The Meaning of
Culture
Each of the religions
of the world has its own culture, with many customs, traditions and refined
qualities. The Hindu culture is a culture of love, respect, honoring others and
humbling one's own ego so that the inner nature, which is naturally pure and modest,
will shine forth. Here we have described some of the important faith and
behaviors of Hindu community.
RESPECT AND REVERENCE
1. RESPECT FOR
ELDERS: Respect for elders is a keystone of Hindu culture. This genuine
acknowledgment of seniority is demonstrated through endearing customs, such as
sitting to the left of elders, bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting
while they are standing, not speaking excessively, not yawning or stretching,
not putting one's opinions forward strongly, not contradicting or arguing,
seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice in all matters,
even serving their food first.
2. NAME PROTOCOL:
Younger never uses the proper name of their elders. In the Tamil tradition, a
younger brother, for example, refers to his brother as annan, or periannan
(older brother), not by name. The elder, however, may use the name of the
younger. Children are trained to refer to all adults as auntie or uncle. Only
people of the same age will address each other by first name. A Hindu wife
never speaks the name of her husband. When referring to him she uses terms such
as "my husband," "him" or, for example, "Athan, Mama,
etc.,".
3. TOUCHING FEET IN
RESPECT: One touches the feet of holy men and women in recognition of their great
humility and inner attainment. A dancer or a musician touches the feet of his
or her teacher before and after each lesson. Children prostrate and touch the
feet of their mother and father at festivals and at special times, such as
birthdays and before departing on a journey.
4. Darshan
(darshana): "Vision, sight." Seeing the Divine. Beholding, with inner
or outer vision, a temple image, Deity, holy person or place, with the desire
to inwardly contact and receive the grace and blessings of the venerated being
or beings.
5. DAKSHINA: It is
tradition to provide dakshina, a monetary fee or gift to a priest given at the
completion of any rite. Dakshina is also given to gurus as a token of respect
for their spiritual blessings.
Purity
Purity and its opposite,
pollution, are vitally important in Hindu culture. Purity is of three forms --
purity in mind, speech and body, or thought, word and deed. Purity is the
pristine and natural state of the soul. Impurity, or pollution, is the
obscuring of this state by adulterating experience and beclouding conceptions.
In daily life, the
Hindu strives to protect this innate purity by wise living, following the codes
of dharma. This includes harnessing the sexual energies, associating with other
virtuous Hindu devotees, never using harsh, angered or indecent language, and
keeping a clean and healthy physical body. Here are several ways purity is
preserved in Hindu culture.
1.PURITY AND FOOD:
Purity is central to food and nutrition, as the nature of one's nourishment deeply
affects the entire physical, mental and emotional nature. One cooking food for
others would never taste of the dish from a spoon and then put the spoon back
in the pot. If food is to be tasted while cooking, a small portion is placed in
the right hand. Similarly, one would not touch the lips to a water vessel that
is also used by others. Nor would one offer something to another from which one
has taken a bite or a sip.
2. FLOWER OFFERINGS:
One does not sniff flowers picked for offering to the Deities; even the smell
is for the Gods, not for us. Flowers that fall to the ground should not be
offered.
3. OFFERINGS:
Offerings, such as an archana basket, flowers or garlands, are carried with
both hands on the right side of the body, so as to not be breathed on. All
items are washed in preparation and, if carried more than a short distance,
wrapped or covered.
4. THE LEFT HAND: In
Hindu culture the left hand is considered impure because it is used (with
water) in the place of toilet paper for personal hygiene after answering the
call of nature. Handing another person anything with the left hand may be
considered a subtle insult.
5. SHOES: Shoes are
considered impure. The cultured Hindu never wears shoes or sandals inside a
temple or shrine, nor in his home or the homes of other Hindus. Carrying shoes
in the hands from one part of the premises to another is also avoided. An
ultimate insult is to be struck with a shoe.
6. CAUTION WITH
FOOTWEAR: It is very important to apologize immediately if one touches someone
with his or her shoe or sandal. This is done by touching the right hand to
where the foot touched the other person and then touching one's right hand
lightly to his own left eye and then the right. This same remedy applies to
inadvertently hitting someone with the hand or foot or bumping into him or her.
EXCHANGE OF PRANA
1. GIVING AND
RECEIVING WITH BOTH HANDS: Giving and accepting things from one to another,
presenting offerings to the Deity, etc., is most properly done with both hands.
The reason for this is that with the gift, prana is also given through both
hands, thus endowing more energy to the object. The recipient of the gift
receives it with both hands along with the prana from the gracious giver. It is
known that this exchange of energies is vital for friendship, harmony and the
total release of the gift to the recipient. Hindus never accept gifts from
strangers or unknown persons.
2. Hugging and
Embracing: Hugging and embracing is found in Hindu culture; but it is
restricted to close relatives, Guru/disciples and associates that too in a
private place. In Mahabharatha and Ramayana we find this very often. Hugging
and Embracing improves pranic energy and this practice is not allowed with
strangers.
3. NOT POINTING THE
FINGER: Pointing with the forefinger of the right hand or shaking the
forefinger in emphasis while talking is never done. This is because the right
hand possesses a powerful, aggressive pranic force, and an energy that moves
the forces of the world. Pointing the index finger channels that force into a
single stream. The harshness of this energy would be severely felt in the nerve
system of the recipient. More properly, rather than pointing or shaking the
index finger to give direction or emphasize a verbal statement, the entire hand
is used as a pointer, with the palm up and the thumb held alongside the
forefinger.
4. SHAKING HANDS: The
traditional way that Hindu men greet one another is with the anjali mudra,
then, with palms still held together, extending their hands to one another, in
a two-handed handshake, in a deliberate transfer of prana. The hands of one
man, usually the less senior, are gently clasped between the other's. Each
looks smilingly into the other's face while bowing slightly in humility. This
handshake is not firm, but relaxed and gentle.
5. NOT THROWING
THINGS: Throwing any object on another person is considered extremely improper,
even if the persons know each other very well. Cultured Hindus consider this
crude and even mildly violent, even if done in efficiency or jest.
6. CARE IN SITTING:
It is improper to sit with one's legs outstretched toward a temple, shrine or
altar, or even toward another person. This is a grave insult. Crossing one leg
over the knee when sitting in a chair should be avoided, though crossing at the
ankles is permitted. One must always try to follow the example of traditional
elders. Worshiping, meditating or sitting in the kneeling pose is not
acceptable among Hindus.
7. DOORWAYS:
Conversations are not held inside or through doorways. This is considered
inauspicious. Similarly, to exchange or give or lend an object, one-steps
inside the room first, or the recipient steps out of the room so that both
parties are in the same room.
MODESTY
1.MODESTY:
Interaction in public between men and women is much more restrained in Hindu
culture than in Western culture. In Hindu culture, for the most part, men
socialize with men, and women with women. Men never touch women in public
unless the lady is very elderly or infirm.
2.DISPLAYING
AFFECTION: Married Hindu couples do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even
embracing at airports and train stations is considered not wise. Men, however,
frequently walk hand in hand.
THE ROLE OF WOMEN
In traditional Hindu
culture, women are held in the highest regard -- far more respected, in truth,
than in the West. But this does not imply the kind of equality or participation
in public interactions that are common in the West. The qualities traditionally
most admired in a Hindu woman are modesty of manner, shyness and
self-effacement. Self-assertive or bold tendencies are regarded with
circumspection. Feminine refinements are expressed and protected in many
customs, including the following:
1. WOMANLY RESERVE:
In mixed company especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu woman will
keep modestly in the background and not participate freely in conversation.
This, of course, does not apply to situations among family and close
associates.
2. WALKING BEHIND
ONE'S HUSBAND: The wife walks a step or two behind her husband, or if walking
by his side, a step or two back, always giving him the lead. In the West, the
reverse of this is often true.3. SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow the
custom of serving the men first before enjoying their own meal.
4. CHAPERONING: It is
customary for a woman to always be accompanied when she leaves the home. Living
alone, too, is unusual.
5. WOMEN IN PUBLIC:
Generally it is improper for women to speak with strangers on the street and
especially to strike up a casual conversation. Similarly, drinking alcohol or
smoking in public, no matter how innocent, are interpreted as a sign of moral
laxity and are not acceptable.
GUESTS IN THE HOME
1. HOME VISITS: Close
friends can visit one another anytime without being announced or making
arrangements first. When they drop in, at least a refreshing drink is always
served.
2. HOSTING GUESTS:
Children generally leave the room, with a smile, when guests enter. The mother
remains close by to serve as needs arise. The father, if present, will speak
with the guest. If he is not present, the mother and a mature son will fulfill
this role; and if no son is present, the mother may act as hostess, but only
with the accompaniment of someone close to the family.
3. WIFE HOME ALONE:
If the lady of the house is in home alone and a male visitor comes to see her
husband, it is not proper for her to invite him in, nor for him to expect to
enter. Rather, he will leave a message and depart.
4. GIVING GIFTS:
Gifts are always given when one visits a home or stays overnight as a guest.
The value of the gift varies greatly, depending upon circumstances. It is
proper to give a separate gift for the wife and the husband. The wife is given
the nicest item.
BODY LANGUAGE
All Hindus know that
"Life is meant to be lived joyously!" All is God, and God is
everywhere and in all things. This understanding and appreciation is
exemplified in every aspect of Hindu deportment.
1. KINDLY WORDS AND
COUNTENANCE: Hindus strive to keep a pleasant expression on their face, a
gentle smile and a kind word for everyone they meet through the day. They know
in their heart of hearts that God is everywhere and that all in the universe is
perfect at every point in time. This knowledge gives them strength and courage
to face their daily karmas positively and graciously.
2. REFINED GESTURES:
Hindus know that every movement of the body, the face, hands, eyes, mouth,
head, etc., has a meaning. Youth are taught to be sensitive to the thoughts and
feelings of others in their body language.
3. EYES: Eyes are
also a primary means of communicating, and the meanings are fairly
straightforward. They usually indicate degrees of interest in what the speaker
is saying. Smiling with your eyes as well as your mouth conveys sincerity.
There are three levels of smiling (and infinite shades and degrees in between).
Having the eyes open only slightly indicates mild interest. Eyes more open and
a bigger smile indicates more interest and enthusiasm. Having the eyes open
wide with a big smile or nod, possibly accompanied by some verbal expression,
indicates greater interest or great happiness.
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