Who is hinduism leader

This could include sharing tea, a meal, or engaging in conversation. It may be considered rude to start discussing business without going through these rituals. In post-disaster settings, a Hindu person may or may not choose to self-identify and, despite common assumptions, their outward dress or appearance may not identify them as Hindu.

Moreover, ethnic South Asian garb does not necessarily indicate religious observance. Females may wear a Salwar Kameez a long shirt and pant set or Saree a 6 yard by 44 inch light weight cloth draped over a draw string ankle length petticoat and blouse.

Hindu dress is usually a combination of culture and ethnicity, not a religious requirement. It is a false assumption that females are forced or required to dress traditionally, and most would be deeply offended by that assumption. Approximately 2 million Hindus live in the U. Hinduism is not a singular system of beliefs and ideas, but a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions in which the prominent themes include: Dharma ethics and duties , Samsara rebirth , Karma right action , and Moksha liberation from the cycle of Samsara.

The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of Brahman. Therefore, it is characterized by the multiplicity of deities. Fundamental to many Hindus is the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—creator, preserver, and destroyer, respectively. Therefore they believe that all paths to divinity are valid.

Although Hinduism has sects, e. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email this link. Religious authority can also come from the actions one performs in one's life.

Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, was certainly a learned man, but his religious leadership came not from his knowledge of the sacred texts, but from his actions. It was his moral example that led people to follow him. Some figures who are regarded by their followers as living gods attain that status through particularly auspicious, even miraculous acts.

Chaitanya, the 15th-century Krishna devotee, has been elevated to the status of sainthood through his intense devotion to Krishna. He has for centuries been held up as the model of bhakti , loving devotion to the god. Likewise, Ramakrishna , the 19th-century Bengali saint, is regarded by his followers as a saint because of his intense devotion and exemplary meditation, as well as the actual content of his spiritual message.

Toggle navigation. Ethics and Community. Page: 1 of 2. Continued On Next Page. Get Patheos Newsletters. Best of Patheos. The science of Shilpi shastra dates back several thousands of years and is formerly studied through either traditional guilds, apprenticeships and oral tradition or through independent certification coursework.

A qualified shilpi should be trained in the theoretical, scriptural and practical aspects of Shilpi shastra. Shilpi may also be called upon to perform certain worship services during different stages of sculpting. As such, a shilpi must have a working knowledge of the various steps involved in certain worship services generally referred to as puja ; can chant special prayers that may be in Sanskrit or vernacular Indian languages and is familiar with the necessary items for the specific ceremonies and rituals such as flowers, rice, coconut, clarified butter, specially prepared food offerings, incense, vermilion and camphor to name only a few.

Shilpi shastra and Vaastu shastra, the science or art of architecture, are collectively referred to as Sthapatya Veda. Since the Hindu tradition is highly decentralized, the occupation of a shilpi is not certified by any central authority. The religious occupation and the capabilities required for the shilpi are verified and affirmed in the context of the community where the shilpi traditionally receives training, engages in the occupation and is recognized as competent based on the quality of his or her work.

If, however, a Hindu temple or organization based in the U. Hindu religious artists are specially trained musicians, singers and dancers who provide devotional services or teach at the temple or organization site or offsite. In this category, special mention must be made of Odhuvaars. Odhuvaars are well-versed in Tamil Liturgy that dates back between years. This liturgy has been passed down through an oral tradition of singers who are distinct from pujari s that perform the worship ceremonies in the temple.

Odhuvars are an integral part of most worship ceremonies in Tamil temples. Somewhat akin to those who perform the Gregorian chant at churches. Hindu religious jewelers custom design and make onsite silver, gold and bejeweled ornamentations for temple murti or deities. The art of alankara decoration of deities is an age old tradition in Hinduism and is a central facet of worship.

In many temples, only certain people are allowed to touch the Deity or to enter the sanctum. Each Deity is different from another, being handmade, and these ornamentations are thus either made on site or fitted on site.

Brahmachari male or brahmacharini female : A brahmachari or brahmacharini is an individual who has made a formal lifetime commitment in his or her earlier stages of training and initiation.

Other brahmachari s, while still in a novitiate, may gain this title or status under the tutelage of a non-tradition lineageal guru or spiritual master or through independent study, austerities, contemplative meditation and a stated commitment through such vows. Vows for any student monks may include ones of celibacy, renunciation of wealth and personal property, gradual severing of family ties and obligations, contemplative study of scripture, daily meditation and prayer, certain dietary restrictions and simple living among others.

Brahmachari s fulfill an essential role in Hindu society. To help meet the ministering needs of a Hindu temple or Hindu community, brahmachari s may conduct certain worship services, give lectures on scripture and Hindu philosophy, host adult discussion or scripture study groups, manage balavihar s or student study groups and oversee service projects.

In its strictest sense, the system requires that all priests should hail from the highest or Brahman caste. Individuals become lifelong members of the same caste and they face the possibility of being born in a higher caste after reincarnation.

As such, Hindu priesthood is usually hereditary. The hierarchical structures also include ascetic monastic orders, which are known as sannyasa. Members of the orders are drawn from the Brahman caste. The third structure of Hinduism leaders consists of the Asacharya or gurus. They have a divine personality and guide ordinary adherents.

Priests are responsible for overseeing ceremonies and rituals, tending to holy fires, running the temples, and preparing offerings. The majority of rituals and ceremonies conducted by the Hindu religion have links to the Vedic tradition.

Hindu priests oversee purification ceremonies, last rites following the death of adherents, marriage ceremonies, and birthdays. Some ceremonies involve the birth of a child.

Birthdays form part of special events that require the involvement of a priest. On the other hand, purification ceremonies are vital for chasing away negative spirits from newly purchased homes or other properties.

Different types of sannyasi come in two distinct orders: ekadanda and tridanda monks. Each order has varying degrees of religious dedication, expectations, attributes, and austerity traditions. Ekadanda monks form part of the Sankaracarya tradition while the tridanda has links with several Vaishnava traditions. Sannyasi monks practice yoga meditation as part of their religious tradition.