Hindu

Hinduism is very much bound with social structures and culture and therefore, religious practices vary depending on the region and the historical modifications depending on the circumstances. For example, different Indian states have different variations in celebrating the same events depending on their geography and local resources e.g. variations in celebration between people from states like Gujarat, Punjab, Mahrashra, South India etc. or other countries like U.K and Bali in Indonesia, where Hinduism is practiced by Hindus.

Hinduism allows people to choose to worship in a way that suits them, at the Temple or at home. This may include meditation, singing or listening to hymns or devotional songs or chanting mantras. Some Hindus fast from time to time as a sign of their devotion to God. This type of intermittent fasting now recommended for health in modern days. Similarly the rituals and traditions in Hindu and Sanatan philosophy has reasons embedded in them which could be either scientific or environmental etc.

There are images of various forms of One Supreme God (Ishwar) which are included in worship depending on the reasons and type of worship, Meditation or “Dhyanam” as it is called, is part of worship along with other rituals such as offering vegetarian food which is then distributed to the devotees as “Prasadam”

Hindu texts are based on original scriptures of Sanatan Indian philosophy which are thousands of years old and were continued through generations via verbal/oral teachings and traditions. The original scriptures are 4 Vedas which include all the aspects of human life including subjects like astronomy, mathematics, science and so on. The commonly used scriptures which were written later than Vedas include Ramayana, Mahabharat, Bhagwat Geeta and many more which give teachings of how to live an ethical happy life for us as humans.

There are images of various forms of Supreme God (Ishwar) which are included in worship depending on the reasons and type of worship. Meditation, or “Dhyanam” as it is called, is part of worship along with the rituals. The scriptural texts have described the details of rituals along with reasonings. For example use of Tulsi (Indian Basil) beads to use for prayers. The rituals also include offerings of vegetarian food which is then distributed to the devotees as “Prasadam”.

Hindus face ethical dilemma around vegetarianism as Hindu and original Sanatan Philosophy practices non-violence at every step which is a challenge and difficult many a times to get adequate nutrition and balanced diet in non-Indian cooking and in particular in the hospital settings with very limited options available.

Visiting Hindu temples or any worshipping place including houses/homes require removal of shoes. The worshiping shrines are to be respected similar to a living being as all the worshiping shrines are invoked with “Pran Pratishtha” (inviting God to live there).

Hindus accept medical care and are supportive to the laws required in respective country they live in. They will prefer vegetarian medicines and avoid drugs with gelatine or animal ingredients. They prefer to support their family members and care for them at home and at hospital also. Hindu way of living prepares the individuals for end of life with the concept of Atma (Soul) which is eternal and does not die, separate to the body, and the death as departure of Atma (soul) from body.

Hindus prefer modesty in their dress with preference of legs and upper part of chest covered by women. Married women wear Mangalsutra (gold/silver black beads necklace). Certain Hindus have a sacred thread over their shoulder and chest. Another example is that some Hindus wear Tulsi beads necklace.

Hindus will have daily shower before they cook and pray. Showering is the most important daily ritual and may be done more than once depending on the reasons, for example, special prayers, after coming back from crematorium. These high levels of hygiene include washing hands before and after eating, not sharing the same plate, bowl or spoon, and isolating person with delicate health to avoid infecting that individual, is part of Hindu way of living. Similarly rinsing mouth after food is also a common practice which now we now know that it helps oral hygiene.

Hindus enjoy different festivals throughout the year which represent glorification of certain historic events, welcoming of spring or other change of season. All the festivals in Hindu and Sanatan philosophy are dedicated to all mighty supreme God (ishwar) who created and organises and destroys the material world. The major festivals celebrated are Holi, Navratri, Diwali, Krishna Janmashthmi and many more. Hindus enjoy these festivals by singing, dancing, lights, colours, special food along with worship to the respective forms of God.

Hindus have a preference for same gender care and wards, with women finding this especially important. With regards to equality, Hindu scriptures give equal weight and respect to both man and woman. Hindus equally worship Gods and Godesses, in fact responsibilities for the major portfolios in God’s cabinet are given to the Devi (Godess).

Before pregnancy, when intending to conceive and during pregnancy, Hindus study and worship scriptural texts and rituals called “Garbhadhan Samskaar” and “Simant Samskaar” to have a child with good ethics, value and health. The Hindu priest blesses the new baby at a naming ceremony.

Hindus are cremated after they die. However, any foetus, baby or a child under 10 year age do not get cremated as they are thought to be pure, without any worldly sins and do not need purification by fire of cremation. They are buried. Nearer the death, family or priest can sing mantras/prayers for blessings. Sometime the religious thread is tied over the wrist or around the neck. The dead body of a foetus, baby or a child under 10 including still born is prepared for burial with a ritual wash. New clothes are put on and a toy, some sweets are kept with the body while burying. A piece of while cloth is laid on the floor at the burial site. Over the cloth 1-5 kilo salt is spread. “GangaJal”, the Holy water of River Ganga (Ganges) and Pandchamrut (made of 5 substances: milk with yoghurt, honey, ghee and crystal sugar) is sprinkled over the cloth. Tulsi leaves (Indian Basil leaves) are placed in the mouth.

The body of baby, Foetus or child is wrapped in white cloth. Flowers are laid. Mantras/prayers are chanted for worship of the burying place which is called Bhoomi Poojan (worship of mother earth- part of land). Following this the coffin is lowered by one of the family members or the friends. Hindu parents do not lower their baby or child’s coffin. Instead, any other relative can do this. Once the coffin is lowered, the burial site is covered with soil and flowers are laid.

This ritual is described in Indian Sanatan/ Hindu scripture “Garuda Purana” , Skanda (chapter) 6. Similar ritual is carried out by various Sampradaya of Sanatan philosophy as Hindus, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist followers with some variations depending on the Sampradaya.

Scriptures are read during the end of life stage as Hindus believe in Atma (Soul) as an eternal, whilst the body is physical and limited. With death, eternal Atma departs from physical body. Hindus recognise death as inevitable end of life and prepare themselves for their departure throughout their life. A Hindu may receive comfort from hymns and scriptures in their final days. Blessed water from the River Ganga may be sprinkled, or sacred Tulsi leaves placed in the mouth near the time of death. There are special scriptural texts and hymns read by the Hindu priest near the time of death which are very important for the departing Atma. Therefore, the services of a Hindu priest can be a comfort during the last stages of life.

If priest is absent, family members read scripture themselves near the end of life. The Hindu family would like to be around their loved ones near the end of life and Hindus may prefer to die at home.

A Hindu family should be consulted before handling the body and it should only be handled by staff of same gender. Eyes should be closed and limbs straightened, leaving in place jewellery, sacred threads and other religious objects. The body should be covered with a plain white sheet, and it would be appreciated if the body could be released to allow it to be cremated within 24 hours.

The idea of a post-mortem should be carefully discussed with the family. Hindus support organ donation as it is considered as the best donation one can make. However, the family would like to be appropriately consulted and counselled as per the law.

Hindus are usually vegetarian or vegan – eggs, onions and garlic are generally unacceptable, as is any food contaminated with meat products. Hindus may choose to fast from time to time (maybe a day a week or on a holy day or festival). Hindus may prefer to eat with the right hand rather than with utensils.

A typical routine Hindu vegetarian meal is well balanced in nutrients. Milk and its products are considered a very important part of diet. A typical Hindu vegetarian meal includes rice, lentil, cooked vegetables, fruit or salad, yoghurt and wheat/oat/millet chapati (bread). The herbs and spices used to cook Hindu vegetarian meals have shown to help digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Hindus are usually very close amongst their families, and family members will consider their duty to help their relative or friend when they are unwell. It is an accepted custom and routine for Hindu friends and family to visit the sick person to offer emotional and physical help and support.

Hindus do not wear shoes in the house for the purpose of hygiene. Hindus prefer guests to remove their shoes and pay proper respect to the family shrine which should not be touched. It is a custom, and is considered as worship, to offer food to any guest visiting a Hindu home. The guest is considered as form of God and is always respected and welcomed to the Hindu home.

The universal knowledge and awareness about differences in every being is very well accepted in Hinduism. The Hindus believe in Prarabdha (destiny to achieve or lose something) and accept this as God’s gift for whatever the reason is. Hinduism maintains that destiny plays a considerable part in life and yet destiny is not regarded as the final word. Our innate free-will allows us to make efforts to change or mitigate situations and events to some degree. In this way, destiny may be alleviated or, in some instances, overcome. The basic message of all scriptural teachings, traditions, culture, and behaviours is to focus on good deeds and not to do anything wrong or harm anyone mentally or physically which helps moulding one’s future destiny. The Hindu philosophy also teaches clearly that one should not consider another person inferior to himself or herself irrespective of physical, economic, or social circumstances. Where destiny is more powerful than individual will and effort, Hinduism encourages the graceful acceptance of what cannot be changed as Ishwar’s (God’s) Prasadam or blessings.