Unit 2

• Ritual

  Uses signs, symbols and action to invoke and promote feelings of belonging, transition and commitment. It enables participants to experience things larger than life cause they make meaning of abstract. It acts as bridge between belief and practice. They're generally communicated on two levels: between people and God/hugh being, and between individual nd fellow believers. Rituals demonstrate that religion is not only about what people believe in but also what people do to practise and enhance their belief
• Life cycle ritual


  Marks rites of passage in the biological and sociological cycle of human life
• Purpose of life cycle rituals

  • Guide us to see deeper meaning in our ordinary lives
  • Help us to respond to life changes and enable us to sanctify our days and years
  • Guide us through important moments
  • Bring us out of focus only on self and family into connection with God/HIgher being. With the religious community and traditions
  • Connect us with unseen presences of those who have come before us- even those who'll come after us
  • Foster personal, family and religious identity
• Categories of Lifestyle Rituals

  • Initiation Rites
  • Rites of Passage
  • Rites of Cleansing and Healing (aka purification)
• Life Cycle rituals develop from sacred texts and religious writings of various traditions
• Sacred texts present beliefs statements, moral rules and a range of instructions and behavioural requirements
• Life cycle rituals come from instructions or descriptions in these sacred texts
• Examples of life cycle rituals from sacred texts

  • Islamic marriage supported by verses in Qur'an
  • Upanayanan described in Vedas
  • Circumcision Judaism specifically part of covenant between Abraham and God is described in Torah
  • Buddhist Monkhood comes from Vinaya Ptitaka
  • Baptism recorded in Gospels
  • Initiation rituals for Australian Aborigines passed down through stories and law
• Core beliefs

  Ideas considered true and express the self-understanding of the tradition
• Core beliefs are demonstrated in life-cycle rituals as a way of: Following instruction/commandments of divine, Presenting behaviours to support soul in its passage through life's different stages or even on it's post-death spiritual journey
• Rituals are used to teach, support, reinforce, publicise and explain process to adherents within faith as well as non-believers outside the religion in the wider community
• Each ritual is based in theology of individual tradition and reiterates and support the tradition's core beliefs
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  Bar mitzvah= 'son of the commandment', Bat mitzvah= 'daughter of the commandment'. Adolescent becomes a bar/bat mitzvah, for boys at 13 and girls at 12. Designated ages are considered when according to Jewish aw a young person is able to fulfil the mitzvot, the central tenets of Judaism
• Both mitzvahs are time of celebration for young persons, their family and community + a festive meal or party often follows formal religious ritual
• History of Mitzvahs


  Bar mitzvah ceremonies have become more important over last 100yrs, but origins aren't clear. Ceremony isn't mentioned in TaNaK or Talmud, but Talmud does mention adolescence for male child begins at 13. Originally no similar rite of passage for girls. 1922- Rabbi Nordecai Kaplan decided to have Bat mitzvah ceremony for his daughter
• Process of Mitzvahs

  Prior to bar mitzvah, boys trend classes given by Rabbi to prepare for new responsibilities as adult. He's taught to wear tefillin and tallit studies the scriptures and Jewsih history and learns to recite passage from Torah. Girls also read from Torah, except in Orthodox synagogues. Girls attend classes in scripture and history + learn how to keep kosher food laws and prepare for Shabbat. In some communities, girls wear tefillin and tallit, but isn't common cross all forms of Judaism. Ritul usually occurs in synagogue or if possible at western wall in Jerusalem
• Function of Mitzvahs in Judaism

  Marks transition from childhood→ adulthood, Highlights importance of sacred texts - studying + remembering and reading torah, Following commandments of faith, Sacred law (halacha) is 1 of most important aspects of religion- mitzvahs support young person to understand sacred law and follow it everyday. After ritual they are obligated to follow halacha. Halacha- practical way that one should behave + act. Provides detailed manual on how to fulfil commandments. Supports core beliefs of fulfilling covenant made with God by following commandments as described in Torah. After ritual, adherent is full member of Jewish community and in covenant with God, which is central tenet of of Jewish faith. Belief in 1 God- essential belief. Jews believe it's good to pray together but there must be a minimum of ten people present for certain prayers, This is called minyan. After ritual, adherent can participate in minyan
• Hinduism


  Believes in doctrine of samara (continuous cycle of life, death + rebirth) and karma (universal law of cause and effect). Has many Gods. Believes in atman (soul or the eternal self) which resides in all living creatures. Ultimate purpose of religion is to achieve moksha- concept which is liberation from samsara. This is when soul completes its duties like dharma and has gotten rid of all karma & is finally free from struggles and pain of moral world, including life death and rebirth cycle
• Hinduism defined by its larger no. life cycle rituals (samskaras)
• Process of Upanayana ritual


  (Only boys). Boy is introduced to a guru and given sacred thread (yajnopavita) made up of 3 strands symbolising the 3 vows he'll follow in life: To promote knowledge gained for the sages (Rishi Rin), To look after + respect parents and ancestors (Pitri Rin), To contribute to society and nation (Dev Rin). Boy's head is shaved, bathes and wears special white clothes. Offerings made to Agni, god of fire. Boy given new clothes and piece of deer skin on loop of cotton placed around his neck. 2 strands of white cotton, tied with sacre knot are placed over left shoulder and hung diagonally across chest: thread is worn for rest of life and renewed annually. Kneeling, boy recites hymn, takes vow of celibacy and make promise to obey father, guru and family priest and to concentrate on studies. He's then presented with staff to follow right path
• Function of Upanayana ritual

  Upanayana is 1 of most important samskaras. Sacred Texts- practices of Upanayana mentioned frequently in Vedic texts. Following the ritual, boys begin their formal and spiritual education. On the ceremony, the boy and mother share meal from same plates symbolising end of childhood and reliance on mother as his main teacher and caregiver. An auspicious day is chosen for the event based on the child's horoscope. Ritual is usually performed by boy's father or most senior male member of family. Recitation from the Vedas within the ceremony occur, with the Gayatri Hymn from Rig Veda being chanted 10 times. Purpose of human existence (Hinduism) is to attain Moksha and ride oneself from cycle of samsara. To achieve moksha, a HIndu must complete their duties (dharams). Ritual obliges participants to take on 5 daily dharmas- worship God, recite Vedas, honour elders/ancestors, offer food and shelter to poor, holy men and women, feed all animals. 3 Threads remind student about 3 debts. Only when debts are paid can moksha be attained. Karma and karmic consequences- shaving head symbolises removal of bad karma and start of new life. Twice-born - spiritual birth - a child into adult in Hinduism
• Terence Lovat's Model of Rituals

  Entry- participant leaves ordinary/mundane world & enters ritual, Preparation- participant engages in some type of preparatory rite, Climax- participant experiences a central/highpoint of ritual, Celebration- participant joins in some sort of celebration in ritual, Return- participant leaves ritual & returns to ordinary world
• Turner's Ritual Analysis

  Preliminal- individual is striped from his/her social status, Liminal- subject goes through transitional stage marked by anti-structure, chaos and change, Postliminal- subject is reintegrated with an elevated status
• Van Gennep's Ritual Analysis


  Separation- the ritual removal of the individual from society, Transition- the isolation of the individual after separation and prior to incorporation, Incorporation- the reincorporation of individuals into society with new status
• Significance of Upanayana ritual

  It marks a significant transition, signifying their readiness to take on Dharma (duties) associated with their spiritual & social identities, including: Initiation to Study: beginning their journey of Vedic study, which is central to fulfilling Dharma, Moral & Ethical Foundation: Upanayana lays groundwork for life guided by principles of truth, discipline + purity, Social Responsibility: post-ceremony, individual is expected to contribute positively towards society, upholding values imparted during Upanayana
• Influence of Upanayana ritual

  Spiritual Initiation: marks spiritual initiation of a Hindu male into Dvija (twice-born) tradition, signifying their transition into adulthood and their acceptance into religious and social responsibilities of community, Caste System: reinforces the hierarchical structure of caste system, s its only associated with upper Castes (Brahmin, Kshatruya and Vaishya) and historically been denied to lower castes, Religious tradition: emphasises importance of studying Vedas and Hindu scriptures as well as transmission of knowledge from Guru to student, Samskaras: considered one of major samskaras in Hinduism, influencing performance of other HIndu rituals as sacred thread is often required for participation in certain religious ceremonies, Social Identity: possession of sacred thread has historically be sign of social identity to distinguish castes within Hindu society, Spiritual purification: symbolism spiritual purification and acceptance of religious responsibilities- way to connect individual with divine and sacred aspects if Hinduism
• Significance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  Main entry of holy soul at 13 + 12yrs (boys + girls). This Is the age they're biblically liable to punishment for sins- Sulchan ARuch HaRav (Code of Jewish Law). Considered happy occasion for initiate, family and Jewish people of G-d. Jewish people- happy at having another fully obligated Jew. All Jews dependent on each other, therefore Jews rejoice when another worker added to team, workload tightened and workers rejoice. Since every Jew is child of G-d, this event bring immense joy to Father in Heaven. Bar/Bat mitzvahs are intimate true bdays- days they become true emissary of G-d charged with fulfilling commandments. Mitzvah also means connection; true connection with G-d established. G-d fully entrusted and empowered initiative to keep mitzvos (commandments). Is essential to power each initiate with knowledge and skills to navigate world as Jewish man/woman
• Influence of Bar/Bat Mitzvah

  Transition to adulthood: signifies initiate can assume religious responsibilities and obligations. Transition helps strengthen initiate's sense of belonging and commitment to Jewish faith. Religious Obligations: expected to fulfil commandments and obligations of Jewish faith such as observing Sabbath, following dietary laws which enhance initiates understanding and engagement within Judaism. Spiritual Development: allow one to take more active role in religious practice, which leads to stronger sense of personal connection to faith and spiritual growth. Transmission of Tradition: ritual involves passing down of Jewish traditions and values ensuring continuity of faith. Preparation and celebration require learning about Jewish history, customs and beliefs, which can deepen individuals understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage