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World Religions Report

Wendy Lile

HUM130

University of Phoenix

Due Sunday June 10, 2012

Eric Hammen

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World Religions ReportHinduism is one of the oldest religions, although, back in the Vedic Age of 1500 B.C.,

around when it is believed to have been started possibly by indigenous peoples, it was not called

Hinduism. This name was given to a people along the progression of the many variations that it

has to offer still to this day. There are so many different styles that they cannot be counted or

characterized, everybody can have their own set of beliefs. In which, according to my

interviewee with a practicing Hindu in the following paragraphs, can and does vary from family

to family and region to region. Some worshippers today like to use the term Sanatana Dharma.

The practices as far back as 3000 B.C. were then known as Brahmanic traditions; this is

understood to be when the Vedas was first written. It is because of those intense variations that

Hinduism is not very unified and it is hard for outsiders, other religions, to grasp and actually

understand these beliefs. Then again there is something we could call “the main beliefs,” or the

most popular God’s and ways to worship. Also, like my interviewee states later, “it is all-

encompassing,” (Srivastav, 2012) meaning aside from having their own belief system, Hindu’s

believe in the “heads of religions.” They know Jesus walked the Earth, as well as Mohammed

and Buddha. To be Hindu you must be very open-minded and accepting, this is their whole way

of life, not just for church on Sundays. Most worship by going to Temple, like the one I visited

(which will be described more in depth later), but they are able to worship on their own time.

Unlike Christianity, where there is a certain time you have to be at mass or church and this on

certain days of the week. Comparing Hinduism and Christianity will also be included here, as

well as a review of some interesting Hindu facts and concluding with personal beliefs and

thoughts on this religion. (Fisher, 2005)

Hindu Temple of the Woodlands

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Visit Review

The house of worship that was decided upon for reviewing is called The Hindu Temple

of the Woodlands. The Woodlands is the name of the city that I and the temple are located in.

There is a lot of money in the city so, imagine, this place was breathtakingly beautiful with

perfect landscaping and ornate statues. It was surprising to learn that there are quite a few

temples in North Houston because I personally have never seen one. According to my guide,

there are six parts to a Hindu temple: the dome and steeple, the inner chamber, temple hall, the

front porch, a reservoir, and a walkway. Like most temples, this was away from the immediate

public. As I walked into the temple, I was starting to understand why. The bell that was being

rung was very loud and someone I asked said every person coming in or going out, by way of the

front porch, must make their arrival and departure known. This was mostly for the Gods, I

gathered, because there were not any ushers having you sit down quickly and quietly; basically,

nobody was being monitored. It was high over the front porch that the golden bell was hung.

The next room, as vast as it was, was also quite welcoming; they called it the Temple Hall. It

had very high ceilings and was decorated with colorful paintings of Gods and Goddesses, all of

them trimmed with a golden frame. The hall was the place where worshippers were welcomed

to sit, meditate, chant, pray, and even watch as Hindu priests perform rituals. Next, we came to

something they called the Inner Chamber. Now, only the Temple priests were allowed here, but

the inside was described as a place to worship the main idol or deity by using the God’s image

either in a statue or an elaborate painting with a shrine. Around the Inner Chamber, there was

the walkway, this wrapped around the entire middle room because people that came to worship

would make a lap, sometimes a few to have their respect for their deity known. Moving back

outside now, I began to recognize the reason for such high ceilings. On the top of the temple

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were a dome and then a steeple. This is also referred to as the summit. Also, not every temple is

the same with the design of their steeples and dome decorations because it depends on what God

that temple worships. Finally, I was taken to a quite large reservoir of water and it was said to be

used for rituals and sometimes a devotee will want to take a ritual bath before entering the

temple. My guide informed me that there was going to be a festival very soon, in the following

days, and that I should go back to see how the temple looks when it is decorated.

Interview Summary

Anu Srivastav

1) What are the 3 most important aspects of your religion and how has it shaped your

life?

It is all encompassing

The promotion of non-violence

While being a major religion, it is also a lifestyle which makes it conductive

to practicing constantly and incorporating into every aspect of your daily life

(thoughts and actions, minute by minute)

2) What ideals and values separate your religion from others?

Non-violence, thus the large numbers of Hindus that are vegetarians

Yoga

The importance of females over men from a respect and importance

standpoint

3) How do you worship and what kind of traditions do you have?

Through meditation on God, prayer, and religious ceremonies that usually

consist of reading from the holy books like the Vedas, Mahabharata, and the

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Ramayana coupled with rituals that usually involve a celebratory element as

well as an offering.

4) Where do you worship?

Well, you can worship anywhere, but the ‘house of worship’ is a Hindu

temple. As a Hindu, however, you can worship in your home, outdoors, at a

church/mosque/synagogue/etc. Since Hinduism is all encompassing and

accepts all religions as the truth (despite the fact that Hinduism is older than

most modern-day religions)…

5) Who do you worship?

Hinduism is monotheistic; however, there are many manifestations of one

God. Thus a Hindu may worship a particular manifestation. Some popular

ones are Krishna and Radha, Ram and Sita, Vishnu and Parvati, Shiva and

Lakshmi, Durga Ma (a Goddess). Also Ganesh and Hanuman, who were not

manifestations of God, but god-like. Every male manifestation of God is

always depicted with a female (usually the wife of the male manifestation in

his human form). In the case of female manifestations of God (Goddesses),

she may not be depicted with a male as it is said that she is complete without a

male ‘half’.

6) Do you bring offerings while worshipping?

Yes

7) What kind of offerings do you bring?

It can be anything; your offering can be to feed the birds. Common offerings

during prayer are money (which goes to the temple or some effort of

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betterment), vegetarian food items, and things for the temple or Hindu priest.

8) What is the significance of these offerings?

The significance of these offerings is to give and promote selflessness and

also to remind yourself that in order to get, you must first give.

9) What do you feel is the most common misconception about the practices of your

religion?

The Hinduism is polytheistic (it is monotheistic).

10) Do you ever feel any prejudices or challenges by being this religion?

Very rarely, but when I do it is by someone of the Christian faith telling me

that I will go to Hell if I do not accept Jesus Christ as my savior. Being that

Hinduism is all-encompassing, I do believe in Jesus Christ, Mohammed, etc.

As a Hindu, I believe that all of these ‘heads of religions’ existed, but at

different times. If you put the different major religions on a timeline

indicating when they came about, there would be very little to no overlap.

Hinduism vs. Christianity

Compared to Catholicism

There are a few distinguishable differences between these two religions. It is actually not

even mandatory for worshippers to come to temple. Many families have small shrines or “puja

rooms” at their homes to worship and have their daily prayers. Unlike Christianity, most who do

not attend church are categorized as “non-believers.” Most families go to temple for the social

events and religious festivals, which are in abundance, but that is all. Hindus find truth in every

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religion; Christians believe Jesus is the only man to ever be worshipped because he was the son

of God. In not so many words, Christians oppose any religion but their own.

A Hindu fact that I found to be interesting while I was interviewing Anu, was that they

accept all religions as their truth and treat all people as their own, which was proven with my

visit to The Woodlands Hindu Temple. I have never felt more welcome into a religion, then

when I did while I was entering this temple. The other people their saw me as a new worshipper

in the area and did not even think that I could be there doing research. After I explained, some

were even a little disappointed and we laughed. The interview with Anu went very smoothly as

well, she is also in college and travels the world. We had quite a bit to talk about, I am very glad

I met her through my cousin, on Facebook of all places. I had thought at first that this class was

making it harder for me to realize what religion I am because of all of the information I was

receiving about the different ones and it was actually this Hindu religion that made me see that I

do not necessarily have to pick a religion out of a hat. I do accept all religions as the truth even

though I am a Christian and grew up Catholic.

References

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Fisher, M.P. (2005). Living religions (6th Ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Srivastav, Anu. ( 2012, May 27 ). Interview by W. Lile. [ Personal Interview ]. Ten questions on

Hinduism religion. World religions report, The Woodlands, Texas, Retrieved from

anucar07@gmail.com.

The Woodlands Hindu Temple. (2012). The Woodlands, Texas. Retrieved contact information

from http://www.woodlandshindutemple.org.