Guest guest Posted March 28, 2003 Report Share Posted March 28, 2003 Rituals and their purpose All religions have three parts 1. Philosophy, 2. Mythology and 3. Ritual. The Philosohpy is the essential part conveying teachings on three topics God, the world and the Individual. Mythology is the attempt to convey these esoteric teachings through the medium of stories, anedotes, legends etc. Ritual is the enactment of the philosphy - the practice and realisation thereof. All rituals have a twofold effect - 1. They have the ability to bring about a profound personal transformation in the individual - and this is what religion is about - actualising "Self-transformation". 2. They have a social element in that they contribute to familial and social cohesion and give us a chance to practice our newly aquired skills of compassion, consideration, kindness, generosity, tolerence etc. All the rituals that we practice have a profound philosophical base, all the paraphernalia we use in them is symbolic of hidden spiritual truths. One needs to enquire from a competant priest who is capable of explaining their meanings. Sri Rama Ramanuja Acharya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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