1. Hindu Worship

2. Puja Home worship Offerings made to deities Includes flowers, fruits incense sticks, water, milk clarified butter and a lamp Can be done daily or on festival days

3. Puja continued All puja concludes with waving of a lamp – Arati, around an alter while worshippers sing hymns and verses of prayer After prayers, food is redistributed amongst the worshippers as a gift from that deity – gift called prasad

4. Types of Temple Worship Japa - Individual silent or soft repetition of mantras. Bhajan - Singing of religious songs, individually or in a group, usually accompanied by instruments. Kirtan – (to repeat) Congregational chanting of holy mantras accompanied by instruments and simple dance.

5. Temple Worship Temple visits during festival times or special functions Worship led by Brahmin priest Priest bathing, removes shoes, rings temple bell The deities are prepared: bathed, offered fresh flowers, incense and food Offerings are made on behalf of the devotees After final prayer, blessed food is redistributed - Prasad

6. Images of Temple Worship

7. Images of Temple Worship Continued:

10. Pilgrimage: Journey to Holy places

11. Reasons to Pilgrimage To remember special people (saints) To fix the mind on God and to glorify Him For spiritual development and to gain spiritual merit For purification and atonement of sins For meeting and taking guidance from holy people To perform specific religious rites For self-reflection and contemplation For an uplifting and memorable experience (spiritual inspiration)

12. Activities done while on Pilgrimage Taking darshan or specific deities on your journey Participating in worship (e.g. kirtan) Charity, especially to priests and temples penance (such as shaving the head, and following certain vows such as celibacy) Specific rites / rituals

13. Asceticism-what is this? Definition-what is it? Talk to your table for 2 minutes. Significance-why is it important for Hinduism? Talk to your table for 2 minutes.

14. Definition Severe self- discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. Significant because Hindus want to PURIFY themselves. Want to reunite with the devine! Asceticism helps us purify our bodies to become more divine!

15. Discussion Rituals are formalized actions that give meaning to different moments in life. What rituals do you partake in and why? Talk for five minutes.

16. Discussion Describe a journey you have taken, or wish to take, to a place that holds a special meaning for you and describe what impact that journey had on you. Talk for 5 minutes

17. Discussion Some Hindus, choose to become sadhus- solitary ascetic holy men who beg for their food and other necessities. Giving food and other goods to sadhus creates good karma for the giver. Reflect on what might motivate people to adopt this lifestyle. Can you think of a corresponding kind of person in American society? Talk for 5 minutes

18. Activity Write a 5 paragraph essay choosing 1 discussion question to answer. Due at end of class. BE SPECIFIC.