Jewish and Buddhism Life Cycle Rituals Essay

Traditions and rites take over be spot an unerasable mark that one person carries from the realise he or she was born until his or her death. The Judaic and Hindi, in functionicular, cherish finical occasions marking the major transitions and stages in the individuals life from affinity to death. Judaic life-time Cycle Rituals From the condemnation that a person is born, he is skirt with rituals and traditions that would eventually become a part of his existence. When a Jew is born, his gravel go out be called to recite the aliyah at the synagogue and supplicate for blessings for his wifes and sons health.This is done on the eldest Sab squash racketh subsequently the corrupt is born (ReligionF act upons, 2008). The rituals following the carry of a s get hold ofr argon called brit milah (for boys) and brit habit (for girls). Brit milah includes prayers and blessings, apart from the assignment and circumcision. A mohel conducts the circumcision. Brit habit, on the opposite hand, revives to the naming ritual for girls. in that extol is in addition a ritual called simchat bat wherein prayers and songs be included in the naming notice. This is done eight or 15 days aft(prenominal) the birth (Konick, n. d. ). The ritual following brit milah is Pidyon Haben, which means repurchase of the First-Born Son.This ritual stemmed from the belief that eitherthing that is start and best belongs to God (ReligionFacts, 2008). During the observation, the boy is fit out in special frock and his father brings along five silver coins and presents him to the Kohen. The Kohen is in charge of the whole ceremony. He too 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 con fontrs him an adult. This is also the stage where he becomes a bar mitzvah (Son of the Commandments).In girls, it is called bat mitzvah (Daughte r of the Commandments) (ReligionFacts, 2009). A nonher all- crucial(a) ritual in the lives of Jewish is marriage ceremony. later the mates announces their engagement, there is a festivity where the duplicates family and friends attend. This symbolizes the willingness of both families to remove their children wed. The entire marriage ceremony ceremony entails many activities, eventually leading to nisuin. This is the part wherein the couple 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 share a glass of wine. after(prenominal) the ceremony, there is solemnization with music and dancing. Then the married couple heads to their honeymoon (ReligionFacts, 2009). The life calendar method ends with death. As the family is notified of the death of a family member, the child t auricula atriis his clothes on the left side while other mourners tear their clothes on the right sid e. The Jews do not believe in autopsy, embalming and cremation. The eubstance is wash and dressed in white tachrichin. The Jewish find oneselfs the placing of the body into the ground. A shomer also recites Tehillim (Psalms) to the drained as a argue of respect (BecomingJewish, 2009).When one grows up in a country that has culture, traditions and rituals different from others, defining of his or her identity and personality is bear upon. These rituals and traditions have an all important(predicate) determination in ones identity. Once a person determines his societal identity, he will continually put forward 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 play an important office staff in the formation of identity. Involuntary experiences refer to those that result from the parents upbringing.Voluntary experiences, on the other hand, re fer to choices that an individual takes about beingness a Jewish. Moreover, there are Jews who come from intensive Jewish backgrounds. They tend to be more influenced as their families are perpetrate to Jewish life (Horowitz, 2001). Hindi 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 yield 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 times. In addition, mantras are recited for an immutable and long life. Rituals also include the babys firsts, such as first visit to a temple, first victuals 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 adulth ood. The ceremony also includes the boys workout of the Gayatri Mantra and the wearing of a quasi-religious yarn 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 date and time of the wedding in accordance of rights 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 grace white horse or a limousine. One important part of every Hindu marriage is the reciting of mantras by the priests (Cline, 2009). termination also ends the life cycle that involves ceremonies.Hindu believes in cremation, but others practice burial. If the body is cremated, the closest relative is put in-charge of illuminate the funeral pyre and collecting ashes and fragments of bones that will be immersed in the holy river. After this, the mourners will take a ameliorate bath. In much the same modality, 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 show that Hindu women used to be handle as second class citizens. In fact, they walk a few go behind their husbands. Although the times are changing and there have been improvements on the role of women in the society, there will yet be cases wherein women are still maltreat or treated as inferior (Jarayam, 2007). Situations like this can affect the victimization 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/IndiaRituals. htm Horowitz, B. (2001). Informal gentility 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). around 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/Me aning_of_Brit_Milah. htm ReligionFacts. (2008). Jewish life cycle rituals. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http//www. religionfacts. com/judaism/cycle. htm