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The Concept of Sacrifice in Christianity and in Hinduism a Comparative Study

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The Concept of Sacrifice in Christianity and in Hinduism a Comparative Study The Concept of Sacrifice in Christianity and in Hinduism A Comparative Study Dissertation of the University of Lucerne, Faculty of Theology Submitted by Thomas Mathew Kolamkuzhyyil Thesis approved on November 29, 2013 Referee: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Müller Co-Referee: Prof. Dr. Stephanie Klein Lucerne, 2016 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Urn Number: urn:nbn:ch:bel-85469 Table of Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 7 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... 9 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER 1 THE CONCEPT OF SACRIFICE IN HINDUISM 1.1 The Vedas and the Vedic Religion .................................................................... 23 1.1.1 The Concept of Sacrifice .............................................................................. 25 1.1.2 The Inner Meaning of Yanja ........................................................................ 31 1.1.2.1 The Primordial and Ideal Yajna of Purusa- Prajapati .................... 32 1.1.3 The Constitutive Elements of Yajna ........................................................... 33 1.1.4 Cult or Yajna as Unique Goal in Itself ....................................................... 34 1.1.5 Yajna as Creative and Redemptive ............................................................ 35 1.1.6 Ends of Sacrifice ............................................................................................ 36 1.1.7 The Yajamana ................................................................................................ 39 1.1.8 Yajna and Faith ............................................................................................. 40 1.1.9 Yajna and Rita ............................................................................................... 41 1.1.9.1 Rita ......................................................................................................... 42 1.1.9.2 Karman .................................................................................................. 43 1.1.10 The Accuracy in the Performance of the Sacrifice ................................. 43 1.1.11 The Role of Priest ........................................................................................ 46 1.1.11.1 Hotr ...................................................................................................... 47 1.1.11.2 Adhvaryu Priest ................................................................................. 47 1.1.11.3 Udgata Priest ..................................................................................... 47 1.1.11.4 Brahma Priest ...................................................................................... 48 1.2 The Sacrifices in Rig-Veda ................................................................................. 48 1.2.1 Sacrifice in Brahmanas ................................................................................. 49 1.2.2 Upanishads .................................................................................................... 50 2 1.2.2.1 Sacrifice in Mundakop Upanishad .................................................... 51 1.3 The Fire (अ嵍नि) ..................................................................................................... 51 1.3.1 Tapas............................................................................................................... 55 1.4 Karma and Yajna ................................................................................................. 55 1.5 Ritual cooking ...................................................................................................... 56 1.6 Expanded meaning of Sacrifice ......................................................................... 57 1.6.1 The Puja .......................................................................................................... 58 1.6.1.1 The Purpose of the Puja ...................................................................... 60 1.6.1.2 Puja at Home ........................................................................................ 63 1.6.1.3 Temple Worship ................................................................................... 65 1.6.1.3.1 Darsan ................................................................................................. 66 1.6.1.3.2 Mantra in the Worship ..................................................................... 67 1.6.1.3.2.1 Japa ................................................................................................... 69 1.6.1.3.2.2 Kirtana and Bhajana ...................................................................... 70 1.6.1.3.2.3 Purity in Worship ........................................................................... 70 1.6.1.3.2.4 Faith and Worship ........................................................................ 71 1.6.1.3.2.5 Festivals .......................................................................................... 72 1.6.1.3.2.6 The Prayer ....................................................................................... 73 1.7 The Five Daily Sacrifices .................................................................................... 75 1.7.1 Brahmayajna .................................................................................................. 77 1.7.2 Devayajna ...................................................................................................... 77 1.7.3 Bhutayajna ..................................................................................................... 78 1.7.4 Manusya Yajna .............................................................................................. 78 1.7.5 Pitryajna ......................................................................................................... 79 1.8.The Hindu Sacraments ....................................................................................... 80 1.8.1.1 Sprinkling of Water.............................................................................. 81 1.81.2 The Pre-natal Samskaras ...................................................................... 82 1.8.1.3 The Marriage ......................................................................................... 82 3 1.8.1.3.1 Marriage is Permanent ..................................................................... 84 1.8.1.3.2 Marriage is not a License ................................................................. 84 1.8.1.3.3 Marriage as Sacrifice ......................................................................... 85 1.8.1.4 The Funeral Rites ................................................................................. 85 1.9 The Soma Sacrifice .............................................................................................. 87 1.10 Asvamedha ........................................................................................................ 88 1.11 The Sacrifice of the Mind ................................................................................. 89 1.12 The New and Full Moon Sacrifice (Darsapurnamasa) ................................ 90 1.13 Sacrifice in Bhagavad–Gita .............................................................................. 90 1.14Identification with Prajapati ............................................................................. 93 1.15 Expiatory Rites ................................................................................................... 93 1.16 The Rites for the Forefathers ............................................................................ 94 1.17 Agnihotra (Fire –God oblation) ....................................................................... 95 CHAPTER 2 A GENERAL STUDY OF THE SACRAMENTS 2.1 Concept and Definition ...................................................................................... 97 2.1.1 The Sacraments as Symbols ........................................................................ 99 2.1.2 Sacrament as Sacred Sign .......................................................................... 101 2.1.3 Mysterion ..................................................................................................... 102 2.1.3.1 Sacramentum ...................................................................................... 106 2.1.4 Scriptures ..................................................................................................... 108 2.1.4.1 Paul on Sacrament ............................................................................. 109 2.1.4.2 The Church Fathers............................................................................ 110 2.1.4.2.1 Augustine ......................................................................................... 111 2.1.4.2.2 Hugo of St. Vittore .......................................................................... 114 2.1.4.2.3 Thomas Aquinas ............................................................................. 114 2.1.4.2.4Peter Lombardus .............................................................................. 117 2.1.5 Reformation and Sacraments .................................................................... 118 2.1.5.1
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