Transcript Hinduism
Hinduism #1 Chapter 7 Hindus Over 900 million worldwide Most live in India, large numbers in Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka & Malaysia Make up the third largest world religion Just under 1% of total Canadian population 4th in Canada Christianity Majority Most 76%, Islam 2%, Judaism 1.1% of Hindus in Canada were born outside Canada life in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba & Sask. Hinduism: means many things has many variations It is not a unified, centralized religion Has no formal church and no single authority Has no founder, no fixed doctrines Hinduism: one of the world’s oldest religions Evolved over 3 periods: Pre-Vedic (2500 – 1500 BCE) Vedic (1500 BCE to 600 BCE) Upanishadic (began around 600 BCE) Pre-Vedic Period Matriarchal society, Indus River valley, complex cities Vedic Period After the 1st sacred writings THE VEDAS Scholars believe writings were collected in this time Ritual focus: prayer, elements of nature, animal sacrifices Upanishadic 600 – 200 BCE culture was unified Vedas were accepted, interpretations called Upanishads Focus shifted from sacrifices to the inner self Rituals Puja Worship of one or more Hindu deities Murti, image of a deity Puja usually takes place in the home, can also take place in a temple Puja in a Hindu Home Most families have a place of worship in their homes When they worship: Remove shoes, ring bell, light lamp, burn incense The murti is washed, decorated with garlands / flower petals Small amount of red paste on foreheads Offering Lamp Food of fruit, light, flowers, sweets moved around indicating presence of God that is part of the puja is eaten by those present Temple worship One can visit the temple (mandir) any time A temple has many shrines each to a different deity Worshippers remove shoes and wash their hands Approach the shrine to make an offering Ring a bell as they approach announcing their arrival Puja in the temple Similar to that at home, led by a priest Priest chants verses from scriptures while performing puja Worshippers sing & clap while lamp circled around deities Service ends with sharing of blessed food offering Havan, an important ritual, a fire offering, priest lights a fire, pours butterfat or oil into it while chanting Prayers of purity offered, priest dips finger in water, touches ears, eyes, nose, mouth, arms, body and legs Worshippers do the same, reminder: God lives within them