5 : How Hindus Worship

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5 : How Hindus Worship 29 March 2020 #5 4-6 : Describe the different forms of worship : HOW HINDUS WORSHIP 7-9 : Explain the importance of worship Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? KEY DIFFERENCES IN WORSHIP IN SHAIVISM AND VAISHNAVISM : Read through the information sheets and create a table of differences between the way Shaivites and Vaishnavas worship. Shaivism Vaishnavism 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? VAISHNAVISM : Vaishnavism is one particular tradition or denomination within Hinduism, which focuses on the worship of Vishnu. It has become very popular in Britain in the last sixty years due to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement. Vaishnava worship is based on the Upanishads, the Vedas and the Puranas, especially the Bhagavad Gita and concentrates on the concept of bhakti (personal devotion). Worship often consists of praying specific mantras (for example ‘Hare Krishna’) and the practice of repetitive prayer known as ‘japa’. Some consider Shiva to be a Vaishnava, and one well-known picture shows Rama praying before Shiva, that is, an avatar of Krishna praying before the god Shiva. Vaishnavas consider that Vishnu is within them as the ‘antaryami’ or God within, and their aim in life is to serve Vishnu or one of his avatars in the spiritual realm of vaikuntha. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? SHAIVISM : Shaivites, or Shaivas, are the second largest group of Hindus in India today. They worship Shiva, focussing on the male linga, or on his dancing form, Nataraja. Shaivism is particularly strong in south India. Shaivites are often ascetics (people who live austere and simple lives) aiming for liberation through complete detachment. The naked holy men who present at the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage are Shaivites who practise astanga yoga. Some Shaivite ascetics smoke marijuana as an aid to meditation. Many Shaivites believe there is only one reality, that the atman, or self, and Brahman are one. Vaishnavas, in contrast, are less sure of this ‘oneness’. They are sometimes described as ‘dualists’ because they believe the atman is separate from the Supreme Being who is the Lord Vishnu. Although Hinduism is a very inclusive religion in accepting other beliefs, Shaivites and Vaishnavas disagree about which deity is superior – Shiva or Vishnu. Both groups use stories to support the claim that their god is superior. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja 29 March 2020 #6 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony : PUJA AND ARATI 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? STARTER : However Hindus worship, it is important to remember that it should be conducted with the correct intention for it to be successful. 1. What is the correct intention? It is the correct way to show respect and honour to The Supreme Being 2. What would be the incorrect intention? Solely for the purpose of reaching Moksha 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? PUJA CEREMONY : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0114z20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRX2iM2nBLk 1. How are all the senses stimulated during puja? Why is this done? 2. What sort of clothing would be worn during puja? Why? 3. Why are certain directions chosen for arati? 4. How is fire used and what does it represent? 5. What is the role of the priest and the congregation? 6. How do the different aspects of puja enable to deity to be treated as an honoured guest? 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 6 STEPS OF HINDU WORSHIP : Hindu worship will involve a shrine, and is a multi sensory experience. When engaging in Hindu worship all five senses are used, and reference is made to the five elements. An Arati tray will have six key features, each one is on a poster around the room 1. A bell 2. A dish containing sandal wood 3. Food offerings 4. A pot containing holy water 5. An incense stick 6. An arati lamp 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? THE ARATI TRAY : Draw and label the puja tray on the sheet (separate pdf) information on pages below Explain what the different aspects mean to a Hindu. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? KEY TERMS : Puja – the name given to Hindu worship, at a shrine or in the Mandir. Literally it means ‘giving respect and honour’ Arati – this is the main worship ceremony, it is an offering of light to the deity through a murti Write these words down in your book 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? Why do you think arati is the most popular type of worship for many Hindus? Why is light in the form of fire so significant? 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? PLENARY: What happens during the arati ceremony? What is the ritual of puja? 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 1) A BELL : A bell: this is rung at the beginning of Puja to let the deity know worship is about to begin. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 2) KUM KUM POWDER : 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 3) FOOD OFFERINGS/PRASHAD : Offerings of food such as nuts, fruit, rice and sweets are placed on the shrine. These are symbolic exchanges of love between the worshipers and the deity. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 4) WATER AND SPOON: A pot containing holy water is used for cleansing and purification. Some shrines have a jar containing water from the river Ganges. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 5) INSENCE : An incense stick and holder: incense sticks are lit to purify and cleanse the air where prayers are being said and to create a holy atmosphere. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja Key Question : What are Puja and Arati? 6) ARATI LAMP : An arati lamp with five wicks, each of which represent s one of the five elements, earth, air, fire, water and ether. Hindus believe that fire can be used to communicate with God and transfer his blessings. 4-6 : Describe the Arati ceremony / 7-9 : Explain the ritual of Puja .
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