Promod Puri's Blog: Hinduism:beyond rituals,customs and traditions, page 114

The Good & Bad In Rituals

Some rituals have rationales, explanations and acceptable interpretations. But there are others which are meaningless, vague and disconnected. These exhibit indignation, confusion and even disgrace…

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History Of Hinduism

Excerpt from Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs And Traditions Hinduism has de-emphasized the period of its origin. Instead, it has taken a philosophical route which is cyclical rather linear. It doe…

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Bliss of Chajju Ka Chobara

By Promod Puri promodpuri.com Back in 1972, when I immigrated to Canada and made my first home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, that I happened to know a very helpful and friendly person by the name of C. R.…

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Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism

Excerpts from the book “Hinduism beyond rituals, customs and traditions” One major drawback instituted in ambiguous rituals is the fear factor. And in absurdity some rituals promise to work like cu…

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Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism

Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism

Excerpts from the book “Hinduism beyond rituals, customs and traditions”

One major drawback instituted in ambiguous rituals is the fear factor. And in absurdity some rituals promise to work like cure-all miracles. Illogical rituals block the real spirit of a religion. Such customs generate fanaticism. Rituals help in cult formation. The entry of fake gurus in the Hindu faith is thru the contamination created by inane rituals.

Irrational rituals pollute the religion and dilute the enlightenment contained in the Hindu philosophies and thoughts.

Hinduism is not a religion of fear. Nor it is meant for fanaticism and exploitation by self-appointed gurus or saints with claims of magical powers.

Bad rituals and bad traditions do make a deadly combination. Dubbed as “supreme sacrifice”, the institution of Sati, live burning of widow immediately after the death of husband, which of course is now abandoned, became a part of Hindu heritage. The word ‘sati’ means true and loyal in Sanskrit.

And equally condemning is the practice of sacrificial animal killings by asserting that gods will be pleased. For example in Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, mass and cruel beheading of buffaloes is a popular custom under the excuse of religious tradition.

Rationalization of irrational rituals as part of old traditions and customs is an unrealistic assertiveness of defense.

Rituals in the name of sanctified Hindu dictums are the cause of excessive abuse of people who technically are still Hindus but belong to no class. They are the ‘Outcastes’ or the ‘Untouchables’.

Religiosity of caste is an endemic feature of Hinduism. And this is where the brutality of some rituals and customs is being endured by a section of the humanity simply because of their assigned status in the society. They are at the bottom of the Hindu social structure. Customs and rituals don’t allow them to come up from that lowest stratum.

Mahatma Gandhi called them “Harijans”, children of God. But because of rooted tradition in the name of religion, rituals of discrimination and untouchability against the ‘untouchable’ citizens are still quite widely practiced.

Nevertheless this section of the society, which is mostly poor, along with rest of the impoverished population among Hindus, still follows sacred Hindu rituals with allegiance and devotion. In fact these rituals tender the only knowledge they have to practice their faith.

Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism

Excerpts from the book “Hinduism beyond rituals, customs and traditions” One major drawback instituted in ambiguous rituals is the fear factor. And in absurdity some rituals promise to …

Source: Bad Rituals Breed Fanaticism

Rituals Are Part of Hinduism’s Portfolio

Ritual of worship is not only a devout service but meditative expression of reverence for a faith or deity as well.  Being its key part a religion without its procedural customs and practices canno…

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GENESIS OF KASHMIR PROBLEM AND ITS RESOLUTION

By Promod Puri The division of the Indian sub-continent in 1947 generated a persistent hostility between India and Pakistan, a hostility dominated by clashing territorial claims over the Kashmir re…

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A journey of self-discovery

By Purva Grover, Founder & Editor- The Indian Trumpet, Dubai, UAE   Often, we’re not introduced to religion, rarely are we given a choice to pick one. Born in a Hindu family, you follow Hindu…

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EXPLORING MEANING OF HINDUISM

Review by Ashok Bhargava The principal idea pursued by Promod Puri’s is to explore meaning of the term ‘Hinduism’ and thereby to understand the Hindu identity in a wide-open structure both traditio…

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