A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

F
faith
(viÿväsa, ÿraddhä)
In a general sense ‘faith’ plays a central
role in Hinduism: the acceptance of
ŸRUTI as ‘revealed word’ requires faith.
Faith is also demanded from the disciple
towards his teacher, an acceptance of
the teacher’s authority. Pilgrims travelling
to temples to find relief from their
suffering or help in their needs also
exhibit a great amount of faith. The
crowds surrounding living manifestations
of the deity, such as ÄNANDAMAYÏ
MÄ or SATHYA SAI BABA, exhibit tremendous
faith. In a more specific, theological
sense, faith plays a much smaller
role in Hinduism than in biblical religions.
It is seen important only as an
early stage in one’s spiritual development,
not as an end in itself. Faith as
such is not the cause of LIBERATION, but
only a preparatory phase, to be superseded
by direct experience.
Farquhar, J. N. (1861–1929)
Scottish missionary. He worked in India
(mainly in Calcutta) from 1891 to
1923, initiated serious study of
Hinduism among Protestant missionaries,
and is the author of such standard
works as A Primer of Hinduism,
Modern Religious Movements in India,
An Outline of the Religious Literature
of India, The Crown of Hinduism,
Hinduism, its Content and Value.
fasting
See UPAVÄSA.
female infanticide
The religious need for a male heir, and
the great expense of marrying off a
daughter, led in former times to widespread
female infanticide among
Hindus, especially in Bengal. Female
babies were either offered to Goddess
GA¢GÄ or exposed in fulfilment of a
VRATA. While not as prevalent today,
there are still cases of female infanticide,
very often following determination of
the female gender of the foetus through
amniocentesis.
festivals
Hinduism is rich in festivals. Besides the
local temple feasts, which often attract
millions of visitors to famous places of
pilgrimage, such as the ratha-yäträ at
JAGANNÄTHA PURÏ, there are some feasts
that are celebrated all over India or in
large areas. Among these the following
stand out:
Kø•æa-jayanti, Kø•æa’s birthday, celebrated
on the eighth KØÆŒA-PAKÆA of
the month Ÿravana (July–August) in
commemoration of Kø•æa’s birth at
midnight in the prison of Mathurä. It is
a national holiday in India.