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Religions in Ladakh |
Posted:
Jun 2, 2003 12:10 PM |
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I've been
putting off this topic, as it could tend to be a "hot" one (but not as hot
as an upcoming one about the war situation with Pakistan). My Storytelling
posts are not meant to rile anyone up, but this one could. Especially if
someone thinks I am wrong about something. So, what I am going to do today
is give very general information about the religions primarily found here in
Ladakh. Be aware that entire books have been written about each of these,
and I am going to be VERY general and summarize the five most common
religeons found here. At the end, I will have one last paragraph summing
things up.
VERY BASIC SUMMARY:
Buddhist = Reincarnation system with no supreme God.
Sikh = Reincarnation system with one God.
Hindu = Reincarnation system with many gods.
Muslim = One life with Mohammed as its founder.
Christian = One life with Jesus as its founder.
BUDDHISM:
I will start with Buddhism, as it is the largest religion found here.
Buddhism, as practiced in Ladakh, is basically Tibetan in character. And, it
is often described as a lifestyle rather than a real religeon. I've also
heard of it as an offshoot of Hinduism, which I can understand. Basically,
it is a system of reincarnation until you "get things right" and achieve
nirvana. What Buddhists are trying to overcome are the basic evils of
hatred, ignorance and desire through moderation in all things. When that is
accomplished, Nirvana is achieved. But, this proves to be very hard, and
thus the system of reincarnation. Many times Christians come here talking to
the locals about "being born-again." This is a mistake, as being born again
is the cycle the Buddhists are trying to break! Anyway, during their life
here, Buddhists feel that karma (good or bad) determines what the level of
rebirth will be. They have 6 levels. The highest level are gods. But, not in
the sense that we think of them. But, even the gods have faults (pride in
being highest). The second highest level are demi-gods. Their fault is in
having envy (of the gods above them). The fourth level are animals (problems
with ignorance). The fifth level are something called "hungry ghosts." These
are depicted in paintings as humanoids with very thin necks and fat
stomachs. They are always hungry, but can not get anything to eat due to
their necks. And, even sun rays are like needles to their skin. Level 6 is
for those with the worst karma in their past human life. It is like a hell
level. But, not permanently. Only until the bad karma has worn off. Just
like the gods are only gods until their good karma has worn off. So, level
three (humans) is the best level, because it is only as humans that it is
possible to break the cycle. There are two main branches of Buddhism, but I
will not get into that.
HINDU:
The Hindu religeon is one of which I am not well-versed in. But, as we have
many army men serving here who are Hindu, I do need to cover this one. I
will tell you what I do know. I had a friend fill me in on the Hare Krishna
sect, which is a very rigid sect based on the teachings of Ram and Krishna.
They are on the conservative side, although they are one of the few
mission-oriented branches. This is why you'll see them in airports
world-wide. I did visit their temple in Bombay, and was impressed with the
building and displays (although not the worship). The reason their worship
did not impress me was that the older generation was all Indian, while
virtually all of the people under age 40 were Westerners! They were there
not for religeon or belief, but for a sense of identity. I am also familiar
with the Vendanta branch of Hinduism, which was advocated by Swami
Vivekananda around the turn of the century near 1900. He actually was in
America for a time and had a following there. His branch of Hinduism is
based on the consciousness of people and the mind. Some good ideas in the
three books of or about him that I read, but I had problems in his
willingness to accept other deities (including Jesus) into their system. It
has the flavor of cults in America like the one north of Yellowstone where
"anything goes." But, Hinduism in general has the same cycle of re-birth
based on Karma as in the Buddhist belief. And as it is older, this is why
many say that Buddhism is only an offshoot of Hinduism. The main difference,
though, (there are many other smaller differences) is that the Hindu system
has many deities. These include Ram (the most important god), Vishnu,
Krishna, Ganesh (elephant-head god), Shiva, and many others. The Hindu
temples throughout the majority are impressive, especially in the south.
SIKHISM:
The Sikhs are also here due to their large presence in the army. Of all the
non-Christian religeons in India, I have the most respect for this group.
The Sikhs are recognizable due to their turbans, and are the butt of jokes
in India (I've been told not for unfounded reasons). But, I have friends
here who are Sikhs. They run the best camera stores, and there are two Sikh
friends who have what I consider the best German bakery here. The Sikhs were
founded by Guru Nanak, the first of 10 gurus who founded their religeon. His
system combined ideas from Hinduism and Islam. Basically, it is another
system of reincarnation, but with only ONE god. They believe in equality of
all, including women. There is no caste-system in Sikhism, and all are
welcome. The Sikhs are also very generous. I've been on a bus here in Ladakh,
and we've stopped at the Sikh shrine near the Sikh military regiment, where
they fed the entire bus for free. In Delhi, their largest temple will
prepare and serve over 3000 free meals a day! Besides covering their heads,
strict Sikhs will not shave their hair or beards and have with them at all
time a comb, a steel bracelet, clean undershorts (I almost laughed when I
first heard this until I realized that the Sikh explaining this was
serious), and a dagger.
ISLAM:
This religeon is growing here, and is about 40 percent right now. It is
expected to pass Buddhism in numbers in the next 6 years. Due to events of
the past two years, many people have studied up on this one, so I will try
to be more brief. Muslims believe in one God, Allah, and that Mohammed is
His prophet. All people have to do to become a Muslim is state this! Due to
their belief in one life, they believe they have to earn their way to
heaven. This can be done through giving to the poor, praying 5 times a day,
taking a pilgrimage to Mecca, being a martyr for the cause (the reason for
militancy among them) and other things. But, unless they die in a Jihad,
they are never sure of a trip to heaven. The problem with the Jihad, though,
is it is a misinterpretation of the Qiran as it is written. It is simply a
"war against evil" such as impure thoughts and other things. And, it was
specified that Jihad was not directed to be directed to activities of
"people of the Book." This means Jews and Christians. So, they have strayed
in this. There are two main branches of Islam (Shia and Sunni), which I
discussed in a previous post. Many Muslims here, including shop owners and
restaurant owners are my friends. And, 4 of my 5 best keyboard students at
the school are Muslim girls.
CHRISTIAN:
Again, I don't need to say much about this, as it is the most familiar in
America. The Christians were here as far back as 150 years ago when the
Moravians came to this area. There is now also a Catholic church, and
several small discreet groups (I'm told) working here. Christianity, like
Islam, believes in only one life, heaven and hell, and one God. But, unlike
Islam, Jesus is the founder rather than Mohammed. And, it is often referred
to by Christians as a relationship with God, rather than a religeon. This is
because Christians consider Jesus God. According to the Bible, all people
have flaws and faults. And, the penalty for this is death. No one can pay
this penalty for another because of his/her own flaws. But Jesus, because he
is considered God, is perfect and COULD pay this price for others. And, this
is exactly what is believed by those who accept this "free gift."
SUMMARY:
In the above paragraphs, I kept everything as objective as I could in each
of the 5 religeons. Here is the paragraph where I will insert my own
feelings and findings. Regardless which religeon a person is here, I find
that the dedication to that religeon is stronger here than in the states. I
am a Christian, and have found that my own faith is stronger now, despite my
exposure to the other religeons in India. Through my learning of what others
believe, watching the Buddhists repetatively saying prayers with prayer bead
or mindlessly spinning prayer wheels, watching a Muslim Muharram procession,
and other such things, it makes my own beliefs stronger. I am not the
outgoing type that is out to make converts of everyone I meet (besides it
being illegal and I'd be deported with my visa revoked), but have had some
good discussions with others who have been interested in my faith.
Christians here pretty much all attend church much more regularly than in
the states, except when ill. And, they are all dedicated. In all fairness, I
should say that their main fault is in their unwillingness to except new
Ladakhi's into their fold for fear that they are Buddhist spies. About 15
years ago, the Buddhists almost burned the church and home of every
Christian when they produced tracts in Ladakhi. Today, the only threat is
from the Assemblies of God, who has a group here whose "zeal" is doing more
harm than good here to the Christian cause. In general, though, all the
groups are getting along most of the time. The most recent problem was two
weeks ago when a Buddhist-Muslim flare-up caused an enforced strike for two
days of all businesses by the police while things calmed down again.
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I Love the Mountains |
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