See Also: Partition of India, Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi In post-Gandhi India, adhering to Gandhi's views and teachings became a necessary correctness, thanks primarily to Congress politicians who sought to exploit his independence-era leadership for votes: that only Gandhi's party could be trusted with the nation's affairs, and that Nehru was the successor of Gandhi, anointed by Gandhi himself. The Nehru a ...

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Gandhism, Gandhism - Satyagraha: Definition and Direction of Gandhism, Gandhism - Brahmacharya and Ahimsa, Gandhism - Fasting, Gandhism - Religion, Gandhism - In Nehru's India, Gandhism - Inspiring Struggle for Freedom, Gandhism - Criticism Controversy and the Cult, Gandhism - Without Truth Nothing, Gandhism - Who Can Be A Gandhian?

Read more here: » Gandhism: Encyclopedia II - Gandhism - Criticism Controversy and the Cult

See Also: An Autobiography, Or The Story Of My Experiments With Truth Mohandas Gandhi's early life was a series of personal struggles to decipher the truth about life's important issues and discover the true way of living. As a lad, he was guilty of beating his young wife, for indulging in carnal pleasures out of lust, jealousy and possessiveness, not genuine love. He was guilty of experimenting with meat and smoking a cigarette, and harrowly escaped enjoying a prostitute. It was only after much personal turmoil and repeated failures ...

See also:

Gandhism, Gandhism - Satyagraha: Definition and Direction of Gandhism, Gandhism - Brahmacharya and Ahimsa, Gandhism - Fasting, Gandhism - Religion, Gandhism - In Nehru's India, Gandhism - Inspiring Struggle for Freedom, Gandhism - Criticism Controversy and the Cult, Gandhism - Without Truth Nothing, Gandhism - Who Can Be A Gandhian?

Read more here: » Gandhism: Encyclopedia II - Gandhism - Without Truth Nothing

In the Roman Catholic Church the process of becoming a monk is marked by several distinct stages, which may vary depending on the particular tradition, order, or monastery. A person requesting admission is known as a postulant. After a period of examination, during which they may live in the monastery without actually taking vows, they may be admitted as a novice. The novitiate may last for a number of years and include instruction in prayer and other subjects. After the novitiate, a monastic may pass through a series of temporary vows of increasing length (typically three to five years). Catholic monks call each other B ...

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Monk, Monk - Roman Catholic monks, Monk - Eastern Orthodox monks, Monk - Anglican monks, Monk - Buddhist monks, Monk - Vaishnava monks

Read more here: » Monk: Encyclopedia II - Monk - Roman Catholic monks

A small but hugely influential aspect of Anglicanism is its religious orders of monks. Shortly after the beginning of the revival of the Catholic Movement in the Church of England, there was felt to be a need for a restoration of the contemplative life. In the 1840s, Anglican priest John Henry Newman established a community of men at Littlemore near Oxford. From then on, there have been (re-)established many communities of monks, friars and other religious communities for men in the Anglican Communion. There are Anglican Benedictines, Franci ...

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Monk, Monk - Roman Catholic monks, Monk - Eastern Orthodox monks, Monk - Anglican monks, Monk - Buddhist monks, Monk - Vaishnava monks

Read more here: » Monk: Encyclopedia II - Monk - Anglican monks

Similar in appearance to Buddhist monks, monks from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), or Hare Krishnas as they are popularly known, are the best known Vaishnava monks outside India. They are a common sight in many places around the world. Their appearance - simple saffron dhoti, shaved head with sikha, Tulasi neckbeads and tilaka markings - and social customs (sadhana) date back many thousands of years to the Vedic era with its varnasrama society. This social scheme includes both monastic and lay stages meant for ...

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Monk, Monk - Roman Catholic monks, Monk - Eastern Orthodox monks, Monk - Anglican monks, Monk - Buddhist monks, Monk - Vaishnava monks

Read more here: » Monk: Encyclopedia II - Monk - Vaishnava monks

Ojas:

Ojas ("vitality"): the subtle energy produced through practice, especially the discipline of chastity (brahmacharya)

(See also: Ojas, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

continence (continent): Restraint, moderation or, most strictly, total abstinence from sexual activity. See: brahmacharya.

(See also: Continence (continent:, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

celibacy: Complete sexual abstinence. Also the state of a person who has vowed to remain unmarried.

See: brahmachari, brahmacharya.

(See also: Celibacy, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ashrama: the four orders or stages of a Hindu's life—brahmacharya (student), grhastha (householder), vanaprastha (forest-dweller), sannyasa (renunciate).

(See also: ashrama, Hinduism, Yoga, Body Mind and Soul)

Ashrama:

Ashrama ("that where effort is made"): a hermitage; also a stage of life, such as brahmacharya, householder, forest dweller, and complete renouncer (samnyasin)

(See also: Ashrama, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

gurukula: (Sanskrit) A training center where young boys live and learn in residence with their teacher. Kula means "family."

See: ashrama, brahmacharya.

(See also: Gurukula, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

ashrama

1. The hermitage of a sage or teacher. 2. One of the four stages of spiritual development in the varnashrama social system: brahmacharya (celibate student life), grihastha (marriage), vanaprastha (retirement), and sannyasa (the renounced order).

(See also: ashrama, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Brahma (Devanagari ब्रह्मा, pronounced as "brəhmα:") is the Hindu creator god, and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He must not be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit of Hindu philosophy Brahman (the word stems of both are the same). Brahmā is identied with the Vedic deity Prajapati. Brahmacharya The word Brahmacharya symbolises a person who is leading a life in quest of Brahma, or in other words a student. The root "Bra ...

See also:

Glossary of terms in Hinduism, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - A, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - C, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - D, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - E, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - F, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - G, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - H, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - I, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - J, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - K, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - L, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - M, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - N, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - O, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - P, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Q, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - R, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - S, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - T, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - U, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - V, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - W, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Y, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Z, Glossary of terms in Hinduism - Notes

Read more here: » Glossary of terms in Hinduism: Encyclopedia II - Glossary of terms in Hinduism - B

The pious Brahmin, longing to attain the summum bonum on the dissolution of his material body, was enjoined to pass through a succession of four Ashramas ("phases" or "stages"). They are Brahmacharya, Grihasthya, Vanaprastha and Sanyasa. The first quarter of one's life, brahmacharya (literally "grazing in Brahma") is spent in celibate, sober and pure contemplation of the divine under a Guru, building up body and mind for the responsibilities of life. Grihastya is the householder's stage, alternatively known as samsara, in which ...

See also:

Brahmanism, Brahmanism - Theology, Brahmanism - Pantheism, Brahmanism - Caste, Brahmanism - Sub castes, Brahmanism - Maharashtrian sub-castes:, Brahmanism - South Indian brahmin sub-castes:, Brahmanism - The four stages of life, Brahmanism - Sacramental rites, Brahmanism - Vegetarianism, Brahmanism - Moksha, Brahmanism - Evolution of Brahminism, Brahmanism - Brahmin Supremacy, Brahmanism - Trimurti, Brahmanism - Challenge To Brahmin Supremacy and Caste System, Brahmanism - Buddhism, Brahmanism - Charvaka, Brahmanism - B.R. Ambedkar, Brahmanism - Famous Brahmins

Read more here: » Brahmanism: Encyclopedia II - Brahmanism - The four stages of life

Yama: Restraint; the five Don'ts of Yoga:

1)   ahimsa-non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness;

2)   satya-truthfulness, honesty;

3)   asteya-non-stealing, honesty, non-misappropriativeness;

4)   brahmacharya-continence;

5)   aparigraha-non-possessiveness, non-greed, non-selfishness, non-acquisitiveness

(See also: Yama, Hinduism, Hinduism Dictionary, Sanskrit Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Local kings often invited temple dancers devadasis to dance in their courts, the occurrence of which created a new category of dancers, rajadasi's and modified the technique and themes of the recitals. A devadasi had to satisfy her own soul while she danced unwatched and offered herself (surrendered) to the lord, but the rajadasi's dance was meant to be an entertainment. Most devadasis had already gone from being high-status life-long celibate priestesses (brahmacharya) to being lower-status temple servants who we ...

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Bharatanatyam, Bharatanatyam - Traditional roots, Bharatanatyam - Essential ideas, Bharatanatyam - Medieval decline, Bharatanatyam - Modern rebirth, Bharatanatyam - Technique, Bharatanatyam - Elements, Bharatanatyam - Other elements, Bharatanatyam - Dancers, Bharatanatyam - Gurus and Dancers

Read more here: » Bharatanatyam: Encyclopedia II - Bharatanatyam - Medieval decline

samskaras of adulthood: From coming-of-age to marriage.

-       ritukala: (Sanskrit) "Fit or proper season." Time of menses. A home blessing marking the coming of age for girls.

-       keshanta: Marking a boy's first beardshaving, at about 16 years. Both of the above are home ceremonies in which the young ones are reminded of their brahmacharya, given new clothes and jewelry and joyously admitted into the adult community as young adults.

-       nishchitartha "Settlement of aim." Also called vagdana, "word-giving." A formal engagement or betrothal ceremony in which a couple pledge themselves to one another, exchanging rings and other gifts.

-       vivaha: Marriage." An elaborate and joyous ceremony performed in presence of God and Gods, in which the homa fire is central. To conclude the ceremony, the couple take seven steps to the Northeast as the groom recites: "One step for vigor, two steps for vitality, three steps for prosperity, four steps for happiness, five steps for cattle, six steps for seasons, seven steps for friendship. To me be devoted (Hiranyakeshi Grihya Sutras 1.6.21.2 VE)."

See: samskara, samskaras.

(See also: Samskaras of adulthood, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

samskaras of childhood: From naming to education.

-       namakarana: "Name-giving" and formal entry into one or another sect of Hinduism, performed 11 to 41 days after birth. The name is chosen according to astrology, preferably the name of a God or Goddess. At this time, guardian devas are assigned to see the child through life. One who converts to or adopts Hinduism later in life would receive this same sacrament.

-       annaprashana: (Sanskrit) "Feeding." The ceremony marking the first taking of solid food, held at about six months. (Breastfeeding generally continues).

-       karnavedha: "Earpiercing." The piercing of both ears, for boys and girls, and the inserting of gold earrings, held during the first, third or fifth year.

-       See: earrings.

-       chudakarana: (Sanskrit) "Head-shaving." The shaving of the head, for boys and girls, between the 31st day and the fourth year.

-       vidyarambha: (Sanskrit) Marks the beginning of formal education. The boy or girl ceremoniously writes his/her first letter of the alphabet in a tray of uncooked rice.

-       upanayana: Given to boys at about 12 years of age, marks the beginning of the period of brahmacharya and formal study of scripture and sacred lore, usually with an acharya or guru.

-       samavartana: Marks the end of formal religious study.

See: samskara, samskaras.

(See also: Samskaras of childhood, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Subramuniyaswami: Current and 162nd satguru (1927-) of the Nandinatha Sampradaya's Kailasa Parampara. He was ordained Sivaya Subramuniyaswami by Sage Yogaswami on the full-moon day of May 12, 1949, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, at 6:21 pm. This was just days after he had attained nirvikalpa samadhi in the caves of Jalani. Yogaswami, then 77, ordained the 22-year old yogi with a tremendous slap on the back, saying, "This will be heard in America," and conferring upon him the mission to bring the fullness of Saivism to the West. Local devotees called the initiation a coronation.

That same year, while still in Sri Lanka, Subramuniyaswami founded the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order and Saiva Siddhanta Church at the Sri Subramuniya Ashrama in Alaveddy. Returning to America, he spent the next six years preparing for his teaching mission through intense sadhana and tapas. He began actively teaching in 1957 when he founded the Himalayan Academy. In 1970, he established his international headquarters and monastery complex, Kauai Aadheenam, on Hawaii's Garden Island of Kauai. Five years later, he designated a portion of the 51-acre holy site as the San Marga Sanctuary, future site of Iraivan Temple, carved of white granite stone in Bangalore, India. To spearhead a growing Hindu renaissance, he founded Hinduism Today in 1979, an international monthly, full-color magazine acclaimed the world over as the the greatest advent in Hindu publishing this century. In August of 1986, the World Religious Parliament in New Delhi honored Subramuniyaswami as one of five Hindu spiritual leaders outside of India who had most dynamically promoted Sanatana Dharma in the past 25 years. He was given the title Jagadacharya, "World Teacher." In 1995 the Parliament bestowed on him the title of Dharmachakra for his remarkable publications. In April of 1988, he was selected to represent Hinduism at the five-day Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders for Human Survival, held in England at Oxford University, and again in Moscow from January 11 to 15, 1990; and in Brazil, June 5­7, 1992. At Chicago's historic centenary Parliament of the World's Religions in September, 1993, he was elected to the Presidents' Assembly, a core group of 25 men and women representing the world's faiths. In late 1996 Gurudeva transformed "Hinduism Today" to a magazine, a quantum leap that extended its global reach and impact in Hindu communities. In 1997 he responded to President Bill Clinton's call for religious opinions on the ethics of human cloning and spearheded the 125th anniversary and diaspora pilgrimage of Sri Lanka's Sage Yogaswami. In Kerala, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad honored him as "The Hindu Voice of the Century." Throughout that same year he was a key member of Vision Kauai, a small group of indigenous and political leaders meeting to fashion the island's future based on ethical values.

Over the years Subramuniyaswami has written hundreds of tracts and books, which have been distributed in the tens of thousands in many languages. Especially in the 1980s, he lectured worldwide and established the worship in numerous Hindu temples. Gurudeva teaches the traditional Saivite Hindu path to enlightenment, a path that leads the soul from simple service to worshipful devotion to God, from the disciplines of meditation and yoga to the direct knowing of Divinity within. His insights into the nature of consciousness provide a key for quieting the external mind and revealing to aspirants their deeper states of being, which are eternally perfect, full of light, love, serenity and wisdom. He urges all seekers to live a life of ahimsa, harmlessness towards nature, people and creatures, an ethic which includes vegetarianism. From his ashrama in Hawaii, Gurudeva continues to follow his satguru's instruction to bring Saivism to the Western world by teaching others to "know thy Self by thyself" and thus "see God Siva everywhere." Through the ordained swamis of the Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order, he trains young men in the ancient path of brahmacharya, enlightenment and service to humanity. Over 30 full-time monks, along with extended family groups in eight countries, have joined to fulfill this parampara's mission to further monistic Saiva Siddhanta and Hindu solidarity.

The name Subramuniya is a Tamil spelling of the Sanskrit Shubhramunya (not to be confused with Subramanya). It is formed from shubhra meaning "light; intuition," and muni, "silent sage." Ya means "restraint; religious meditation." Thus, Subramuniya means a self-restrained soul who remains silent or, when he speaks, speaks out from intuition.

(See also: Subramuniyaswami, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Upanayanam (from upa: auxiliary and nayanam: eye) literally means bringing (the ultimate truth) nearer in sight. This ceremony is called Munja in the state of Maharashtra. Its origin lies in worship of Munja, a deity on the Pipal tree. This deity is a bachelor and is worshipped throughout Maharashtra. As per Indian traditions, the Pipal tree represents knowledge. This is the origin of the ceremony. The sacred thread was added later on. Upanayan has got one more meaning that Upa na(over/above) yan am(it is) ...

Read more here: » Upanayanam: Encyclopedia - Upanayanam

Yama (Sanskrit: यम) is the lord of death, whose first recorded appearance is in the Vedas. He is one of the most ancient beings in the world and parallel forms of one sort or another have been found all over Eurasia. He is known as Yima by Zoroastrians, and is considered to be cognate with Ymir of Norse legend and has become known as Enma, or Emma-o, in Japanese legend. Some even claim that he also ...

Including:

• Yama - Characteristics of Yama
• Yama - Subordination to Shiva and Vishnu
• Yama - Yamas as codes of conduct
• Yama - Yama in popular culture

Read more here: » Yama: Encyclopedia - Yama

Ten Traditional Yamas or Codes of Conduct The Yamas are codified as "the restraints" in numerous scriptures including the Shandilya and Varuha Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Gorakshanatha, the Tirumantiram of Tirumular and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. All the above texts list ten yamas, with the exception of Patanjali's work, which lists only five. They comprise the "shall-nots" in our dealings with the external world. The ten traditional yamas are: Ahimsa: abstinence fr ...

Read more here: » Yamas: Encyclopedia - Yamas