of Americans, which enabled him to write his best-selling Innocents Abroad. Twain met Olivia (Livy) Langdon through her brother, a fellow traveler. His courtship of the religiously devout Livy prompted Twain to reassess his relationship with God and his understanding of Christianity, prayer, and Providence and to declare himself to be a Christian. During this decade, Twain developed friendships with several ministers, battled depression, and struggled to determine his vocation. He also strove to adopt Eastern mores and conventional ethical practices and reinvent himself as a Christian husband who could provide financial security and spiritual guidance for his family. Scholars debate whether his conversion was genuine, self-deluded, or fabricated to please his future wife and her parents.

Особенности иконографии в калмыцкой вышивке: традиционные и современные практики

Introduction. The Kalmyks are a Mongolic Buddhist people that arrived in the Volga region in the 17th century. The specific ethnic features of Buddhism professed by the Kalmyks took shape over centuries of Russian suzerainty and were determined by various historical factors, including prolonged remoteness from Buddhist centers, the total eradication of Buddhist monasteries and centuries-long ban on spiritual guidance experienced in the 20th century, and the official Buddhist restoration by the early 21st century. Goals. The work aims at identifying and comparing traditional and contemporary Buddhist thangka patterns as elements to mirror particular features of Kalmyk iconography, as essential objects of religious cult and cultural heritage at large. Results. The paper shows that in the pre-20th century period Kalmyks used different techniques for producing thangkas — painting, embroidery, and applique ones. In the late 18th century onwards, imports of religious attributes from Tibet and Mongolia were restricted, and the role of art workshops affiliated to local Buddhist temples increased. That resulted in further development of thangka painting schools and the shaping of somewhat ethnic style in depicting Buddhist deities characterized by certain differences from canonical images. The old thangkas from private and public collections have served a basis for the restoration of ethnic painting traditions integral to Kalmykia’s Buddhism proper. The contemporary practices of producing divine images are closely related to stages in the regional development of Buddhism from the late 20th century to the present, lay Buddhist experiences, women’s leisure-time activities, and ethnic entrepreneurship. The study concludes contemporary Kalmyk needlewomen are guided by traditional rules of religious craftsmanship.

DAMPAK PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM TERHADAP PEMBENTUKAN KEPRIBADIAN ANAK

Islamic education is physical and spiritual guidance based on Islamic laws to form main personality according to Islamic standards. In other words, the main personality is the Muslim personality, that is the personality who has Islamic religious values, chooses and decides and acts based on Islamic norms, and is responsible in accordance with Islamic values. The general indicator of an ideal personality of a child is to always pay attention to his/her behavior in worship, traditional behavior, destructive behavior, and constructive behavior. Behavior in worship, for example carrying out prayers perfectly, both in terms of pillars and conditions, doing remembrance and praise of Allah (dhikr) and wirid after prayer, as well as completing the sunnah rawatib prayers. Traditional behavior, for example in ethics of eating, is preceded by praying, eat with the right hand, social and friendly etiquette, travel etiquette, and so on. Destructive behavior, for example avoiding the dangers of lust, the dangers of wealth and being stingy, disdainful and showing off, being arrogant, boasting, cheating, and so on. The constructive behavior, for instance always do self-reflection and self-introspection, tafakkur,etc.