Figure 1.--This photograph was taken in southern India. It shows two little Brahmin boys during a ceremony in front of a temple. For the occasion the children are wearing only necklaces and waist-laces.

A variety of ceremonies are celebrated by Hindus. Interestingly, there is no elaboracte ceremony in becoming a Hindu. Anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. And no sanction is required by a religious authority. Hindu ceremonies vary widely on a regional basis. There are even differences from village to village and among inviduals. Hinduism is the least authoritarian of the great religious traditions. And there is a wide degree of toleration for varying ceremonial traditions. This is in sharp contrast to the Catholic Church's supresion of heresies in the Middle Ages and the religious wars of the 17th century. It also contrasts to the lack of toleratiion in the Muslim world, especially the violence between Shiites and Sunnis. Hindu traditions seem to have developed over time in locations all over India and no authoritative religious hierarchy guided or controlled the process as was often the case of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (We are lest sure about Buddhism. There are some unifying themes among the seeming cacophony of Hindu relgious ceremonies. Perhaps the strongest unifying them in Hindu ceremonies and rituals is the focus on purity and pollution. Perhaps no religion focuses on prification more than Hinduism. Unlike the other great religions, the home is the focus for worship and religious ceremonies. It is at home that most Hindus worship and conduct daily rituals. And fot this both dawn and dusk are particularly important. Particularly devout families may performm religious rituals at various times during the day as well. In many Hindu homes, the day begins at dusk when the women of the housdehold draw geometric designs in chalk or rice flour on the floor or the doorstep of the home. Recitations from religious texts commonly punctuate dawn and dusk. After a bath, Hindus conduct personal devotions before a family shrine to a favored god. This commonly involves ritually lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs while reciting prayers in Sanskrit or a regional language. English is widely spoken in India, bit not used in these devotions.

Becoming a Hindu

A variety of ceremonies are celebrated by Hindus. Interestingly, there is no elaboracte ceremony in becoming a Hindu. Anyone who practices Dharma can call himself a Hindu. And no sanction is required by a religious authority.

Variations

Hindu ceremonies vary widely on a regional basis. There are even differences from village to village and among inviduals. Hinduism is the least authoritarian of the great religious traditions. And there is a wide degree of toleration for varying ceremonial traditions. This is in sharp contrast to the Catholic Church's supresion of heresies in the Middle Ages and the religious wars of the 17th century. It also contrasts to the lack of toleratiion in the Muslim world, especially the violence between Shiites and Sunnis. Hindu traditions seem to have developed over time in locations all over India and no authoritative religious hierarchy guided or controlled the process as was often the case of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. (We are lest sure about Buddhism.)

Common Themes

There are some unifying themes among the seeming cacophony of Hindu relgious ceremonies. There are three particularly important themes. First, perhaps the strongest unifying them in Hindu ceremonies and rituals is the focus on purity and pollution. Perhaps no religion focuses on prification more than Hinduism.Most of the major religions have ceremonies and rituals ivnvolving the cleansing attributes of water. Christian batism is an example of this and Mulisms ritually was before prayers. Hindus bathe in rivers. Ghats are created with steps to aid in this process. Hindus must not only purify themselves before religiousd ceremonies, but they must actively avoid the impure in daily life. This includes killing animals, eating meat, contct with dead things, and bodily fluids. Individuals and groups who avoid the impure are granted great respect. Second, another important aspect of Hinduism is the importance of sacrifice. Here the term is widely defined as some kind of offering including recitations and manipulations of religious objects. There are survivals of Vedic sacrifice. Hindu sacrifices can include the performance of offerings in a highly regulated way. Other sacrifices could be the preparation of sacred space, reciting texts, and manipulating objectsd like beads. Thitd, another common theme is the concept of merit, acquired through the performance of charitable acts or good works. This is something an individual can accumulate over time and reduce his or her sufferings in the next world.

Ceremonial Sites

Unlike the other great religions, the home is the focus for worship and religious ceremonies. It is at home that most Hindus worship and conduct daily rituals. And fot this both dawn and dusk are particulasrly important. Particularly devout families may performm religious rituals at various times during the day as well. In msny Hindu homes, the day begins at dusk when the women of the housdehold draw geometric designs in chalk or rice flour on the floor or the doorstep of the home. Recitations from religious texts commonly punctuate dawn and dusk. orthodox Hindus greet dawn and dusk are greeted with recitation from the Rig Veda of the Gayatri Mantra for the sun. This is for many Hindus the only Sanskrit prayer they know. After a bath, Hindus conduct personal devotions before a family shrine to a favored god. This commonly involves ritually lighting a lamp and offering foodstuffs while reciting prayers in Sanskrit or a regional language. English is widely spoken in India, bit not used in these devotions. Traditionally, female Hindus devotees in rural areas may come together in the evening to sing hymns praising the popular local god or gods. Ceremonies of course are also performed at temples and ghats where the faiuthful bathe in rivers. .

Created: 5:51 AM 12/1/2010
Last updated: 10:14 AM 12/5/2010