Figure 1.--This late-19th century photograph shows two Hindu boys at Ghat Benares. Ghat in Bengali and Hidi means a series of steps leading down to a body of water. In Bengali among Muslims it does not religious connotations. In Hindi among Hindus ghats are the areas in the holy river-side cities where concrete stairs have been built to access the Ganges River. Benares is the most sacred city of Hindu India. It is the preminent center of Hindu and Sanskrit learning. Many Sannyasins live here. It is also known by the name Varanashi, a place between the two rivers, Varana and Ashi, springing from the right and left feet of Lord Siva. It was at Benares that Lord Buddha preached his new gospel.

Hinduism is a religion with many regional differences and a multiplicity of interelated gods. At times it may seem almost like there are mahny different religions and there is no central authority. There are, however, some unifying themes among the seeming cacophony of Hindu relgious ceremonies. There are three particularly important themes. First, perhaps the strongest unifying them in Hindu ceremonies and rituals is the focus on purity and pollution. Perhaps no religion focuses on prification more than Hinduism.Most of the major religions have ceremonies and rituals ivnvolving the cleansing attributes of water. Christian batism is an example of this and Mulisms ritually was before prayers. Hindus bathe in rivers. Ghats are created with steps to aid in this process. Hindus must not only purify themselves before religiousd ceremonies, but they must actively avoid the impure in daily life. This includes killing animals, eating meat, contct with dead things, and bodily fluids. Individuals and groups who avoid the impure are granted great respect. Second, another important aspect of Hinduism is the importance of sacrifice. Here the term is widely defined as some kind of offering including recitations and manipulations of religious objects. There are survivals of Vedic sacrifice. Hindu sacrifices can include the performance of offerings in a highly regulated way. Other sacrifices could be the preparation of sacred space, reciting texts, and manipulating objectsd like beads. Thitd, another common theme is the concept of merit, acquired through the performance of charitable acts or good works. This is something an individual can accumulate over time and reduce his or her sufferings in the next world.

Created: 10:28 AM 12/5/2010
Last updated: 10:29 AM 12/5/2010