How do western people perceive Indians worshipping cows in Hindu temples? [closed]

1. How are cows viewed in India?
2. Why is cow so sacred in Hinduism?
3. Is beef forbidden in Hinduism?
4. What happens if a Hindu eats beef?
5. Why do Indian ladies put a dot on their forehead?
6. Why do Hindu not eat pork?
7. Does Hindu drink alcohol?
8. Why do Brahmins not eat meat?
9. Did Brahmins eat meat?
10. What is the red dot on Indian man's forehead?
11. Did Lord Shiva eat meat?
12. What is not allowed in Hinduism?

How are cows viewed in India?

For many Hindus, who make up nearly 80 percent of India's 1.3 billion strong population, the cow is a sacred animal. In Hindu mythology, the animal is depicted as accompanying several gods, like Shiva, who rides on his bull Nandi, or Krishna, the cowherd god.

Why is cow so sacred in Hinduism?

In addition, because her products supplied nourishment, the cow was associated with motherhood and Mother Earth. The cow was also identified early on with the Brahman or priestly class, and killing the cow was sometimes equated (by Brahmans) with the heinous crime of killing a Brahman.

Is beef forbidden in Hinduism?

Hinduism does not explicitly prohibit eating meat, but it does strongly recommend ahimsa – the concept of non-violence against all life forms including animals.

What happens if a Hindu eats beef?

What happens if a Hindu eat beef? Also unlike other religions which are very prescriptive, Hinduism is descriptive. That means Hinduism suggests that you should not eat beef, but it does not assign a punishment to violators. Most of such punishments are anecdotal and told through stories and not through scriptures..

Why do Indian ladies put a dot on their forehead?

Across the country, it's not uncommon to see women sporting a small dot on their foreheads between their eyebrows. The mark is known as a bindi. And it's a Hindu tradition that dates to the third and fourth centuries. The bindi is traditionally worn by women for religious purposes or to indicate that they're married.

Why do Hindu not eat pork?

The first 4 legged animal the Vishnu energy (formation) came into was said to be a Varaha a boar. Hence this is the reason why Hindu's don't eat pork, it is simply because Vishnu is linked with a boar. A lot of Vishnu followers and especially Hanuman followers do not eat pork.

Does Hindu drink alcohol?

Traditional Indian Alcoholic Drinks

India makes its traditional alcoholic drinks. Before they began importing the known brands, the Indians use to make their own alcohols. The traditional alcohol is still popular today even with the introduction of the newer brands.

Why do Brahmins not eat meat?

Brahmins, during Vedic age, did eat meat because most of them were hunter gatherers. When they became sedentary in an agricultural era, their body could not digest meat and they started to vomit most of the time.

Did Brahmins eat meat?

Some of the south Indian Brahmins during the sutra period, like those of North India were not meat eaters but otherwise Brahmins did eat meat and only later adopted vegetarianism from the Buddhists who were originally vegetarians so as to invite less criticism for the already biased Brahmanical caste Hinduism that was ...

What is the red dot on Indian man's forehead?

Tilak, Sanskrit tilaka (“mark”), in Hinduism, a mark, generally made on the forehead, indicating a person's sectarian affiliation. The marks are made by hand or with a metal stamp, using ash from a sacrificial fire, sandalwood paste, turmeric, cow dung, clay, charcoal, or red lead.

Did Lord Shiva eat meat?

Shiva's meat eating habits become more defined in the early Puranic literature. ... For the high tradition, defined by Brahmins, Shiva became a vegetarian god. The sects offering meat to Shiva as a prayer ritual, such as the Kaula Kapalikas and the Kalamukhas, were declared heretical according to the Skanda Purana.

What is not allowed in Hinduism?

Beef is always avoided because the cow is considered a holy animal, but dairy products are eaten. Animal-derived fats such as lard and dripping are not permitted. Some Hindus do not eat ghee, milk, onions, eggs, coconut, garlic, domestic fowl or salted pork. Alcohol is generally avoided.