Thus one critical aspect of the Hindu temple would be the central shine to the deity worshipped in a given location, or by a given sect of Hindu’. For instance the central shrine of the Vishvanatha Temple in Khajuraho India is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. (P 19-61) These shrines are often restricted to Hindu Priests who tend the shrine and make sacrifices to the Hindu Deities. (Kleiner, 2008, p172). These deities are also represented by wall carvings and hangings, and sculptures of the various deities.
It still lives on today in religions such as Hinduism, Shintoism, and Buddhism. The belief in multiple gods is probably the result of an earlier belief in vaguely defined spirits, demons, and other supernatural forces. However, these supernatural forces are personified and organized into a cosmic family. This "family" becomes the
The main reason Lawrence Cunningham and John Kelsay use a phenomenological view point towards religion is for a better understanding. A better understand on a number of aspects for multiple different religions. The phenomenological approach helps them accomplish this by letting them look at religion in an un-bias way and be totally accepting of that religion’s traditions and ideas of sacred. They state in the text, “At its simplest, a phenomenological approach leads to an effort to understand religious thought and behavior from the point of view of the religious person.”, (Cunningham and Kelsay 4) this means that if that person says that a certain book or object is sacred we take them at their word that that book or object is sacred. Phenomenology is also geared towards creating a framework for understanding religious traditions.
The second temple is the Great Stupa, a dome-shaped Buddhist monument from the Maurya Dynasty in Sanchi, India. The structure was built sometime from the 3rd C BCE to 1st C Ce,. Both of these monuments have many similarities and differences in structure and symbolism, but the dominant theme that ties them together is the idea that they connecting our real with the heavenly realm. These buildings came from completely different cultures, yet they have surprisingly similar styles. For example, both buildings require the visitor to first enter though a series of columns before reaching the main attraction.
Assignment 1: Comparison of Two Religions Although the past weeks in the study of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism have provided great insight and inspiration, the concentration of this research will seek to provide further exploration of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism and Buddhism, both originating in India are very similar religions that, at the same time have distinct differences. While Hinduism is about understanding existence from within a person’s soul, Buddhism is about understanding and recognizing the absence of the permanent soul. In Hinduism, attaining the highest life possible is a process of removing the body from distractions in life, allowing one to eventually understand their own internal nature. In Buddhism, by following a methodical life one can find an understanding of existence and achieve Nirvana (enlightenment).
In Hinduism their version of life after death fits in with their idea of Atman. The next question is whether the idea of a soul or spirit is necessary in order for resurrection and reincarnation to work. When looking at the classic definition of Hindu reincarnation, a soul, is necessary in order to ‘pass between bodies’. This soul, known as atman, is often described very little in Hindu scriptures but is has similar properties to the Christian view of the soul. Understanding this, it would seem to be a dualistic relationship between the body and the atman and there are two separate substances.
Elements of Religious Traditions Paper Howard Swiggett REL/133 September 11, 2012 Elements of Religious Traditions Paper Religion is the human enterprise by which a sacred cosmos is established. (Peter Berger’s 1967). Another meaning is “A religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things that is to say, things set apart and forbidden (Durkheim1960). Religion is a way of life founded upon the apprehension of sacredness in existence. (Julian Huxley biologist).
Coming from somebody who has somewhat of a strong faith in any religion, this is seen as a miracle and God has bestowed a blessing on his people. It all depends on the mindset of the person and how they see the world. Obviously, the world is run by religious beliefs and it controls the lives 99% of the people that live today. Personally, I would probably also believe that this is a religious miracle and it is a symbol bestowed onto us by God himself. I’m a Roman Catholic and have studied religion for some of my college time and things like this aren’t just passed by for somebody who cares about their
“All round are a number of small shrines, each containing its god and having its own name and cult, and some of them also their own springs.” (Radice, 217) We see that as far back as the time of the “deified” Emperor Augustus (27 BCE – 14 ACE), the place has held a special meaning, for it was Augustus who was presented the site in his honor by the locals of Hispellum. To trace back the importance of religious locations and structures, we can reference “Gilgamesh” and the temples of Ur and Uruk. It is believed that the recently unearthed temples held great importance in the lives of everyday Sumerians. It was here that priests would climb on-high to present offerings to the gods in the hopes of receiving blessings and to gain favor. In many ways, the polytheistic tendencies of the Romans mirror that of ancient Sumerians.
In Lucius Apuleius’ Metamorphoses, Apuleius describes different religious rituals that go on in different countries. Apuleius also talks about the characteristics of mystery cults. He talks about, initiation rituals, life after death, secret rituals and rights that the cult has. The excerpt focuses mainly on the rebirth and salvation and eternal life. This is a big belief and it connects the Greeks emotionally with their god/goddess.