1) Give some brief background on the religion
On February 5, 2011 my wife and I visited the Hindu Temple of Las Vegas. This is a Jain temple. For a brief overview of the beliefs, I have included my post from week two (post #4).
“Jain believers/followers are taught that Jainism has always been around and that it will always be around. Here is a list of some of the beliefs:
Jainism is a belief that one needs to have absolute control over the mind and body. The goal is to teach the follower to be liberated from the negative effects that their thoughts, words and actions can have on their lives. The follower can achieve this by following the triple gems of Jainism
The right view - seeking to view reality correctly
The right knowledge - finding the true meaning of reality
The right conduct - applying the knowledge acquired into one’s life
Every creature is divine and every human has the potential to become divine
Karma. Unlike the Hindu belief it is something material. It is a reaction to something that is taking place. The reading gives the example of gravity acting on a falling object.
Here are some of the ethics followed by Jainism:
Non-violence - This is a blanket statement/belief to all living things. One should minimize violence, be it intentional or unintentional, to all living things.
Truthfulness - Speak the truth, but with tact. Be constructive and not destructive in word and thought
Non-stealing - Be honest in your dealings with your fellow man. Always be fair in all things
Jain followers participate in festivals and have traditions as many religions do. Some of the festivals are:
Diwali - A celebration of the new moon day of Kartik.
Mahavir Jayant - This is a birthday celebration for Mahavir.
Some traditions/practices are:
Fasting - There are a few ways to fast. Not eating or drinking for a period, minimal eating as to avoid hunger, limiting what you eat and abstaining from your favorite foods.
Jain monks will sweep the ground in front of them as they walk in order to ensure they do not harm any smaller living creature as they walk.
Prayer - There is preparation before prayer. One bathes in order to cleanse the body. Saffron paste or sandal paste is applied to certain spots on their body to assist in meditation. There are many other things that can be done in order to prepare one’s self for prayer.
Vegetarianism -
Jainism believes in non-violence. This belief applies to all aspects of life, including food choice. They do not consume root vegetables due to their harvesting would end the life of the plant. They also do not consume root vegetables due to their interaction with the soil and the nutrients they provide to the soil. It goes without saying that they do not consume animals.”
2) Give a "detailed" (thick) description of where you went and of the SERVICE you attended
The service my wife and I attended is called the Sri Balaji Abhishekam. The website for the Hindu Temple of Las Vegas describes this service as, “Abhishekam is the process of bathing the deity. The Moorthi of Sri Balaji is cleansed with Water and Milk, followed by devotee recitation of Sri Vishnu Sahasranam and finally Arhana is performed.” When I read this description before going to this service I was intrigued as to why they would ask the believers to bring milk to this service. I soon would find out.
Before we visited the temple we tried to call and get in contact with someone about this service and we were unable to have our messages returned. We dressed nicely in order to show respect to their temple. We showed up and asked if we could sit in on their service. The man we spoke with was very welcoming. Everyone we met that day was also very welcoming. The service started at 10:45 am. We were surprised to see few people in the temple at this time. As the service progressed, more and more people began to arrive. In total, approximately 25-30 people were present for this service.
The temple has an Indian style to it. Please refer to the picture of the temple. Walking into the temple you find a large open space with rugs placed together. This is where worshipers can sit, stand, kneel or even lay prostrated on the floor in a sense of worship. At the foot of these rugs are several compartments that have different gods/idols. They are all labeled and all appear to be made out of ceramic or are painted to give a high-gloss finish to them. The god that they are worshiping in today’s service is Balaji. From my understanding this is the god that destroys sins.
Balaji is black in color and is about 4-5 feet tall. It appears to be naked, with exception to a cloth about the waist. All those who have entered by this time have approached the stand containing the gods/idols and have offered up some sort of prayer or adoration to each god. They pass by each compartment and do the same ritual. Some put their hands together and touch their lips or forehead. Others will actually prostrate themselves onto the floor. As these people are entering and approaching the gods there is a man who appears to be preparing the Balaji statue for the service.
A curtain was pulled to cover Balaji from the worshipers all the while a chant or hymn of some sort was playing in the background while incense started burning. The ceremony started with the man behind the curtain ringing a bell. The worshipers got off the floor or benches and approached the curtain as it began opening. The man began to recite a prayer in a language that I can only assume was Indian. From what I gathered, he was praying for every member present. Each person gave him their name and he continued with the prayer. The man approached Balaji and began dumping water all over to start the symbolic washing. After washing with water, a rubbing compound of some sort was applied all over the body. The man proceeded to then rinse/wash the body with the milk that had been brought by the worshipers. During this time the man was reciting a prayer. After the washing with milk, the man proceeded to rinse the body with water. This process lasted about 30 minutes.
After this washing, the curtains were then closed. The congregation began following along to a hymn book (my assumption that this is what it was) or chant or prayer. Most of the members joined in. One of the members approached me and offered me a book in English so I could follow along. Little did I know that this book in English was only going to help me pronounce the words being said. The booklet offered no explanation/translation. This continued for approximately 45 minutes. I was impressed at how a few of these worshipers recited the whole chant/hymn without the assistance of a booklet. They knew it in its entirety.
Soon after the hymn/chant ended a bell started to ring on the other side of the curtain. Everyone, again, approached the curtain as it opened. While the worshipers were singing/chanting the man behind the curtain was dressing Balaji. He did an excellent job. Balaji was decorated with an exquisite robe of white with gold trim, flowers were everywhere, and the fruit that the worshipers had also brought that morning was in dishes at Balaji’s feet.
3) Finally offer a reflection of the experience
During this 2-hour service I was taken aback at what I thought to be a lack of respect during the service. People walked in and out, answered their cell phones, talked loudly or opened and closed cabinet doors without regard to the service that was ongoing. I did not feel as though this behavior was appropriate in this setting. Then again, I was a visitor, so who am I to judge? As I was sitting there I reflected on the things that I have been learning in this class and the things that I have been taught from childhood. I was raised a Christian so going to a service such as this was definitely an eye opener. The biggest difference is their belief in many gods.
It made me think about how we all are raised to believe a certain way. It has made me come to the realization that no matte who we are or what religion we belong to or what nationality we are, etc, we all have the same basic needs and desires. We all need those items to sustain our lives. We all desire happiness in this life. Everyone finds this is different ways. Some find it in the religion of their childhood or they find it in a different religion along the way. Some find happiness in not believing in anything or anyone. Who am I to tell that person that they are wrong in their belief or non-belief?
For more information about the Hindu Temple of Las Vegas, please visit http://www.hindutemplelv.org/
