Appendix 1
Ritual: Definition Ceremonial or symbolic act(s) given importance by repetition (Encarta Encyclopedia, 2002 edition) The Universality of Ritual and its Purpose Types of Ritual Rites of passage Examples: Bar Mitzvah (Jewish) Baptism (Christian) The Haj (Islam) Receiving the Tao (I-Kuan Tao) Religious Observance Examples: The Roman Catholic Mass The Incense Ceremony (I-Kuan Tao) The Purification Ceremony (Shinto) Positive vs. Negative Rituals that seek the presence or favor of good spirits Rituals that seek to turn away or avoid evil spirits Ritual and Perversion Examples: Satanic or sensuous rituals The Black Mass Certain Practices of Tantra Ritual and the Adoration of Deities Sacrificial Ritual (theistic religions) vs. Non-sacrificial Ritual (Buddhism) Ritual and Magic/Miracles Ritual and Meditation