Sitting in lotus pose with focus on the breath and quieting of the mind is the essence of yoga. ... A statue of the Buddha posed in full lotus sits quietly near the door, welcoming you with a gentle smile. ... Collectively we sit in full lotus to begin the succession of asanas, taking several minutes to relax and synchronize our breathing. ... We sit upright in full lotus again and take a deep breath as we circle our arms out and up until our hands touch together overhead. ...

• Word Count: 5541
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: High School

Although the concept of the Trimurti assigns a position of special importance to some great gods, it never has become a living element in the religion of the people. ... In the Mahabharata and some of the Puranas, Brahma is said to have issued from a lotus that sprang from the navel of Vishnu. ...

• Word Count: 3600
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: High School

Preface Marriage and families founded through marriage constitute the basic cells of the society. It involves a multi-layer relationship between neighbors and other elements in the community, and it is so regarded by the Chinese as the top issue of the morality of human kind. Wedding ceremony is the ritual conducted when the couple decides to establish a marital relationship and through which they can win over the approval, recognition and protection of the community. The procedure of the wedding ceremony actually reflects the various social and cultural notions. The wedding customs in anci...

• Word Count: 9974
• Approx Pages: 40
• Grade Level: High School

VOCABULARY Archaeology: the scientific study of ancient people and cultures principally revealed through excavation. Cromlech: a circle of megaliths. Henge: a Neolithic monument, characterized by a circular ground plan. Used for rituals and marking astronomical events. Megalith: a stone of great siz...

• Word Count: 10708
• Approx Pages: 43
• Grade Level: High School