Analysis of a Hindu Reflection and Research

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Recommended: Importancewithin Hindu temples

One of the best ways to gain an understanding of a religion is to immerse yourself into it. Through the interfaith visit, I was able to gain a glimpse of what it is like to immerse myself into another religion. For my interfaith visit, I was able to go to the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Kansas City.

Going into this trip, I really had no idea what to expect or what it was going to be like. The first impression I had from the outside of the building is that it was really nice and well designed. I felt the same way when we went into the sanctuary had a chance to look around. I felt really uncomfortable inside the sanctuary because I felt really out of place and had no idea what the statues were of and what they were saying. I really enjoyed getting the chance to ask question and hear things better explained after leaving the sanctuary.

I really respect the fact that the Hindu’s can give that much focus, energy, passion, and attention to worship for that long. I found it interesting to learn that Hinduism had many different denominations. I knew other religions had denominations, but I just always considered Hinduism as one big religion. I thought it was very interesting how they offer fruit’s as sacrifices to their gods. I figure there is some reason to why they choose the fruit they do, but I just am unaware of it. One thing I found really interesting was how much respect they give to their sanctuary. We weren’t allowed to wear shoe into the sanctuary. This was weird for me because in the U.S. it is common to be able to drink and sometimes even eat in Christian sanctuaries.

When it comes to the worship leaders, liturgy, and symbols these were all things that really stuck out to me. The first would be...

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...sins and More." HINDU THEOLOGY, Theological Classifications, The Vaishnavas, Saivas, Saktas, The Arya Samajists And The Brahma Samajists, Sadhus, Sannyasins and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

"Hinduism." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

"Hinduism." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

"Karma (Hinduism).” Karma (Hinduism). Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

"Moksha: Liberation/Salvation." Heart of Hinduism:. ISKCON Educational Services, n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

Partridge, Christopher H., and Tim Dowley. "Hinduism." Introduction to World Religions. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2013. 167-200. Print.

Ranganathan, Shyam. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Hindu Philosophy []. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

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