Religions of India

A

Abhidhamma

The third of three major collections (Pi†aka) of Buddhist texts in Pali; systematic classification and exposition of constituents or categories of existence; Buddhist cosmology

Ådi Granth

primary Sikh scripture; literally “first book”; compiled by Gur¨ Arjan and expanded by later Sikh masters; after the death of the tenth master, it has the authority of a living master as Gur¨ Granth Såhib.

Ahiμså

Nonviolence and nonattachment; more specifically avoidance of all harm or injury; put into practice most completely by Jaina mendicants, less radically by Buddhists and Hindus; a basic principle for social activists such as Mohandas K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ahriman

The negative one of two powerfully opposed spirits created by Ahura Mazdå; Angra Mainyu, the destructive or evil twin counterpart to the holy Spenta Mainyu.

Akål Purakh

The Timeless One; Sikh designation for the immortal and ultimate divine being.

Allåh

Arabic term for the sole creator and ultimate being worshiped by Muslims.

Ambedkar

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956); highly accomplished low-caste law expert, social and religious leader who led mass conversions to Buddhism, helped draft Constitution of India.