Water and religion

Essay by advillegHigh School, 12th gradeB, May 2013

download word file, 7 pages 0.0

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There are over twenty religions all around the world. Each religion has different customs that are vital to the people that follow them. Many of these religions have sacred and important things that they view as a gift from God that holds many powers. Most religions have different teachings of water and ways of healing the biosphere for example; the Abrahamic and the Hindus all have different traditions but can relate to one another.

Hinduism is the largest religion in India. The religion is ancient and has no known founder. Hinduism came from the word "India" and it dignifies all the traditions and philosophy that were created in India over time. In the Hindu religion, people are polytheistic, believe in reincarnation, use meditation, and celebrate different holidays. They also believe that one is here to pursue their purpose of life. Hindus believe strongly believe in Karma.

Water is very sacred to the Hindus.

The Hindus have seven rivers that are sacred to them; Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri, Ganges, Saravati, and Sindu rivers. Hindus believe that water has spiritual cleansing powers to wash away sins, "bathing in waters for purity of the soul and connecting that purity with the cleanliness of the water, the goddess herself". Water is very important to the Hindu's pilgrimage. Hindus have holy places which are mostly located on river banks, seashores, coast lines, and mountains. Funeral grounds are located near a river. There are stories told that during funeral ceremonies the son will fill a pot with water from the river with a small hole drilled at the bottom of it walking around the burning funeral pyre as it drips water and it forms a line to prevent the soul from coming back to earth as a ghost. When the skull cracks from the...