Respect and Reverence

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Respect and Reverence

 

1. RESPECT FOR ELDERS: Respect for elders is a keystone of Hindu

culture. This genuine acknowledgment of seniority is demonstrated

through endearing customs, such as sitting to the left of elders,

bringing gifts on special occasions, not sitting while they are

standing, not speaking excessively, not yawning or stretching, not

putting one's opinions forward strongly, not contradicting or

arguing, seeking their advice and blessings, giving them first choice

in all matters, even serving their food first.

 

2. NAME PROTOCOL: Youngers never use the proper name of their elders.

In the Tamil tradition, a younger brother, for example, refers to his

brother as annan, or periannan (older brother), not by name. The

elder, however, may use the name of the younger. Children are trained

to refer to all adults as auntie or uncle. Adults, too, refer to each

other as elder or younger brother or simply as brother (likewise for

women). Only men the same age will occasionally address each other by

first name. A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her husband. When

referring to him she uses terms such as " my husband, " " him " or, for

example, " Jothi's father. " When addressing yogis, swamis or sadhakas,

one uses the title, not personal pronouns, such as you or your (nor

by the name alone). For example, one would never ask, " What do you

want? " Instead, one would inquire, " What does Swami want? "

 

3. TOUCHING FEET IN RESPECT: One touches the feet of holy men and

women in recognition of their great humility and inner attainment. A

dancer or a musician touches the feet of his or her teacher before

and after each lesson. Children prostrate and touch the feet of their

mother and father at special times, such as New Year's day, birthdays

and before departing on a journey.

 

4. BEHOLDING THE DIVINE: Newcomers to Hinduism will quickly become

familiar with the concept of darshana, meaning, " seeing, " and

referring to beholding with inner or outer vision, a temple image,

Deity, holy person or place, with the desire to inwardly contact and

receive the grace and blessings of the venerated being or beings.

This is the spirit of Hindu worship. Even beholding a photograph in

the proper spirit is a form of darshana. Not only does the devotee

seek to see the Divine, but to be seen as well, to stand humbly in

the awakened gaze of the holy one, even if for an instant, such as in

a crowded temple when thousands of worshipers file quickly past the

enshrined Lord. Gods and gurus are thus said to " give " darshana, and

devotees " take " darshana, with the eyes being the mystic locus

through which energy is exchanged. It is a direct and personal two-

sided apprehension -- highly sought-after experience of Hindu faith.

 

5. DAKSHINA: It is tradition to provide dakshina, a monetary fee or

gift to a priest given at the completion of any rite. Dakshina is

also given to gurus as a token of appreciation for their spiritual

blessings.

 

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