Hindu Practices Flashcards
Why do Hindus worship?
-sacred structures instruct them to
-worship will bring them closer to Brahman
-worship will help atman achieve moksha
-to show gratitude, praise of commitment to Brahman & deities
What does “there are two ways of contemplation of Brahman: in sounds and in silence.” Mean and where does it come from
Upanishads - worship can include both sung or spoken prayers as well as silent meditation.
What does “When a man know God, he is free: his sorrows have an end and birth and dead are no more…” mean and where is it from?
Upanishads
Prayers and worship can release the atman from the samsara cycle
What does “With upright body, head and neck, lead the mind and its powers into thy heart…..” mean and where is it from?
Upanishads
Worship can include body as well as mind
What does “Bear me in mind, with love to me, revere me, sacrifice, I promise you with come to me……” mean and where does it come from?
Bhagavad Gita
Shouting love, devotion and commitment to Brahman can lead to Moksha
What are the key features of worship in the home?
-Pray to particular deity - more personal and relatable
-murti is a statue or image of a deity used in worship
-Murtis shown great respect, cleaned, offered food, clothes.
What 2 types of service are there in the mandir?
Formal service - led by someone - follows format
Informal service - choose what you want to do - no format
Give 2 details about mandirs appearance?
-Highly decorative & elaborate
-Often covered in carvings of deities
-Place of stillness & quiet
Why are mandirs highly decorative and elaborate?
The time, effort, money put into the construction of it is seen as a form of worship itself
Why are mandirs often covered in carvings of deities
The carvings of deities are believed to ward away bad energy and evil spirits, making the mandir a place of good energy, calm and holiness
Why are mandirs a place of stillness and quiet?
To allow for prayer & meditation to allow for a suitably respectful environment to become closer to Brahman
Give a quote about the mandir and explain it
“The temple is a link between man and God” - Jay Lakhani
This quote shows that the mandir is where God can link with man and shows worshipping in mandir is crucial as there is connection between man and god
What is the purpose an meaning of the Aarati ceremony
-The main ceremony that happens in mandir
-Aarati is made of ‘a’ meaning complete and ‘rati’ meaning ‘love’
-Where Hindus show love and devotion to the deities and Brahman
What happens at the Aarati ceremonies?
- A murti of deity is brought and displayed in front of worshippers
-long wicks are lit and waved in front of the deity - believed that the golem infuses with deities love
-prayers are such while candles waved away- prayers joyous and include instruments.
-lighted wicks passed around - people receive love and protection
-Hindus will put hand over flame for blessing from diety
Symbolism and importance of Aarati ceremony
-Offerings are made - flowers, incense, water - symbolises all creation and people offering everything they love and are
-burning flame meant to symbolise sacrifice, people offer their own lives in service of Brahman and deities
-The flame symbolises knowledge cutting through darkness as people pray for wisdom & moksha - let go of distractions
What is the purpose and meaning of the Havan ceremony?
- havan ceremony is the name of fire sacrifice performed to deity Agni
-Hindus believe Agni is the god of fire and the fire is purifying meaning it can cleanse a person of bad energy or wrongdoing
-allowing them to focus fully on God on the material world around them
What happens during the Havan ceremony?
-Fire pit used
-people make offerings to the sacred fires throw fruit, flowers, wood into fire representing world
-Believed that this sacrifice purifies the environment as well as the people around driving away all negative energies - allows person to focus fully on what is right and how to live a good life
Symbolism and importance of Havan ceremony
The fire pit ritual represents the ultimate energy inside us all, un the rest of the universe. The ceremony is supposed to remind people to use this energy for good.
Symbolism and importance of Darshan
For Hindus, Darshan is about more looking at a deity. About seeing the truth if the world, truth of life and truth of Brahman. A persons soul brought closer to enlightenment and Brahman therefore moksha
What does the word Darshan mean?
Means to view or to look
What does Darshan involve?
Hindus spending time contemplating the deities - this beholding of a deity is considered the result in the person receiving a blessing or allowing the person time and space to contemplate life.
What is the practice of Darshan closely linked to?
Yoga
What is Bhajan / Kirtan?
-sing or hymns is called Bhajan
-narrative songs telling story of deities is called kirtan
-both forms usually have 1 singer accompanied by music and a choir
-they have no prescribed form, or set rules it is in free form and the effort shows worship and devotion
What is a mantra?
Type of chant
