Often, Hindu temples will offer food to visitors, usually something sweet, which has first been offered to and blessed by the gods. Hindu's worship many different gods and Gurus, Siva, Ganesha, Vishnu, Sai Baba, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Naryana Gurudev, etc. Once, I read a book on Hinduism, which stated that it is very difficult (and also easy in a way, depending on how one looks at the situation) to convert a Hindu to Christianity. When introduced to Jesus Christ, Hindus will simply add him to the list of gods in whom they worship and believe. Swami G explained that, in reality, for Hindus there is only one God. The different forms of God are simply stylistic focal points, which allow one to reach/access the one true God. He said that the God is like music or color. It doesn't matter what style of music you like. It doesn't matter what your favorite color is. If one says that he or she likes Progressive Indy Folk Rock, or Punk Rock, or even Country, he or she is still expressing a love of music. The variations are just styles. Likewise red, blue, orange and green are just expressions and variations of color.
Hinduism, as the oldest religion with the oldest existing language (Sanskrit) advises followers on every aspect of life, diet, healthcare (ayurveda, yoga, pranayama breathing, etc, sexual behavior, one's obligations in life etc. Hinduism teaches the importance of being fully present in the moment. Aspects of of this teaching involve collecting prana (life energy) from nature another aspect involves more fully using ones senses. Walking barefoot, spending time in nature, eating with ones hands, only consuming food made by people who have love for you, etc are all expressions of this belief. Historically, monks and spiritual people were often tasked with preparing food because of their ability to love everyone. In India, it is also common to eat with ones hands. Personally, I think the food tastes better when using more of my senses.
No comments:
Post a Comment