Important Hindu Aspects

Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree- The Banyan Tree is a very symbolic plant in Hinduism.  It is capable of surviving and growing for centuries and is compared to the shelter given by God to his devotees.  It is commonly used in worship, rituals, and festive sacrifices.  It is referenced to in many scriptures and symbolizes longevity and the Brahma.  The stems are even reffered to as the home of the gods and spirits.  This tree, along with the Allahabad, represents a conection between the human realm and the realm of the heavens.  It shows the undefinitive overlap of the worlds and helps man perservere in the human realm.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat-  Angkor Wat is not necessarily a religious object, but more a temple to the gods made by man.  Angkor Wat is the remains of large city, the capital of the ancient Khmer Empire, in Cambodia.  All that remains are the Hindu temples.  The temples are perfectly aligned with the stars so that the temples align with the constellation of Draco during the spring equinox of 10,500 B.C.  This is very odd, for this astronomical even happened much earlier than the construction of Angkor.  Other than this odd coincidence, the temples were simply meant to help the king of the Khmer guide his people to salvation.

Caste System Diagram

Caste System-  The caste system is a very unfortunate part of Hinduism.  It is the separation of people based upon race, family, life, and rank.  There are basic castes, which are divided by color, and sub castes, which are diveded by family, life, and rank.  The basic castes go as follows from greatest to least.  White- Brahmins (priests or teachers, Red- Ksatriyas (warriors and rulers), Brown- (farmers, merchants, artisans), Black- Sudras (laborers), Untouchables (polluted laborers).  In the subcaste system, people are divided into their families, their gender (male over female) and their age (more respect for elders).  Personally this is not an important part of Hinduism.  Yes it does exist in the western world to as socio-economic classes, but this is more extreme.  It separates by race, gender, and family, three things that mean little in the west unless you take into consideration inheritance for family.  However, due to the strict traditionalism of Hindus, this system will most likely be around for a while.

Shruti and Smriti-  Shruti and Smriti are the two literary sources of Hindu culture.  Shruti is that which is heard, and Smriti is that what is remembered.  These two combined lay down the laws of Hinduism which dictate the social, economic, and spirtual lives of all Hindus.  Notice how written is never said.  The Hindu culture, while kept in scriptures, is often saved through the teachings of gurus.  This is what creates variation between regions in India, regarding festivals and worship.  Shruti and Smriti are the absolute structure for Hinduism.  Without this passing of knowlege, through The Vedas and oral teachings, Hinduism would have withered away long ago.  

Varanasi on the shore of the Ganges

Varanasi- Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and is an important holy city for Hindus.  Varanasi has about 1,500 temples, palaces and shrines, and recieves about  one million religious pilgrims each year.  The city’s banks are lined with ghats, or steps, that lead into the Ganges in order to bathe.  Many Hindus believe that to die in Varanasi releases one from the cycle of samsara and enables them to enter heaven.  Varanasi is a unique place for Hindus.  It has no connection to the gods, other than the ganges river, yet it is one of the most holy places on earth for Hindus.  This is important because it shows that, while the human realm is not the best, it is one of the few realms where feats like these can be both achieved and enjoyed.