Hinduism #1Chapter 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 76%, Islam 2%, Judaism 1.1%Majority of Hindus in Canada were born outside

CanadaMost life in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba & Sask.

Hinduism: means many things has many

variationsIt is not a unified, centralized

religionHas no formal church and no

single authorityHas 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 PeriodAfter the 1st sacred writings THE VEDASScholars believe writings were collected in this timeRitual focus: prayer, elements of nature, animal sacrifices

Upanishadic600 – 200 BCE culture was unifiedVedas were accepted, interpretations called UpanishadsFocus shifted from sacrifices to the inner self

Rituals

PujaWorship of one or more Hindu

deitiesMurti, image of a deityPuja 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 incenseThe murti is washed, decorated with garlands / flower

petalsSmall amount of red paste on foreheadsOffering of fruit, light, flowers, sweetsLamp moved around indicating presence of GodFood 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