Hindu Practices Flashcards
Where do Hindus worship?
Bhagavan is found in his spiritual abode, the mandir intends to create this realm on earth
Antaryami lives in everyone’s heart
Brahman is everywhere
Analogy for Bhagavan, Antaryami and Brahman
The analogy of the sun:
The sun is in the sky (similar to how God resides in the heavenly planets)
The sun reflects in every bowl (similarly, God is in everyone’s heart)
The sun is everywhere through his rays (God is omnipresent)
Worship at temple
Pray and chant mantras (japa or kirtan)
Offer aarti, e.g. fire, water and incense
Celebrate festivals
Importance of worshipping at the temple
Opportunity for sewa (service)
Listen to holy people who visit
The spiritual realm is on earth
Worship at home
Miniature temples are decorated
Pictures of deities
A focal point for daily worship
Importance of worshipping at home
Develop personal relationships
Auspicious start to the day
Every day worship possible
Importance of worshipping in the heart
Honest communication with God
You are always with God
Relationship with God is always intimate
RR for worshiping
‘Offer me with love a leaf, I will accept it’ - B.G
‘Become My devotee, worship Me, you will come to Me without fail’ - B.G
Havan
The sacred fire ceremony
Importance of Havan
Upholds tradition
Purifies and sanctifies
Creates auspiciousness
Puja
Ritualistic worship of the sacred image
Importance of Puja
Helps individuals concentrate on the divine murti
A devotee can communicate to God daily and convey one’s feelings and concerns
Aarti
Offering light and other items
Importance of Aarti
It’s performed with reverence and adoration
Acknowledges that God is the source of everything and shows gratitude
Abihseka
Bathing the deity with water, juice or honey
Importance of Abihseka
Honours God and asks for his blessings
Can ask God to cleanse one’s fault
Yoga
Means to discipline and to connect
RR for Yoga
Fix your mind on me, absorb your intelligence in me - B.G
Ashtanga Yoga
The path of meditation
Meditation of Paramatma
Control of the mind and senses
Importance of Ashtanga Yoga
Focus on the self and control your body
Release stress, improving mental health
You also meditate at Kumbh Mela
RR for Ashtanga Yoga
‘With an upright body, it can lead the mind’ - Upanishad
Karma Yoga
The path of selfless act (sewa)
Rituals, especially puja and havan
E.g. giving to charity
Importance of Karma Yoga
Suits everyone
Easy and gradual process to learn and understand
Jnana Yoga
The path of knowledge and understanding
Learn from the Vedic scriptures
Teach & guide others on spiritual matters
Importance of Jnana Yoga
You can distinguish between illusion and reality
Accept what is beneficial for spiritual life and reject what is harmful
Bhakti Yoga
The path of devotion towards God (sewa)
Deity worship
Puja to shows love towards Bhagavan
Importance of Bhakti Yoga
Does not require skill, just devotion
Can incorporate all other yogas
Rediscover relationship with Krishna
RR for Bhakti Yoga
‘Bhakti Yoga surpasses those who practice austerities, learning or rituals’ - B.G
Analogies for the 4 Yogas
The analogy of the ladder
The analogy of the mountain
Diwali
The festival of lights at the beginning of the Hindu New Year
How is Diwali celebrated?
Celebrated for 5 days
New clothes are bought
Many people light fireworks
Exchange gifts
Importance of Diwali
Symbolizes the time for hope and the start of new life
Goodness beats evil
Family gatherings reinforce the importance of community
Story of Diwali
Ramayana
Holi
The festival of colour
How is Holi celebrated?
Celebrated for 2 days
People smother others with brightly coloured liquids and powders
Importance of Holi
Shows that Vishnu protects his devotees - reinforcing faith in God
Expression of love and laughter
Story of Holi
The story of Prahlada
Importance of festivals
To celebrate a key event in the life of a deity
Joyful celebrations of family relationships and the cycle of human life
Celebrating the birth, life and achievements of a Hindu saint
Family shrine
Shrines are shown respect by washing and changing their clothes
Swastika
Hindu symbol of the sun and prosperity
Points in every direction to symbolize God’s omnipresence
Guru
A teacher
Sadhu
A holy person
Sannyasin
The last stage of life
Swami
A title
Ashram
A place for spiritual worship
RR for Guru’s
‘Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master’ - B.G
Analogies of Guru’s
The analogy of a doctor
The analogy of the diver in the ocean
Where do Hindus go on pilgrimage?
River Ganges
The Himalayan mountains
Ayodhya Ram Mandir
Importance of Pilgrimage
To strengthen their faith and become close to God
To make amends for something they have done wrong
To make a spiritual journey on behalf of someone else
To ask for help or healing
To fulfil their religious duty
Story for pilgrimage
The story of the churning of the ocean -
Garuda (bird) had a jar of the nectar of immortality
Four drops fell into the site of pilgrimage
Therefore, people bathe at the River Ganges
Kumbh Mela
A pilgrimage that takes place every three years
Hindus bathe in the Ganges
Recite prayers
Offer garlands to Mother Ganges
Importance of Kumbh Mela
Bathing in the holy water brings purification and peace
People bathe together uniting communities
The environment
Hindus believe that all animals and plants are part of one harmonious creation
Ahimsa = non-violence
God is present in the world and therefore everything should be treated with respect
RR for the environment
‘God’s the Creator of all, everliving in His Creation’ - Upanishad
Why are cows protected by Hindus?
Considered one of the seven mothers
Vedas state that killing a cow is forbidden
Lord Krishna was a cowherd boy, so we should follow his example and respect them
Bhaktivedanta Manor Cow Protection Project
They look after cows
They put them in goshallas (retirement homes for cows)
Sewa
Selfless service
Dana
Giving money, hospitality and kindness to others
Story of Dana
The King and the cart-driver
Explains how he gives gifts without the thought of something in return
RR for Hindu charities
‘Charity given out of duty by a person is considered to be in the mode of goodness’ - BG
Sewa International
Charity improving the status of women
Spoken out on the significance of women and what needs to be done to empower women in the future
