Culture V

2 Nov 08

GodGod

What do we mean by this word?What do we mean by this word?

Why does a question always exist doWhy does a question always exist-do you believe In God?

Many names of God

GodGod

Divine conscious power, that isDivine conscious power, that is superior to mankind.Creator of the universe preserves theCreator of the universe, preserves the universe, and dissolves it, if needed.G GeneratorG – GeneratorO – OperatorD DestroyerD – Destroyer

God and his many namesGod and his many names

God but many namesGod, but many namesIshwar – powerful or Lord of the universeParmeshwar – most powerfulpPrabhu – The Lord of all beingsDeva – many meanings such as h i t i i thappiness, movement, praise, victory Brahma – the one who is the greatest and creates everythingy gVishnu – The one who pervades in everything and preserves allShi Th h d d t llShiva – The one who does good to all

More namesMore namesShankara – Who gives peace to all g pNarayana – The one whose presence is felt in mankind and also in waterLaxmi Who makes things and givesLaxmi – Who makes things and gives them formSaraswati – Who has a full knowledge of gallMata – Who makes all thingsPita Who provides and protectsPita – Who provides and protectsBhagvan - someone who is wealthy and mighty and worthy of reverenceg y y

God-characteristics and attributes

God is omniscientGod is omniscient– He knows everything– He knows thoughts in the innermostHe knows thoughts in the innermost

depths of the mind– He knows what has happened, what isHe knows what has happened, what is

happening and what will happen(past, present and future)(p , p )

God-characteristics and attributes (contd)

God is omnipresentGod is omnipresent– He is present in all things

God is omnipotentHe is all powerful– He is all powerful

– Can do everything w/o assistance of othersothers

– There is no one more powerful or therefore equal to Himtherefore, equal to Him

God-characteristics and attributes ( d)(contd)

God is eternalGod is eternal– God has always existed, is existing and

will always existy– He has no beginning and no end

God-characteristics and attributes ( td)(contd)Per Yajur vedajGod is

All pervading All knowingAll pervadingBodilessFlawless

All knowingExisting in allEver-livingFlawless

PureFree of sins

Ever livingTranscendental

Free of sins

What is Religion?What is Religion?

Is a set of common beliefs andIs a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified as prayer, ritual,people, often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious laws. Religion also encompasses ancestralReligion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, and personal faithfaith

Religion (contd)Religion (contd)Three aspects of Religionp g

1. Belief in God– Divine power, creator

2. Rituals and ceremonies– E.g. ceremonies where we sing and praise

GodGod– Temples and other holy places are erected

3. Ethics and morals– Realize and practice virtues such as

compassion, truthfulness, non-violence, justice forgiveness tolerance disciplinejustice, forgiveness, tolerance, discipline and others.

Religion (contd)Religion (contd)A truly religious person

Believes in a god and worships the GodHas a need to be honest & good Manifests the good values daily throughoutManifests the good values daily throughout lifeMakes the three aspects of religion part of p g proutine life

ThereforeTherefore,

Religion is a WAY of lifeReligion is a WAY of life.

Various religions of the World-just l f fexamples of a few

ChristianityyIslamNon-Adherent (Secular/Atheist/Irreligious/Agnostic/Nonthei(Secular/Atheist/Irreligious/Agnostic/Nontheist)HinduismChinese folk religionBuddhismSikhismSikhismJudaismBahá'í FaithJainismZoroastrianism

AUMAUM

Sacred symbolSacred symbolSupreme name of GodAUM expresses 3 attributes of Godattributes of GodShortest name and the most powerfulHence, it is used in ,chantingMost mantras and vedic prayers start with Aum.All auspicious actions begin with Aum.

AUM (contd)AUM (contd)

A denotes the power of God as a creator BrahmaA denotes the power of God as a creator - Brahma

U denotes power of God as a Preserver - Vishnu

M denotes power of god to dissolve the universe -Mahadeva

The three letters also symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), and the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah,(Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond.

Aum-why used in chanting?Aum why used in chanting?The sound of AUM chanting

– initial sound of "aa " vibrates within the muladhara the chakra atinitial sound of aa, vibrates within the muladhara, the chakra at the base of the spine upon which God sits.

– second sound of this mantra, "oo," vibrates within the throat and chest chakras (the realm of Lord Murugan, or Kumara)

– third sound, "mm," vibrates within the cranial chakras, ajna and h h th S G d isahasrara, where the Supreme God reigns.

– The dot above, called anusvara, represents the Soundless Sound, Paranada.

It b f l d f h ti d j b fIt may be safely used for chanting and japa by anyone of any religion.

The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm).

Why is AUM one of the most chanted d b l i I di ?sound symbols in India?

Its three letters represent the three worlds and the powers of p pcreation, preservation and destruction. God as the Primal Sound. This sound can be heard as the sound of one's own nerve system, and meditators and mystics h it d il lik th d d b l t i l t fhear it daily, like the sound made by an electrical transformer or a swarm of bees, or a thousand vinas playing in the distanceIt is a strong, inner experience, one that yogis hold with great reverencereverence. The meditator is taught to inwardly transform this sound into the inner light which lights up ones' thoughts, and to bask in this blissful consciousness of light. gHearing this sound, one draws near to God Consciousness.

AUM Circles and what they meanAUM Circles and what they meanThe symbol of AUM consists of three curves (curves 1, 2, and 3), one semicircle (curve 4), and a dot. The large lower curve 1 symbolizes the waking state (jagrat), in this state the y g (j g ),consciousness is turned outwards through the gates of the senses. The larger size signifies that this is the most common ('majority') state of the human consciousness. The upper curve 2 denotes the state of deep sleep (sushupti)The upper curve 2 denotes the state of deep sleep (sushupti) or the unconscious state. This is a state where the sleeper desires nothing nor beholds any dream. The middle curve 3 (which lies between deep sleep and the waking state) signifies the dream state (swapna) In this statewaking state) signifies the dream state (swapna). In this state the consciousness of the individual is turned inwards, and the dreaming self beholds an enthralling view of the world behind the lids of the eyes. Th th th t t f i di id l' iThese are the three states of an individual's consciousness, and since Indian mystic thought believes the entire manifested reality to spring from this consciousness, these three curves therefore represent the entire physical phenomenon. of OM represents both the unmanifest and the manifest, the noumenon and the phenomenon.

KKB3

Slide 18

KKB3 More for the back ground - slide 27 & 28, Do not need to go in the detailKalpana K. Bakshi, 10/1/2007

AUM Circles (contd)AUM Circles (contd)The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, known in Sanskrit as turiya In this state the consciousness looksSanskrit as turiya. In this state the consciousness looks neither outwards nor inwards, nor the two together. It signifies the coming to rest of all differentiated, relative existence This utterly quiet, peaceful and blissful state is the ultimate aim of all spiritual activity This Absolute (non-relative) stateall spiritual activity. This Absolute (non relative) state illuminates the other three states. Finally, the semi circle symbolizes maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. Thus it is the illusion of maya that prevents us from the realization of this highest state ofthat prevents us from the realization of this highest state of bliss. The semi circle is open at the top, and when ideally drawn does not touch the dot. This means that this highest state is

t ff t d b M l ff t th if t dnot affected by maya. Maya only affects the manifested phenomenon. This effect is that of preventing the seeker from reaching his ultimate goal, the realization of the One, all-pervading, unmanifest, Absolute principle. In this manner, the fform

UniverseUniverse

Universe

InanimateLifeless, Can not do anything for

themselves

AnimateObjects with consciousness, living, work on their own e.g.

humans animalse.g. land, rocks, water

humans, animals

MatterSoul God

Matter

1. Matter

InanimateLifeless, Can not do anything for themselves

l d k te.g. land, rocks, water Inanimate objects break up until they crumble to tiny bits into microscopic atomscrumble to tiny bits into microscopic atomsThe universe is made of cohesion of atomsGross state of atoms is called matter (prakriti)

2. Soul

Jiva or atmaGives consciousness to the living objectsFormless and subtleAt the death, 5 matters remain with the body, but soul leavesTh tt ib t f l tit d t tThree attributes of soul- aptitude to create, aptitude to enjoy, and aptitude to know.

3. God

Divine power that exists in the universepCreator of universeResides in every living thingsResides in every living thingsOmnipotent, omnipresent and omniscientFormlessFormlessInvisible

5 great elementsgFundamentals of creationThings made of matter have 5 substancesThings made of matter have 5 substances, called five mahabhu or five tattva– Earth (solid most gross)Earth (solid, most gross)– Water (liquid)– Fire (found in form of light or heat)– Fire (found in form of light or heat)– Air (can not be seen, sp attribute is

touch/skin)touch/skin)– Space (most subtle, present in all)

Universe (Brahmanda) and human bodyUniverse (Brahmanda) and human body (Pinda) are made of all 5 substances

Recent (past) festivalsRecent (past) festivals

NavratriNavratri– General significance and shown are a

couple of celebrations, e.g. Bengal, p , g g ,Gujarat and Vijaya dashami/Dushera

Diwalia– General pictures of markets, decorations,

rangoli and fireworksg

- Some pictures are attached -Some pictures are attached

BengalBengal

Goddess DurgaGoddess DurgaKilled the demon called ‘Mahisasura’called MahisasuraDurga Puja and fast for 9 daysfor 9 days10th day is Dushera or Vijaya dashamij y

Dushera or Vijaya DashamiDushera or Vijaya DashamiAlso, believed to be a fight b t R d thbetween Rama and the demon king, Ravana that lasted nine daysThe festival to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and marks the defeat ,and death of Ravana Huge effigies of Ravana are burnt amidst theare burnt amidst the bangs and booms of firecrackers.

Navratri celebration - GujaratNavratri celebration Gujarat

Diwali The festival of lights, is one of the most beautiful of Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates theIt comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14 year exile. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed byHomes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit in houses all over the country making it a night of enchantment. Doorways are hung with torans (a decorative y g (garland for the door) of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis (designs on floor) are drawn with different g ( g )coloured powders/sands to welcome guests. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion.

Shops in the marketp

Sweets

greeting cards

Rangoli colors Lights & decorations of buildings and shops

Homes are decorated, and thousands of lamps lit in houses all over the country festival of lights!houses all over the country – festival of lights!.

RangoliRangoli

FireworksFireworks