Jewish and Buddhism Life Cycle Rituals Essay

Traditions and rituals have become an indelible mark that i person carries from the time he or she was born until his or her death. The Jewish and Hindi, in instigateicular, cherish modified occasions marking the major transitions and stages in the individuals life from support to death. Jewish life sentence Cycle Rituals From the time that a person is born, he is surrounded with rituals and traditions that would eventually become a part of his existence. When a Jew is born, his father will be called to recite the aliyah at the synagogue and pray for blessings for his wifes and sons health.This is done on the scratch line Sab flickerh by and by the baby is born (ReligionF forms, 2008). The rituals following the birth of a peasant atomic number 18 called brit milah (for male childs) and brit habit (for girls). Brit milah includes prayers and blessings, aside from the naming and circumcision. A mohel conducts the circumcision. Brit habit, on the some different hand, refers to the naming ritual for girls. There is also a ritual called simchat bat wherein prayers and songs atomic number 18 included in the naming ceremony. This is done eight or 15 days after the birth (Konick, n. d. ). The ritual following brit milah is Pidyon Haben, which means Redemption of the First-Born Son.This ritual stemmed from the belief that everything that is first and best belongs to God (ReligionFacts, 2008). Du retrieve the ceremony, the boy is garbed in special clothes and his father brings along v silver coins and presents him to the Kohen. The Kohen is in charge of the whole ceremony. He also recites the Kiddush and drinks the wine. The Kohen then puts the coins over the boys head and blesses him (BecomingJewish, 2009). When the boy reaches the age of 13, the Jewish community considers him an adult. This is also the stage where he becomes a veto mitzvah (Son of the Commandments).In girls, it is called bat mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandments) (ReligionFacts, 2009). Another important ritual in the lives of Jewish is marriage. after the couple announces their engagement, there is a festivity where the couples family and friends attend. This symbolizes the willingness of both families to have their children wed. The entire get hitched with ceremony entails many activities, eventually leading to nisuin. This is the part wherein the couple stands under chuppah ( shtupopy). Chuppah is the symbol of the couples new home. The couple recites the seven marriage benedictions. The bride and groom also share a glass of wine. afterwards the ceremony, there is celebration with music and dancing. Then the married couple heads to their honeymoon (ReligionFacts, 2009). The life cycles/second ends with death. As the family is notified of the death of a family member, the child t spikes his clothes on the left side while other mourners tear their clothes on the right side. The Jews do not believe in autopsy, embalming and cremation. The body is swear out and d ressed in white tachrichin. The Jewish observes the placing of the body into the ground. A shomer also recites Tehillim (Psalms) to the dead as a show of respect (BecomingJewish, 2009).When one grows up in a country that has culture, traditions and rituals different from others, formation of his or her indistinguishability and personality is affected. These rituals and traditions have an important role in ones identity. Once a person determines his social identity, he will continually affirm it. This explains why Jews behave or act or think differently from Americans. In addition, the voluntary and involuntary experiences that Jewish individuals have throughout their lives fill an important role in the formation of identity. Involuntary experiences refer to those that result from the parents upbringing.Voluntary experiences, on the other hand, refer to choices that an individual takes about being a Jewish. Moreover, there are Jews who come from intensive Jewish backgrounds. They te nd to be more influenced as their families are committed to Jewish life (Horowitz, 2001). Hindu flavor Cycle Rituals The Hindu culture also has its own set of traditions and rituals that are different from other cultures. raze before a child is born, certain rites are performed to make sure that both the mother and the child will be healthy. Right after birth, the father touches a gold spoon or ring dipped in curds, honey, and ghee to the babys lips.Then he whispers vak into the babys right ear three quantify. In addition, mantras are recited for an enduring and long life. Rituals also include the babys firsts, such(prenominal) as first visit to a temple, first feeding of solid food, ear-piercing, and first haircut. Young males are also subject to upayana, an initiation ceremony for six to 12-year-olds. This ceremony signals the transition to adulthood. The ceremony also includes the boys recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and the wearing of a blessed thread over the left shoulder . Those who wear sacred thread are called twice-born (Cline, 2009).Another important ritual for the Hindu is marriage. During this phase, the parents of the couple are the ones who will square off upon the betrothal and date and time of the wedding in accordance with astrologers. For Hindu, the bride represents the goddess while the groom represents the god. Hindu marriages are elaborate, involving the grooms travel to the wedding site riding a caparisoned white clam or a limousine. One important part of every Hindu marriage is the reciting of mantras by the priests (Cline, 2009). demolition also ends the life cycle that involves ceremonies.Hindu believes in cremation, but others practice burial. If the body is cremated, the closest proportional is put in-charge of lighting the funeral pyre and collecting ashes and fragments of bones that will be immersed in the holy river. aft(prenominal) this, the mourners will take a purifying bath. In much the same way, Hindus formation of personality and identity are affected by the surrounding culture and rituals that they observe as they grow up. A Hindu also acts in a way that the society dictates as right. For instance, religious beliefs have a acquit influence on Hindu womens roles and responsibilities (Jarayam, 2008).Historical records would show that Hindu women used to be interact as second class citizens. In fact, they walk a few steps behind their husbands. Although the times are changing and there have been improvements on the role of women in the society, there will salvage be cases wherein women are still abused or treated as inferior (Jarayam, 2007). Situations like this can affect the development of ones identity and personality. References BecomingJewish. (2009). Jewish life cycles. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. becomingjewish. org/jlife. html Cline, A. (2009).Hindu rituals in India. About. com. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//atheism. about. com/od/hindusandhinduism/a/IndiaR ituals. htm Horowitz, B. (2001). Informal education and Jewish identity development. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. shma. com/May01/horowitz. htm Jarayam, V. (2007). Hinduism and women. Retrieve February 10, 2009, from http//www. hinduwebsite. com/hinduism/h_women. asp Jarayam, V. (2008). The problems and status of women in Hindu society. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. hinduwebsite. com/hinduwomen. asp Konick, L. (n. d. ).Welcome your baby Jewish traditions. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. beliefnet. com/Love-Family/Parenting/2000/05/Welcome-Your-Baby-Jewish-Traditions. aspx Kushner, H. (2009). Some meanings of brit milah. MyJewishLearning, Inc. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. myjewishlearning. com/lifecycle/Ceremonies_For_Newborns/Overview_History_and_Themes/Brit_Milah_Ceremonies_for_Boys/Meaning_of_Brit_Milah. htm ReligionFacts. (2008). Jewish life cycle rituals. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. religionfacts. com/j udaism/cycle. htm