In certain denominations of The Church of Latter Day Saints, the endowment (or temple endowment) is a requirement of the faith.
Although the ritual was fairly Old Testament when it was first developed in the mid-nineteenth century — including ritual washing, anointing with oil, and the donning of the temple garment — it later developed some theatrical elements, including a staging of the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden.
Most Mormons will not discuss the exact nature of the ceremony, as, like many religious rituals, its sacred meaning would certainly get lost in translation.
In the world of the academy, an endowment is money that a university or college has saved up to fund things like scholarships and new positions. These endowments are not immune to conditions in the larger economy. See avarice.