Visit Of The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir On Prescott Avenue

Although religions today take on many shapes and forms, and may seem so dramatically different from each other, in order to study and understand these religions, their similarities must be identified. This paper will first present a definition of religion that will connect to all religions at the simplest base. Then this paper will examine the common practices and experiences that are present in both the primary religions of the world, as well as the indigenous religions. Finally, this paper will discuss the issues that are critical to the academic study of religions.

Identify one Christian community living or serving in a Hindu context. Analyze the principles and practices of the group in light of key Hindu beliefs and practices.

Molloy, M. (2012). Experiencing the World’s Religions. Tradition, Challenge, and Change (6th ed.)Chapter 5. Retrieved from https://newclassroom3.phoenix.edu/Classroom

In 3015, an archeologist named Bob was digging around in a place that used to be called The Kingdom of Bowling Green. Bob was about 20 ft. under ground when he came across something really tough. He thought it was something important so he used a hammer and smashed through it. He came upon what he thought was a worshiping temple. He thought it was one because there was a prayer room (2). Also, it had a sacrifice chair (3), a wooden box to lay sacrificed bodies on top of(4), a smaller wooden box with religious books of many different sizes and scented oils to attract the gods(5), a throne for the priests and religious leaders (6) and a holder for the priest's robes(7).

One of the most positive things about being an American is the ability to interact in “the melting pot” of various cultures all around. While most of us obviously identify with our own specific culture, the variety within our society is extremely diverse, allowing intercultural communication and presents a learning experience for those who are able to communicate and with one another. When observing and interacting with cultures other than my own, I am able to identify some similarities, as well as the differences from their culture to mine. Throughout this semester we have learned so many things about different cultures and worldviews, I have begun to learn a lot more about myself and my personal religious views. I have never followed a religious practice on my own choice, but it is encouraging to see how it positively impacts others in my life.

As the music started, I felt a sense of satisfaction that our service represented years of hard work, and our team was worthy to be measured by a representative of our local esteemed seminary. We transitioned into the Welcome, and as I quickly worked the room, I made sure I hit the area near the Professor, wanting to make sure she experienced the genuine kindness and love that characterizes our congregation. It was in that area of the room that I gave a quick hug to our dysfunctional former member, hoping she would see she was still loved and respected. I also smelled my new friend before he came up behind me, turning quickly to give him a handshake and a big smile, knowing he would find out soon enough I was the Pastor. Back at my seat, I settled back into my hermeneutical, homiletical checklist. Was I going to make the correct impression on our Professor that represented what we were about at Park Lake? Was I ready and prepared for this moment?

Though there are several factors that I considered when deciding where to do my fieldwork paper, I chose Beth Israel Synagogue located in Lexington Park, Maryland primarily for accessibility. St. Mary’s County is a rural area with a predominately Christian population. As I begin to search for a congregation with beliefs which differed from my Catholic beliefs, I did not have many options in the immediate area. The nearest Buddhist, Hindu, or Sikh congregations are located in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore; both areas are at least an hour and half drive from my house. Within the Southern Maryland area, there are a few synagogues and Islamic temples. Location limited my choices to the Jewish and Islamic faiths as choices. Though I would have loved to visit the Islamic temple as well, I chose Beth Israel Synagogue because it was located closer to my house than the Islamic temple in Calvert County.

Before I read Stephen Prothero’s God Is Not One, I did not know much about Hinduism. For me, Hinduism conjured the images of bright colors, richly adorned statues, and jovial worship and dance. When we visited the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, that is exactly what I saw. Yet, now I know the reason for all these things. Although Hinduism is a largely varying tradition, it is namely about love and celebration. Given the evidence from Prothero’s book and my observations at the Ganesh Temple, Hinduism is a tradition that aims to gives purpose to human’s wandering souls through devote worship to deities and rituals.

As the sunrises over the crisp fall horizon, followers begin to surround the sacred space in anticipation for what is about to take place. The sacred space is soon surrounded by people who are dressed in the sacred colors, some wearing necklaces of their totem, while others wear headdresses that adorn with their sacred symbol. People begin to drink, play music, and prepare a banquet feast for each other, creating a festival atmosphere in hope that today’s ritual will be a success. As the ritual gets set to begin followers begin to crowd into the sacred space, surrounded with pictures and names of those who have reached greatness. As the ritual begins, music is played in order to bring everyone together and prepare for the events that

First, the outside temple 's architecture features many things. For example, a half shaped golden sphere, which sat in the center of the temple. It was made of several rectangle parts put together like a jigsaw puzzle to form a pregnant woman belly. The gold dome was elegant and shiny. So bright that Japan residents are blind by the glow. Next, the temple 's stone and marble combination were brilliant together. The stone wall a pale pink with a smooth texture like a baby 's bottom. The caramel

In this paper, Religious Analysis, I will discuss my, observation, experience, and emotions attending a religious service that is different from what I was raised. The purpose of this assignment is for me to gain an understanding of another religion practice, understand the similarities and difference between religions, and find common ground with other cultures. By doing the Religion Analysis assignment, it will allow me to become culturally competent now and throughout my journey in the field of social work. It will help me comprehend what other people believe in and why they might believe in it. This will allow me to relate to and understand people more or better. As a future social worker, it is essential to know the diversity of religion

Hinduism and Buddhism are both eastern traditions with much to say about the human condition as well as the reason human beings exist at all. In some ways they are different while also being similar in other ways. In this essay, those differences will be discussed and the similarities examined for their message. In conclusion, we will examine what these two faiths offer to the human beings of the twenty-first century.

Around the inside of the building were candles, incense, and different statues of what I'm sure were a multitude of separate Hindu deities. Of course, being relatively new to the Hindu gods and goddesses, I wasn't able to identify too many, but I did recognize the remover of obstacles, Ganesh—for what I figure is one rather obvious reason. I could only assume other popular divine figures including lord Vishnu and the mother goddess Devi resided with these other statues.

As I took off my shoes before entering the main temple before the first worship session began, I began to feel a sense of peace within myself as well those that were attending the worship session. Inside the main temple was a huge statue of Buddha surrounded with white silhouettes of the Lotus flower, which seems to be the symbol of peace. Tens of incense jars filled with sand litter the alter the room. The room smelled like incense, pleasant and peaceful. There were twenty rows of small cushions that were used for kneeling and sitting, and twenty rows of small raised shelves that were used for holding the prayers that were going to be recited during that session. People were filling the room really quickly, and seats were being taken

When I first entered the main worship room, I saw three women walking around the gods in clockwise motion. This clockwise motion is called Pradakshina, a form of worship that represents the fact that god is the center of everything and everyone else surrounds him. There were several gods in the room, each stored in their own window. Many people ranging from old to young kept going up to each god and doing their own prayers. I observed that the prayers were performed in a special way. You had to put your two hands together, close your eyes and pray to that specific God. I couldn’t understand the prayers they were reciting because they were saying it in language.