It is important to have cultures and tradition. But, I always feel that the rules in tradition/culture were created to conform people to follow such a such logic and at the expense of others.
During our parents time, it sounds logic but now to us it is not logic. Sorry this is my view.
One good example, my grandma is dead for nearly 20 years, and without fail every year we perform anthirity (thevasam?) for her. Now according to hinduism, dead people get reincarnated right. Then according to the adults, for every year you do the ceremony, your dead loved one will move 1 step to heaven. So my question is when does the dead person reach heaven? How many thevasams we have to do before we stop? Answer? - No one knows. Then in case the dead person is reincarnaed already, as another human, aren't we doing thevasam for a live person now? Is this correct?
So when we start questioning all these, we were told off for asking silly questions. Or accused of deviating from our culture/religion/tradition. Either way we don't win or rather I don't win. Because end of the day the chains of love binds me to close my eyes.
But the only conclusion I can give is, these ideas were created by the priests long time ago in order to earn money/goods etc.
However, the Punjabis do their prayers for their dead ones during the 1st year, 3rd year and 5th year. Then they stop.
There is no proper guidance for hindus. Not many Indians in malaysia knows details about B/gita. Whatever they know, it is from t.v./media. You would note that many Indians of different religions do not bound to tradition/culture except us hindus. I am not saying what we are doing is wrong. But logic is needed when you feed information to younger generation.
My 8 years old nephew is demanding that we show him God in live instead of in photos. If we use dialogue like thune lleyem iruppar.... he gives us a weird look like we are lunatics. 😃 Seriously
So my thoughts have changed over the years. I follow my heart. If I feel the tradition and the culture is right for me, I will follow it.
Eljay, I used to be like you, seeing everything as black and white. I wonder why people having affairs and looked down at them. Until, a friend of mine, sat down in front of me and crying her heart out. While I do not condone what she is doing is right/wrong, but I have more understanding of the situation.
Like I said, over the years as I grow older, and mix with other people/races, I have a better understanding.
Roja, how can "it boils down to the individual" when "the chain of love" is tightly bound. You cannot get away from it no matter how much you try. You can be married or single but you are still bounded one way or the other. Unless, you stay away from home - that too miles and miles away. 😊
Edited by Caryn - 17 years ago
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