4A Puja in home vs mandir Flashcards
What is Puja?
Puja is the act of showing reverence to God or another aspect of the divine through prayers, songs and rituals.
What is an essential part of puja for Hindus?
An essential part of puja for the Hindu devotee is making a spiritual connection with the divine. Most often that contact is facilitated through an object such as nature.
What is Darshan?
Darshan is a miraculous and very personal form of puja which can lead to direct visual communications with the deity.
Why is Darshan the most important part of puja within the temple?
It comes from the Sanskrit, meaning vision and refers to the sight of a holy being.
How many beliefs does a Hindu temple accommodate?
A Hindu temple must accommodate a wide range of beliefs for all Hindus and offerings brought to the temple are often more extravagant.
What does Krishna say in the Bhagavad Gita about offerings?
“Whoever offers me, with devotion and a pure heart, a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or a little water - I accept this offering”
Is Brahman omnipresent?
Brahman is omnipresent regardless of where puja is held: hence, puja in the home and mandir have the same divine purpose of contacting Brahman and showing devotion.
What did Saraswati say to support Brahman being omnipresent in puja?
“Wherever you focus your Divine attention, there Divinity resides”
Does puja follow a similar arti or procedure in both the home and mandir?
Yes. The murti is surrounded by flowers and perfumes and a simple form of worship is conducted using Mantras (prayers) and making offerings known as Prashad, as symbolic exchanges of love between worshipper and deity.
Why are flowers and incense both used in the home and mandir?
The flowers are brightly coloured to represent worldly desires. Incense is also used on both occasions to extinguish evil and ignorance and purify the air.
Why are holy scriptures recited in both the home and mandir?
Holy scriptures are recited to enable Hindus to learn lessons of worldly, faithful and religious life.
What quote is used to support the fact that both forms of puja aim to show thanks to Brahman and hope for the blessing of God in return?
“The best form of puja, the best form of worship, is to be happy, to be grateful”
Why do both forms of puja place great importance on Saguna Brahman?
As murtis are focal point of worship, honouring and communicating with the Divine
Are murtis used in the home and mandir and what is done to show their great importance?
Yes. Murtis are washed, bathed and clothed daily to show respect: since they represent Brahman, they are decorated to show high importance and divinity.
Why are different murtis used in homes to those found in the mandir?
Hindus prefer to focus on one aspect of God’s nature in the mandir and one murti is special to family within the home.
Who conducts puja?
Mandir: takes place in the presence of a priest, who cares for sacred image
Home: the mother which for many Hindus is of upmost importance to focus their devotion
Why do some Hindus find puja in the home challenging?
As they may not hold the mental capacity or expertise to perform ritual puja.
Although Hindus believe that Brahman is omnipresent, the temple is the only place where…
…the only focus is God; worshippers can turn back on distractions of everyday life
Temples play a role in…
…safe-guarding Hindu culture and identity: bring dispersed Hindu communities together through congregational puja
Why do many prefer home puja?
As their shrine will be more catered to the individual’s beliefs which develop a more intimate relationship with God
Many temples will focus on specific…
…deities end have shrines corresponding to consort or vehicle of deities - e.g. Bull for Shiva
