Section 3.2: Forms of Worship (2) Flashcards
(42 cards)
Why do people engage in worship?
Overall, people engage in worship as part of their religious duty; worship allows devotees to communicate with God, through both meditation and prayer. In addition, worship allows Hindus to generate positive karma and, ultimately, achieve moksha, which is anybody’s life aim. Worship also allows Hindus to gather as a community, engage all of the senses and, therefore, focus on spirituality.
What is puja?
Puja is the closest word in Hinduism to the concept of ‘worship’ and suggests devotion and adoration, with the hope of blessings in return.
Who leads worship in the mandir?
In the mandir, worship is led by the pujaris as they are the only ones who can enter the inner sanctuary (garbha-griha). Priests lead devotion each day and anyone may come to join them in prayer.
What happens during morning worship?
During morning worship, the pujaris ring the temple bells, prepare the murti and, then, offer flowers, incense and food to the gods. This food will eventually become prasad. Worship is conducted throughout the day in a similar manner, with sacred songs often being sung in the evening.
What happens to the murtis during puja?
During puja, the deities are seen to have daily needs, so their murtis are bathed, garlanded and dressed by the pujaris. Food is offered so that the deities can eat and, then, they are also allowed to rest.
What are the requirements of a worshipper?
In order for worshippers to take part in puja at the mandirs, traditional clothing should be worn and they must be ritually clean. This means that menstruating women and some people from lower varnas were forbidden from entering certain mandirs.
Why do worshippers remove their shoes at the entrance of a temple?
Shoes are removed at the entrance of the temple complex to prevent dirt from entering the garbha-griha (another reminder of the sacred/profane distinction). This is to ensure that worshippers are removed from the world beyond the walls of the temple and are, instead, able to focus on God.
What happens during the aarti ceremony?
During the aarti ceremony, an aarti lamp is lit and passed around the congregation. While this is happening, prayers are said and songs are sung. Aarti lamps are put onto a tray and are passed around the assembled worshippers, before the worshippers put their hands over the flame and immerse themselves. Immersion is a way of gaining blessings and favour from God. Four or five lights are present on the aarti tray to represent the five elements.
What is darshan?
Considered to be a reciprocal act, darshan is the term that refers to God’s giving of blessings; looking at a deity in reverence as part of worship means that the deity is looking back at the worshipper and giving him or her its blessing.
What is japa?
While chanting mantras, a worshipper may use japa - a method of using a string of beads (known as japamala) which help the worshipper to focus the mind. Each bead represents a different holy name for the deity and the worshipper will use the beads to help them recite and honour each of these names.
Why do Hindus give offerings?
In offering food to God, Hindus are showing the devotion that they hold.
What is the purpose of circumambulation?
Hindus will circumambulate around murtis or the temple as a sign of respect and to gain good fortune.
What happens during worship at the mandir?
Devotees ring bells situated at the front of the mandir, announcing that worshippers are present and that offerings are about to be made. Bells also serve to draw the mind’s attention to the here-and-now of puja and should cancel out the sounds of the world beyond the mandir. While the pujari leads ceremonies, worshippers may sing devotional songs and hymns, which are accompanied by drums, cymbals and harmoniums. Puja ends with the aarti tray being passed around the congregation, with each worshipper cupping their hands over the flames and then passing their hands over their heart and head. Circumambulation may follow, before food offerings are distributed around the congregation as prasad.
Where do Hindus usually make shrines in the home?
Hindus usually have spaces set aside in their home for a shrine to their chosen deities. These take the form of small rooms or cupboards, but some may convert basements or attics into rooms for puja.
Who usually takes on the role of puja in the home?
All family members can participate in home puja, although women often take on this role.
What do shrines in the home usually contain?
Shrines in the home usually contain small vessels, jars of red kum-kum powder, yellow turmeric and sandalwood paste, flowers and leaves, food offerings, small ghee lamps, aarti lamps and small bells.
What happens during home puja?
Participants will bathe to demonstrate respect and cleanse the soul, before inviting the murti to worship with a bell. Offered a special seat, a water offering is offered and, then, the deities are given a bath using panchamrit and water. Turmeric power, red kum-kum and sandalwood paste is put on each deity and rice is placed in front of it. Brightly-coloured flowers are laid before the murtis and incense sticks are lit to create a fragrant atmosphere. Perfumed oils are also burnt to signify the destruction of selfish desires. A small ghee lamp is lit and then waved before the deity and, after being offered, food is shared as prasad.
What is the signficance of the eleven steps of home puja?
Each item relates to the five elements or the five senses, showing that all life comes from God. Therefore, worship should involve these elements/senses to develop a holy state of mind and to honour God in an appropriate manner.
Why should Hindus worship at the mandir?
Worshipping at the mandir brings a community to Hinduism and pujaris are present in the mandir to guide any form of puja. A variety of deities are available for prayer in the mandir, which links to the point that many mandirs are purpose-built. Mandirs hold spiritual significance and act as sacred areas.
Why should Hindus worship at home?
Worship at home is more varied, allowing Hindus to have flexibility in their worship. Hindus can also worship murtis of their choice. For this reason, there is less pressure on Hindus when worshipping at home. All members can participate in home puja, but women often take the role at home, which contrasts that at the mandir.
What is bhakti yoga?
In Hinduism, the simplest way to experience and understand the relationship between the atman and Brahman is bhakti yoga. Given that Brahman is without form, the worshipper needs to focus on a personal deity - this is known as ishwara. To form a relationship with the ishwara, the Hindu praises the name of God in its presence, bows before the image, chants its name and offers daily puja.
Who can follow bhakti yoga?
All people, regardless of varna and ashrama, can follow bhakti yoga, as all it requires is an emotional awareness of God and daily devotion. A Hindu who is a true devotee of God is known as a bhakta and many Hindus aspire to achieve this state of being through intense devotion.
Why is bhakti yoga important?
Intense devotion provides a deep spiritual understanding, cleans unearthly thoughts from the mind and purifies the body and removes any sense of self-interests, providing the devotee with peace and joy.
Why is visual imagery necessary in Hinduism?
Bhakti yoga is often undertaken with the aid of images of the gods (murtis). Images are used as a way of concentrating the mind through devotion. By having love and faith in God, Hindus believe that God and the gods will provide them with blessings. Images are used to guide focus and idols act as points of concentration to focus their minds. They are also used to meditate and communicate with God. Visual imagery shows God’s presence, allowing Hindus to present their devotion.
