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A Hindu Service & Ethical Demands

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List key moral or ethical demands placed on participants of a Hindu service.

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This solution lists key moral or ethical demands placed on participants of a Hindu service.

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Hindu worship (referred to as puja) involves images (murtis), prayers (mantras) and diagrams of the universe (yantras). The service demands that these three are adhered to during the service. Central to Hindu worship is the image, or icon, which can be worshipped either at home or in the temple, but MUST be worshipped. However, Hinduism has one of the most ethnically diverse body of adherents in the world. Hinduism, its religious doctrines, traditions and observances are very typical and inextricably linked to the culture and demographics of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu#Ethnic_and_Cultural_Fabric).
The following demands are placed on Hindus at a service. Although also included home worship, which is also expected from followers, but keep only what fits for you:
1. Individual rather than communal
- Hindu worship is primarily an individual act rather than a communal one, as it involves making personal offerings to the deity (i.e., moral demand).
- Worshippers are expected to repeat the names of their favourite gods and goddesses, and repeat mantras (ethical or moral demand). Water, fruit, flowers and incense are offered to god.
2. Worship at home
- The majority of Hindu homes have a shrine where offerings are made and prayers are said (MORAL AND ETHICAL DEMAND).
• A shrine can be anything: a room, a small altar or simply pictures or statues of the deity.
- Family members often worship together. Rituals should strictly speaking be performed three times a day (MORAL AND ETHCIAL DEMAND). Some Hindus, but not all, worship wearing the sacred thread (over the left shoulder and hanging to the right hip). This is cotton for the Brahmin (priest), hemp for the Kshatriya (ruler) and wool for the vaishya (merchants).

- Hindus are often stereotyped as a vegetarian people. In fact, Hindus have only two specific rules - against the partaking of beef and pork. Even in these cases there are many exceptions. Most Hindus in northern India partake of all meats save beef and pork, and meats of cattle animals. The cow is a sacred animal, and is often worshipped and revered (MORAL DEMAND). Buffalo Milk and milk products are extremely important to those living in India. Hindus living on the coasts of western and eastern India eat fish and shellfish.
- The cuisine of Hindus is enriched by regional and ethnic ...

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