Practice, Belonging and Authority Hinduism Practice, Belonging and Authority

Behaviour Codes and Duties Hindu scriptures contain virtues believers are to develop in their life to build good Karma: Ahimsa – forbidden to use violence to harm living creatures Cleanliness – for health, but also focuses on inner cleanliness attained through devotion to God, being selfless, non-violent and cultivating all other virtues Compassion – giving help and selfless service to others, including donating to charity

Honesty – expected to be honest with everyone whom they have dealings with the themselves Respect – respect and reverence for elders and teachers (for earth and environment encouraged too) Tolerance – towards everything and others is regarded as right action, including those that posses wisdom and teach in love To not follow these virtues would build negative karma that will have consequences in this life and/or the next

Diet Due to belief in sacredness of life most Hindus are vegetarians Ahimsa preaches non-violence and Hindus fear negative karma from killing an animal to eat it Eating meat is not strictly prohibited, but beef is not allowed (cow is seen as sacred) Eating dairy products thought to promote purity of body

Meditation Yoga meditation is important in Hindu quest to reach moksha (release) Four different types of Yoga Karma Yoga – Working or performing service with promise of reward (ashrams provide opportunities for this) Jnana Yoga – Following path of seeking to develop intellect and spiritual knowledge and wisdom Astanga Yoga – traditional yoga positions designed to stretch, strengthen and detoxify the body. Includes techniques to clam mind Bhaki Yoga – yoga of devotion, worship and focused love (focused on worship or personal Guru

Birth and Initiation Ceremonies Some purify the baby through washing 10-12 days afterwards a priest says prayers and announces the babies name For boys the Upanayana (cermony marking entrance of boy into student stage – accepted into religious community) initiation is performed when they hit puberty Head is shaved and he receives sacred thread which crosses the left shoulder and goes under the right arm Some following the four ashrams (stages) will have the student (first stage) live with a spiritual teacher to learn spiritual values and virtues and live a simple life

Marriage The second ashram stage, householder, involves marriage and setting up family unit Wedding customs are elaborate and take place in a temple or a home Bride’s father honours groom Mother and other women perform the consecration ceremony Priest says prayers Bride’s sari and groom’s scarf are tied together The couple takes seven steps around the sacred fire and exchanging vows

Funerals Inconsistency in ceremonies and practice The body is washed, dressed and sometimes decorated with flowers/jewelry Dead are usually cremated Ceremony called Shashana and usually performed near a river (Ganges) Believed that all souls are reincarnated into another life (status depends on how the pat life was lived) The son performs the funeral rites and lights the pyre Preta-Karma is important part of the rites that must be performed correctly for soul to join ancestors Mourning periods starts once lit and goes on until 13th day after death

Festivals Diwali (sometimes known as festival of lights) is most important festival Symbolizes the victory of good over evil Lights lit at home and floated down rivers Symbolizes person’s inner light (atman) outshining darkness Hindus remember story of The Ramayana of Rama and Sita’s welcome home after victory over king Ravana Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) thanked and worshipped Prayers for blessing, happiness and a good year Festival includes fireworks, presents, food Holi (festival of Colours) takes place in the spring and is another important festival celebrating good defeating evil