Cross College

Tag: books

  • Who Was Laozi? The Sage Behind Taoism

    Laozi (also spelled Lao Tzu or Lao-Tze) is one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in Chinese philosophy and spiritual history. Often credited as the founder of Daoism (Taoism) and the author of its central text, the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching), Laozi’s ideas continue to shape philosophical, religious, and cultural thought across…

  • The Bengal Renaissance: A Cultural and Intellectual Awakening

    Introduction The Bengal Renaissance was a period of cultural, intellectual, and social transformation in Bengal (modern-day West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh) during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement saw the fusion of Indian traditions with Western ideas, leading to groundbreaking developments in literature, philosophy, science, education, and social reform. Influenced by colonial encounters…

  • Aelia Pulcheria: The Powerful Empress of the Eastern Roman Empire

    Introduction Aelia Pulcheria was one of the most influential women of the Eastern Roman Empire, a formidable ruler who shaped the politics and religious direction of the empire during the 5th century. As the elder sister of Emperor Theodosius II, she played a crucial role as regent, guiding the empire during his youth and exerting…

  • Who Was Ibn Battuta? The Greatest Traveler of the Medieval World

    When we think of legendary explorers, names like Marco Polo or Christopher Columbus often come to mind. But centuries before them, a man from Morocco embarked on an extraordinary journey that would span over 30 years and cover nearly 75,000 miles. His name was Ibn Battuta, and he is considered one of the greatest travelers…

  • Who Was Francis Bacon? The Philosopher, Scientist, and Statesman

    Francis Bacon (1561–1626) was an English philosopher, scientist, statesman, and essayist, widely regarded as one of the founders of modern empirical science. His contributions to philosophy and the scientific method helped shape the way knowledge was pursued in the early modern period, laying the groundwork for the Enlightenment. Beyond his intellectual legacy, Bacon was also…

  • Who Was Chinua Achebe? The Father of Modern African Literature

    Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) was a Nigerian writer, professor, and critic, widely regarded as the father of modern African literature. His groundbreaking novel, Things Fall Apart (1958), is one of the most influential books in African literary history, offering a powerful response to colonial narratives and giving voice to African perspectives. Through his novels, essays, and…

  • The Union of Zen Buddhism and Bushido: Myth and Reality

    Zen Buddhism and Bushido are often seen as two deeply intertwined traditions that shaped the philosophy and ethics of Japan’s samurai class. This romanticized image, however, does not fully reflect historical reality. While Zen did influence some samurai, only a small percentage of them actively practiced Zen Buddhism. Nonetheless, the principles of Zen resonated strongly…

  • Who Was Mencius? A Sage of Compassion and Confucian Wisdom

    Mencius, known as Mengzi (孟子) in Chinese, was a renowned Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States period (372–289 BCE). Often called the “Second Sage” of Confucianism, following Confucius himself, Mencius expanded and refined the teachings of Confucius, focusing on human nature, morality, and governance. His ideas are compiled in the classic text The…

  • Exploring the Writings of Duns Scotus: A Mind of Subtle Distinctions

    Duns Scotus (1266–1308), often called the “Subtle Doctor,” was one of the most influential thinkers in medieval philosophy and theology. A Franciscan scholar, Scotus made groundbreaking contributions to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and theology, leaving a legacy that continues to resonate in philosophical and theological circles today. His works are noted for their intricate reasoning and…

  • Understanding The Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp: Key Stories and Themes

    The Jingde Record of the Transmission of the Lamp (Jingde Chuandeng Lu) is one of the foundational texts in Zen (Chan) Buddhism, composed during the Song Dynasty in China by the monk Daoyuan. This 30-volume work records the lineage of Zen masters, starting from the Buddha and extending to the 10th century, capturing stories, teachings,…