MISSION IMPOSSIBLE TO POSSIBLE WATER IN RELIGION

SIKHS Uses of water by Sikhs

Holy Water SSSSikhs use water in special ceremonies in which they call the water as “Amrit”. They use it as holy water for drinking some part of it and the other part is sprinkled on the eyes, face and head.

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple priest offering water with healing properties

OTHER USES WWWWhen someone expires, they burn the body and collect the ashes to immerse or present it to running water or any other water body such as rivers, lakes and so on.

OTHER USES WWater is also a symbol of life, cleanliness and purity as well as coolness and humility for the Sikhs.

In the graphical depiction of panchamahabhuta, water represented by a circle, symbolizes fullness. Primarily water is the building block of life and all the living beings are at the mercy of God, for the water.

In India, water has been an object of worship from time immemorial. Primeval, primordial –water is aadi jalam, kaarana jalam, karana vaari. The sea of primeval water is kaaranavaaridhi. Water represents the non-manifested substratum from which all manifestations arise.

Images of river Ganga on a crocodile and river Yamuna on a tortoise flanked the doorways of early temples. In the Varaha cave at Udayagiri, of the 4th century A.D., the two goddesses meet in a wall of water, recreating Prayaga. The Pallavas at Mamallapuram, carved the story of the descent of the Ganga on an enormous rock. Later, Adi Shesha, the divine snake who forms the couch of Narayana, represented water. Indian art sanctified water as a giver of life. Images of river Ganga on a crocodile and river Yamuna on a tortoise flanked the doorways of early temples. In the Varaha cave at Udayagiri, of the 4th century A.D., the two goddesses meet in a wall of water, recreating Prayaga. The Pallavas at Mamallapuram, carved the story of the descent of the Ganga on an enormous rock. Later, Adi Shesha, the divine snake who forms the couch of Narayana, represented water. Indian art sanctified water as a giver of life.

Akshitha is imperishable. Water is Akshitham. In the matter of purity it is like eyes. Hence it is also known as Akshitharam. Water is a purifier, life-giver and destroyer of evil. It is life- preserving power par excellence. Akshitha is imperishable. Water is Akshitham. In the matter of purity it is like eyes. Hence it is also known as Akshitharam. Water is a purifier, life-giver and destroyer of evil. It is life- preserving power par excellence.

Although Hinduism encompasses so many different beliefs, most Hindus do share the importance of striving to attain purity and avoiding pollution.Although Hinduism encompasses so many different beliefs, most Hindus do share the importance of striving to attain purity and avoiding pollution. This relates to both physical cleanliness and spiritual well being. Water cleanses, washes away impurities and pollutants, and enables an object look fresh.This relates to both physical cleanliness and spiritual well being. Water cleanses, washes away impurities and pollutants, and enables an object look fresh. The belief that water have spiritually cleansing powers has given it a central place in the practices and beliefs of many a religious ritual. Physically and mentally clean person is enabled to focus on worship.The belief that water have spiritually cleansing powers has given it a central place in the practices and beliefs of many a religious ritual. Physically and mentally clean person is enabled to focus on worship.

Continuity of water as an element of belief system and culture makes Hinduism as a religion of holy water. The story of water can be narrated by examining the rituals in daily life in the past as well as in the present. Continuity of water as an element of belief system and culture makes Hinduism as a religion of holy water. The story of water can be narrated by examining the rituals in daily life in the past as well as in the present.

 The value of water in Islam is reflected in the Holy Quran stating that "from water every living creature was created". In addition, Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) declared that all people have free access to water. The wells were protected by not allowing digging new wells within the vicinity of the old wells, and this area was referred to as "harim".

 Prophet Mohammed established a religious institution which was declared as collective property, known as "waqf". In this context, some of the water resources and wells were declared as "waqf" and all the public had the right to use them.

  Generally Islamic principles concerning water laws are based on two facts. These are :   1- The right of thirst where all people have the right to quench thirst or to water animals.   2- The right of irrigation where water can be used to water land and plants.

 Wudu is the Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water. Muslims are required to be clean in preparation for ritual prayers. The Quran says "For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean."

WWWWudu is allowed with the following water RRRRain water WWWWell water SSSSpring, sea or river water WWWWater of melting snow or hail WWWWater of a big tank or pond

 Reciting Bismillah.  Washing both the hands up to the wrists.  Rinsing the inner mouth.  Sniffing water and blowing it out  Passing wet hands over the whole head and around the ears.  Passing of fingers between the fingers of the hand and feet.  Brushing the teeth, preferably with a miswak.  Washing each limb thrice.

 The Well of Zamzam is a Well in Mecca, 20 meters east of the Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam. According to Islamic belief, it was a miraculously-generated source of water from God, which began thousands of years ago when Ibrahim's infant son Ismail was thirsty and kept crying for water and was kicking at the ground when water gushed out. Millions of pilgrims visit the Well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, in order to drink its water.

A pumping test at 8000 liters/second for more than a 24 hour period showed a drop in water level from 3.23 meters below surface to meters and then to meters, after which the water level stopped receding. When pumping stopped, the water level recovered to 3.9 meters below surface only 11 minutes later. This a miracle of the holy water zam zam. A pumping test at 8000 liters/second for more than a 24 hour period showed a drop in water level from 3.23 meters below surface to meters and then to meters, after which the water level stopped receding. When pumping stopped, the water level recovered to 3.9 meters below surface only 11 minutes later. This a miracle of the holy water zam zam. Pilgrims visiting the well.

 Natural fluoride found in the water prevents bacteria growth, and made it free from bacteria and this water has never been chemically treated or chlorinated. There wasn't any sign of biological growth in the Zam Zam well.  It is colorless and odorless. Even if you keep it for a very long time, it will still remain crystal clear and safe for consumption.

Uses of Water by Christians

Holy Water in Roman Catholicism  Holy water figures in Roman Catholic rituals of exorcism. It is also the usual water used in baptisms that occur in a church; however, the use of specifically consecrated water is not required for a valid baptism under Roman Catholic religious law. A quantity of holy water is typically kept in a font. Roman Catholics bless themselves when entering the church by dipping their fingers in the holy water and making the sign of the cross.

Varieties of Holy Water HHoly water per se, of the kind found in the stoup, which has been blessed with a small amount of salt as a preservative. This is the holy water used in aspersions and blessings; BBaptismal holy water, to which a slight amount of chrism (anointing oil) and the oil of catechumens has been added, used in church baptisms; GGregorian water, also called "water of consecration"; small amounts of wine, salt, and ashes are added to it, and it is used by bishops at the consecration of a church; and EEaster water, which is distributed to the faithful on Easter Sunday for use at home.

Eastern Orthodox Holy Water HHHHoly water is used in Orthodox rituals of exorcism and blessing. It is also the usual water used in baptisms that occur in a church; however, the use of specifically consecrated water is not required. The use of holy water is based on the story of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan and the Orthodox interpretation of this event.

Other Holy Waters   Some Roman Catholics believe that water from Lourdes and other holy wells and shrines has supernatural powers, such as for healing. This water, technically, is not holy water since it has not been consecrated by a priest or bishop. Other Christian groups have sold water from the Jordan River and called it holy water as well.   The Sikhs prepare a sort of holy water, which they call amrit, and use in a ritual similar to baptism

CATOHLIC CHRISTIANS   The use of holy water in the earliest days of the Christian Era is attested by documents of only comparatively late date. The "Apostolic Constitutions", the redaction of which goes back to about the year 400, attribute to the Apostle St. Matthew the precept of using holy water. The letter written under the name of Pope Alexander I, who lived in the second century, is apocryphal and of more recent times; hence the first historical testimony does not go back beyond the fifth century. However, it is permissible to suppose for the sake of argument that, in the earliest Christian times, water was used for expiatory and purificatory purposes, to a way analogous to its employment under the Jewish Law.

USES OF WATER IN JUDAISM

 In Judaism ritual washing is intended to restore or maintain a state of ritual purity and its origins can be found in the Torah. These ablutions can be washing the hands, the hands and the feet, or total immersion which must done in 'living water', i.e. the sea, a river, a spring or in a mikveh. In Temple times ablutions were practiced by priests, converts to Judaism as part of the initiation rites and by women on the seventh day after their menstrual period. Priests had to wash their hands and feet before taking part in Temple services. The ritual washing of hands is performed before and after meals and on many other occasions.

USES OF WATER BY BUDDHISTS

 For Buddhists symbolism and ritual is pointless because they seek spiritual enlightenment that comes from seeing the reality of unreality. Water does however feature in Buddhist funerals where water is poured into a bowl placed before the monks and the dead body. As it fills and pours over the edge, the monks recite "As the rains fill the rivers and overflow into the ocean, so likewise may what is given here reach the departed."

A POEM BY OUR GROUP

Hindus and Muslims Christians and Sikhs All use water For their religious mix Water is our life Like a husband and wife Their relation cannot be broken Take it as a token

Water is useful And who doesn’t know this is a fool Water is very fruitful And makes the earth beautiful Save water to save your world Water is more precious than gold Be brave, confident and bold To save the earth from getting old.

Water is used in religion It’s not a competition It just reduces tension And helps in better fusion Water water everywhere Waste no water anywhere That’s what people say But they never do that way Thank You!!!!

PREPARED BY ARYA HOTA SNIGHDA MOHAN RASHEEDA PARVEEN MAMTA MOHADIKAR - CLASS VIII EMBASSY OF INDIA SCHOOL MOSCOW