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RELIGIOUS  HOLY  DAYS  AND  FESTIVALS - 14229_121
GLOSSARY - 14229_123

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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Marriage The Hindu marriage ceremony is lengthy and complicated. The kernel of the  rite  is  the  couple’s  threefold  ritual  of  the  sacred  domestic  fire  and their  taking  seven  steps  with  their  garments  knotted  together.  Polygamy  is permitted but is not looked on with favor in most castes except when the first marriage  does  not  produce  living  male  children.  Successive  Indian  govern- ments  have  modified  traditional  Hindu  marriage  law  by  legislation,  forbid- ding the marriage of children, legitimizing widow remarriage, and, in 1955, forbidding  polygamy  and  allowing  divorce.  However,  feelings  against  some of these innovations remain strong in many Hindu families, and divorce and widow remarriage are rare. Burial Hindu   funerals   normally   involve   cremation.   In   India,   the   corpse   is burned  as  soon  as  possible  after  death,  and  the  bones  are  thrown  into  a river,  preferably  the  Ganges  (Ganga)  or  another  sacred  stream.  For  10  or more  days,  the  family  is  ritually  impure;  the  relatives,  with  shaven  heads, confine  themselves,  as  far  as  is  possible,  to  the  family  home,  performing antyeshti  ceremonies  for  the  welfare  of  the  soul  of  the  dead  person. Without these rites, the soul will find it impossible to achieve a rebirth. The rites  consist  of  pouring  libations  of  water  and  of  offering  rice  balls  (pinda) and  milk  to  the  departed  spirit.  On  the  tenth  day,  the  soul  acquires  a subtle  body  and  reaps  the  fruits  of  its  former  deeds,  whether  good  or evil. A minister must conduct burial or cremation services, the funeral service, and assist the family with the disposition of the remains. OTHER PRACTICES OR RESTRICTIONS Dietary Laws or Restrictions Hindu  teachings  advise  the  practice  of  “Healthful  Living”  and  modera- tion.  Many  members  abstain  from  the  use  of  alcohol  or  tobacco  and  some are  vegetarians. Autopsy An  autopsy  may  be  performed  when  needed;  however,  permission  from the  family  should  be  obtained,  if  possible. Medical Treatment Generally there are no restrictions on medical treatment provided persons practicing  the  Hindu  faith;  however,  they  prefer  herbal  or  natural  treat- ments. 2-94







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