Hinduism and Islam on human relationships.
Front cover Page 1 Contents page Page 2 Views and beliefs on marriage Pages 3 and 4 Marriage ceremonies Pages 5 to 7 Views on sexual relationships and abortion Page 8 Roles of men and women Page 9 Hinduism Marriage in Hinduism is portrayed as a very important thing and examples of religious devotion to your partner can be found between Krishna and Radha or between Rama and Sita in the famous poem The Ramayana. Hindu gods get married and have children also. The gods also demonstrate what an ideal relationship with one's husband/wife should be. For example, the gods Shiva and Parvarti are often held up as the ideal couple. Women will often pray for a husband like Shiva and follow Parvarti's patient example in waiting for one to come along (It is said that Parvarti waited sixteen years until she met Shiva). Marriage is enforced in Hinduism and is regarded as a religious duty and choosing to stay single is not encouraged. One cannot reach moksha (release of the soul from the chain of rebirth) unless they fulfil their dharma (religious duty in life). Marriage is also the 13th samskara a Hindu will pass through in their life. The samskaras are sixteen rituals, which mark stages in a person's life (the first concerns the moment of conception whilst the last are the funeral rites). Another reason why Hindus are encouraged to marry is because some
Social Structures - Sacred space.
Social Structures Sacred space A Hindus most sacred space is inside a temple. Hindus believe that the Gods designate certain areas where they show their willingness to make themselves visible to humans and to be accessible to them. Temples are places where that visibility and accessibility is prolonged, with the Gods showing themselves in the form of sacred symbols and images in a small sanctuary. This small sanctuary is known as garbhagriha (womb chamber). The Hindu temples are built on sacred sites. An ancient text describes the places where Gods are more likely to show themselves: 'The Gods always play where groves are, near rivers, mountains and springs and in towns with pleasure gardens.' These are where the temples can be built, some sites being associated with the deeds or manifestation of a God. Hindus believe that most Hindus have a shrine to a god particular to that house. It may have a small statue of Krishna or a picture of Shiva or Durga. If the householder has a guru, a photo of the guru will appear, to remind the worshipper of the guru's teachings. This shrine will be the focus of household puja, (worship). Offerings of food or drink may be laid before the statues, and prayers may be said. Hindus also believe that rivers are sacred due to their idea of the river is meant to have purifying and healing powers. An ideal resting place after death and cremation
Body Ritual Among the Nacirema
Body Ritual Among the Nacirema Horace Miner What is the precise geographical location of this strange tribe, the Nacirema? The Nacirema is a North American group living in the territory between the Canadian Cree, the Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico, and the Carib and Arawak of the Antilles. Little is known of their origin, though tradition states that they came from the east. What are the private and secret shrines of the Nacirema? In the Nacirema, the belief is that the human body is ugly and that its natural tendency is to debility and disease. Every household has one or more shrines devoted to the hope that mans body will be changed through the use of the powerful influences of ritual and ceremony. Each family has at least on such shrine; the rituals associated with it are not family ceremonies but are private and secret. The rites are normally only discussed with children, and then only during the period when they are being initiated into these mysteries. The focal point of the shrine is a box or chest which is built into the wall. Many charms and magical potions without which no native believes he could live. These preparations are secured from a variety of specialized practitioners. The most powerful of these are the medicine men, whose assistance must be rewarded with substantial gifts. Who are the Nacirema's holy-mouth-men? In the hierarchy of
RE Coursework Section B - Hinduism
Hinduism Coursework Section B A Mandir is a Hindu place of worship. It can also be used as a social centre where activities such as dancing and games take place. Birth and wedding ceremonies are also held in certain Mandirs. They may also be used for education, teaching languages such as Gujerati and Hindi. The original use for Mandirs in India was for religious worship, not for ceremonies. However in Britain as Hinduism is a minority religion there is not enough space to have dedicated ceremony buildings so they must all be done in the Mandir. Where as in India the main religion is Hinduism so many other ceremony buildings can be built especially for each ceremony. In Britain Mandirs are used for: Social activities, ceremonies and social activities. Therefore the three main functions of a Mandir are: * Religious Importance * Social Importance * Educational Importance Religious Importance A Mandir is important to Hindu's without a shrine at home because it gives them an opportunity to worship their deities and also socialize with the Hindu Community. It is also helpful for people who do have shrines at home, as there may be many distractions and the Mandir can provide a quiet place to go and worship in peace. As some people also find it hard to concentrate at home, the Mandir can help them focus on worship as everyone else is also worshipping so they can concentrate
hinduism: ahimsa
Hinduism Hinduism is full of many meaningful and inspiring aspects that are essentials to living in a much-fantasized-perfect world. First mentioned in the Upanishads, Ahimsa I believe is an important aspect that is much needed in our modern-day environment. It's the act of love, the act of refraining from causing harm to any living creature. When you refrain from causing harm to one, it does not apply only to stopping a knife short of someone's throat, but also refraining from causing any kind of pain to others like hurtful words, actions, and hateful thoughts. Ahimsa is replacing hatred for love, and in return receiving truth and a purified heart. To just imagine living in a world where nature blossomed at its own pace with no obstruction, and people weren't discriminated against, backstabbed, hurt, nor in any sort of pain...is just unrealistic. For one, attaining pure ahimsa is impossible since we must destroy life in order to live. For example, we're constantly killing millions of bacteria and germs per second. A life with no fear, no pain, and no harassment is what most people hope for. Once again, I don't believe there's a solution for all the conflicts in the world to stop so that we can live in absolute peace. But I do believe that less fear, less pain, and less harassment can be achieved through having faith in ahimsa and applying it in our everyday lives. If we can
Select and Describe and Explain the importance of Hindu Worship in the Temple
Hinduism Coursework Select and Describe and Explain the importance of Hindu Worship in the Temple Moksha (Freedom or Salvation) from the cycle of birth and death is the ultimate goal of Hindu religious life. Moksha is defined as: 'The final release and liberation of the inner self or atman.' The individual soul (atman), in its liberated state, possesses divine qualities such as purity, omnipresence and omnipotence, and is beyond limitations. Within the individual, however, the atman is involved in the working of samsara. Moksha is attainted when the individual becomes liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains eventual union with the Supreme Being. This union can be achieved through true knowledge (gyana or jnana), devotion (bhakti), or right work (karma). These can all be performed at home or even at the mandir, the Hindu place of worship. The mandir is often the most prominent building in the village in India. They are made of bricks and are brightly painted and decorated with images of the deities. There are simple mandirs in streets and villages and most Hindu homes have their own where they undertake Puja. The mandir is a special place for the encounter between the worshipper and the divine. They are not usually used as a meeting place for a congregation but are mainly used for individual worship or for small groups. The Hindu temple is a symbol
Hinduism Pilgrimage.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION A HINDU PILGRIMAGE COURSEWORK BY SHIVANI PATEL INTRODUCTION My RE GCSE Hinduism coursework is about Pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is when Hindus go to a holy place to experience some spiritual healing. A pilgrim has to endure hardship and mental strength. A pilgrimage site could be a shrine, temple, holy city or even a river. Pilgrimages could be where a miraculous event has occurred, and usually there is a temple there as well. Although pilgrimages are not a written rule for Hindus to follow, many Hindus feel obliged to go on a pilgrimage at least once. There are many natural holy sites, such as the River Ganges, and the Himalayas. Here, there are temples of worship to be found. Along the Ganges, there is the city of Benares, also known as Varanasi. I shall be writing about this particular pilgrimage further in my course work. The Himalayas, which is seen as one of the closest states of being near to the gods, are also popular. Mount Kailasha is a strenuous journey, for the sake of the god Shiva. Another magnificent city is that of Puri. Here, the Jagannatha temple holds a festival in June or July. This festival is a procession dedicated to a form of the god Vishnu. One of the most famous pilgrimages is at Hardwar, the Kumbha-mela. The Kumbha-mela is a sacred event, which takes place every twelve years. This holy place is where Hindus take a ritual
Do the temples you have studied. Bear out Tomlinson's view that there was a "lack of innovation in Greek architecture?"
CLASSICS ART & ARCHITECTURE ESSAY- Lack Of Innovation? Task: Do the temples you have studied. Bear out Tomlinson's view that there was a "lack of innovation in Greek architecture?" Greek art and architecture is one of history's most renowned beauties, and wonders of the world. Even up to this day and age, where these unique and admirable buildings and temples may have deteriorated and eroded into mere blocks of stone, years and centuries filled with history and myth are explained in these remains. Tomlinson's opinion that Greek architecture lacked innovation is invalid to me, as I know that there were significant changes amongst the various temples in Ancient Greece. They are not all the same; each one is unique and symbolic in its presence and significance. Tomlinson may have thought that Greek Architecture all looked the same because many of them did have similar features. The Ancient Greeks loved tradition, and they loved unity in the structure and architecture of their buildings. However, this is not to say that they were all made in the same image, and they are all identical and mere duplications of one another. For one thing, they all had columns. This is an obvious evidence to differentiate Greek architecture from, for example, Roman architecture which seldom, or didn't have columns on their buildings. All the Ancient Greek architecture was made out of
Describe the origins of two modern Hindu groups and explain the way in which they have developed.
Describe the origins of two modern Hindu groups and explain the way in which they have developed. Today there are many, many Hindu groups all with different origins, beliefs and practises. One of these is ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), a primarily western groups (although there are ISKCON centres all over the world including in India). ISKCON was founded by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (often referred to a Srila Prabhupada for short). Srila Prabhupada took birth in this world in Calcutta in 1896, on the day after Janmastami (Lord Krishna's appearance day). The name given to him at birth was Abhay Charan De. The inspiration for Srila Prabhupda's like came from his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, whom he met in 1922 at the age of 26. Srila Prabhupada was immediately recognised by his teacher as an 'intelligent young man'. His teacher then asked him, 'why don't you preach the message of the Lord Chaitanya(an incarnation of Krishna who appeared in the 15th century in India) in English?'. (quote taken from an email received from the president of ISKCON Calcutta). In 1932 Srila Prabhupada became Srila Bhaktisddhanta's officially initiated disciple. In a letter Srila Bhaktisiddharta wrote in 1936 (shortly before he died) he said to Srila Prabhupada 'I am fully confident you can explain in English our
A Hindu Marriage Ceremony.
A Hindu Marriage Ceremony The importance of marriage in the Hindu community is expressed in the Samskar, or ritual, of the wedding. The ceremony differs from one community to another. In India it would take place at the bride's home. In Britain a hall may be booked for the occasion. Sisters, female cousins and aunts dress the bride. The sari and jewellery will be gifts from her family. It is the Hindu costum for the parents to arrange a marriage. A priest then looks at horoscopes to find if it is a perfect match. The wedding and the feast afterwards, can last for three days. Each family has its own priest who builds a sacred fire. A priest leads the ceremony. He prepares for the Havan by lighting the ritual fire and reciting hymns calling on the gods to bless the occasion. When the groom arrives he is garlanded with flowers. The couple are seated by the sacred fire. In the past there would have been a veil between the couple until they were married as they would not of known each other. Then the couple will have met but often the bride and groom partly cover their faces. Then the priest recites verses from the scriptures in Sanskrit (the ancient language of the Vedas) and leads the couples through their meaning. The bride, her father and the groom make offerings of ghee and incense at the fire. Also at this time, the bride is given gold ornaments, various (saris) and