Hindu Worship

Puja

Home worship

Offerings made to deities

Includes flowers, fruits incense sticks, water, milk clarified butter and a lamp

Can be done daily or on festival days

Puja continued

All puja concludes with waving of a lamp – Arati, around an alter while worshippers sing hymns and verses of prayer

After prayers, food is redistributed amongst the worshippers as a gift from that deity – gift called prasad

Types of Temple Worship

Japa - Individual silent or soft repetition of mantras.

Bhajan - Singing of religious songs, individually or in a group, usually accompanied by instruments.

Kirtan – (to repeat) Congregational chanting of holy mantras accompanied by instruments and simple dance.

Temple Worship

Temple visits during festival times or special functions

Worship led by Brahmin priest

Priest bathing, removes shoes, rings temple bell

The deities are prepared: bathed, offered fresh flowers, incense and food

Offerings are made on behalf of the devotees

After final prayer, blessed food is redistributed -Prasad

Images of Temple Worship

Images of Temple Worship Continued:

Images of Temple Worship Continued:

Images of Temple Worship Continued:

Pilgrimage: Journey to Holy places

Reasons to Pilgrimage To remember special people (saints)

To fix the mind on God and to glorify Him

For spiritual development and to gain spiritual merit

For purification and atonement of sins

For meeting and taking guidance from holy people

To perform specific religious rites

For self-reflection and contemplation

For an uplifting and memorable experience (spiritual inspiration)

Activities done while on Pilgrimage

Taking darshan or specific deities on your journey

Participating in worship (e.g. kirtan)

Charity, especially to priests and temples

penance (such as shaving the head, and following certain vows such as celibacy)

Specific rites / rituals

Asceticism-what is this?

Definition-what is it? Talk to your table for

2 minutes.

Significance-why is it important for Hinduism?

Talk to your table for 2 minutes.

Definition

Severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

Significant because Hindus want to PURIFY themselves.

Want to reunite with the devine!

Asceticism helps us purify our bodies to become more divine!

Discussion

Rituals are formalized actions that give meaning to different moments in life. What rituals do you partake in and why?

Talk for five minutes.

Discussion

Describe a journey you have taken, or wish to take, to a place that holds a special meaning for you and describe what impact that journey had on you.

Talk for 5 minutes

Discussion

Some Hindus, choose to become sadhus- solitary ascetic holy men who beg for their food and other necessities. Giving food and other goods to sadhus creates good karma for the giver. Reflect on what might motivate people to adopt this lifestyle. Can you think of a corresponding kind of person in American society?

Talk for 5 minutes

Activity

Write a 5 paragraph essay choosing 1 discussion question to answer.

Due at end of class.

BE SPECIFIC.