The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2633 page)

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

see
ALTAR
.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Vedic
.

Adjective applied to the language, literature, religion, mythology and ritual pertaining to the
Veda
. Generally it indicates the archaic period in Indian culture preceding the classical. Vedic language encompasses the Skt. composed prior to its codification in
P
ini's
Grammar which set the rules for classical Skt. For Vedic literature, see
VEDA
. Vedic religion (sometimes called
Brahmanism
) can be distinguished from the religion which grew out of it, now usually referred to as Hinduism. Some of the more notable differences between the two religions are seen in their mythology and ritual. Vedic mythology presents a pantheon of deities many of which are solar or meteorological in some of their aspects. These deities are summoned to the human plane in the Vedic rituals (
yajñas
, see
sacrifice
). Of the many deities of the Vedic pantheon, few survive into Hinduism and those that do are transformed in character. Similarly, the Vedic ritual, though preserved among some
Brahmans
to this day, gives way to a ritual centred not in yajña but in
p
j
.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

Vegetarianism
.

The conscious avoidance of eating animal flesh, frequently extended to fish, and sometimes to animal products. In the East, it is most closely associated with Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions: see FOOD.

 
Back
  -  
 
New Search

see
IJ
B.