World Religions - Essay Example

World Religion 2 Number and 12th June World Religions 2 Karma and its Importance In Hinduism, the doctrines of Samsara and karma play a very important role. A person usually views the universe with positivity and believes if they please their God or gods it will, in return, become the best place for them. However, earlier the doctrine of karma combines together with caste doctrine and came up with another view of the universe which does not please lots of Hindus.   The Law of Karma is considered to be as the most essential Hinduism doctrine. According to the law of karma, it is an esteem principle that people actually reap what they sowed. This justice principle requires that every single deed or thought whether it is good or bad is counted when analyzing how a particular person will be sent on earth in their next life. Apart from any other religion, Hinduism is one of those religions that emphasize more on it. It is of the firm belief that a person having bad karma is born repeatedly in inferior human castes, or even in animals, and is not released until or unless they are not reborn in Brahmin, or other minor caste. No one can change or modify the fact that a person is exactly what he or she is supposed to be in their lives. However, in their existing life, if people do good karma they can modify or change their future lives as per their wish. The Samsara doctrine is that a soul is sent to earth number of times; nevertheless, they appear in a different body according to their karma. The eternal soul transforms bodies just like a person modifies old or worn-out clothes. There is no end to Karma, it has nothing to do with whether a body is dead or alive, and therefore, its power may be extended through various souls’ incarnations. Avatar and its Function Avatar means incarnation, a theory that the God is actually born. However, he appeared himself in a flesh body. According to Hindu concept, an Avatar is basically a body irrespective of whether it is human or not, and its purpose is of deity or cosmic entity. This avatar concept is more often related with Vishnu, who is known as a sustainer or preserver within the Trimurti Hindu Gods. He is basically one and only ultimate God who is followed by Vaishnavism. Avatar of Vishnu normally descends for some specific purpose. An extension is observed in the number and changes in identities quite often as per local inclination. Bhagavad Gita portrays the distinctive role of Vishnu’s avatar, that is, to bring righteous or dharma back to the cosmic and social order (Matthews, 91). The Vishnu’s descents are also essential to His tradition and teaching, while the descriptions of different deities are not strictly reliant on the stories of avatar associated with them. The ten greatest Vishnu’s avatars are communally known as the Dasavatara, that is Vishnu actually went through ten different avatars, for instance, another human, tortoise, boar, etc. 1. The fish avatar Matsya who saved Manu’s life. 2. Avatar of a tortoise Kurma, who helped out in Samudra manthan 3. Boar-avatar Varaha, rescued earth from an ocean, by assassinating Hiranyaksha the kidnapper-demon. 4. Half man-half lion avatar Narasimha, 5. Dwarf-avatar Vamana 6. Parashurama, sagacious with the axe 7. Ramayana hero Rama, the Ayodhya king 8. Dwarka king, Krishna the Bhagavad Gita’s reciter. 9. Buddha, the enlightened one 10. Kalki means destroyer of foulness, the one who is expected to show up when Kali Yuga end. Hinduism is a very diversified and interesting Religion From the very beginning, Hinduism has always encouraged a diversity of practices and beliefs. A Hindu initiates with the direction from the Vedas that is the scriptural basis is independent of widen manifold expressions of actions as well as faith. Hinduism is a bit more complex rather than other religions. The ancient writings of Hindus speak of space and time in a manner that reel the thoughts of all except modern physicists and astronomers. Hinduism is in agreement with black holes and island universe. Hinduism discovers energy polarities everywhere.  Creation is fair by destruction. There is a number of Gods in Hinduism; the most popular gods are Shiva (the destroyer), Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) or Lakshmi. Hindus believe in rebirth;, as per their teaching, it says if a man does good deeds or karma, he will be an excellent person in next life but if his deeds are awful, he will suffer in next life and can be reborn as an animal, according to the extent of his bad karma. It is not essential for Hindus to look for the highest aims of release in their lifetime. In its tolerance and breadth, Hinduism allows four chief goals for living: karma, dharma, artha and moksha. Karma is when a person chooses to look for pleasured life. The goal of artha is when a person pursues with politics and for the competition of materialism. It is expected from every single Hindu to select a goal of dharma and follow the duties as per their caste and live their lives according to it. The people who are tired of other pursuits in their past life and do not want to come again in the world in next life, they follow Moksha so that they can get free from the entire system of rebirth. Irrespective of any complexities, Hinduism provided many options for your life; you can choose among many Gods and follow his path according to his teachings. Relationship of Kali and Shiva In eighteenth century, Hindus believed in the triad of God or trimurti. One of these three Gods was Shiva, who was considered to be a destroyer. Although his duties were to devastate or destroy life and to bring fresh blood and life in the world, which may be accommodated properly, but he was considered generous and liberal by his followers or devotees. In Hinduism, majorities are inclined towards Shiva. Those who are followers of Shiva also respect his consorts. Shiva is the one who may take and give life. One of his consorts is Kali, who is one of the most terrifying images and is known to spread death and diseases. Kali is also considered as an angry goddess. In various circumstances, Shiva and Kali are dance partners. In Bhavabhuti’s Malatimadhava, in Kapalakhundala’s hymn, they both appeared in a cosmic dance, as mad dance partners. The dance was designed to destroy the entire world. Devoted men call her by the name of Divine Mother. For non Hindus, Kali may appear to be quite frightening. On the other hand, irrespective of Kali’s appearance, that is, wearing a skull necklace, wielding a sword, her mouth dripping with blood, there are many women who consider her as kind, gentle and helpful God who will be there when they need her. Everyone looks up for Kali when they need some protection or help, and it is their firm belief that Kali will never turn them down. Puja and its importance in Hinduism Puja is a sacred ceremony carried out in homes or in temples that involves the worship of divine image. To be precise, it is a kind of communication between a layman and his Lord. There are a number of ways through which we can reach out to holiness that is through meditation, prayers, act of charity, etc. but the most important way is through ritual. A Puja can last for minutes or days; it can be small or long, easy or hard, which might involve merely the worshiper or may be priests or guests; however, in every single case, it involves the incantation of Deity in the form of guest in temples (mandirs), home, or just in the performer’s heart. In temples, it is usually connected with the routine or daily worship of the sacred images at temples and is executed by priests purely. It is also carried out by the temple priests on particular days like the festival and/or upon people’s request. Pujas in homes are organized on special occasions, for instance, birth of a child, graduation, memorial days, and anniversaries and for peace and prosperity within a family. Under this situation, the head of the family along with the priest performs the puja. Some common pujas are Durga, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Satya Narayana pujas. Pujas are either ascending process or descending process. This can be explained as either man forming a symbolic kind of Deity that in turn is used for the extension of Deity or deity coming to man who is appeared in a comprehensible form for human being. This is entirely a matter of faith and theology. If a specific deity has been induced, then puja is all about adoration and receiving of that particular God and/or goddess in the form of guest. Afterwards, the Deity is worshiped in more of a loving and logical manner in the same way as someone treats their human guest. Formal Puja basically comprises of 16 distinct offerings or gifts made to Deity; however, it may also include up until 27 worship items. These items include welcoming and Deity seating, washing mouth, hands and feet, showering, dressing and embellishment of the Deity; serving and worshiping with incense and prayers and in the end sending the Deity back or releasing it from a receptacle. Brahma, the God Brahma was one of the Gods from trimurti or triad of Gods. He is the one who is known as ultimate reality and is the creator of this world. His duties were shared by other two Gods of trimurti that is Shiva and Vishnu. It was because of his efforts that the world came into existence and human life initiated. However, one of these Gods destroys human life as per his duties, but this is just a cycle which needs to be followed in order to keep the world running and to give humans a chance to make their lives better. Personal Experience of a Caste Who Believe Life is Not Important If I was a person of caste who does not believe in his existing life and give importance to his next life, I would have focused more on my behavior and attitude. As it is mentioned in law of karma that whatever your behavior is in the existing life will reflect in your future life or after your rebirth. In order to make my next life more beautiful and peaceful, I would start practicing my religion rigorously. I would be implementing all those good things mentioned in my religion in my personal life so that I can get the best of all in a future. Although my focus will be on my next life, but unintentionally I will be making my current life perfect by following all the rules and regulation and practicing my religion strictly. This way, I am sowing the best seeds for the future so that I can reap juiciest fruit and making my present, as well as future, wonderful. Shiva and Meaning of the Symbols Associated with it Images of Gods in Hinduism are not projected to be comprehended literally. The famous figure of God Shiva, lord of dance, is one of the best examples. Shiva has four hands and arms joint from his shoulders. His upper hands are holding drums and flame that symbolize forces of destruction and creation. The lower hands inform his followers that as far as they are worshiping their Lord, they do not have to worry about anything since their Lord will save them. The right foot of this image, shows that it strides on the ignorance of a demon. His dance within the fire circle symbolizes the never-ending dancing energy that means that it supported the universe action. Hindus Believe in Cremation Every human being is aware of the fact that their last resort will be either heaven or hell after their death, which is immortal. It all depends on human deeds, whether they are good or bad so that they can be sent to their destination. Hindus also believe in reincarnation or life after death. The last rites are Antyesti, funerals observed by almost every Hindu. Mostly, Hindus are cremated in shraddha. This ceremony is performed by the eldest son if the family. Sandalwoods are use in the funeral whose fragrance is very pleasant. The reason of opting for cremation is one the deceased body is offered to one of their Gods Agni so that he can purify the soul and guide the individual towards a brighter and better life. Hindus also do not want to leave their loved one’s dead bodies to be eaten by animals and vultures; this is also another reason for opting for cremation. However, there are few Hindus who are buried too. They usually belong to upper class or are priest or Gurus. Innocent children also fall under the same category. Reference Matthews, Alfred Warren. “World Religions”. Chapter 3. St. Paul, MN: West Pub., 1991. 71-104. Read More