Difference of opinions, thought processes and subsequent arguments arising from time to time resulted into the formation of new sects in Buddhism. Two major sects of Buddhism are known as Hinayana and Mahayana. The Hinayana adhered more to the concept of four noble truths and eightfold paths which were primarily a philosophy with codes of conducts and ethical values. In this school of thought, the worship of deities was secondary and that the conception of Nirvana was the end objective which may be attained by freeing oneself from the vicious cycle of births and rebirths. The terminology or the nomenclature of Hinayana is derived from its basic concepts of attaining individual salvation or or an individual’s proceeding towards nothingness or getting mixed up into the non-existentiality or eternity by getting rid of all desires and vices. Each person has to work out his own destiny for salvation or Nirvana. Hinayana Buddhism is also called Theravada Buddhism.
HINDU TRINITY
Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar are the three main Gods known as the Trinity, the great Hindu pantheon is based on. In actual sense, the untimate basis of Hindu philosophy is Bramhah or the eternity which is the ultimate goal of all beings. Even the above mentioned Trinity of Gods emanated from the Bramhah. However, Bramha, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Maheswar, the destroyer and regenerator are the main Gods who keep the universe and all beings well regulated according to Hindy theology. Also See Purans.
HINDUISM
The cultural, philosophical and religious complex developed in the Indian subcontinent as a long tradition may be termed as Hinduism. Vedas are the original basis of the tradition and the development of thought processes. Later upanishads played a very important role in elaborating Hinduism. The ultimate universal body Bramhah and the trinity of Gods who originated from Bramhah namely Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswar are of basic importance. Thousands of Gods, Goddesses, incarnations, life stories, events, philosophical texts and religious symbols along with innumerable myths and legends have enriched Hinduism in last three or four millennium years.
It may also be termed as a multi disciplinary religious system known as Sanatan Dharma, a tradition of religious thoughts and philosophies based on the writings, teachings and accumulation of age old experiences of sages and scholars. See Hindu.
HINDU
Hindu is the terminology used for followers of Hinduism. See Hinduism. It is a multi-disciplinary religion called Sanatan Dharma based on writings and experiences of sages and scholars through the ages. They assert the view that the permanent, unbreakable, absolute and independent existence of self is what is known as Atma or the Individual Soul.
There are endless divisions of Hindus systems. Briefly speaking, they may be widely classified into six fundamental schools, Vaisesika, Naiyayika, Sankhya, Mimasaka, Nirgrantha, and Kokayat or Charvaka. The first five philosophical schools hold views based on eternity oriented realismism or Saswatvad and the last one holds the view of nihilism or Echchedavad.
Hinduism also advocates different ethical systems and meditation systems. By practicing these systems one can take birth and rebirth until getting merged into Brahmah, the ultimate realm.
HINDI
The Hindi language is spoken by approximately 200,000 people in Nepal as their first language which represents nearly 1 per cent of the country’s population. But, this language is spoken as a link language by several ethnic groups of Nepal, mostly in southern parts of Nepal. This language is mostly spoken in the districts of Central Nepal and is grouped as Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, or Indo-Aryan group of language.
HINAYANA
Hinyana is one of the sects of Buddhism. Difference of opinions, philosophical interpretations and arguments arising from time to time cause formation of new schools of thought and sects. In Buddhism, there arose two important sects of thoughts which are known as Hinayana and Mahayana.
The Hinayana adhered more to the concept of the four noble truths and eight-fold paths which is basically a philosophy with prescribed rules and codes of conducts as also ethical norms. For the Hinayanas, the worship of deities is a secondary concept. The conception of Nirvana is the freedom from all desires and greed, and eventually to get rid of the cycle of rebirth.
Hinayana got it’s name because of this doctrine of achieving the individual salvation. According to this philosophy, each and every person has to work out his own destiny for enlightenment and Nirvana. Comparatively a few are likely to achieve the goal by their own efforts, argue the followers of Mahayana. Hinayana Buddhism is more popularly known as Theravada Buddhism.
HIMALAYA
Himalaya, also known as Himal in short, literally means the abode of snow. The majestic snow-capped peaks of northern Nepal are seen as ranges of white mountains. The towering cliffs, enormous glaciers, deep gorges and innumerable spurs are all parts and parcels of the Himalayas. The 500 mile-long map of Nepal is virtually walled on the northern borders by the mighty Himalayan ranges or the Hiamlayas. These Himalayan ranges are grouped as follows: (1) Kanchanjunga Himal (2) Kumbhakarna Himal (3) Khumbu Himal (4) Rolwaling Himal (5) Jugal Himal (6) Langtang Himal (7) Gorkha Himal (8) Ganesh Himal (9) Annapurna Himal (10) Dhaulagiri Himal (11) Kanjiroba Himal (12) Saipal Himal and (13) Vyas Rishi Himal .
HARITALIKA
Haritalika is the combination of two different words which literally means ‘to be taken away by one’s girl friend. Teej or Haritalika is befittingly also regarded as a big day for women to meeting their fellow female friends and have happy get-together festivities. It is interesting to note that women on this particular day usually move around in sizeable groups, enjoying the day, singing and visiting temples. In addition to this, the interesting custom of sending nicely prepared food items their friends and relatives on this day also remind us of the warm feelings and love goddess Parvati had had for her girl friends.
One important aspects of this festival is that of fasting in the name of Lord Shiva. According to Bhavishyettar Purana, those who fast on this day are sure to gain the good grace of God. Particularly, unmarried Hindu girls are advised to fast on this day and worship Lord Shiva and his wife Parbati sincerely so that they may assured to get husbands of their choice. This is one of the reasons why Nepalese women, all dressed in their best attire, go around Shiva temples on this day.
Yet another interesting aspect of this festival is to keep feeding one-self throughout the day so as to prepare for the fasting on the proceeding day. On the following day the fasting women spend most of their time singing and going round the temples without any noticeable sign of fatigue. The second day of the festival is the day for breaking the fasting. It comes with the beginning of another ceremonial worship of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God of good luck. Worshipping Lord Ganesh on this day is to ensure fulfillment of all wishes believed to have been earned by the fasting women on the previous day.
HARISHAYANI
The eleventh day of the bright fortnight in the month of Ashad (July) is regarded as the day when Lord Vishnu takes rest or rather sleeps after the day’s work. An entire year of the mortal world is equivalent to one full day and night of Lord Vishnu. The period of four months to follow being the retiring time of Lord Vishnu, people feel unsafe and therefore they go to the Lord and pray and worship.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)