Lauren Roelke Pd 9/10 November 5, 2009

Hindu rituals called sanskars begin before the child is born. When a couple is married, they recite a prayer called Garbhadana, hoping it will fulfill their parental obligations. During the third month of pregnancy a ceremony called the Punsavana is performed, believed to give strength to the fetus. During the seventh month of pregnancy the Simantonnyana is performed. It’s the equivilant of a baby shower. Prayers are said for the mother and baby, giving them strength and health. Once the child is performed the Jatakarma is performed. Honey is put into the child’s mouth and the name of God is whispered into its ear. Other rituals take place, such as the same naming ceremony, the babies first trip out, and its first solid food. Their ear piercing ceremony and first haircut are also very important. Ear piercing is thought to be like acupuncture, and the shaving of the head is said to remove impurities.

Abortion is considered terrible in the eyes of Hindus. They oppose it. When considering abortion they want the path to be chosen that will involve the least pain and violence. They compare abortion to killing a parent or priest. They believe conceiving a baby is public duty and believe abortion is wrong.

There is no law against organ donation. Some even see it as an act of charity. Like Americans, it’s up to the Buddhists to decide what happens to their organs. The wishes and needs of the donor should not be compromised to save a life. The death of a person is very important and the body is treated with great respect. Dead bodies are only to be preserved for appropriate reasons.

The most important holiday in Tibet is Losar. It celebrates the Tibetan New Year. It’s celebrated in February but there is no exact date. It’s a three day festival; the first day pertains to families. The second and third days are reserved for exchanging gifts and spending time with friends and distant relatives. Tibetans also visit monasteries and make offerings during this time. Losar is marked with activities that signify purification. People clean buildings, wear new clothes, and prepare festive meals. Buddhists decorate, and perform ceremonies. It’s said that it will ward off evil spirits.