The origins of the Hindu religion are obscure, but elements of Hindu beliefs can be traced back at least several thousand years. It is a complicated religion with many different interpretations by the numerous sects. Each group has intricate and minutely detailed rituals, customs, and ceremonies that are deeply rooted in every stage of life. Traditional Hindus attempt to achieve four objectives through life. The first objective is dharma (duty); followed by artha (material prosperity), kama (enjoyment), and finally, moksha (salvation). To achieve these four objectives, Hindus divide life into four segments: bramacharya (celibacy—student life, learning); grihastha (family life—enjoying life years); vanaprastha (retirement—delegating responsibilities to younger generations); and finally, sanyas (renunciation— giving up all responsibilities to prepare for death and the journey to the spirit world).
The most basic Hindu ceremonies, those pertaining to the life cycle, take place in the home. The four major life-cycle events are prenatal and birth, childhood, marriage, and death. Most Hindus keep a home shrine for daily prayer, which can be a shelf, a corner of a room, or in some homes a small room or closet. For the life-cycle ceremonies, family and friends gather around a family member who performs the ritual. When necessary, a priest is called in to take over the more complicated services. The shrine contains pictures and/or statues of the gods and goddess, saints, and ancestors. Other ritual necessities are a container of water for sprinkling and purifying the area, a bell to summon the good spirits, an incense burner to wave in front of the gods, and a tray with flowers and food.
The food offerings include fruit, freshly cooked rice, butter or ghee, and sugar. After a prayer is said over the food, family members eat it. Food is an important element of Hinduism. The kitchen in a Hindu home is treated as part cooking room, part dining room, and part chapel. Since leather is considered unclean by Hindus, one may not cook or dine wearing shoes. Beef is banned, because cattle are revered as sacred. The Hindu food laws and restrictions do not simply prohibit certain foods in the same way Muslims and Jewish people are forbidden from eating pork. Hindu food restrictions and rituals are very complex; caste, ethics, aesthetics, and faith as well as nutrition, hygiene, and diet are all interwoven into the Hindu doctrines involving food. The specific rituals and customs extend to not only what food is eaten and why it is cooked a certain way but also how and where it is served and eaten. One unique feature interwoven in Indian society and Hinduism is the caste system that divides the Indian population into four main castes (varnas).
The castes were established by Aryan priests after India was invaded by the Aryans around 1500 B.C. The caste divisions were originally based on racial or ethnic differences, with the Aryans occupying the higher castes. The highest caste are the Brahmans (priests and scholars); next are the Kshatriyas (nobles and warriors); below them are the Vaishyas (merchants and skilled artisans); and finally, there are Shudras (common laborers). Beyond the actual castes are the Harijans (outcastes), who were given the dirty and degrading jobs. The outcastes were called "untouchables" because merely to touch an outcaste, or even to be touched by an outcaste's shadow, was considered a form of ritual pollution for members of the higher varnas. Although officially banned by the Indian constitution since 1949, some people are still considered Harijan. Within the four Indian castes are thousands of subcastes (jati), usually confined to local areas or regions. A jati is usually connected to a particular occupation, such as trash collectors, rag pickers, snake charmers, farmers, and street sweepers. Although the Indian caste system is stronger in rural areas it still is a vital part of the Hindu religion and Indian culture. Indians' caste and subcaste positions affect the jobs available to them as well as their diet and religious practices, including how life-cycle events are celebrated. Before birth three rites are performed during the mother's pregnancy to help the child arrive safely into the world. On the 10th or 12th day after birth, the naming ceremony is performed by a Hindu priest. The name is selected according to the baby's horoscope, and friends and relatives are invited to celebrate the event. Another ceremony, annaprasana, is held at six months when the infant is given its first solid food. The baby's first step and first birthday may also be observed with a religious ceremony and a party. Between the ages of one and five, girls experience a ceremonial ear-piercing; this event too is reason to rejoice and have a party. The mundan, first haircut, is a very auspicious event for babv boys between one and three years of age. The father is supposed to shave the head, but usually he just cuts a few hairs while reciting the appropriate Hindu verses; the task is finished by a barber. The first hair is offered as a sacrifice to the gods. The hair cutting event usually calls for a large celebration with plenty of food. The main adolescence ritual is upanayana, popularly known as the "thread ceremony." Only boys between the ages of 8 and 12 in the upper three castes of the Hindu social system go through this ceremony. There are complex variations to this ritual for different Hindu sects. One of the basic principles behind this ceremony is to elevate the boy into manhood. Before the ritual he eats his last meal with his mother, and after the completion of upanayana he is expected to eat with the adult male family members. The "thread," or upavita, refers to a three-strand rope normally worn over the left shoulder and hanging under the right arm. It is a visible symbol confirming the boy's passing over into manhood. Most Hindus consider it a social obligation to be married within the religion, and marriages are arranged between members of thesame caste (social group).
The first thing parents have to do, with the consent of their offspring, is to find a suitable mate. Then an auspicious date and time for the marriage ceremony are chosen based on astrological charts. Nowadays more and more parents, especially in urban areas, believe the dowry or good looks are more important than the agreement of stars. This has become possible because boys and girls are not married as children as they once were. Hindu wedding ceremonies vary greatly, depending on geographical location, sect, family customs, and personal taste. Even within the same community differences can be seen in the clothes, ornaments, rituals, food, and length of the wedding celebrations, which in some cases can last several days. Rice and ghee are important ritual foods. The marriage (vivaha) is considered to be a gift-giving ritual by the father. He gives his daughter (kanya) as a gift (dan) to the boy's family. The biggest donation a father can make in his lifetime is kanya dan (the gift of his daughter). A great many marriages take place in wedding halls, which are available on a rental basis. A priest officiates the wedding, which is held in front of a pit for the sacrificial marriage fire (vivahahoma). The fire is fueled by sprinkling it with ghee. Among most Hindus, it is the custom for the couple to circle the fire seven times, chanting vows and throwing in offerings such as rice. During the ceremony the bride and groom each wears a garland of flowers around the neck which they exchange with each other as a token of acceptance. The father of the bride offers her hand in marriage first of all to the gods, then to the groom. The groom then assures his father-in-law that he will take care of his bride.At some point during the ceremony, the bride may stand on a stone, representing firmness and stability, to signify loyalty and faithfulness in the marriage. The rituals and customs extend to the wedding feast, making it an important part of the total marriage ceremony.Hindus view death as part of the never-ending cycle of birth and rebirth. According to Hindu tradition, bodies are cremated after death. Very elaborate ceremonies may continue for several weeks after the cremation, which must take place as soon as possible after death. After someone dies, the body is immediately washed and dressed in fresh clothes. Men and widows generally are covered with white shrouds, although the customs and the color of the shroud cloth can vary greatly, even within the same Hindu group.
Among some Hindus, a woman is decorated as for her wedding, and her shroud is orange. Unlike other Hindu life-cycle celebrations, friends and family do not bring food to the families in mourning. Death memorial rituals can last for several days or up to a year after the death of a loved one, depending on the beliefs of the person performing them.
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