Traditionally Brahmins were fire-priests who adhered to different branches (shakhas) of Vedas. The Smritis conferred upon the Brahmins, the position of being the highest of the four castes. They lead all religious rituals and are the holders of the Vedas.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Introduction
Before we begin our journey into Indian religion and mythology let us first understand where in the world we are journeying to.
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| India is located in South Asia |
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| Click on map to enlarge |
Normally, in an introductory course to religion you might have one or even a few books that you would be reading for information and then attending class for the analysis of that information. Here however, you are getting the chance to take advantage of an online multi-media and multi-faceted "text book" that covers mythology and practice in India from a variety of different angles.
How to use the blog: In this class you will be expected to read and watch all of the text and video for the blog post for the week. Click on everything that is hyperlinked. I expect you to come to class prepared and ready for discussion. All of the blog posts include, text, pictures and videos so over a span of one week the assignment is more than manageable. An important thing to keep in mind is that the pictures and videos in this blog are not just for decoration. They are to be examined, observed and watched thoroughly as they are an integral part of not just how you receive information in this class, but also the dynamics of religion in Indian in general.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Mahabharata
An introduction to the Mahabharata.
The Story, as told by Myths of Mankind
Part 1 - Background information about the Mahabharata
Part 2 - The Dice Game & The Exile and Return
Characters
The Pandavas and their Supporters
Pandu
Arjuna
Yudhisthira
Bhima
Nakula & Sahadeva
Draupadi
Krishna
The Kauravas and their Supporters
Duryodhana
Bhishma
Karna
The Story, as told by Myths of Mankind
Part 1 - Background information about the Mahabharata
Part 2 - The Dice Game & The Exile and Return
Characters
The Pandavas and their Supporters
Pandu
Arjuna
Yudhisthira
Bhima
Nakula & Sahadeva
Draupadi
Krishna
The Kauravas and their Supporters
Duryodhana
Bhishma
Karna
Samskaras
A samskara is a rite of passage, and virtually every world culture has such ceremonies. Rites of passage are ceremonies that mark important events in the life of an individual. A Baptism, a wedding, a Bar Mitzvah, a Confirmation, and a funeral are all examples of rites of passage. Such important events generally include pre birth ceremonies, birth ceremonies, life ceremonies, death ceremonies and even after life ceremonies. In Sanskrit the word samskara literally means, “making perfect” or “refining,” and so a samskara is a ceremony of refinement, which is to say, refining or raising an individual beyond his or her mere physical existence and marking a higher spiritual existence. Samskaras bind an individual into his or her social group.
1) Acknowledges his or her religious duties (dharma),
2) Upholds institutions and religious values,
3) Confirms his or her obedience to divinities and commitment to divine-centered religious life,
4) Accepts his or her position, status, or identity in the social order with humility as a consequence of his or her previous actions (karma) in past lives,
5) Earns merit (punya) for oneself, one's family, one's ancestors, and one's future in society in general,
6) Becomes a refined and religious individual qualified to transcend his or her lower nature and awaken in his or her higher nature.
In Hinduism, as with most religious cultures, samskaras are sacred ceremonies performed with the help of a priest and in the presence of family and friends. Traditionally there are twelve samskara, but some later traditions raise this number to sixteen. In practice, however, there are only about eight samskaras that are regularly performed. This number varies from family to family and from region to region. The most common ceremonies are a pre-birth ceremony (Simantoyannayanam), the name giving ceremony (Nama Karana), a first grains ceremony (Anna Prashanna), the first hair cutting (Mundan), starting school (Vidyarambhana), the thread giving ceremony (Upanayana), marriage (Vivaha) and the funeral (Antyesthi).
The Trimurti
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| (The Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Left to Right) |
What is the Trimurti?
The Trimurti which roughly means "three forms" in English, is a concept in Hinduism in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Shiva the destroyer or transformer. Collectively these three deities have been called "the Hindu triad."
Who are the three gods of the Trimurti?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Puja
What is Puja?
Puja is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. 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: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print. During puja an image or other symbol of the god serves as a means of gaining access to the divine. This icon is not the deity itself; rather, it is believed to be filled with the deity's cosmic energy. It is a focal point for honoring and communicating with the god. For the devout Hindu, the icon's artistic merit is important, but is secondary to its spiritual content. The objects are created as receptacles for spiritual energy that allow the devotee to experience direct communication with his or her gods.
Puja is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. 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: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print. During puja an image or other symbol of the god serves as a means of gaining access to the divine. This icon is not the deity itself; rather, it is believed to be filled with the deity's cosmic energy. It is a focal point for honoring and communicating with the god. For the devout Hindu, the icon's artistic merit is important, but is secondary to its spiritual content. The objects are created as receptacles for spiritual energy that allow the devotee to experience direct communication with his or her gods.
Where is Puja Held?
Hindus commonly conduct pujas in shrines in three different environments: in temples, in the home, and in outdoor public spaces. It is equally common for any of the deities to be worshiped in any of these three types of shrines.
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| Temple Puja |
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| Home Puja |
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| Public Puja |
How is Puja Celebrated?
Wherever puja is performed it includes three important components: the seeing of the deity; puja, or worship, which includes offering flowers, fruits, and foods; and retrieving the blessed food and consuming it. By performing these sacred acts the worshiper creates a relationship with the divine through his or her emotions and senses. Click (Here) for more information.
The Importance of Sculptures and Images in Worship
Sculptures and Images hold a role of pivotal importance in the Indian religious life. To gain a deeper understanding of this role, click (Here) for more information.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
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