The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2315 page)

(Skt.,
su
, ‘to press’).
1
Intoxicating or hallucinogenic juice or substance, offered in Hinduism to the gods, and ingested by the
brahmans
and other participants in sacrificial rituals. The identification of the plant is uncertain and contested. All 114 hymns of
g Veda
9 are addressed to Soma. The ways of preparing and drinking soma are carefully described, and it is said to make one acquire the eight powers of the god.
2
Hindu moon god who protects herbs and rides in a chariot drawn by white horses or antelopes. The moon is the cup of soma (above).

 
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see
CREMATION
;
SOUL
(Christianity).

 
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see
CULTURAL RELATIVITY AND RELIGION
; Introduction.

 
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see
SACRIFICE
(Hinduism).

 
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(Korean). Ch’an/Zen in Korea. During the latter half of the Silla dynasty (668–935), the nine S
n traditions (‘Nine Mountains’), which comprise S
n Buddhism, were founded, seven of them being derived from the lineage of Matsu Tao-i (709–88) of the southern school of Chinese Ch’an. These nine traditions were integrated into the Chogye sect by
Chinul
(1158–1210), and it is this Chogye tradition that became dominant at the end of the 16th cent. and continues to this day to be the most influential Buddhist sect in Korea.