Muslim‐Christian Relations in Medieval Southern Italy

Abstract: This article examines the nature of relations between Muslims and Christians in southern Italy during the thirteenth century. In response to uprisings in Sicily, the emperor Frederick II transferred an estimated 20,000 Muslims to the city of Lucera in Apulia. Outside the Iberian Peninsula, Lucera came to have the largest Muslim population of any city in western Europe. Although the formation of the colony led to competition for resources between its inhabitants and the local Christian population, the members of the two religious communities often traded and collaborated. Social mobility was possible for the Lucerine Muslims, particularly through military service. Like Christians and Jews living in the dar al‐Islam, the Muslims of Lucera had a protected status, and they paid a tax called the jizya. They remained free to practice their religion. The heavy taxes paid by the Muslim colony at Lucera during its almost eighty‐year existence made it a valuable asset to the Hohenstaufen and Angevin crowns. Nevertheless, the settlement was dismantled in 1300 on the order of the Angevin king, Charles II, who gave a religious justification. The colony's history provides insight into the complex relations between Muslims and Christians in medieval Mediterranean Europe.     

试论中世纪基督教婚姻思想中的矛盾性

中世纪基督教的婚姻思想是基督教神学、法律和宗教法规的重要组成部分,一千多年来贯穿在基督教的社会伦理道德观中,出现在许许多多的圣经经文评注、教父著作、教皇与主教的教令与书信、苦行赎罪的规则书（以下简称规则书）、宗教会议制定的法规以及宗教法规汇编中,其数量之巨大、内容之宠杂,几乎涉及到婚姻生活的方方面面,令人叹为观止,它们构成了基督教关于婚姻问题的总看法和基本规定。然而细究这些观点和法规,我们就会发现在它们中充满了模糊性、变动性和不确定性,甚至是矛盾性。基督教关于婚姻问题的几乎所有方面都存在着不一致…     

中世纪前期的英国封建王权与基督教会

中世纪前期英国封建王权与基督教会的关系 ,处于“二元统一、对立”的状态中。从总体上看 ,英国封建王权和基督教会基于共同利益的政治联合 ,必然居于支配地位 ,而双方权益的纷争则处于从属地位 ,最后常常以相互妥协而告结束。这种看似矛盾而实则存在合理性的状态 ,稳定着英国封建社会的统治秩序 ,推动着社会的发展。     

《佛说诸德福田经》与中古佛教的慈善事业

《佛说话德福田经》及其经变画宣传一种福田思想,倡导僧俗大众通过救助济贫、施医治病和养护放生,获得福报。其理念与实践尽管有宗教的色彩,但是在客观上有利于社会公益事业,佛教福田观念是中华慈善思想的重要来源。     

佛教地狱观念与中古时期的法外酷刑

魏晋南北朝至唐宋是佛教地狱观念广泛流行的时期,也是社会上法外酷刑泛滥的时期.这些酷刑的存在,既与当时法律的规定不相符合,也与传统的儒家仁爱与道家贵生思想大相径庭,而与佛教地狱传说中的种种酷刑描写颇为相类.本文认为,南北朝以至唐宋时期法外酷刑的泛滥,与佛教地狱观念的传播有着密切关系,佛教宣扬因果报应、轮回转世,轻视现世、追求来生的思想对中国社会民众心理产生了深远的影响,同时也为酷刑在中国历史上的"复活"及其"合理化"提供了宗教-伦理基础.     

Medieval Arab Contributions to Optics

The year 2015 was the United Nations’ International Year of Light and Light‐based Technologies. The year long activities created a forum for scientists and engineers and all others inspired by light, to interact with each other and with the public so as to learn more about the nature of light and its many applications. It was also a time to promote and celebrate the Medieval Arab contributions to optics. The year 2015 marked the 1000th anniversary of the seven volume encyclopedia on optics written by the great Arab scientist, Ibn al‐Haytham. Here, we present the Medieval Arab achievements in optical sciences and its impact on the European renaissance.     

试论佛教对王维的救赎

王维的人生正应验了佛教悲观主义的人生哲学。佛教对人生的看法及救赎对屡遭挫折的王维颇有启发。佛教对物质、对精神的需求都不能执著,这也是佛教的核心。王维后来与李林甫、杨国忠同朝听命,自然不能执著,正因如此,他才能在险恶的政治环境中安身立命。主观上使自己于身心相离中求得身心的统一。在客观上,这也是远祸避害的重要手段,佛教在王维亦官亦隐的生涯中确实起到了救赎的作用。而安史乱后的四五年,王维虽尽力逃向空门,但其心灵并未真正逃离煎熬。     

Medieval Pottery

Excavation of an area of over 750 sq. m during 1992–94 and 1999 revealed a multi-period prehistoric site preserved beneath the Roman fort. Flints attested mesolithic activity. In the early Neolithic a segmented ditch may represent part of a causewayed enclosure. By c. 3000 cal. B.C. this had been superseded (in this area) by pits and shelters associated with flint-knapping. Finds, but not structures, attest a bronze-age presence. Within the period 390–170 cal. B.C. a roundhouse with cultivation plot, part of an unenclosed settlement, occupied the area. This had been burnt and was rich in carbonised plant remains which provided information about the arable economy and spatial variations in the use of the roundhouse interior. In the later Iron Age the area was reclaimed by cultivation associated with an unlocated settlement. The nature of the occupation on the eve of the Roman period is not known.     

A Brief Introduction to the Tibetan Buddhism

Despite the rolling of high plateau and stunning Himalayas, Tibet has a nickname of “Holy Land” with its ancient history and colorful culture. Refered as Shangri-La, the roof of the world and many more, the mysterious kingdom remained closed to others, exerting a strong hold on the imagination of the world. For centuries, it has fascinated mankind in various ways. Its religion is one of astonishing one. Here we have questions! What is Tibetan Buddhism about? How many sects it has? What about each one‘s doctrine? Have you ever known its architectures, its religious arts, as well as its incarnation of Living Buddha? People feel curious about its powerful inspiration and cohesive strength,