Every two weeks  InterAct Cleveland sends our individual members emails news, updates, and fun articles on intereligious affairs. The answers below refer to a little test of interreligious knowledge we posted in the latest email issue. If you'd like to receive these communications as well complete this form with your contribution and send both to InterAct Cleveland to become an individual member.

Answers

1. Baha'i

Naw-Ruz is one of the nine Bahá'í holy days on which work is to be suspended. It is generally observed with a meeting for prayer and celebration -- often combined with a dinner since the sunset on which Naw-Ruz begins ends the last day of the Bahá'í fast. As with all Bahá'í holy days, there are few fixed rules for observing Naw-Ruz, although Iranian Bahá'ís often follow Iranian traditions. Many Bahá'ís use Naw-Ruz as a day of gift-giving. Bahá'ís do not usually observe Naw-Ruz for longer than one day. Since Naw-Ruz is the first day of a Bahá'í month, it is also the day of a nineteen day feast. It is not permitted to combine this feast with the observance of the holy day.

2. Buddhism

In front of these, often on a lower third tier, are offerings to the things symbolized by the holy objects above. These offerings are represented by eight traditional silver or brass offering bowls, placed in a straight line, approximately 1/8 inch apart. They are filled with either water or the the following separate offerings: water for drinking, water for washing, flowers, incense, light (candles or a lamp), perfume, food and music, and something representing clean clothes (a piece of silk, perhaps).

 3. Catholicism/Christianity

 Ashes on Ash Wednesday: 

 The most obvious mark of celebrating Ash Wednesday is the blessing and application of ashes to the foreheads of those who participate as a sign of penance. By the 11th century this custom had largely disappeared and was replaced with the distribution of ashes during the services and their application to the foreheads of all members of a congregation. Traditionally this is accompanied by “Remember you are dust and will return to dust,” but today “Turn from sin and live the gospel” is often used

 4. Hinduism

 Ceremonies may be performed during pregnancy to ensure the health of the mother and growing child. The father may part the hair of the mother three times upward from the front to the back, to assure the ripening of the embryo. Charms may serve to ward off the evil eye and witches or demons.

At birth, before the umbilical cord is severed, the father may touch the baby's lips with a gold spoon or ring dipped in honey, curds, and ghee. The word vak (speech) is whispered three times into the right ear, and mantras are chanted to ensure a long life.

A number of rituals for the infant include the first visit outside to a temple, the first feeding with solid food (usually cooked rice), an ear-piercing ceremony, and the first haircut (shaving the head) that often occurs at a temple or during a festival when the hair is offered to a deity.

5. Judaism

Blessing the Children:

One of the most moving Shabbat traditions is the blessing over the children given on Friday night. This tradition gently reminds parents to express their love for their children out loud and gives children a feeling of warmth that they can carry with them throughout their lives.

6. Islam

1. A Muslim begins every action with intention.  To yourself, make the intention to cleanse yourself for prayer, for the sake of Allah.

2. To yourself, say "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem" (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful).

3. Wash your hands three times, making sure the water reaches between the fingers and all over the hands.

4. Bring a handful of water to your mouth and rinse it thoroughly three times.

5. Sniff water into your nose three times to clean it.  Use your right hand to bring up the water, and your left hand to expel it.

6. Wash your entire face three times.

7. Wash your arms, up to the elbows, three times.  Start with the right.

8. Use your wet hands to wipe over your head once, from front to back and front again.

9. Use your wet fingers to wipe the inside and outside of your ears, once.

10. Wash your feet up to the ankles three times.  Start with the right.

11. Dry off.

12. Make the supplication,"Ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareekalahu, washhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu (I witness that none should be worshipped except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).

7. Sikhism

Amrit Sanskar, Baptism

This is the sacred ceremony for the initiation into the Khalsa brotherhood. It should be taken only by those who are fully mature enough to realize the commitment required and the significance. The initiate may be a man or woman of any caste or previous religion. Generally they are encouraged to start behaving, acting, and looking like a Sikh before seeking baptism.

The baptism is done in a quiet place away from distractions where Sri Guru Granth Sahib has been installed. The initiate is required to wash their hair, cover their head, wear clean clothes and the 5K's before presenting themselves before 6 amritdhari Sikhs (those who are already baptized). Five amritdhari Sikhs will conduct the ceremony while one reads Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The principals of Sikhism are explained to the initiate and this is followed by Ardas and taking of the Hukam (opening of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to a random page and reading of a hymn).

Amrit (sweet sugar water) is prepared in a steel bowl and stirred with a kirpan by the five beloved ones while Japuji, Jaap, Ten Sawayyas, Bainti Chaupai and 6 verses from Anand Sahib are recited. This is followed by Ardas and the initiate drinking the amrit five times in cupped hands and exclaiming Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (The Pure Belong to God, Victory to God). Amrit is then sprinkled on the hair and eyes of the initiate and any leftover is drunk by all present.

This is followed by an explanation of the code of conduct and discipline required for a Khalsa. The Khalsa is required to wear the 5K's and abstain from 1) cutting hair, 2) eating Muslim halal meat, 3) cohabiting with a person other than ones spouse and 4) using intoxicants such as tobacco. Other breaches of the code of conduct are also explained before Ardas is once again repeated. This is followed by taking Hukam and eating of karah prasad (sacred pudding) from a common bowl. If a person does not have a Sikh name, they take a new name at this time.

8. Unitarian Universalism

Joining Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalist teenagers usually join their congregations with a special "Coming of Age" ceremony. This ceremony is often preceded by a year-long curriculum helping them to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and articulate their own beliefs. The Coming of Age ceremony usually features the youth reading their statements of personal belief (credo statements) to the congregation.