Transcript Hinduism – Beliefs and Practices

Hinduism – Beliefs and
Practices
How do Hindus worship?
L.O’s: to know about the aspects of worship and that shrines are special places.
E Alston 2005
Review from last lesson
• Most Hindus believe that there is one god.
• One god is represented in different ways, just like we
have different representations to different people.
• Hindus will pray to different deities for different
things.
• AUM symbol – special sign for God, usually
said or chanted during worship.
E Alston 2005
Hindu Worship
There are 2 main places of worship for a
Hindu: at home and in a mandir.
Home - They usually have a shrine somewhere
In their house – what is a shrine?
In many Hindu homes, there is a room or part
of a room set aside as a shrine, with a statue
or picture of the God or Goddess.
E Alston 2005
Place of Worship –
The Mandir
Mandirs are Hindu temples and are often
dedicated to a particular God/Goddess.
It is seen as God’s home on earth and a
statue stands in the innermost sacred part
of the temple.
Hindus are not obliged to go to temples to
worship and can worship at their shrines in
their homes.
E Alston 2005
How Hindus worship
Puja, or worship, is performed in a
Temple or at a shrine in the home.
It is often involves making an offering
to a God of flowers, fruits, milk,
sweets, incense or money.
E Alston 2005
‘Puja’
As part of this, the shrine (murti) has to
be purified through the singing of hymns
and mantras. It is also washed with water.
Those worshipping have a tilak mark placed
on the forehead, using Kum Kum paste.
Offerings of flowers, fruits and nuts are
made to the deity.
E Alston 2005
Puja
Incense sticks are lit to make a pleasant
smell that soothes.
A bell is rung to wake the deity.
Arti is then performed – the five lights
on the Arti lamp represent the elements
of earth, wind, fire, water and ether
(‘upper air’). The lamp is lit and waved in
front of the Murti (statue/image of
deity).
E Alston 2005
Puja
The worshipper’s pray for their deity’s
blessing and food that has been offered
to their deity is shared out amongst
them.
Other aspects to Hindu worship:
1. Meditation
2. Performing yoga
3. Reading the holy texts
4. Use of prayer
E Alston 2005 beads.