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The Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra has been translated from Sanskrit into English variously as the Diamond Sutra, the Diamond Cutter Sutra, the Vajra Sutra and the Vajra Cutter Sutra. This sutra (a Sanskrit word that means a religious teaching or sermon, in particular that of the Buddha) is commonly regarded as one of the most revered texts of Mahayana Buddhism. A copy of this sacred text, which was discovered in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, China, has been described as being “the world's earliest complete survival of a dated printed book”. The Diamond Sutra is part of a larger canon of early Mahayana sutras known as the Prajnaparamita (meaning ‘Perfection of Wisdom’) Sutras. Another well-known sutra in this canon is the

The ‘Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon,’ more commonly known as the Knights Templar, or the Templars, was one of the most renowned military orders during the Middle Ages. The source of their fame came not only from their prowess on the battlefield, but also from the wealth they amassed during the Crusades. These riches eventually led to their downfall, and became the so-called ‘Treasure of the Templars’ in the popular imagination. The Finances of the Knights Templar The Knights Templar were not only great warriors, but formidable financiers as well. One of the two ranks of non-fighting men, for instance, was known as the farmers, who were responsible for the administration of the Order’s worldly possessions

The Order of St. Benedict ( Ordo Sancti Benedicti in Latin, abbreviated as OSB), known also as the Benedictines (sometimes referred to as Black Monks, due to the color of their religious habits), is a monastic religious order in the Roman Catholic Church. Strictly speaking, however, the Benedictines do not constitute a single religious order, since each of its monasteries is autonomous. This order consists of monks, lay brothers, and nuns who follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The fortunes of the Order of St. Benedict may be said to have waxed and wane over the course of its long history. In the centuries after the death of its founder, the order flourished in Europe, and became an important institution

Christkind is a Christmas gift-bringer in certain European countries. Like its more famous counterpart, Santa Claus, Christkind is said to leave presents for children under the Christmas tree on the night of Christmas Eve. This gift-giver is popular in such European countries as Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Often considered to be the traditional Christmas gift-giver of these countries, the story of Christkind begins in the 16th century. The Emergence of the Christkind One of the most significant events in the history of Western Christianity, the Protestant Reformation, took place during this period. This movement was initiated by the German theologian Martin Luther. It was this same Luther who came up with the idea of the

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus was stabbed in his side by a lance whilst hanging from the cross. As a result, this weapon is believed to possess supernatural powers and it became an important and much sought after Christian relic. Over the centuries, a number of churches have claimed to possess this sacred object, known variously as 'The Holy Lance', 'The Spear of Destiny', and the 'Spear of Longinus' (named after Saint Longinus ). One such claimant is the Geghard Monastery, or Geghardavank (meaning ‘Monastery of the Spear’). But is there any real evidence for the claim? The lance, currently kept in Echmiadzin, Armenia. It was discovered during the First Crusade in St. Peter's Cathedral in Antioch. Photo

The choice of Chicago native Robert Prevost as the new pope is a historic one, as he is the first North American to occupy the most important position in the Catholic Church. But more than 1200 years ago there was allegedly another historic first in the papacy, as a woman who is referred to as Pope Joan became the first and only female to be selected as pope—or so it is said. Most people have never heard of Pope Joan, even the most devout Catholics, and most scholars (and virtually all church officials) have been dismissing her story as fictional for centuries. But quite frankly this dismissal smells like a cover-up, as its origins date to the Middle Ages when

The ancient Greek city state of Sparta had a social hierarchy that was different from many of its neighbors. The top of the social pyramid was occupied by the two kings, whose powers were checked by a ‘council of elders’. These elders were chosen from the next class, the Spartiates. Below this aristocratic class was a middle class which was called the Perioeci. The lowest class, which was also the largest, in Spartan society was held a group known as the Helots. In Search of Helen of Troy Greek Government blocked discovery of the ‘mythical’ city of Lacedaemon The Origins of the Helots: From Helos to Spartan Subjugation According to the Greek geographer Pausanias, the Helots hailed from a city

Talgua Cave, known also as the ‘Cave of the Glowing Skulls’, is a cave located in the Olancho Valley, which is situated in Catacamas, a municipality in northeastern Honduras. The cave’s name may be said to be a misnomer, as the skulls do not actually glow on their own. Instead, the piles of human bones on the surface of the cave were coated over the centuries by a layer of calcium crystals. These crystals reflect light, thus giving the bones a glowing appearance. The existence of the Talgua Cave is said to have been known by locals for generations. Nevertheless, the area where the ‘glowing skulls’ were found seems to have not been known by the outside world. Knowledge of

The Unfinished Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian obelisk located in Aswan. This obelisk is known for its massive size, as well as for the fact that the work that was carried out on it was never finished. Had the Unfinished Obelisk been completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever constructed by the ancient Egyptians. Nevertheless, its unfinished state has allowed us to gain some insights as to the way the ancient Egyptians were producing their obelisks. Cleopatra’s Needle: The Story Behind the Obelisks Why Did the Egyptian Masons Down Tools on the Largest Obelisk Ever? Egyptian Granite Obelisks The word ‘ obelisk’ means ‘spit’ (a long rod used to skewer food for cooking) in ancient Greek and was

Every fifth of November, people across the United Kingdom celebrate Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night, and Firework Night). Every November, cities and towns across the country put on fireworks displays to commemorate the day which fills the autumn air with a merry atmosphere. Yet, beneath the cheerful façade of the modern celebration of Guy Fawkes Day lies a darker, more sinister history. Guy Fawkes Day is in fact a celebration of a failed attempt to blow up the British House of Lords in 1605. This attempt is known today as the Gunpowder Plot. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"91385","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"346","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"610"}}]] ‘Guy Fawkes’ by Charles Gogin, York Art Gallery. (York Museums Trust/ Public Domain ) A Reaction to Religious Persecution The