The Sacred Om

[PatrickMB]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this topic; I hope it's okay.

I am fairly new to studying Hinduism and Indian philosophy. I have to say, however, that the Om symbol is the most beautiful, inspiring religious symbol I have ever seen. I'm not even sure why it strikes me so. But I find it magnificent.

Om Hari Om!

[saidevo]

namaste Patrick.

Check this post for an explanation of AUM at some levels:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=496

For an even more elaboration, check:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2661

[Lilla555]

Hi Eveyone,

I wanted your opinion on a situation that I encountered the other day - I drove into a Shell station to get some gas-- the attendant who was a Sikh started to yell, curse and threaten me b/c of an om decal on the backbumper ofmycar.

He said that god is in the inside and the om should b in the front and inside of the car. He also threatened totake my money and kept saying "this isn't over!"

I apologized profusely explaining that as a Buddhist, imeant no disrespect.

I honestly do not understand what this was about.

Is there any validity to this man's hostile reaction?

I would really like some input.

Thanks

[PatrickMB]

Oh my Gosh! I know next-to-nothing about Sikhs. I don't know if this fellow was mentally unbalanced or what. My advice is to never go back to that station!

I hope that someone in this community can give you sound information. All I can give you is my sympathy.

[Jainarayan]

All the Sikhs I've ever known have been the most polite and gentle people you could meet, including the pain mangement doctor I saw after my back surgery. He told me I am a nice person! He is so nice, I regret not needing to see him anymore.

Though I guess there is an exception to every rule; every group has its loose cannons. Sorry you had that encounter. As to the proper way to display the Holy OM, I can't address that. Maybe he felt that it was too near the tailpipe? I have OM tattooed on my right shoulder and have been complimented by Hindus.

At any rate, he should not have berated you. A simple " my dear, please don't display OM in that location because..."

Nastiness is never called for.

[zenvicky]

Namaste,

I am yet to see any religious symbol on the either bumper in India...yes, this is a kind of disrespect, all religious thing/deities/symbols should be granted a higher place. Most common place in India of placing OM symbol on car is upper mid part of front windscreen & back windscreen, just below the rubber.

Om

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Lilla: There are so many cultural nuances that take getting used to. This is also further complicated by the fact that each individual can be different as to whats disrespectful or not, depending on sect, area of India, and all that. For me, if he was upset, then I'd apologise, oblige and promise to have the bumper sticker removed. For most people this is sufficient, but not all. Some don't take ignorance as an excuse.

I think many of us have made similar mistakes. I certainly have. Here are a few examples I've done and had to be corrected, depending on who witnessed my action.
... sitting cross legged
... dropping a flower and picking it back up
... setting flowers on temple steps
... using wrong fingers to make offerings at a havan
... pointing feet at altars
... starting eating before saying a food blessing

I'm sure there are lots more but I'm an old man with memory fading ... just shake it off and live and learn. Maybe our Indian friends can help compile a longer list.

Aum Namasivaya

[Jainarayan]

Namaste EM.

Here are a few examples I've done and had to be corrected, depending on who witnessed my action.
... sitting cross legged
... dropping a flower and picking it back up

So those are wrong? Or you didn't do that and was told to do it?

... setting flowers on temple steps
... using wrong fingers to make offerings at a havan
... pointing feet at altars
... starting eating before saying a food blessing

I know feet pointing to an altar or deity is a no-no, as is touching something with them; the index finger is said to be negative energy and not to be used in doing japa; I guess flowers on a temples' steps could be trampled on?

I think there's a list of doos and don'ts somewhere on the site.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Minotaur: Sorry. Sitting cross legged on floor is fine. Its crossing your legs while sitting on a chair that isn't. The flower thing is you just don't offer it if you drop it . You also don't ever pick up flowers that have fallen naturally to the ground to make as offerings. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Aum Namasivaya

[Jainarayan]

OK thanks, that all makes sense.