Worship Flashcards
Give examples of using 5 senses in Hindu worship
Hearing- chants, mantras, music, songs
Taste- prasadi will be given
Touch- water, flowers,aarti, prayer beads
Sight- statues, pictures, shrine, flowers
Smell- incense
What is hindu worship all about?
It is all about engaging the senses and doing things, not about following an ordered service.
Why do Hindus use idols in their worship?
Hindus believe that God is everywhere present in the idol, pictures or statues. It is a way of directing focus and keeping concentrated at all times. It is also a channel to direct prayers to god who is unseen and distant.
Define puja
Puja is the nearest word in Hinduism to “worship”. It actually means paying respect of homage to god through various actions that express the wish to please the chosen deity and offer service to them and hope for the blessing of god in return.
Is there a difference between puja at home and in a temple?
At home, the ritual is more basic and in the temple is it more elaborate and dramatic.
Name some objects found on a shrine in the home
Pictures and statues of gods and goddesses
Small copper vessel containing water from Ganges
Red kum kum powder, turmeric, sandalwood paste
Flowers and leaves
Food offerings
Incense
Small ghee lamp
Arti lamp
A small bell
What are the actions involved in puja and their meaning
Before puja, a hindu would bathe ,become clean and dress in clean clothes.
The deity is invited to be present in the image by special prayers and bell ringing.
Incense sticks are lit and so is a diwa( ghee lamp)
Prayers are sung And offerings are made
The deity is washed and dressed
Garlands are sometimes dressed on the deity
A paste is made and applied to the image and the persons forehead
The Arti ceremony is performed. The lamp with five flames is rotated in front of the deity image and then the devotees symbolically accept the light and blessing of god by passing their hands over the flame and placing it over their eyes, forehead and head. To destroy evil.
The prasadi is distributed to those present.
What is the purpose of puja?
All the items used in puja relate to the five elements of earth, air, fire ,wind and water and the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. These are the basic ingredients of life. All the actions of puja are performed for the specific purpose of bringing the presence of the deity into the home and a good state of mind. It also helps to concentrate on the inner self in order to seek wisdom and understanding.
What is a hindu temple called?
Mandir
Explain what is meant by a havan
This is a fire sacrifice that is performed on special occasions using at the temple. The fire is the god Agni and offerings of rice and ghee are offered to this fire.
Why is the basic shape of a temple meant to be like a mountain?
In hindu mythology mountains are the dwelling places of the gods so in the Himalayas, Kailash is both the centre of the world and the home of Shiva and Parvati.
What is the basic purpose of the mandir?
To house the deities
Why do the temples have large towers?
The tower like structure represents the highest level of liberation , moksha and the tower leads the eye upwards towards liberation.
Explain what a hindu would usually do when entering a mandir
Removal of shoes
Ring the bell to let God know they have come to worship
Offerings brought and placed before the Gods
Prayers performed to call the deity and Arti performed
Arti light given to the God and offered to the worshippers
People put money on the Arti light and pass their hands over their head
Prayers are sung
Prasadi is distributed
Water distributed
People may say their own prayers
Bow down
Socialise in other parts of the mandir
Explain prayer beads
108 mara beads may be used to focus on the names of god
Name some hindu artefacts
Prayer beads Musical instruments Arti lamps Coconut Rakhi Sacred thread Garlands
Why are coconuts used in hindu worship?
They are a symbol of fertility and given as a sign of good luck
What is the point of Rangoli patterns?
To welcome people and to wish good luck
Define Arti
Offerings of light to the deity
Define Bhajans
Special songs and hymns to god
Define Bhakti
Loving devotion to the deity
Define darshan
Viewing with respect a holy image and receiving a divine blessing in return.
Define deity
One of the many forms of Brahman in the form of a particular god
Define devotee
One who is devoted to god
Define garbha griha
The inner shrine or womb house containing the image of the deity
Define mandapa
The pillared hallway or passageway leading to the inner shrine
Define murti
The image of the deity that has been installed in the shrine
Define prasad
Food that has been offered to the gods and then given out to the worshippers
Define puja
Worship or paying respects to god or a chosen deity
define yajna
A ritual that involves a form of sacrifice
What is the Bhagavad Gita?
The most popular Hindu scripture; it is a section of the Mahabharata that presents the teachings of Lord Krishna.
What is the Marabharata?
A popular scripture that is a long epic poem containing the great story of India
Define the Puranas
A collection of legends and myths about the popular deities
What is the Ramayana?
Another popular epic poem that contains stories that explain the moral and spiritual teachings of Hinduism.
Define shruti
Ancient and divine truths, not of human origin these are directly heard and received by wise and holy men.
Define smriti
Truths that deserved to be remembered but which are of human origin
Define the Upanishads
Scriptures explaining the teachings of the Vedas that are communicated by gurus
Define the Vedas
The most ancient and important of the teachings of Hinduism
Give examples of shruti texts
Vedas
Upanishads
Give examples of smiriti texts
Bhagavad Gita
Ramayana
Give facts about the Bhagavad Gita
Means the song of The Lord Section of the Marabharata Written between 400 BCE and 200 CE Composed by Ved Vyasa About social changes in India with development.
Give facts about Marabharata
Longest poem
Composed by Vyasa
Dictated by Ganesh
Contains the Bhagavad Gita
