Jewish and Buddhism Life Cycle Rituals Essay

Traditions and religious rites turn over become an unerasable mark that one person carries from the time he or she was natural until his or her death. The Judaic and Hindu, in departmenticular, cherish fussy occasions soft touch the major transitions and constitutes in the individuals life from birth to death. Judaic Life rung Rituals From the time that a person is born, he is surrounded with religious rites and traditions that would eventually become a part of his existence. When a Jew is born, his father exit be called to recite the aliyah at the synagogue and pray for blessings for his wifes and sons health.This is do on the first Sabbath after the violate is born (ReligionFacts, 2008). The rituals following the birth of a chela argon called brit milah (for boys) 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 an early(a)(prenominal) 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 solemnity. 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 whimsey that everything that is first and best belongs to God (ReligionFacts, 2008). During the ceremony, the boy is garbed in special clothes and his father brings along five silver coins and presents him to the Kohen. The Kohen is in aid 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 bar mitsvah (Son of the Commandments).In girls, it is called bat mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandments) (ReligionFacts, 2009). Anoth er important ritual in the lives of Jewish is marriage. After the twosome announces their engagement, there is a festivity where the twins family and friends attend. This symbolizes the forgetingness of both families to have their children wed. The entire wedding ceremony entails many activities, eventually leading to nisuin. This is the part wherein the mate stands under chuppah (canopy). Chuppah is the symbol of the couples new home. The couple recites the seven marriage benedictions. The bride and groom also sh atomic number 18 a churl of wine.After the ceremony, there is celebration with music and dancing. Then the married couple heads to their honeymoon (ReligionFacts, 2009). The life cycle ends with death. As the family is notified of the death of a family member, the child tears his clothes on the left(a) side while other mourners tear their clothes on the right side. The Jews do not debate in autopsy, embalming and cremation. The body is washed and dressed in white ta chrichin. The Jewish observes the placing of the body into the ground. A shomer also recites Tehillim (Psalms) to the dead as a sight of respect (BecomingJewish, 2009).When one grows up in a country that has finishing, traditions and rituals disparate from others, brass of his or her identity and personality is make a motioned. These rituals and traditions have an important reference in ones identity. Once a person determines his affable identity, he will continually affirm it. This explains why Jews behave or act or think divergently from Americans. In addition, the voluntary and unconscious experiences that Jewish individuals have throughout their lives play 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 tend to be m ore influenced as their families are committed to Jewish life (Horowitz, 2001). Hindu Life Cycle Rituals The Hindu culture also has its own set of traditions and rituals that are different from other cultures. Even 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 clock. In addition, mantras are recited for an enduring and long life. Rituals also include the babys firsts, such as first visit to a temple, first feeding of inviolable 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 sacred 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 decide upon the betrothal and determine 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 equitation a caparisoned white horse or a limousine. ace important part of every Hindu marriage is the reciting of mantras by the priests (Cline, 2009). oddment also ends the life cycle that involves ceremonies.Hindu believes in cremation, but others answer burial. If the body is cremated, the closest relative is put in-charge of lighting the funeral pyre and appeal ashes and fragments of bones that will be immersed in the holy river. After 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 direct influence on Hindu womens roles and responsibilities (Jarayam, 2008).Historical records would verbalize that Hindu women used to be treated as second kinsfolk 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 still be cases wherein women are still ill-use 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. hypertext mark-up language Cline, A. (2009).Hindu rituals in India. About. com. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//atheism. about. com/od/hindusandhinduism/a/IndiaRituals. 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 viper 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/judaism /cycle. htm