Lesson on 9th February 2009: How do Hindus initiate new members?
Learning objective: To find out about the Hindu “Sacred Thread” ceremony.
Today we were looking at the Hindu initiation ceremony called the “Sacred Thread” ceremony (or Upanayana). We thought about what happens and the symbolic things that they do to represent the person’s second “spiritual” birth when they get a new spiritual father (or Guru) and take the Vedas (Hindu holy book) as their spiritual mother.
The Notebook presentation is here. Or, for more information try Wikipedia or Heart of Hinduism.
Homework was to talk to a married couple you know and ask them what they think marriage is all about. What do they think makes a good marriage? Write down their answer and bring it next lesson.
Tags: Hinduism, Rites of Passage, Sacred Thread, Samskaras