Question

Of the religious traditions discussed in “Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Cultural Developments”, is there any that is practised in your neighbourhood? What are the religious texts used today, and how are they preserved and transmitted? Are images used in worship? If so, are these similar to or different from those described in this chapter? Describe the buildings used for religious activities today, comparing them with early stupas and temples.

Answer 1

(1) Tradition in My Neighbourhood

• The religious tradition practised in my neighbourhood is Hinduism, which is one of the main traditions discussed in this chapter. People in my locality actively worship deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Goddess Durga. This worship takes place through daily rituals at home shrines and during visits to local community temples.

(2) Holy Books and Texts

• The primary religious texts used by people today are the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana. These sacred texts are preserved in printed books kept in clean, dedicated spaces at home, as well as digitally through mobile applications and websites. They are transmitted to the younger generation through oral storytelling by parents and grandparents, as well as through community classes and religious festivals.

(3) Use of Images in Worship

• Images and idols are a central part of worship today. These modern images are very similar to those described in the chapter because they still represent deities with multiple arms holding traditional symbolic items like tridents or weapons. However, they are different because ancient idols were carved entirely by hand out of single pieces of stone, whereas modern idols are mass-produced using colourful paints, marble, plaster of Paris, and modern tools.

(4) Comparison of Religious Buildings

• Modern temples in my neighbourhood are large, spacious buildings made of brick and concrete, featuring marble flooring, electrical lights, and ventilation fans to accommodate big crowds.
• When compared to early temples, modern structures are much larger and include multiple prayer halls, whereas ancient Gupta-period temples were very small, simple stone structures consisting of just a single room.
• When compared to early Buddhist stupas like Sanchi, which were solid earthen mounds meant only for walking around from the outside, modern temples are hollow, functional buildings that devotees enter to view the central idols inside.