so Q posted shiva: hinduism
now posts yoga crap: hinduism
Hinduism Beliefs About Sacrifice
In some parts of the Hindu world animal and human sacrifice still exist:
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Hinduism Beliefs About Sacrifice
By Eleanor McKenzie ; Updated September 29, 2017
Sacrifices are made to please gods and placate demons.
Sacrifice plays an important role in Hinduism, although the rituals associated with it have evolved over Hinduism's several thousand years of existence. The Vedic scriptures dictate the rules of sacrifice and priests follow highly structured methods of incorporating sacrifice into worship. In some parts of the Hindu world animal and human sacrifice still exist: The majority of Hindus disapprove of both these practices, and the latter is a criminal act.
Purpose of Sacrifice
In Hinduism, sacrifice, or "yajna" to use the Sanskrit word, turns the profane into the holy, according to Anna Smorag in the article "The Significance of Sacrifice in Hinduism." Hindus use it to achieve "moksa," which is liberation of the soul from the cycle of rebirth and knowledge of the true self through a state of unity with Brahman the Supreme Being. Smorag states that sacrifice has a special place in Hindu tradition because the ritual provides a separation between everyday activity and worship.
Vedic Sacrifice
Following the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Vedic scriptures, Brahmin priests use grains, vegetables and ghee, which is purified butter, in sacrificial rites. The belief behind sacrificial rites is that these please the gods and preserve dharma. In Hinduism, dharma is a person's responsibility to observe a moral code and traditional customs. Although priests perform these sacrifices in a temple setting, many Hindus perform these daily rituals before an altar in the home.
Animal Sacrifice
Nepalese and Balinese Hindus still practice animal sacrifice whereas most Indian Hindus disapprove of the tradition, partly because many don't eat meat and because of the belief in nonviolence. However, even where it does exist, its practice is confined to special occasions. In support of the practice there is a Hindu belief that there are demons who have great powers and satisfying their desire for blood is a way of keeping them happy. Animal sacrifice might involve one chicken or thousands of animals, as in the Nepalese festival worshiping the goddess Ghadimai. Hindu priests in Bali might use it as part of the ritual of opening a new business.
Human Sacrifice
In the 21st century human sacrifice is an extremely rare practice worldwide. The majority of Hindu practices and beliefs emphasize abstinence, vegetarianism and an ascetic approach to life, yet within Hinduism there is a history of blood sacrifice, particularly in the worship of the goddess Kali; she is the slayer of evil and has an appetite for blood.
https://classroom.synonym.com/hinduism-beliefs-about-sacrifice-12085832.html
Indian cult kills children for goddess
The killings have focused attention on Tantrism, an amalgam of mystical practices that grew out of Hinduism. Tantrism also has adherents among Buddhists and Muslims and, increasingly, in the West, where it is associated with yoga or sexual techniques.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/mar/05/india.theobserver
India’s killer ‘godmen’ and their sacrificial children
A new law is aimed at stopping self-styled holy men from murdering and mutilating children to gain divine favour, but widespread ignorance and blind devotion still fuel the ritualistic killings.
Police investigations found the crime had been perpetrated at the behest of Krishna’s 40-year-old paternal aunt, Draupadi Pol. The accused, a tantric or holy man, had kidnapped the boy from near his home, stuffed a cloth ball into his mouth, bundled him into a jute sack, and a few hours later, slit his throat. The murder was an act of human sacrifice – committed to gain the favour of a goddess.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2141250/indias-killer-godmen-and-their-sacrificial-children
Horror of India's child sacrifice
over 200 cases of child sacrifice in these parts over the last seven years.
He admitted many of the cases go unreported because the police are reluctant to tarnish the image of their state. He told us incidents of child sacrifice are often covered up.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4903390.stm
Human Sacrifice in Hindusim
The human sacrifices were part of the recent 10-day Hindu festival of Dassera when people pray to Durga, a goddess who symbolises strength and power, according to police and villagers.
https://www.religiousforums.com/threads/human-sacrifice-in-hindusim.127638/