Studies of Religion Notes

The Nature of Religion

Monotheism: the worship or belief in only one god e.g. Judaism, Islam and Christianity
Polytheism: the worship or belief in many gods or goddesses e.g. Hinduism
 Define the supernatural dimension
Supernatural dimension: this dimension implies a foundation on some sort of divine revelation or revealed
faith. This revelation exceeds the power and capacity of the human nature and any created natural reality.
The supernatural dimension of religion cannot be explained according to the natural laws or occurrences.
This dimension exceeds the ordinary limits of human existence and is sometimes described as abnormal,
even miraculous
 Discuss a transcendent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine power and/or powers
beyond the human
A transcendent religious worldview holds beliefs in a divine power/s beyond the human dimension, This
corresponds to the world view held by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The followers of these religious
traditions believe in the One God who exists beyond the human and yet guides humanity throughout its
everyday existence.
 Discuss an immanent religious worldview which has a belief in a divine being or powers swelling
within the individual
An immanent religious worldview maintains a belief in a divine being or powers dwelling within the
individual. This worldview is characteristic of Buddhism and Hinduism. For example in Buddhism, it is
important not to look for a Buddhist equivalent of ‘God’ but for an ultimate goal or principle, such as
nirvana, that gives Buddhist lives a sense of ultimate meaning.
 Define the characteristics of religion
Beliefs and believers: All religions are sustained by beliefs and believers. Beliefs are the key values or
doctrines which support the religious practice of a particular religion for the believers. Believers include
holy people, saints and other inspirational figures, both living and dead.
Sacred texts and writings: All religions have oral/written sacred texts and writings, containing the beliefs
of the religion e.g. bible, Qur’an, sutras. These texts contain sacred stories which explain through history or
non-historical means how people are connected to this supernatural dimension.
Ethics: the explicit, philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs within a tradition. They are
central to any religion. Their purpose is to clarify what is right and wrong, and what followers of a religion
should freely do, or refrain from doing.
Rituals and ceremonies: rituals and ceremonies are enactments or systems of actions and beliefs that each
have a beginning, a middle and an end. They involve prescribed words and actions along with the use of
symbols. These reflect an understanding of the sacred dimension, helping lead to a greater understanding of
the ultimate reality.
 Explore the ways in which these characteristics interact to create a dynamic, living religion
These key characteristics create in turn a dynamic, living religion. A dynamic religion is one characterised
by energy, ambition, new ideas and practical achievements. A living religion is one that is full of life, not
bereft of ideas. It evolves to the social norms of everyday human existence, constantly refreshing itself.
Religions need to constantly adapt their believers and beliefs, sacred texts and writings, ethics, rituals and
ceremonies to modern day. When all these characteristics are interacting creatively, they nurture a dynamic
living religion. A good example is the interpretation of sacred texts and writings in all traditions. The way
in which the religious community reads and understands a text affects their beliefs, their lives, their
understanding of other texts, their ethics and morality, their rituals and ceremonies. This shows that a
creative interpretation of sacred texts affects every other characteristic of religion, and helps in turn to
create a dynamic, living religion.
  Appreciate the contribution of religion to:
- Individuals
- Society and culture
Individuals Society and Culture
- Religion explains the creation of the universe, - Religion gives the sense of place within the
human nature and life’s purpose universe and what is needed to survive here and
- Gives individual a keen sense of belonging after death
- Offers ethics system to follow - Underlying motivation of authentic religions is
- Helps address current and challenging ethical to recognise the fundamental goodness of a
issues that may be too complex or difficult common humanity and a common destiny
- A way to celebrate life events - Religion has seen the importance of education
- Offers individuals a way of perfection, instructs for their young and the need to develop higher
them on what is required to become true to forms of learning for the education
themselves and more closer to achieving the - Religious traditions have been great patrons of
goals art
- Religion also presents to individuals ways of - Religion is essential to society and culture as it
achieving inner peace through prayer, reflection has given comfort, hope and joy to humans
and meditation throughout history
- May also help individuals define their attitudes - They have consistently taught that humans are
and ideas. May reinforce stereotypes created by the divine as beings with free will
and reason who are destined for happiness
Australian Aboriginal Beliefs and Spiritualities – The Dreaming

 Outline the nature of the Dreaming in relation to:

- Origins of the universe
Origins of the universe: The foundation of Aboriginal religion is in the Dreaming stories of creation.
Before time began, the world was only a formless mass of dark and featureless matter. The spirit ancestors
arose from their eternal sleep from the earth. They emerged from features of the landscape such as
waterholes, rock formations and caves. The first spirits took on various shapes and appearances, both
human and animal. At the beginning, there was no established law or morality; the ancestors set
boundaries, settling in their most appropriate way of life.
- Sacred sites
Sacred sites: The Dreaming creation stories are the origin of important landscape features and some of
these places, where important events occurred during a Dreaming, are of special significance to
Aboriginals, known as ‘sacred sites’. They may be land, rock formations, and parts of rivers or seas. They
may be significant as burial grounds, ceremonial meeting places, places of danger or birthing caves.
Knowledge of sacred sites is limited and rarely available to the wider community unless the sites are
threatened with destruction.
- Stories of the Dreaming
Stories of the Dreaming: Aboriginal mythological narrative details the beginning of creation and of the
life of all living things. It is the basis of Aboriginals’ association with land of the Ancestral Spirits’ action
in, and interaction with, creation – rock formations, trees, rivers, and mountains and so on. The knowledge
of the birth of humanity and the essence of Aboriginal religious beliefs, laws, ceremonies and rituals are all
derived from Aboriginal mythology. The narratives are the eternal link between the Ancestral Spirits and
the past, present and future generations; Aboriginal mythology is truth and its authenticity is never
questioned.
- Symbolism and art
Symbolism and art: Aboriginal art was related only to the artist’s connection with his/her country.
Different areas produced different forms of art. These were linked by their strong designs and religious
significance. The custodian of that knowledge and Dreaming of the artwork used it to teach others and in
the renewal of the Dreaming depicted. Art provides knowledge of sites, food types, water, behaviour and
beings that should be avoided. It may provide a form of map by which the landform and its resources can
be understood. It often provides essential bush survival skills and knowledge of the lifecycles of plants and
animals.
 Discuss the diversity of the Dreaming for Aboriginal peoples
The Dreaming is the concept which underpins all beliefs and practices in Aboriginal communities. The
Dreaming is both personal and communal; the dreaming holds different meaning to each tribe and
individual. Aboriginal spirituality is based on a variety of beliefs. Each area has a particular plant, animal
or landmark which is a totem for that group of Aboriginal people; the spirit of the ancestor is heavily
associated with the totem. The people are responsible for that area of land and, along with their connection
with the Ancestral Spirit, their identity is formed. Participants in the rituals and ceremonies of the
Dreaming are dealing directly with their ancestor being; they become their totem spirit. The main purpose
of ceremonies is to participate in the original acts of the creative spirits, bringing the Dreaming into the
‘here and now’. It is against Aboriginal law to falsely claim the dreaming of another group.
  Recognise the importance of the Dreaming for the life of Aboriginal peoples
Religion is a means for people to find answers to life’s big questions. With Aboriginal spirituality, the
natural and supernatural are extremely closely linked. Their spirituality is lived in their day to day lives and
their supernatural deities are active in their activities.
 Totem Ancestors
- Totems are respected but they are not worshipped
- Ceremony places the people in direct contact with their ancestor spirit
 Life
- Aboriginal spirituality is celebrated through devotional practices (signs, symbols etc.)
- Life was initiated in the Dreaming and so life is very much connected with eternity
- Life is taken as sacred; it is a miracle
 Death
- Death is seen as a necessary part of life.
- Rituals for the dead ensure the departed spirit returns to the spirit world
- ‘Whatever is born must kill to eat and grow, and then it dies and is reborn’
All beings participate in this life cycle.
 Responsibility
- Aboriginal law is based on the belief that everything that exists is connected and part of a living
system.
- For all life to be preserved, relationships between all living things must be preserved
- None are superior or inferior.
- Aboriginal people live with the land based on this understanding. They do not exploit the land.
 Investigate the inextricable connection of the Dreaming, the land and identity
The land is the physical link to the invisible, eternal, spiritual world. The Dreaming sets the moral and
social bonds and also the unbreakable link between humans, ancestral beings and the spiritual world. The
land is a sacred place as the Dreaming occurs on the land. The land features are the result of the Dreaming.
Aboriginal people follow ‘songlines’ or the paths of their Ancestors. Because of this, they know the land
well and it is sacred to them.
People must cooperate with the natural cycle of life so that the land will continue its own life cycle.
Aboriginal people must care for the land in order to live off it.
Aboriginal people speak of the land as part of their identity i.e. ‘I am the Land’. They are a part of the
living environment, and not superior to it. A formal connection exists between Aboriginal people and their
area of land, including non-human inhabitant, because they all are descended from the same ancestral
spirit. The human body is composed of a physical body and several spiritual elements. People must show
each other respect because they are all bonded in body, soul and spirit. Also, all physical action must take
into consideration the spiritual effects. The people must conform to the spiritual patterns of their group. For
Aboriginals, all aspects of life are celebrated, the bad with the good.
Buddhism

 Explain why the Buddha is the model of Buddhist life

Buddha has an inspirational nature that can be understood as both a philosopher and a religious leader.
Qualities As religious leader/as philosopher
Forbearance During his night of revelation, the Buddha fought off a number of spirits
attempting to stop him from realising his teachings. Siddhartha impressed
many with his dedication to unveiling the false nature of reality and the self.
Truth over luxury The prince left his father’s palace although he was provided with everything
he could want. Seeking the truth was more important. Buddhism
demonstrates how, if the world is illusory, no one can find happiness in
possessions.
Wisdom and Insight Seeing the poor man, the sick man and the dead man, the Buddha dedicated
himself to explaining why life was bound by suffering. In the process of
becoming enlightened, the Buddha developed a sophisticated philosophy
that describes the nature of reality and the self. He inspires others to teach
and develop his system.
Tolerance and inclusiveness The Buddha claimed that his system is a tool to help, not a dogma that has to
be believed. He said that, if Buddhism does not work for you, then use
another system. This idea of Buddhism as a tool rather than an exclusive
group is radical in comparison with most religions.

 Identify the importance of the first two councils in the development of Buddhism
The First Council at Rajgir
- After the death of Buddha, the Sangha found itself at a loss over how to resolve difficulties and
establish discipline
- The first council was held in 483 BC and 500 Arahats (holy men) attended
- During the council the sermons of the Buddha were recited and collected into the Sutra Pitaka.
The monastic rules were recounted and gathered into the Vinaya Pitaka.
- This council was important as it established the Buddha’s teachings.
The Second Council at Vaishali
- It was assembled 70 years after the first council in 383 BC
- The council was called by a wandering monk to settle a disagreement that had arisen regarding
the Dharma. While travelling the monk had seen ten illicit practices among a group of monks.
- After much debate, the monks were expelled. They were used as examples on the importance of
maintaining correct disciplinary practice
- The ten areas of dispute were: carrying salt in an animal horn, taking food past noon, travelling
to one village to eat after already having eaten in one village, holding several assemblies of the
sangha, confirming sangha business in an incomplete assembly, citing habit as the authority for
violations of monastic procedures, drinking milk whey after metals, drinking unfermented wine,
using a mat with fringes and accepting gold and silver.
  Outline the unique features of:
- Theravada Buddhism
Theravada Buddhism is strongest in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The school
claims that their form of teaching and monastic behaviour is the closest to the original teachings of Buddha.
Theravada Buddhism emphasises attaining self-liberation through one’s own efforts. Meditation and
concentration are vital elements of the way to enlightenment. The follower is expected to ‘abstain from all
kinds of evil, to accumulate all that is good and to purify their mind’. They treat Buddha as an example to
reach enlightenment.
- Mahayana Buddhism
Mahayana Buddhism is strongest in Tibet, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Mongolia.
It is a collection of Buddhist traditions: Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism.
Theravada and Mahayana are both emphasise the individual search for liberation from the cycle of
samsara, but methods can be very different. They hope to become a bodhisattva, one who achieves
enlightenment but takes an oath to reincarnate to assist all beings in achieving enlightenment. Including
laypeople. They promote Buddha as an all-knowing transcendent being.
- Vajrayana Buddhism
Vajrayana Buddhism was predominant in north India initially, but massively developed in Tibet, Nepal,
Bhutan and Mongolia. It came about through the adoption of local religious beliefs and customs,
particularly incorporating local gods and goddesses into its belief system. Vajrayana Buddhism is built on
the teachings of emptiness and the idea of potential buddhahood. Enlightenment is achieved under the
guidance of gurus (people who have achieved high levels of meditation and understanding). The path
towards enlightenment is rigorous and uses three means: mudras (bodily postures), mantras (spiritual
sounds or mystical phrases) and mandalas (spiritual maps of the various realms of the Buddhas).
 Define The Three Jewels
- Buddha
The Buddha recognises the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) and to the ideal of buddhahood that is
open to all. ‘Buddhahood’ is the view that all beings have the potential to become a Buddha – the
possession of enlightening knowledge.
- Dharma
Dharma signifies the totality of the Buddha’s teachings. It is the means by which he instructed his
followers on the correct spiritual journey towards enlightenment.
- Sangha
The sangha is the Buddhist community, both past and the future. It includes laypeople, monks and nuns.
 Describe the significance of The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths can be defined in these words:
1. All is suffering
2. The cause of suffering is desire
3. There is a way out of suffering
4. The way out is the Noble Eightfold Path
  Examine the beliefs of the Three Marks of Existence
- Anicca
Anicca is the idea of impermanence. It expresses the idea that everything is in a state of constant flux. The
mind is in constant flux as it observes change and failure to confront change’s true nature will only produce
more dukkha
- Dukkha
Dukkha asserts that existence is always and ultimately unsatisfying at its deepest level of comprehension.
- Anatta
Anatta is Buddha’s concept of ‘non-self’ (undetermined as to Buddha’s true meaning). There is no
permanent self; rather, it is a bundle of ever changing physical and mental components.
 Recognise the connection between Karma and Samsara
Karma is the consequence of any act that a person willingly and knowingly does. Those acts that are good
bring about good karma, while those that harm any sentient life form bring about bad karma. Karma is
connected with right ethical behaviour and right practice of meditation.
Karma results in samsara, the cycle of rebirths. After the person dies, karma seeks a suitable rebirth,
determined on the amount of karma. The most desirable rebirth is that of becoming a human, for only as a
human can the Buddhist achieve enlightenment. If his or her karma is not possible as a human, that karma
will find rebirth in lesser animal or sentient life forms.
 Outline the importance of Nirvana in Buddhism
The goal for all Buddhists is to reach nirvana. Nirvana is the realisation that all known objects and what
appear to be individual experiences are illusions. The person will live a purer ethical life and practise
higher levels of meditation, gaining clearer understanding that all things are no thing. (enlightenment)
 Identify the importance of:
- Tripitaka
The Tripitaka (or Pali Canon, ‘the three baskets’) contains the essential teachings (dharma) and the life of
the founder; presented as the most significant model of the way of attaining nirvana. It is the sacred text for
Theravada Buddhism. The Tripitaka is divided into 3 sections:
1. Vinaya Pitaka: sets out the rules and expectations for the Sangha. It also contains the decisions
made in the past about consequences if a monk is found to have broken any of the rules. The
importance of this work is that it connects the lifestyle of present-day monks to those of the past
and ensures the Sangha remains a witness to the truth of Buddhism.
2. Sutta Pitaka: the collection of sayings of Buddha and stories about his life.
3. Abhidharma Pitaka: a set of philosophical works that discuss the intellectual consequences of the
teachings of the Lord Buddha.
- Lotus of the Good Law
Mahayana Buddhism accepts several other works as sacred writings, such as the Heart Sutra and The Lotus
of the Good Law. The Lotus of Good Law teaches that all people can reach a state of enlightenment, in
contrast to the usual Theravada view that only a select few can. It contains 28 chapters.
- Tibetan Book of the Dead
Vajrayana Buddhism’s most significant text is the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It tells of four bardos
(phases) which people travel through after death, and offers advice on how to find the heavenly realm,
rather than the lower realm where the cycle of birth and death continues. It offers considerable insight into
Tibetan Buddhist cosmology and teachings on the mind, consciousness, death and reincarnation.
 Outline the principal ethical teachings of Buddhism
 Describe the importance of ethical teachings in the life of adherents
The Five Precepts are guides to correct behaviour rather than strict rules. To abstain from:
1. Killing living things
2. Taking what is not given
3. Engaging in sexual misconduct
4. Speaking falsely
5. Taking drugs or drink that affect the mind
The Vinaya is a guide for monks and nuns in Buddhism to monastic life and directs monastic behaviour.
There are another five precepts that bring the list to ten precepts:
6. Taking untimely metals
7. Dancing, music, singing and watching grotesque mime
8. The use of garlands, perfumes and personal adornments
9. Accepting gold or silver
The basis of Buddhist ethics is respect for life: not to harm any living being and to ensure the welfare of all.
Buddhism seeks to relate significantly to other beings and to behave in an ethical fashion. These ethics can
be reflected in lifestyle practices of pacifism and vegetarianism. The Five Precepts are concerned with an
individual’s relationship to others and the world in which they live.
 Outline puja as celebrated in the home
Pratimoksha: recitation of Vinaya rules performed fortnightly
Kathina: a formal statement following the end of a rainy season in Asia for the purity of the sangha
Parivana: a ceremony in which monks receive robes sewn by laity within the area that they live. Generally
done straight after the Kathina ceremony.
Puja: worship; the ritual they honour a god or goddess as a divine guest
Mala: prayer beads, usually made up of 108 beads.
The most common elements found in household puja include images of Buddha, candle and incense,
flowers and statues. Puja is seen as a way to engage the heart and all energies to purify ourselves from
negativiry and develop positive energy. Meditation is the primary means of experiencing this positive
energy and devotion.
Hinduism

 Discuss the civilisation of the early inhabitants of the Indus Valley:

- The Harappan civilisation
The Harappan Empire flourished from about 3000 BCE until around 1500, when it suddenly disappeared.
Most likely causes are drought, famine or invasion. Various pottery figurines and engraved seals have been
uncovered, suggesting a culture rich in myths and symbols. The society was agricultural and its religion
focused on fertility. They worshipped a Mother Goddess, known as Devi in modern Hinduism, and they
revered various plants and animals, including the sacred bull.
- The Aryans
Early in the second millennium BCE nomadic people began arriving in the Indus Valley from southern
Russia. They were a powerful and aggressive people who easily overran the Dravidian farmers in the Indus
Valley. They had Bronze Age weaponry and horse-drawn battle chariots with spoked wheels. They brought
the Sanskrit language with them, which is the language that the major Hindu religious texts are written in.
They also brought their culture involving a wide range of Gods and ritual sacrifice.
 Describe the Vedic period
The Vedic period is the period of Indo-Aryan culture associated with the Vedas, the earliest known records
of Indian history. It was the period of transition from nomadic pastoralism (cattle rearing) to settled village
communities (later Vedic).
 Outline Hinduism as the Eternal Religion
Sanatana Dharma (the Eternal Law) is the name by which most Hindus refer to their religion. It comes
from the Sanskrit language and implies that the religion comes directly from God, not a human founder. It
applies to everyone regardless of caste. It includes the qualities of purity, goodwill, mercy and patience.
 Describe the main features of devotion to the Gods:
- Vishnu
- Vaishnavism: the largest Hindu denomination is the worship of Vishnu and his incarnations as the
Supreme Deity, commonly known as Krishna or Rama.
- Vaishnavities believe Vishnu is the one Supreme God who exists in all creation and existence – both
immanent and transcendent.
- They accept there is a hierarchy to the Gods of Hinduism
- Believe the qualities of these other gods exist and are encompassed by Vishnu and his incarnations
- Distinctive in their belief of an intimate relationship with God.
- Belief in the 6 qualities in a God: all knowledge, all power, supreme majesty, supreme strength,
unlimited energy, total self-sufficiency.
- Shiva
The Shiva Lingam (erect phallus) is a typical symbol of Lord Shiva and is often worshipped instead of the
Lord himself. The Shiva Lingam is known widely throughout India as a symbol of natural and spiritual
fertility.
 Define Atman and Brahman
Atman: the individual soul or essence
Brahman: the supreme existence or absolute reality.
The atman is part of the Brahman that has ‘split’ from the Brahman and has been trapped in our bodies.
 Investigate the connection between Dharma and Karma
Dharma stands for everything that involves leading a life of proper conduct. It refers to that which sustains,
upholds and supports. Hindus believe that the world is sustained by dharma. Dharma refers to the set of
values that supports and sustains normal life in the world. These obligations to speak the truth, respect
one’s parents and teachers, and cultivate proper behaviour constitute a general system of values applicable
to all people in society.
 Outline the importance of Moksha for a Hindu devotee
Moksha is the ultimate goal of the Hindu spiritual life. This occurs when the person is liberated from
delusion, when the soul (atman) realises the truth of its unity and identity with the supreme deity, God. It is
the ultimate goal as it provides liberation from delusion and freedom from samsara.
 Recognise union with God through:
- Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga: a way of salvation through action or work. Enjoy being productively employed and work in
ways that bring them closer to god.
- Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga: the way of devotion (or love). Earn deliverance by surrendering our own self-interest in
favour of devotion to a particular deity.
- Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga: the royal road of Meditative Immersion in the Godhead. Suited to people who have an
experimental temperament and who want to realise the salvation of enlightenment in their lives
immediately.
- Jñana Yoga
Jñana Yoga: the way of knowledge. Our goal is the knowledge contained in the living reality of
experience itself; experience the reality of being in that vast divine ocean.
 Identify the importance for Hinduism of:
- The Vedas, including the Upanishads;
- The Ramayana and Mahabharata, including the Bhagavad Gita
The Vedas
The Vedas are four in number: the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Arthava Veda. The Rig Veda
mostly contains verses adoring or adulating deities. Yajur Veda consists of archaic prose mantras with part
of the verses from the Rig Veda. The Sama Veda consists of a selection of poetry and melodies. Arthava
Veda contains first class poetry, many relating to diseases. The Samhita are a collection of hyms addressed
to various deities. The Brahmana is a prose literature explaining how to perform the elaborate rituals. The
Aranyakas (forest treaties) are literature for people who lived as hermits in forests.
The last division of the Vedic literature is the Upanishads. Only the Upanishads continue to be important in
present day Hinduism. It indicates a secret teaching position between a guru and his student. It teaches that
there is one spiritual reality, and that the universe has become manifest from Brahman, the one Ground of
Being, and that all living things are, in their deepest essence, not different from Brahman.
The Ramayana
The Ramayana (300 BCE) tells of the feats of Rama Chandra, the 7th avatar of Vishnu. He is a virtuous
prince who is unfairly banished from his kingdom, forced to seek refuge in the forest. He establishes
himself by defeating Ravana, the chief of demons, who personifies all the forces of evil. The role of the
avatar is to preserve the possibility of religion by keeping open a way of deliverance from suffering.
The Mahabharata
The story of a great war fought between rival members of the Bharata family. The battle symbolises the
conflict between good and evil that occurs in the human soul. It lists the fundamentals of Dharma as:
performance of offering to forefathers, religious austerity, truth, restraint from anger, purity, learning,
absence of envy, knowledge of the self, forbearance and contentment with one’s own wife.
It has many parts to it, including the famous Bhagavad Gita or ‘Song of the Adorable One’. The Gita is a
treasury of India theology, for it gives a microcosm of all major kinds of Hindu religious thought at that
time. The Gita sets the scene for the whole array of subsequent Hindu religious attitudes and ways of life,
from the popular peity of ‘village Hinduism’ right through to the most advanced practices.

 Outline the principal ethical teachings in Hinduism

 Describe the importance of ethical teachings in the life of adherents
The four Varnas: the caste system
Brahmins (the priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (the rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (the traders and farmers)
and Shudras (the labourers). In this hierarchical system, only the first three classes had the right to study
the Vedas and function as respectable members of society.
Ashrama dharma or stages of life
At each stage, with the aim of spiritual development in mind, there are certain attitudes and activities that
are considered to be most appropriate.
Student: one applies oneself to study in the company of a guru. Young males receive a sacred thread which
they keep for life as a symbol of their spiritual rebirth.
Householder: usually begins with marriage. During this period one’s main activities are those of
establishing and keeping a household and raising children.
Grandparent: signalled by the birth of one’s grandchildren. The wise person will retire from worldly
involvements and family duties, and will take up a spiritual practice
Saint: advanced souls who are successful in their spiritual quest for the ultimate meaning and truth of life.
 Outline puja as celebrated in the home
- Means ‘to honour’
- Type of puja is highly dependent i.e. their family heritage and the puja rituals
- Can be religious rituals performed every morming by devout Hindus after bathing and dressing
but before food and drinks
- Family can employ a priest to perform puja at home
- It is a way to relate humans to the domain and actions of the divine
- Purpose is to make a connection with the divine – can be done through an object e.g. a
sculpture, painting, print, vessel or element of nature.
Puja Ritual: varies extensively with the simplest being darsan (to gaze upon the deity and see the god as
part of the universal soul). It usually includes an offering of food, flowers, candles or incense. It can be
performed individually at home, in the mandir (Hindu temple) or at an ashram (place of retreat for study).