The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (785 page)

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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Firstborn
.
Jewish law gives first-born males a special status. The detailed laws are in the tractate
Bekhorot
in the Mishnah
et al
.
First diffusion
(period in history of Tibetan Buddhism)
:
First fruits
(Heb.,
bikkurim
). The portion of harvest which, according to Jewish law, must be given to the
Temple
. In Israel today first-fruit celebrations are still held on Shavu'ot and donations are made to the Jewish National Fund.
First Sermon
.
Of the
Buddha
, preached at Benares. It expounded the
Four Noble Truths
and the Eightfold Path (
a
angika-m
rga
). It is known as ‘the first turning of the
dharmacakra
(wheel of dharma)’: see
DHAMMA CAKKAPPAVATTANA SUTTA
.
Fiscus Judaicus
.
A tax on Jews levied in the Roman Empire. The fiscus Judaicus was a poll tax levied from 71 CE until the early 3rd cent.

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