Hindu worship.

Hindu worship. Hindu Worship is known as puja. It is carried out in the home of Hindus before a shrine, or in the Hindu temple, which is known as a mandir. Hindu worship involves all five senses of touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing, and also what Hindus consider to be the five basic elements: light, fire, earth, air and water. Hindus wash thoroughly before prayers at home. When they enter a temple, they remove their shoes. They show respect to the gods by making offerings of money or food (rice, nuts or fruit) to the shrines of the gods. Puja begins with the washing of the images of the gods. They are washed with water, and sometimes with a milk based mixture called panchamrit. Next the images of the gods are anointed with a perfumed, coloured marks made of haldi (turmeric) and kumkum. These marks are called tilaka and are also worn by Hindu priests and Hindu women. Offerings of food and flowers are now made to the images. The offering of food is made because the gods provide people with all their needs. The offerings of flowers are a sign of respect and worship. Incense is burnt before the image and a bell is rung. Both of these show the respect of the worshipper and announce the presence of the god. In the temple the curtains would now be drawn before the gods, and the people spend some time in prayer. The climax of the worship is the lighting of the Arti lamp.

  • Word count: 372
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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A place of Hindu worship.

A place of Hindu worship. (a ii) In the Mandir the most important person is the priest who is also the leader of that Mandir. The priest and his helpers are there to conduct the worship because only they can enter the holiest part of the temple, which is the shrine. The priest takes the gifts that people have brought and offers them to the image of the god. He will also ring some small bells to 'warn' the god that people are coming to worship. The image of the god is placed in the center of the shrine, which is made out of wood, stone or bronze. This is due to the rules from the Hindu holy books. It is believed that the image has within it the life force of the god it represents, which will have entered during a special ceremony conducted by a Brahmin priest. The image is treated specially and the priest conducts a daily ritual by taking care of the image as if it was alive. This means that the most important duty is also lead by the priest. We could see that the priest in the temple is respected and plays an important role in a Hindu mandir. Every temple has a priest no matter if it's a large or small temple, it would be taken care by a priest. In small villages the priest in the temple will be a part time and a non-Brahmin, however in the large temples they will have a full-time staff of Brahmins. The priest's task is to help those who come to worship and to act

  • Word count: 2060
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Why is the Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae an interesting building?

Why is the Temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae an interesting building? The Phigaleians built the temple sometime between the 450-420 BC. Pausanias says that it was constructed as a thanksgiving gift to Apollo, who was believed to have cured an outbreak of the plague that struck Greece during the years 429 - 427 BC at the time of the Peloponnesian war. The name Epikourios that usually follows the deity's name means the Helper or the Saviour. The temple is high up in the Arcadian Mountains on Mt Kotilion. Most of the columns and the architrave have survived because of the isolation of the temple. The temple was isolated and was thought lost until 1765 AD when the French archaeologist Bocher discovered it. Because of its isolation, not many travellers reached the temple before 1811. In 1811, an expedition managed to get to the temple. The expedition included the archaeologists C. R. Cockerell and Haller von Hallerstein. They discovered the frieze of the temple. Excavations continued into the next year and in 1814, the frieze and other fragments of the temple were sold in Zante. They were obtained on behalf of the British Government and are now in the British Museum in London. Pausanias says that the architect was Iktinos, who was one of the architects of the Parthenon and the most well known architect in the Greek world. According to Pausanias, Iktinos was commissioned from

  • Word count: 2305
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Describe a Hindu marriage service.

Tom Muldowney Hindu Marriage Describe a Hindu marriage service A Hindu marriage is considered to be a holy and religious duty. It's not just a bond between two people but an alliance between two families. It used to be that the marriages where always arranged, but now the couple have more of a say in the matter. This means the marriages now are more guided than arranged. Once the choice has been made, priest looks up the partner's horoscopes to find a good time for the wedding. In India it would take place in the bride's home and in Britain it would be in a large hall where many family members from around the globe would come for the ceremony. The wedding is usually quite a pricey affair for the bride's family, especially if it happens in her home because her father would have most likely agreed to give a dowry (money given for taken the daughter) to her husband. Although this is an illegal practice, it is still observed, sometimes as a matter of pride. In a Hindu marriage 1st of all, the entire bridegroom and his family are welcomed at the bride's house. The families introduce one another and the bridegroom is brought to a specially decorated alter called a Mandap, offered a seat and a welcoming drink, a mixture of milk, ghee, yoghurt and honey. The next step is songs of blessing. The bride and groom stand facing one another. The priest and an assistance holds a silk

  • Word count: 997
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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AO1 Describe the Teachings...

A01 Describe the teachings and beliefs of Hinduism about death and what might happen afterwards Hindu's believe that death is not the end of life. They believe in the circle of life and death known as reincarnation. This is where the atman (eternal soul) travels from the dead body of a Hindu and is reborn into its next phase of life. In the Hindu religion it is believed that the atman is completely separate from the physical body. Hindu's believe your atman will be reborn in a certain form depending on your karma. Hindu's don't like the idea of being reborn after death, they wish to reach Moksha, this is when a Hindu becomes one with his or her god. Hindu's can achieve this by gaining good karma. Karma is what Hindu's believe they receive once they complete a deed, whether it is good or bad Hindu's still gain karma. Hindu's believe every action has a consequence and whenever they gain karma their actions will be repaid. For example if a Hindu killed someone they would get a fair bit of bad karma, this karma imbalance would be repaid either, sometime during the Hindu's life, when the atman passes through the cycle of reincarnation (it may be reborn as a pickle) or maybe even during the next life of the Hindu. The Better Karma a Hindu has the higher up the reincarnation ladder he or she will be reborn the top of the ladder being Moksha. The Atman is what a Hindu believes is

  • Word count: 1496
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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In the opinion of the house honesty takes you further than hypocrisy.

* In the opinion of the house honesty takes you further than hypocrisy Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious This was the magic word used by Mary Poppins. A word such as honesty, which is equally as magical but, unfortunately can only be used in an Utopian world. Good morning! Respected chair persons and my esteemed opponents ,on an overall view when you take honesty on one side and hypocrisy on the other and when you go indepth and ponder over it I guarantee you that your defense will lean towards hypocrisy. We are all mature individuals and we should think realistically. Do you think that in today's corrupt, materialistic world honesty will help you attain your goals? Well, if you are going through life today with honesty, you are as foolish as 'a blind man searching for a black cat in a dark room, especially when there is no cat!!' Hypocrisy is what keeps you on your feet in the present world. Take George Bush for example. As president of the United states he is one of the most powerful men in the world today but yet he is claimed to be one of the biggest hypocrites. Dec 13th,2001- Headlines in the Hindu - ' Pakistani militants attack Indian Parliament ' Dec 14th ,2001- Headlines in the Hindu- 'President Bush condemns attacks and says that Pakistan should back their words with actions' Exactly 10 days later while flipping through the Hindu I see the headlines. 'Bush

  • Word count: 854
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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R.S. Assessment - Comparing Hindu and Christian weddings

R.S. Assessment - Comparing Hindu and Christian weddings Hindu The bride is centre of attention. Her mother, sisters and other female relatives help her prepare. In India the ceremony is held at the brides home. In the U.K, however, it is usually held at a Hindu hall or temple. Firstly the bride is asked if she has agreed to marry the groom. Once she has confirmed her father places her hand into the grooms. Then the family exchange gifts. The groom receives gifts from the bride's family and the bride is often given jewellery. The couple receive presents and gifts of money for their new life. The priest then prepares the sacred fire, which the couple face. A mark of coloured powder is put on their foreheads as a sign of their taking part in the ceremony. Offerings are prepared for the deities and the priest asks them to bless the wedding. The bride may wear a red dot know as a tilak sign of her being married. The couple repeat prayers and blessings recited by the priest and a sprinkling of a mixture of ghlee and grains into the flames of the sacred fire. They walk around the fire the seven steps took represents: Food, Energy, Wealth, Happiness, Children, Seasons and Friendship. Christianity The things that the couple must be/have to get married: * A bride and groom who make certain legal statement * A witness * Someone who is authorised to conduct a wedding ceremony

  • Word count: 546
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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To what extent were propaganda and national pride as important as religion in the design, construction and decoration of the Parthenon?

To what extent were propaganda and national pride as important as religion in the design, construction and decoration of the Parthenon? Although the decision to build the Parthenon was highly controversial in Athens because of the politics that surrounded it, was the Parthenon erected simply as sign of dedication to the gods? Or was it to fuel the dwindling pride of the Athenian citizens? By studying the structure, decoration and design, I hope to come to a conclusion as to whether the Parthenon was simply physical evidence of Athenian pride or whether it was pride in religion. Brief History Though the Persian wars were possibly over before the Parthenon was being considered, the wars played a vital role for Athens and her temples. During the wars, the armies of Persia attacked Athens and sacked the city leaving much of it in ruins, including the new temple in honour of Athene atop the Acropolis that was under construction. During the struggle, many of the states in Greece joined together to fight against the Persians and decided that they should not rebuild any of the temples that had been destroyed by the Persians to have an eternal memory of the devastation they caused and the lack of respect they have for religion. The once impressive city of Athens was reduced to dust, with small basic houses and nothing really imposing. The relatively basic buildings of Athens must

  • Word count: 2539
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Why Akbar Was SoSuccessful

Emperor Akbar ruled the Mughal Empire between the years 1556 and 1605. He was born in the year 1542 in Umarkot, Sind, which is now in Pakistan. After his father, Emperor Humayon, slipped down his library steps and died, Akbar succeeded him, aged just 13 years old. To begin with, he did not govern the Empire himself, but under a regent called Bairam Khan, however in 1560 when he was 18 years old, he dismissed Khan, and began to manage the realm for himself. Akbar's rule is renowned for being incredibly successful. This is for several reasons. He was an excellent battle leader, he was tolerant and understanding, he was powerful, but perhaps most importantly, he was incredibly intelligent. Emperor Akbar was famously very tolerant, perhaps due to his astuteness. He probably realised that some of the most effective forms of power occur through trust and respect for a leader, and not solely fear. Although the Mughal conquerors were Muslims, most citizens in the empire were Hindu. Rather than doing what some of his predecessors had done and trying to convert the Hindus to their own Islamic beliefs, Akbar tolerated their religion. In fact, two of his 300 wives were princess from Rajputana. Not only was this tactical by displaying his open support for Hindus, it was clever because the Rajputs were famous for having many great warriors. Because of this relationship that was formed,

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Describe a visit to a Hindu place of pilgrimage, explaining its importance to believers.

R1 Describe a visit to a Hindu place of pilgrimage, explaining its importance to believers. The fireball of midday sun is high above in the azure sky. No clouds offer the refuge of shade and most of the trees have withered under the scorching, intense glare of the sun. In front of me, hundreds of people, all ages, shapes and sizes rush to the riverside. I stand at the bank of the most significant and cherished river of my faith, the Holy River Ganges. Different smells mingle together - spices, body odours, and rotting corpse. To an out-sider it seems like total chaos, but for me, it is like coming home. Masses of people tumble past to get to the river, slipping and sliding on the concrete Ghats (platforms or steps where pilgrimers bathe or people cremate bodies) and end up colliding with naked bodies bathing in the Ganges. On the roads, tradesmen and stall people try their hardest to sell passers-by something, whether it be insect ridden fruit or tiny miniscule statues of various Gods or Goddesses. The homeless line the streets like insulation from the outside world and urchins play in the dust. However they are all oblivious to their filthy surroundings, just content to be near the Ganges. On the far side of the riverbank I can see a funeral taking place. A burning corpse crowded by loved ones. A couple of metres down, a frail young woman stands alone on a rock, a

  • Word count: 2292
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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