Originally Posted by
NurseMira
Hello everyone,
My name is Miranda. I am a nursing student. I am currently taking a class in World Religions and how this applies to nursing. This is an excellent class and one thing that we are supposed to do is learn how we can best serve people of different religions and cultures. I chose to study Hinduism and will be doing a presentation in front of the whole class on Hindu beliefs. I am hoping that some kind souls on this forum could help me by answering the questions I have posted below. Please feel free to answer one question, a few questions, or all the questions. I think there are some excellent, thought provoking and interesting questions below, and the answers will truly help me and my fellow students become more sensitive to the needs of the community around us. I will be truly grateful for any information you can provide.
General Questions:
1.I only know a very basic amount about you religion.
From your questions, I would venture to say that you know nothing about Hinduism except for common western stereotypes
What religious beliefs make you religion unique?
We welcome EVERYBODY. We do not proselytize and we do not ask you to change your religion. Although we may not agree, we are respectful of everyone's right to their own beliefs"
What are the beliefs that you have that make you proud to say you are Hindu?
All of them. There are no beliefs that would make me ashamed to say I am a Hindu
2.What contributions have your religion made that has significantly made the world a better place?
Too numerous to mention
3. What religious practices are common among people who practice Hinduism?
Religious practices are varied, depending on the region, the branch of Hinduism and the worshiper.
4.Does your religion have a founder? If so please tell me a little about them.
Hinduism has no founder, it was revealed over time to many sages who passed down the revelations orally from one generation to the next. For millennia, rigorous adherence to the poetry and pronunciation continues to ensure that the knowledge is handed down verbatim and is not altered in any way from the original
Personal questions:
1.In what ways is your religion important to your life? What makes you inspired to continue to practice Hinduism on a daily basis?
These questions are of such a personal nature that the answers would vary from one individual to the next
2.What part of your religion means the most to you?
Hinduism is a way of life and system of belief that cannot be dissected into parts. It is a whole, which is greater than the some of its parts
3.What are your opinions on how your religion has changed through time or diversified with the times?
Hinduism or "Sanatan Dharma" Eternal Religion, as we call it, has remained substantially the same from the beginning of Time
4.What picture of god(s) does your religion represent?
Hindus believe in God (with a capital letter) who is beyond both form and formlessness, and beyond gender. We worship God as formless, or in one of his/her many manifestations. We often use pictures or symbols "OM" to help us focus in our worship, the same way Christians might use a picture of Jesus a a baby, or has a learned teacher, or the cross, as a means to focus the mind
How does this relate to how you worship?
We worship God in many ways, one of the most common ways of worship is to chant the names of God, such as "OM NAMAH SHIVAYA" or "JAI JAI MAA"
5.What is the purpose of mankind?
The purpose of every soul is to reunite with God
6.What does your religion offer that other religions do not offer?
All religions have something to offer their devotees. Depending on their level of understanding and spiritual development, something within them will naturally draw them to a particular religion. When you find the religion that is suitable for you, you will know.
7.Spiritually speaking, who is your favorite role model and why?
Mahatma Gandhi, because he had compassion for EVERYONE, and was not judgmental regarding the value of any religion. One of his favourite quotes was: "I came to the conclusion long ago … that all religions were true and also that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold by my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism. So we can only pray, if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu … But our innermost prayer should be a Hindu should be a better Hindu, a Muslim a better Muslim, a Christian a better Christian."
Nursing questions:
1.What religious thing should I be sensitive to if I were to have you as a patient? (i.e. incense, reading materials, prayer beads, statues)
Don't ask me any questions about my religion. Unless something I have with me is against hospital rules, do not make any comments, even if you might think you are being complimentary. You may come across as being condescending
2.Please tell me if you have any teachings about faith healings (i.e. shamans or religious healers)
Most religions have a traditions of faith healing. We do not have shamans or religious healers, we have ordained priests
3.Are there any medical interventions that your religion is against (birth control, blood transfusions, vaccines, stem cells, certain diets, taking medications)
Views on these topics would vary according to the individual. However, Hindus do not eat beef and many are vegetarian
4.What are your religious views on death and dying?
A priest performs a short blessing on the soul of the dying by repeating the appropriate prayers.
If possible, the dying person should be surrounded by loved ones.
The body of the deceased is treated with gentleness and respect
5.How do you prepare a person who has passed away (In the US and other countries)
That is a private matter for each family, which is accomplished after the body of the deceased has left the hospital
6.When speaking to the family about hard topics (surgery, dying, ect…) are there any cultural considerations that I should be aware of?
The most important part is to listen, and take your cues from the person to whom you are speaking. Use gentle words, just the same as you would for any other person, because everyone has a different level of understanding and emotional strength. Above all, be respectful, and compassionate
7.Please let me know if you have any other advice or information that I did not cover.
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