Religious Identities Hindu Identities
Followers of the teachings of the Vedas are called Hindus. About Hinduism Acknowledging and respecting Hindu identities at SCU Hinduism originated and developed in India over the last therefore requires, in part, a basic understanding of what 3 000 – 3 500 years. It is the majority religion in India. Hindus Hinduism and being a Hindu is about. believe in one Supreme God who manifests him/herself in many different forms. Some of these include Krishna, Durga, Hindus in Australia Ganesha, Shakti (Devi), Vishnu, Surya, Shiva and Skanda Hinduism was first introduced to Australia in the early 19th (Murugan). century with the arrival of Asian people as crew on trading Hindus believe: ships and as labourers on cotton and sugar plantations. In the • in the Vedas (scriptures) 19th century there were also Hindu merchants, traders and camp followers associated with the British military and police, • there is one Supreme God who is the creator of the universe where they worked as cooks and horse stablers. • in reincarnation The first Hindu Temple in Australia, the Sri Mandir Temple, was • that everyone creates their own destiny (karma). built in Auburn NSW in 1977. There are four major Hindu denominations classified According to the 2011 Census 276 000 people identify as according to their respective focus of worship. Hindu. It is the fastest growing religion in Australia. Vaishnavism Vaishnavites worship Vishnu and his incarnations, particularly Krishna and Rama, as the Supreme God. Shaivism Shaivites worship Shiva (also spelt Siva) as the Supreme God. Shaktism Shaktas worship God as the Shakti, Sri Devi or the Divine Mother in her many forms. Smartism Smarta Hindus view the different manifestations of God as equivalent. They accept all major Hindu gods and are commonly known as liberal or non-sectarian. Hindu religious observance Significant Hindu festivals and celebrations Place of worship Makar Sankranti The Hindu place of worship is the temple. Most temples make Makar Sankranti is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar up to five daily offerings of food to the gods. Hindus also and falls on 14 January each year. It falls on the day when the maintain one or more shrines in their homes as the focus of sun enters the zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when day worship. Worship can take place daily, at any time. and night are of equal duration. Variations exist in the way Makar Sakranti is celebrated throughout India. For example, Religious text Tamils of southern India refer to Makar Sankranti as the Pongal The sacred text of Hinduism is called the Vedas which is a or Harvest Festival where families gather to rejoice and share Sanskrit word meaning knowledge and wisdom. There are four their harvests. Offerings of rice and milk are made to the deity Vedas: Surya, symbolising the sun. • Rig-Veda (Veda of Hymns, mantras and prayers) Mahasivaratri/Shiva’s Great Night • Sama-Veda (Veda of Chants) Mahasivaratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of • Yajur-Veda (Veda of Sacrifice) Shiva as deity beyond time, form and space. This involves an • Atharva-Veda (Veda of Atharvan). all night vigil which does not finish until dawn when devotees Each Veda is divided into four divisions, namely: may break a day long fast. It is considered mandatory for all Shaivites. Mahasivaratri is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, • The Samhitas: lliterally “collections” in this case of therefore dates vary each year. Translated to the Western hymns and mantras. They form the Veda proper. (Gregorian) calendar, Mahasivaratri falls in February-March. • The Brahmanas: prose manuals of ritual and prayer for the guiding priests. They tend to explain the Samhitas. Navaratri/Nine Nights • The Aranyakas: literally “forest books” for hermits and Navaratri is a nine day festival dedicated to the worship of the saints. They are philosophical treatises. deity Shakti. Three days are devoted to Durga, three to Laksmi and three to Saraswati. The tenth day is known as Vijaya Disami • The Upanishads: books of philosophy, also called (Day of Victory) in which prayers of thankfulness are offered. “Vedanta”; the end or conclusion of the Vedas. The festival involves cultural celebrations, especially in the form Hindu symbols of dance and music. The Aum is considered the most important Hindu symbol Ganesha Chathurthi and is chanted at the beginning of many prayers and rituals. This festival is arguably the Hindu community’s largest festival It consists of three syllables a-u-m which are sounded after Deepavali and celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birthday. It is progressively from the throat to the lips. The three sounds celebrated on the chaturthi or “fourth day” after the new moon represent three states of consciousness – waking, dreaming in the Tamil month of Avani (August – September). and deep sleep. The entire symbol represents the fourth state which is the awareness of one’s own spirituality. Aum is often Ganesha receives special pujas (prayers) throughout the day, used as an emblem of Hinduism. and his worship often incorporates a large festival parade. This festival is celebrated by nearly all Hindus regardless of sect and Sri Yantra (also known as the Yantra of Creation) is a mandala is especially pronounced in North India. formed by nine interlocking triangles. Four of these are situated upright and represent Shiva – the masculine. The remaining Deepavali/Diwali/Festival of Lights five triangles are inverted and represent Shakti – the feminine. Diwali (north India) or Deepavali (south India) is the most Hindu dress code important and widely celebrated Hindu event symbolizing both the lifting of spiritual darkness and the renewal of life. It is Traditional Hindu women wear the sari. Traditional male Hindus celebrated by the lighting of oil lamps called diyas in houses, wear the white cotton dhoti. shops and public places. It is also a time for wearing new Women in particular may wear a dot (tilak) of turmeric powder clothes and feasting with family and friends. Diwali/Deepavali is or other coloured substance on their foreheads as a symbol set by the Hindu lunar calendar and therefore varies each year. of their religion. For women, tilak is also considered a beauty Translated to the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in October mark. or November. Dietary requirements and restrictions • The cow is considered sacred. Hindus therefore avoid eating beef. • Some Hindus are vegetarian and do not eat meat, fish, eggs or products made from these foods. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods cannot be cooked together. • Fasting is commonly practised on new moon days and during certain religious festivals. Holi Chaplaincy Holi is an annual festival that celebrates spring and A multi-faith advisory committee oversees the coordination commemorates various events in Hindu mythology. It is and facilitation of Chaplaincy activities for the University. The celebrated with feasts, bonfires and decorating oneself, friends chaplains work together as a multi-faith team as well as being and relatives with coloured powder and water. Holi is based on a resource for particular faiths. Further information: Student the Hindu lunar calendar and therefore dates differ each year. Health Services, Chaplaincy – https://www.scu.edu.au/current- It usually falls in February-March in the Gregorian calendar. students/services-and-support/multifaith-and-pastoral-care/ New Year Religious observance Celebrating Hindu New Year varies according to geographical Where it is reasonable and practicable to do so, flexible work location. For example, Tamil Hindus of southern India celebrate and study arrangements may be made to accommodate the New Year on 14 April each year except in a leap year when it is religious obligations of staff and students at SCU. Examples celebrated on 13 April. Hindus from Gujarat (northwest India) include: celebrate New Year at the same time as Diwali/Deepavali. • negotiated flexible work/study arrangements between heads of departments/supervisors and staff and students who Respecting religious and cultural diversity at SCU are required to pray at certain times of the day or to attend SCU’s Equal Opportunity Statement other religious ceremonies at particular times of the year SCU is committed to providing an environment for staff and • consideration of the main religious festivals when students that embraces and supports a knowledge of and determining examination dates and assessment dates. respect for equity and cultural inclusion, safety and security • consideration given to student requests for extensions to and which is free from harassment and discrimination. accommodate religious observance. Equal Opportunity means that all people regardless of gender, race, colour, age, marital or parental status, career responsibilities, sexual preference, disability or religious belief have the right to be given fair consideration for a position or other position related benefits such as staff training and development. Equal Employment Opportunity aims to redress past disadvantage by improving employment access and participation for EEO groups. Other points for reflection • It is not customary to greet a Hindu by hugging and kissing. References and further information: Handshakes or the Hindu namaskar (clasping of palms ABC: The Sacred Site together and holding them near the chest) is the more http://www.abc.net.au/ appropriate way to greet a Hindu. ABC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism • Some Hindus may show agreement by moving their heads http://www.abc.net.au/religion/ from side to side which may be misconstrued as a ‘no’. BBC Religion and Ethics: Hinduism www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/index.shtml Some common misconceptions about Hinduism Department of immigration and Multicultural Affairs. 1998. • Hindus do not worship the cow. Rather they honour and Living in Harmony - An Overview. respect the cow. http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/doc/immdept_4.pdf • Hindus do not worship many gods, rather they worship one Government of Western Australia – Office of Multicultural Supreme Being manifested in a number of different names Interests: Culture and Religion – Guidelines for Service Providers - Hinduism and forms. www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_guidelines.cfm?choice=3 Hindu Council of Australia www.hinducouncil.com.au/ Hindu Festivals www.hinduism.co.za/newpage3.htm Hindustanlink.com: Hindu Festivals www.hindustanlink.com/festivals/hindu_festivals.htm IndiaOz: A-Z of Hinduism www.indiaoz.com.au/hinduism/index.shtml Kauai’s Hindu Monastery: Hinduism – The Basics www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/ Religion Facts: Hinduism www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/index.htm The Heart of Hinduism: Hindu Symbols http://hinduism.iskcon.org/lifestyle/806.htm The Heart of Hinduism: The Four Main Denominations http://hinduism.iskcon.org/tradition/1200.htm Understanding Hinduism www.hinduism.co.za/ Wikipedia: Hinduism www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism Wikipedia: Hinduism in Australia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_in_australia SCU Equity and Diversity Office http://www.scu.edu.au/equity/ SCU – Student Health Services - Chaplaincy https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/services-and-support/ multifaith-and-pastoral-care/ The Heart of Hinduism http://hinduism.iskcon.org/tradition/1106.htm Author: Anna Kalaitzidis, Flinders University, 2006. This has been adapted by SCU. Expert advice: Carl Vadivella Belle, Hindu Chaplain, Religious Centre, Flinders University. SCU7386
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