Posts Tagged ‘hinduism’
Posted on May 5, 2009 - by Andrew
Thousands overcome Swine Flu fears to visit miracle Malaysian boars
- Image by reinvented via Flickr
Thousands have travelled to a temple in the Malaysian state of Perak to visit a Hindu temple. Visitors have come as far as Thailand and Singapore to see the boars which started to appear by the temple about a year ago.
Some Hindu devotees believe that the boars possess magical powers and are capable of brining good luck. Despite fears of swine flu the visitors, who are bussed in to the temple, attempt to touch the animals. Others will try and feed the animal and rub a four-digit number on the boar’s flank in order to maximise their chances of benefitting.
In Pure Spirit
How far would you travel for a chance of improving your luck?
Are you concerned that this temple might become a nexus of infection should one of the pilgrims carry swine flu in with them?
Posted on January 25, 2009 - by Andrew
Muslins banned from yoga in Indonesia
- Image via Wikipedia
Indonesia is the largest Muslin country in the world. Although officially secular some 90% of the 234 million population are Muslim.
The Council of Ulemas, 700 clerics and the country’s top Islamic body, explained that the use of yoga could erode the Muslim faith. The ancient Indian practise is popular in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, but it contains ritualised elements of Hinduism. The recital of Hindu rituals in yoga mantras is considered haram for Muslins.
The Council of Ulemas was formed in 1975 by then-President Suharto. The Council was initially founded to allow politics and religion to continue alongside one another in Indonesia without crossing paths. In recent years, though, the Council of Ulemas has become more involved in politics and the issuing of fatwas.
In Pure Spirit
What do you think? Is it a good idea to keep religion and politics separate? Is it possible?
Is it wrong of clerics to clearly spell out what is considered right or wrong according to their religious teachings?
Posted on January 17, 2009 - by Andrew
Vedic astrology
- Image via Wikipedia
Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotisa or Hindu astrology, is an ancient system which is still widely used today.
Vedic astrology is interested in the connections between the macrocosm and microcosm and the concept of bandhu from the Vedas. The sidereal zodiac is used (rather than the Western tropical zodiac) as this allows for the precession of the vernal equinox.
The Vedic system tends to look at Rashi (zodiac), Bhava (houses) and Graha (planets). The Bhava is a zodiacal division based on local time and location.
The Rashi
- Mesa – Ram; Western Name: Aries; Element: Fire
- Vrsabha – Bull; Western Name: Taurus; Element: Earth
- Mithuana – Twins; Western Name: Gemini; Element: Air
- Karka – Crab; Western Name: Cancer; Element: Water
- Simha – Lion; Western Name: Leo; Element: Fire
- Kanya – Girl; Western Name: Virgo; Element: Earth
- Tula – Balance; Western Name: Libra; Element: Air
- Vrscika – Scorpion; Western Name: Scorpio; Element: Water
- Dhanus – Bow; Western Name: Sagittarius; Element: Fire
- Makara – Sea-monster; Western Name: Capricorn; Element: Earth
- Kumbha – Pitcher; Western Name: Aquarius; Element: Air
- Mina – Fish; Western Name: Pisces; Element: Water
The Bhava
- Lagna – Health, purpose of life, appearance
- Dhana – Inheritance, wealth, family
- Parakrama – Short journeyes, education, younger siblings
- Suhrda – Home, mother, property
- Suta – Lover, gambling, recreation, children
- Roga – Enemies, foreigners, servants
- Kama – Trade, death, honour, reputation
- Mrityu – Dowry, sexuality, occult, suffering
- Bhagya – Father, travel, luck
- Karma – Power, status, business
- Aya – Elder siblings, hopes, friends
- Vyaya – Sleep, secret enemies, liberation, expenses
The Graha
- Surya – the Sun; king, father, senior
- Chandra – the Moon; queen, mother, mind
- Mangala – Mars; ego, confidence
- Budha – Mercury; examination, communication
- Brihaspati – Jupiter; the great teacher, master
- Shukra – Venus; pleasure, reproduction
- Shani – Saturn; career, education, school of life
- Rahu – Ascending North Lunar Node; Head of the Demon Snake; an Asura intent on chaos
- Ketu – Descending South Lunar Node; Tail of Demon Snake; supernatural and occult influences
In Pure Spirit
Have you made use of Vedic astrology? How did it compare? Is it significant that Vedic astrology uses sidereal zodiac rather than tropical?
Posted on December 24, 2008 - by Andrew
What does namaste mean?
Image by LollyKnit via Flickr
The word Namaste is Sanskrit. It is used as a greeting in India and Nepal by Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
In yoga Namaste is said with the intent of saying; “I am your humble servant” although the literally translation is “I bow to you”.
Namaste is often accompanied with a shallow bow that’s made with hands press ed together at the front of the chest.
Spiritual and symbolitic meanings of Namaste
In Hinduism the bowing gesture or mudra which accompanies the word Namaste is symbolic.
One hand in the palm gesture represents the spiritual nature and the other hand represents the worldly self. The act of placing the two palms together in the bow is a gesture that the bower is trying to overcome differences and connect with the person being bowed to.
The word Namaste has also become recognised by practitioners of yoga and spiritual meditation across the globe. It is common to find namaste used to greet or wish someone farewell.
In Pure Spirit
Do you use the word namaste? Do you think you use it correctly?
