Sowan, the first of the four paths an entrance into which secures, either immediately or more remotely, the attainment of the Buddhist Nirvana (q.v.). The path Sowan is divided into twenty-four sections, and after it has been entered there can be only seven more births between that period and the attainment of the Nirvana, which may be in any world but the four hells. This is the second gradation of being. — Gardner, Faiths of the World, s.v.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More