Audio Glossary: R

rabbi
A trained and ordained teacher often the spiritual leader of a Jewish community.
Radhasoami
A religious movement based on the teachings of Shiv Dayal with a belief in a living guru and an emphasis on bodily care and the practice of yoga.
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ragi
A musician who accompanies kirtan in the Gurdwara or Mandir.
Rahit Maryada
A written code of conduct binding on all initiated Sikhs.
Raksha Bandhan
A Hindu festival when girls tie a coloured cord onto their brothers' wrists and are given presents by their brothers.
(Lord) Rama
Hero of the epic Ramayana, a prince of the city of Ayodhya believed to be the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu.
Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar held to be particularly holy and during which adult Muslims are enjoined to fast throughout the hours of light.
Ramakrishna
(1836 to 1886 CE) Bengali mystic who was regarded as a saint, and by some, an avatar. His disciple, Vivekananda, organised the Ramakrishna mission, which has been highly successful in spreading his version of the saint's teaching to the west.
Rama Navami
A Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Rama.
Ramanuja
(1017-1137 CE) Hindu saint and theologian who composed a number of works preaching the non-dual nature of God, who nonetheless was seen by Ramanuja as having attributes.
Ramayana
An Indian epic poem concerning the life and deeds of Lord Rama and his wife Sita.
Ravidass / Shree Guru Ravidass Ji
An Indian holy man, an older contemporary of Guru Nanak, who wrote hymns that are included in the Guru Granth Sahib; to the Ravidasia community he is the founding figure and pre-eminent Guru.
Ravidasia
A faith tradition based on the teachings of Shree Guru Ravidass Ji. The tradition emphasises "the lofty ideas of Socialism, Secularism, Equality and Fraternity" and is hostile to "discrimination based on caste, colour or creed."
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Redemption
Christian doctrine that people can escape eternal condemnation for their sinfulness through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
Resurrection
The Christian belief that after being crucified Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to his disciples, thereby confirming his victory over the powers of evil and the beginning of a new era and a new relationship between God and his people.
Reserved Sacrament
The practice of keeping the bread consecrated at the Eucharist (the Host), primarily for the purposes of administering Holy Communion to those unable to attend communal services, e.g. the sick. Within the Catholic tradition the Reserved Sacrament is also kept for purposes of adoration.
Rightly Guilded Caliphs, the
Title accorded by Sunni Muslims to the first four leaders of the Islamic community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
rights of passage
Rituals, performed at significant times (e.g. birth, name-giving, puberty, marriage, death) and marking a change in a person's religious or social status.
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Rosh Hashanah
Jewish new year.
rupa
Literally form often used to descirbe familar Buddha statues.