DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0093
INTRODUCTORYJIEMARKS
The sum of the Hindoo doctrine, then, is this :—spirit dwelling
in bodies, and partaking of the passions incident to residence in
matter, is purified by austerities and numerous transmigrations,
and at length re-obtains absorption into the divine nature. Reli-
gious practice leads to better destiny, and divine destiny draws
the person to abstraction and religious austerities.
Such is the Hindoo religion; let us examine how far it is prac-
tised at present. The ceremonies most popular are—the daily
ablutions, repeating the names of the gods, the daily worship of
some idol, and visiting holy places. The works of merit in
greatest estimation are, entertaining bramhiins, building temples,
cutting pools, erecting landing-places to the Ganges, and ex-
pensive offerings to deceased ancestors.
The strict bramhiins are distinguished by a scrupulous regard
to bathing, the daily worship of their guardian deity, and a proud
contempt of the lower orders. The voishniivus are more soci-
able, and converse much among each other on their favourite
Krishnii, and the accidents connected with religious pilgrimages.
rAt present,' says the bramhim whose confession" of faith has
been given in the preceding pages, ' nine parts in ten of the whole
Hindoo population have abandoned all conscientious regard to the
forms of their religion. They rise in the morning without re-
peating the name of god, and perform no religious ceremony
whatever till the time of bathing at noon, when, for fear of being
reproached by their neighbours, they go and bathe : a few labour
through the usual ceremonies, which occupy about fifteen mi-
nutes ; the rest either merely bathe, or hypocritically make a few
of the signs used in worship, and then return home, and eat.
This constitutes the whole of their daily practice. Among these
nine parts, moreover, there are many who spend the time of
bathing in conversation with others, or in gazing at the women;
and some are to be found who ridicule those who employ a
greater portion of time in religious ceremonies; " What! you
have taken an ass's load of religion." " Faith! you are become
The sum of the Hindoo doctrine, then, is this :—spirit dwelling
in bodies, and partaking of the passions incident to residence in
matter, is purified by austerities and numerous transmigrations,
and at length re-obtains absorption into the divine nature. Reli-
gious practice leads to better destiny, and divine destiny draws
the person to abstraction and religious austerities.
Such is the Hindoo religion; let us examine how far it is prac-
tised at present. The ceremonies most popular are—the daily
ablutions, repeating the names of the gods, the daily worship of
some idol, and visiting holy places. The works of merit in
greatest estimation are, entertaining bramhiins, building temples,
cutting pools, erecting landing-places to the Ganges, and ex-
pensive offerings to deceased ancestors.
The strict bramhiins are distinguished by a scrupulous regard
to bathing, the daily worship of their guardian deity, and a proud
contempt of the lower orders. The voishniivus are more soci-
able, and converse much among each other on their favourite
Krishnii, and the accidents connected with religious pilgrimages.
rAt present,' says the bramhim whose confession" of faith has
been given in the preceding pages, ' nine parts in ten of the whole
Hindoo population have abandoned all conscientious regard to the
forms of their religion. They rise in the morning without re-
peating the name of god, and perform no religious ceremony
whatever till the time of bathing at noon, when, for fear of being
reproached by their neighbours, they go and bathe : a few labour
through the usual ceremonies, which occupy about fifteen mi-
nutes ; the rest either merely bathe, or hypocritically make a few
of the signs used in worship, and then return home, and eat.
This constitutes the whole of their daily practice. Among these
nine parts, moreover, there are many who spend the time of
bathing in conversation with others, or in gazing at the women;
and some are to be found who ridicule those who employ a
greater portion of time in religious ceremonies; " What! you
have taken an ass's load of religion." " Faith! you are become