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5 What Is Ifa

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Deep Knowledge
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Chapter•5Ọsa Otura says, “What is Truth?” I say “What is Truth?”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the Lord of Heaven guiding the Earth.”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the Unseen One guiding the Earth. The wisdom of Olodumare, he is using.”Ọsa Otura says, “What is Truth?” I say, “What is Truth?”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the character [iwa] of Olodumare. Truth is the word that cannot fall. Ifa is Truth. Truth is the word that cannot spoil. Might surpassing all. Blessing everlasting”was the one who cast Ifa for Earth.They said they should come and speak the truth.“Speak the truth, tell the facts;Speak the truth, tell the facts;Those who speak the truth are those whom the gods will help.”—Odu Ọsa-OturaYoruba ethics means: to become through ritual, a being who knows more and understands more, a person who lives more and is more.—Ulli BeierWhat Is Ifa?
© 2021 Penn State University Press

Chapter•5Ọsa Otura says, “What is Truth?” I say “What is Truth?”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the Lord of Heaven guiding the Earth.”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the Unseen One guiding the Earth. The wisdom of Olodumare, he is using.”Ọsa Otura says, “What is Truth?” I say, “What is Truth?”Ọrunmila says, “Truth is the character [iwa] of Olodumare. Truth is the word that cannot fall. Ifa is Truth. Truth is the word that cannot spoil. Might surpassing all. Blessing everlasting”was the one who cast Ifa for Earth.They said they should come and speak the truth.“Speak the truth, tell the facts;Speak the truth, tell the facts;Those who speak the truth are those whom the gods will help.”—Odu Ọsa-OturaYoruba ethics means: to become through ritual, a being who knows more and understands more, a person who lives more and is more.—Ulli BeierWhat Is Ifa?
© 2021 Penn State University Press

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. List of Illustrations viii
  4. Acknowledgments ix
  5. Introduction: African Philosophy 1
  6. Part 1: Ways of Knowing in Tijani Sufism
  7. 1 What Is Tijani Sufism 31
  8. 2 What Is Maʿrifa 56
  9. 3 How Is Maʿrifa Acquired 108
  10. 4 How Does Tarbiya Work 159
  11. Part 2: Ways of Knowing in Ifa
  12. 5 What Is Ifa 195
  13. 6 Knowledge in Ifa 231
  14. 7 How Is Knowledge Acquired in Ifa 251
  15. 8 How Is Knowledge Verified in Ifa 305
  16. Part 3: Comparing Ifa and Tijani Sufism
  17. 9 Comparing Ifa and Tijani Sufism 323
  18. 10 Comparative Conclusions 351
  19. Notes 397
  20. Index 439
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https://doi.org/10.1515/9780271087634-008

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter i
  2. Contents vii
  3. List of Illustrations viii
  4. Acknowledgments ix
  5. Introduction: African Philosophy 1
  6. Part 1: Ways of Knowing in Tijani Sufism
  7. 1 What Is Tijani Sufism 31
  8. 2 What Is Maʿrifa 56
  9. 3 How Is Maʿrifa Acquired 108
  10. 4 How Does Tarbiya Work 159
  11. Part 2: Ways of Knowing in Ifa
  12. 5 What Is Ifa 195
  13. 6 Knowledge in Ifa 231
  14. 7 How Is Knowledge Acquired in Ifa 251
  15. 8 How Is Knowledge Verified in Ifa 305
  16. Part 3: Comparing Ifa and Tijani Sufism
  17. 9 Comparing Ifa and Tijani Sufism 323
  18. 10 Comparative Conclusions 351
  19. Notes 397
  20. Index 439
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