Reflection Paper: Hinduism
The reflection below is of the most recent travel or visit to India. India is a culturally diverse nation, but the Hindu religion was the most intriguing in the region. Tasked to report religious news, my boos requests at most integration or understanding of the Hindu culture of the Indian people.
Samskaras are psychological imprints, recollections, and mental impressions. The concept has a great impact on Hindu culture. Essentially, samskaras have sixteen levels that each believer must experience to increase their purity levels as they grow into adulthood and old age (Das, 2017). These sacraments’ impact includes defining the role of women and providing a clear framework to human life.
While in India, a festival being celebrated at the time that intrigued me was the Diwali festival. Diwali is an Indian festival of light that is celebrated for five days during the Lunisolar Hindu month. The festival symbolizes the spiritual victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival can be linked to the Christian Christmas associated with lights and decorations and days of festivities until the new year. Additionally, the birth of Christ is celebrated during Christmas, symbolizing a new beginning, a savior, a light into the world.
From my experience in India, social statuses in the Hindu culture are largely dependent on one’s birth circumstances (Deming, 2015). In essence, one’s birth circumstances determine their economic, religious, and social life. In comparison to the individualistic Western culture, regardless of one’s birth circumstances, they can change their social, economic, and religious lives. Hindu culture limits its followers to a degree.
References
Das, S. (2017, April 5). Overview of Hindu Samskaras. Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-samskaras-1770043
Deming, W. (2015). Understanding the religions of the world: An introduction. John Wiley & Sons.