Religion

Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) Kingdom of God Religious concept describing God's sovereign rule and its moral, spiritual and eschatological meanings across Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with varied interpretations and ethic…

Kippah (Yarmulke): Jewish skullcap — forms, history, and practice Kippah A kippah (yarmulke) is a small Jewish skullcap. This article covers its origins, varieties of style and material, religious and cultural meanings, and contemporary practices across…

Knock Shrine (Cnoc Mhuire): Catholic pilgrimage site in County Mayo Knock Shrine Knock Shrine (Cnoc Mhuire) in County Mayo, Ireland, is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage destination centered on an 1879 reported apparition of the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, John the Ev…

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (Bright Hill Monastery) Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery Prominent Chinese Mahayana Buddhist temple in Bishan, Singapore, founded in the early 20th century. A centre for worship, monastic residence, education, memorial services and commu…

Kōra Taisha — major Shinto shrine in Kurume, Fukuoka Kōra taisha Kōra Taisha (高良大社) is a historic Shinto shrine in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, traditionally regarded as the chief shrine of the old Chikugo region and a focal point for local festi…

Kosher (Jewish dietary laws) Kosher Kosher refers to Jewish laws that determine which foods are permitted, how animals must be slaughtered and prepared, and how foods and utensils are kept separate to maintain ritual…

Kshatriya: the traditional warrior-ruler varna in South Asia Kshatriya Kshatriya — the second varna in classical Hindu social order — traditionally associated with warriors, rulers and administrators; overview of roles, lineages, historical developmen…

Kundalini: the coiled spiritual energy in Hindu and Tantric traditions Kundalini Kundalini is a concept of latent spiritual energy located at the base of the spine in Hindu and Tantric thought. Practices such as yoga, breathwork and meditation aim to awaken and…

Kurma — Vishnu's Tortoise Avatar Kurma Kurma is the second avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, depicted as a tortoise. Central to the Samudra Manthan myth, Kurma supports the cosmic churning and symbolizes stability, protec…

Lakewood Church (Houston, Texas) Lakewood Church Lakewood Church is a non‑denominational Christian megachurch in Houston, Texas, known for large congregations, televised services, and the leadership of Joel and Victoria Osteen.

Lakshmi — Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity Lakshmi Lakshmi is a principal Hindu goddess associated with wealth, prosperity, good fortune and auspiciousness; consort of Vishnu and widely worshipped during Diwali and household rites.

Lalmai Chandi Temple (Chandimura Mandir) Lalmai Chandi Temple A hilltop Hindu shrine in Comilla District, Bangladesh, devoted to the goddess Chandi (Kali); an important local pilgrimage site with nearby Shiva temple and cultural significance.

Lamed — Twelfth Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet Lamedh Lamed (ל) is the twelfth Hebrew letter, pronounced /l/ and valued 30 in gematria. It functions as a prepositional prefix, has no final form, and descends from the Phoenician sign t…

Lamrim: The Tibetan Buddhist Stages of the Path Lamrim Lamrim is a genre of Tibetan Buddhist literature and practice that arranges the Buddha’s teachings into a step-by-step path to awakening, originating with Atiśa’s A Lamp for the Pa…

Langar: Sikh Community Kitchen and Free Public Meal Langar Langar is the Sikh practice of offering free, vegetarian communal meals at gurdwaras and public events. It emphasizes equality, volunteer service (seva) and open access to all peop…

The Last Supper: Christian accounts, rituals, and cultural impact Last Supper The Last Supper is the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. Accounts in the New Testament shaped Christian rites such as the Eucharist and inspired ce…

Latin cross (Crux immissa) Latin cross The Latin cross, or crux immissa, is the familiar Christian cross with a longer vertical arm above the crossbeam. It appears in art, architecture and liturgy and underpins the Lati…

Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Dhaka: Hindu temple devoted to Lakshmi Laxmi Narayan Mandir, Dhaka Historic Hindu temple in Dhaka dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi (Laxmi Narayan). Located on Nawabpur Road, traditionally dated to Bengali year 1056 and important to local worship a…

Lay clerk (lay vicar): professional singer in cathedral and collegiate choirs Lay clerk A lay clerk, or lay vicar, is a traditionally male professional singer employed by cathedral and college choirs in the UK and Ireland, distinct from ordained clergy and often part…

Left-hand path (occultism) Left Hand Path A label in Western esotericism for practices and philosophies that prioritize individual autonomy, taboo-breaking and self-directed spiritual power, contrasted with the more commun…

Lehi — prophet and patriarch in the Book of Mormon Lehi Lehi is a principal prophetic figure in the Book of Mormon. The narrative presents him as a Jerusalem prophet who leads his family into the wilderness, receives visions, and establ…

Lent: the Christian season of preparation before Easter Lent Lent is a season in many Christian churches of penitence, fasting, prayer and charity observed in the weeks before Easter, recalling Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness and prepari…

Letter of Jeremiah A short deuterocanonical epistle attributed to the prophet Jeremiah that warns against idolatry; included in some Christian canons and valued for its anti-idolatry rhetoric and his…

Levite (member of the Israelite tribe of Levi) Levite Levite: an Israelite male traced patrilineally to the Tribe of Levi. Overview of origin, religious roles in the Tabernacle and Temple, later developments and modern ceremonial func…

Libation: Ritual Pouring of Liquids in Religious and Cultural Practice Libation Libation is the ceremonial offering of liquids to deities, ancestors, or sacred places. It appears across cultures as a form of homage, purification, or commemoration with varied i…

Liberal Christianity: ideas, history, and contemporary significance Liberal Christianity Liberal Christianity comprises diverse movements that apply critical inquiry, reason, and modern thought to Christian faith; it emphasizes ethical practice, openness to revision, a…

Liberation theology: principles, history, and influence Liberation theology A Christian theological movement emphasizing solidarity with the poor, social justice, and political engagement. Originated in Latin America in the 1960s–70s and sparked debate ove…

Lingam (Linga): Symbol, forms and significance in Hindu traditions Linga A lingam or linga is an aniconic symbol associated chiefly with Shiva in Hinduism. This article explains its meanings, forms, ritual use, principal sites, historical context and di…

List of Chief Rabbis of Israel Overview and context for the two Chief Rabbis of Israel (Ashkenazi and Sephardi), their roles, history, selection, and a selection of notable officeholders.

Christian denominations by number of members List of Christian denominations by number of members Overview of how Christian denominations are compared by membership, the challenges in counting, typical large groupings, and why rankings vary across sources.

List of Religions and Spiritual Traditions List of religions Survey of religions and spiritual traditions worldwide, outlining major groupings, defining features, historical development, examples, and how lists are organized and used.

Liturgy: Forms, Structure, and Significance Liturgy An overview of liturgy as ordered public worship: its structure, history, common elements, uses across traditions, and distinctions from non-liturgical practices.

Lollardy: a medieval English movement for religious reform Lollardy Lollardy was a late medieval English religious movement inspired by John Wycliffe that criticized clerical power, promoted vernacular scripture, and influenced later Protestant ref…

Lord's Prayer (Our Father, Pater Noster) Lord's Prayer Overview of the Lord's Prayer: origins in the Gospels, textual variations, theological themes, liturgical use, and its role across Christian traditions.

Lotus position (Padmasana): description, history, uses, and variations Lotus position Padmasana, or the lotus position, is a seated cross-legged posture used in yoga and meditation. This article explains how to adopt it, its cultural history, benefits, common variat…

Lucifer: name, origins, and cultural development Lucifer Lucifer originally meant ‘light-bringer’ and referred to the morning star; over time the term became associated with Satan through biblical translation, literary tradition, and pop…

Luther Bible A landmark German translation of the Bible by Martin Luther, first issued in full in 1534. It shaped Protestant worship, modern German language, and the use of vernacular scripture…

Lutheran Church–Canada A confessional Lutheran denomination in Canada, formed in 1988 from LCMS congregations. The LCC practices traditional liturgy, trains pastors at a national seminary, and maintains…

Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod: history, beliefs, and organization Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a conservative, confessional Lutheran body in the United States, founded in 1847. This article outlines its history, doctrine, structur…

Lutheranism Protestant Christian tradition originating with Martin Luther in the 16th century; emphasizes justification by faith, the authority of Scripture, two sacraments, and retained litur…

Macumba (term and practice in Afro-Brazilian religion) Macumba Macumba is a flexible, often contentious term applied to Afro-Brazilian religious practices and folk magic. It overlaps with Umbanda, Candomblé and Quimbanda and has been used both…

Madhhab: Islamic Schools of Jurisprudence Madh'hab Madhhab (madhahib) are schools of Islamic law (fiqh) that interpret religious sources. Major Sunni, Shia and Ibadi traditions developed distinct methods and legal opinions over cen…

Maghrebi Jews (North African Jewish communities) Maghrebi Jews Jews originating in the Maghreb (western North Africa), with distinct languages, rites and history shaped by ancient settlement, Iberian exile, and modern migration to Israel and E…

Mahajir (Pakistan): Urdu-speaking migrants and their descendants Mahajir (Pakistan) Mahajirs are Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after 1947. Concentrated in urban Sindh (especially Karachi and Hyderabad), they are a non‑tribal community with notable…

Mahayana Buddhism: the Great Vehicle Mahayana Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism emphasizing the bodhisattva ideal, universal liberation, diverse scriptures and practices, and influence across East Asia and beyond.

Mahdavia (Mahdawi) movement: origins, beliefs, and legacy Mahdavia Mahdavia (Mahdawi) is a 15th-century Mahdi movement founded by Syed Jaunpuri. This article summarizes its origins, core teachings, practices, geographic presence and the related Zi…

Maliki madhhab — Sunni school of Islamic jurisprudence Maliki Maliki is one of four major Sunni schools of Islamic law. Originating with Imam Malik, it emphasizes the practice of Medina and is widely followed across North and West Africa.

Mandaeism: the Mandaean faith of the lower Mesopotamian rivers Mandaeism Ancient monotheistic, dualistic religion of the Mandaeans from southern Mesopotamia, known for repeated river baptism, Mandaic scriptures, reverence for John the Baptist, a distinc…