A to Z in Indian Religion |
A |
is for Aum, the three-syllabled
mantra that represents the Sacred Mystery in sound and vibration. |
B |
is for Bhakti. Deep devotion and
love for the Divine which softens even hearts of stone. |
C |
is for Culture, the beauty of
Hindu music, fine arts, drama, dance, literature and architecture. |
D |
is for Dharma, which id
righteousness, cosmic order and duty leading us on the right path |
E |
is for Earth, our lovely blue
planet, which we treat as sacred, protecting all its wonderful creatures. |
F |
is for Family, the precious
cornerstone of Hindu life, culture, service and tradition. |
G |
is for guru, our enlightened
master who, knowing Truth himself, can guide us there. |
H |
is for hatha yoga, healthful
physical science for vitality, energy-balancing and meditation. |
I |
is for India, Bharata,
mother-land to one-sixth of humanity, Holy Land for Hindus everywhere. |
J |
is for japa, repetitive,
prayerful mantras which quiet emotion and empower the mind. |
K |
is for karma, the law of cause
and effect by which we determine our experience and destiny. |
L |
is for lotus, the heart’s inner
shrine, where God dwells, ever perfect. |
M |
is for mauna, not talking, the
inner-silence known when words, thoughts and actions are stilled. |
N |
is for non attachment, the art of
living the simple life, without too many needs or desires. |
O |
is for open mindedness, the
Hindu’s tolerant freedom of thought, inquiry and belief. |
P |
is for puja, mystic worship of
the Divine in our home shrine and holy temples and places. |
Q |
is for quest, seeking to know, “
Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?” |
R |
is for reincarnation, our
immortal soul’s journey from birth to rebirth. We do not fear death. |
S |
is for samskaras, sacraments
sanctifying life’s passages: name-giving, marriage, death and more. |
T |
is for tilaka, forehead marks
worn in honor of our unique and varied lineages. |
U |
is for Utsava, our many home and
temple festivals, full of bhakti, fun feasting, and family sharing. |
V |
is for Vedas, our oldest and
holiest book, the word of God recorded in 100,000 Sanskrit verses. |
W |
is for wealth ( artha ) , one of
life’s four goals, along with love, dharma and enlightenment. |
X |
is for xerophily, the ability of
certain plants and animals to thrive in India’s hot, arid plains. |
Y |
is for yoga, union of the soul
with God which brings release from worldly bondage. |
Z |
is for zeal, the fervor with
which we perform service, go on pilgrimage and greet our holy religious
leaders. |
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