Unit 4a: How

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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
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This is an aum symbol
It is a special sign for God
It is often found in Hindu homes or places of
worship
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
Svetaketu always came proudly home after school
each day. One day his father asked him about God,
but Svetaketu didnt know anything. His father
sent for a glass of water and asked Svetaketu to
put some salt in it. The next day, he asked
where the salt was. Svetaketu could not see the
salt, but he could taste it in the water in the
glass. Thats a bit like God in the world,
said his father. God is invisible, but is there
in everything.
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
Hindus believe that there is one God, but that
God is represented by many different deities.
Hindus usually choose one particular deity to
worship, and will have statues or pictures of
this deity in their shrine.
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
This is a picture of a shrine in the home of a
Hindu family.
Hindus have shrines so that they can worship at
home.
The shrine is often placed in the living room, as
this is where the family are all together.
Usually at least one member of the family will
worship at the shrine each day.
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
Think about these parts of the puja
ringing the bell
touching/bowing to the image
making offerings
using incense
receiving prasad
cleansing the image
What do you think each of these parts
symbolises? Which of the senses are used in each
part?
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
During the puja, Hindus offer gifts to the deity,
often in the form of food.
Can you think of other times when people give
gifts or presents?
Christmas
Eid
Birthdays
Hannukah
Mothers/Fathers Day
Why do they do this? What does it symbolise?
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Unit 4a How why do Hindus worship?
This is a picture of a mandir. A mandir is a
Hindu place of worship. As well as worshipping
in their homes at a shrine, Hindus also worship
at the mandir.
What does the word worship mean? Can you think
of other words to describe what worship means?