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A few thoughts on @RMantri 's views on Shrārdh!
Any act associated with a meaning, when repeated over a long time, will become a ritual. A ritual has its own intrinsic beauty that comes from predictability. Predictability also gives rituals their aesthetic appeal.
Any act associated with a meaning, when repeated over a long time, will become a ritual. A ritual has its own intrinsic beauty that comes from predictability. Predictability also gives rituals their aesthetic appeal.
Now, it is a great ambition to hope to replace a ritual with another.
But first, there has to be a positive buy in. A large enough number of people should be willing to replace the existing ritual with what you offer.
It is key to both mimic the act and provide the meaning.
But first, there has to be a positive buy in. A large enough number of people should be willing to replace the existing ritual with what you offer.
It is key to both mimic the act and provide the meaning.
When we replace a ritual from something taken from elsewhere (say from Mexico), you are picking an act out of its context, and using it to replace another that has a context.
For instance: beheading has a meaning and social sanction in Saudi Arabia. You won't bring that to India
For instance: beheading has a meaning and social sanction in Saudi Arabia. You won't bring that to India
What I disagree with however, is the subconscious attempt to create a negative buy out. Instead of trying to replace a ritual in its entirety, you are asking people to reject an existing one without providing an alternative. This will lead to social problems.
See Africa.
See Africa.
Rituals provide structure to an otherwise unpredictable life. They demand a certain level of mental discipline that has deep implications for the society ..
To replicate a belief system that will instill this level of self imposed discipline is rare for civilizations.
To replicate a belief system that will instill this level of self imposed discipline is rare for civilizations.
What is disheartening is to see my generation (until about 5yrs ago, me included) treat such a rare phenomenon with light hearted contempt.
The second problem with the suggestion is cultural appropriation. If we are ticked off with Europeans appropriating culture from all over,
The second problem with the suggestion is cultural appropriation. If we are ticked off with Europeans appropriating culture from all over,
+ how would it make Mexicans feel to see Indians stealing their sacred (the dead people are sacred everywhere) and replicate it without any thought?
Societies in Africa lost their ritualist base, and are struggling to get it back - to counter the increasing lawlessness.
Societies in Africa lost their ritualist base, and are struggling to get it back - to counter the increasing lawlessness.
And here, we see well intentioned people like Rajeev, suggest that we take the same trajectory.
It is imperative that Indian thinkers go beyond the fad and the compulsive habit of thinking old is useless; and think about the second order and third order consequences for actions.
It is imperative that Indian thinkers go beyond the fad and the compulsive habit of thinking old is useless; and think about the second order and third order consequences for actions.
