LIFECYCLE RITUALS

Hinduism

100

What are the core beliefs in Hinduism?

- cyclical worldview: Samsara, Moksha, Atman (soul)

- Belief in Dharma: Moral Duty 

- belief in Karma: The things you do in this life impact you positively and negatively in your next life (Caste System) 

200

What are Samskaras?

Major life cycle rituals within Hinduism

300

What are some significant features and characteristics within the ritual of marriage for Hinduism? 

Kanyadaan: The bride's parents officially entrust their daughter to the groom, pouring holy water over their hands. - CARRYING OF THE BRIDE RITUAL 

Maternal family members, particularly uncles, are entrusted with carrying the bride in the bamboo basket, reflecting the principle that marriage is not only a union of two individuals but also an alliance between two families.

Agni Pradakshina: A sacred fire ritual, where the couple praises the Agni Devta, the Lord of Fire, in hopes of bringing the presence of Vishnu onto the ceremony. The fire is lit from clarified butter and woolen wicks, and the couple offers obligations to the fire, symbolizing peace offerings to Lord Vishnu. 

Saptapadi: The couple takes seven steps together, making seven lifelong promises regarding food, strength, wealth, happiness, children, longevity, and spiritual companionship. 

400

What core beliefs link to Saptapadi, Kanvadaan and 

Agni Pradakshina?

Saptapadi: the vow ceremony where both parties promise seven things to uphold in their marriage links to requirements of fulfilling Dharma- their own moral duty 

Kanvadaan: Joining of two families and communities, each with separate roles to support one another-Dharma, following Dharma leads to better Karma "better to follow your own duty poorly then the duty of anothers well" 

Agni Pradakshina: Fire ceremony, inviting Vishnu through the lord of fire. - creating closeness and relationship with the divine, deities and the cosmic intelligence which can help guide them to the right course of action, generating better karma and aligning them more closely with moksha

500

What is meaning? 

It gives adherents a new identity, is important in the life of the believer, reinforces beliefs and values

Christianity

100

What are the core beliefs in Christianity? 

Imago Dei- we are all created in the likeness and image of God 

Golden Rule- do to others as you would have them do to you

Linear worldview- ending in Heaven 

Holy Trinity- unification of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as equals and the same God. COVENANT occurs with humanity and God. 

200

What are the stages within Marriage ritual?

1. The community comes together to witness and celebrate the unification of the pair (the community acknowledges the pair choose one another).
2. Within the church the community is present- unification of families and within religious community 
3. Father walks bride down the aisle and says goodbye to the daughter (historically dowry attached to the bride - not present in religious understanding of marriage)
4. Language of priests welcome reflects language of unification- the making of a home, community, unification, effects the WHOLE holy church
5. Prayers are said - The Gloria (celebration), liturgy of the word (gospel/scripture/WORD OF GOD)
6. Homily- priest discusses importance of marriage and way to live a good marriage
7. Liturgy of sacrament- consent, Vows, rings and then prayers. -> God and community directly involved the ritual by strengthening the unification. For a marriage to be valid full and free consent must be present to belong in a marriage built to last. Vows to capture human experience as well as show intention to fulfill requirements and love within marriage. Rings- symbol of unity, a ring is a circle it goes on forever with no end, intention of till death do we part.

300

What are some key beliefs linked to ritual?

• The key beliefs that are    connected with Christian marriage are the Golden Rule "Do unto others    as you would have done unto you" as well as the Holy Trinity which links into unity and reflects the unification within marriage and with the community. Scripture talks about the two becoming one flesh. A covenant between a couple and God, to love one another and connect through marriage.
• Imago Dei- humans are made within the image and likeness of God and therefore reflect who God is in     our nature.
• Love between the father and the son are creative and lead to the birth of the Holy Spirit  The love between the married couple is also creative, creative of children

400

What are some symbols within Rituals in Christianity?

- Ring: everlasting unity-Trinity- unification 

- Water: purification 

- Fire: Presence of the holy spirit 

500

What is purpose? 

It gives them roles within themselves and their community, it aligns adherents closely with a path that leads to salvation/moksha/nirvana/paradise/heaven

Judaism

100

What is the belief that there is only one God who created and rules the universe?

monotheism

200

what is the ceremony where Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day after birth?

Brit Milah

300

what is the coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish girl at age 12 or 13.

Bat Mitzvah

400

What is a Chuppah?

The canopy under which a Jewish wedding ceremony takes place.

500

what is the prayer recited by mourners after the death of a loved one.

The Kaddish

Islam

100

What is Tawhid?

The belief that there is only one God and to only worship that one God

200

What is the Day of Judgement?

The belief in life after death, where people are judged by Allah.

300

What are the 5 pillars of Islam 

Shahada

Zakat 

Hajj 

Salah 

Sawm

400

What is Aqiqah?

The ceremony often held on the seventh day after birth when a baby is named.

500

What is a Nikah?

The marriage contract agreed upon by the bride and groom.

Buddhism

100

What is the First Noble Truth?

What is a Nikah?

200

What is Samsara?

The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

300

What is Karma?

 Actions that influence future rebirths.

400

The goal of Buddhist funeral rites is to help the deceased achieve a favourable ______.

Rebirth 

500

What is a Naming Ceremony?

The ceremony that welcomes a newborn into the Buddhist community.