The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (986 page)

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Authors: John Bowker

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Hiden
(Jap., ‘field of compassion’). Buddhist actions of supporting the poor or needy. Since these produce
merit
, they are compared to a field which brings forth a great harvest.
Hiei, Mt.
(site of first Tendai temple)
:
Hierarchy
.
A body of religious rulers organized in successive ranks. In Christianity, one may speak of the hierarchy of
bishops
,
priests
, and
deacons
. For the ‘heavenly hierarchy’, see
ANGEL
.
Hierophany
(Gk.,
hieros
, ‘sacred’, +
phainein
, ‘to show’). The manifestation of the divine or the sacred, especially in a sacred place, object, or occasion. Manifestations of some particular aspect may be named after the aspect revealed, e.g. theophany (of divinity), kratophany (of power).
High Churchmen
.
The group in the Church of England which gives a high place to the authority and antiquity of the
church
, to the
episcopate
, and to
sacraments
. The title is first attested at the end of the 17th cent.
High Holy Days
.
The Jewish
festivals
of
Rosh ha-Shanah
and Yom Kippur (
Day of Atonement
).

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