Zarposh India <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <body background="background.jpg"> <DIV align=center> <P><img src="zarposhindia_banner_current.jpg" width="835" height="168"> </P> </DIV> <TABLE width=0 align=center border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD vAlign=top align=left width=712 height=313> <P align=center> </P> <P class=style1><IMG src="phil_files/elephant.jpg" align=right>From the land of spirituality, ancient heritage, and devotion, Zarposh India brings you a unique collection. We pride ourselves on the fact that our products and services are authentic. All of our merchandise is derived from the ancient and spiritual civilizations of the Indian Subcontinent, with an epmphasis on Hinduism and Buddhism. Both of these spiritual paths are intertwined with the culture of the East and their aspects manifest themselves everywhere, from art to literature to music to decorations. It is their lifestyle. Western societies have often been intrigued by these Eastern philosophies, including meditation, yoga, and even kama sutra. And it is our joy to introduce to you the beautiful products of these civilizations, ancient and new, mystic and custom made.</P> <H3>Hinduism</H3> <P class=style1>Hinduism, known to its followers as Sanatana Dharma (roughly translated as “Perennial Faith) is the oldest set of surviving belief systems in the world today. Its origins are lost in the time of the Indo-Aryan civilization mix on the Indian Subcontinent which gave rise to the Vedic culture – the prototype of what eventually developed into what is known today as Hinduism.</P> <P class=style1>With approximately 940 million followers worldwide, Hindu beliefs vary drastically, but essentially teach that any kind of spiritual practice followed with faith, love and persistence will lead to the same ultimate state of self-realization. "Truth is One, though the Sages know it as Many," teaches he book of Rig Veda. The above axiom perhaps captures best the Hindu spirit of unity, diversity, and peace.</P> <P class=style1><IMG height=247 src="phil_files/Tirupati.jpg" width=400 align=left>Although Hinduism is very diverse, one of the possible things that unites all Hindus is the quest for enlightenment and to free oneself from the cycle of rebirth. Another major concept is the concept of Ahimsa, which means "non-violence." Through this concept, strict movements of vegetarianism and tolerance grew. Hindus believe that everything in the world is part of the universal spirit, and therefore everything needs to be respected, preserved and protected. </P><SPAN class=style1>"The Eternal Way," or the "Perennial Faith," is the one name that has represented Hinduism for many thousands of years. According to Hindus, it speaks to the idea that certain spiritual principles hold eternally true, transcending man-made constructs, representing a pure science of consciousness. But this consciousness is not merely that of the body or mind and intellect, but of a supramental soul-state that exists within and beyond our existence, the unsullied Self of all. Religion to the Hindu is the native search for the divine within the Self, the search to find the One truth that in actuality never was lost. Truth sought with faith shall yield itself in blissful luminescence no matter the race or creed professed. Indeed, all existence, from vegetation and beasts to mankind, are subjects and objects of the eternal Dharma. This inherent faith, therefore, is also known as Arya/Noble Dharma, Veda/Knowledge Dharma, Yoga/Union Dharma, Hindu Dharma or, simply, the Dharma. </SPAN> <P class=style1>What can be said to be common to all Hindus is belief in Dharma, reincarnation , karma, and moksha (liberation) of every soul through a variety of moral, action-based, and meditative yogas (spiritual practices). Still more fundamental principles include ahimsa (non-violence), the primacy of the Guru , the Divine Word of Aum and the power of mantras(meditation chants) , love of truth in many manifestations as gods and goddesses, and an understanding that the essential spark of the Divine is in every human and living being, thus allowing for many spiritual paths leading to the One Unitary Truth.<BR><IMG height=139 alt=" are worn by Hindu women on their forehead to symbolize the opening of their spiritual (Nowadays women of other religions too)." src="phil_files/aum2.gif" width=140 align=right></P> <P class=style1>Hindus across the board stress meditative insight, an intuition beyond the mind and body, a trait that is often associated with the ascetic god Shiva . Men, too, will bear on their foreheads the equivalent tika or tilak mark, usually on religious occasions, its shape often representing particular devotion to a certain main deity: a 'U' shape stands for Vishnu , a group of three horizontal lines for Shiva . It is not uncommon for some to meld both in an amalgam marker signifying Hari-Hara (Vishnu-Shiva indissoluble). </P><SPAN class=style1>Within Hinduism, a variety of lesser gods are seen as aspects of the one impersonal divine ground, Brahman. Brahman is seen as the universal spirit. Brahman is the ultimate, both transcendent and immanent the absolute infinite existence , the sum total of all that ever is, was, or ever shall be. Brahman is not a God in the monotheistic sense, as it is not imbued with any limiting characteristics, not even those of being and non-being, and this is reflected in the fact that in Sanskrit , the word brahman is of neuter (as opposed to masculine or feminine) gender. </SPAN> <P class=style1>Hindus believe that God, in whatever form they prefer, can grant worshippers grace to bring them closer to liberation, end of the cycle of rebirth. The great Hindu saint, Ramakrishna was a prominent advocate of this traditional Hindu view. He achieved the spiritual high of other religions besides Hinduism, such as Christianity and Islam, and came to the same conclusion asproclaimed by the Vedas, that "Truth is one, the wise call it by different names."</P> <H3>Buddhism</H3> <P><STRONG>With approximately 376 million followers, Buddhism is one of the major world religions . Its philosophy is based on the teachings of the Buddha , Siddhartha Gautama , who lived between approximately 563 and 483 BCE . Originating in India , Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia , Sri Lanka , Tibet , Southeast Asia , as well as the East Asian countries of China , Mongolia , Korea , Japan , and Vietnam . </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>Buddhism teaches followers to perform good and wholesome actions, to avoid bad and harmful actions, and to purify and train the mind. The aim of these practices is to end the suffering of cyclic existence, samsara , by awakening the practitioner to the realization of true reality, the achievement of Nirvana and Buddhahood .<IMG height=277 src="phil_files/budstudents.jpg" width=367 align=right> </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>Buddhist morality is underpinned by the principles of harmlessness and moderation. Mental training focuses on moral discipline ( <EM>sila </EM>), meditative concentration ( <EM>samadhi </EM>), and wisdom ( <EM>prajña </EM>). </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>While Buddhism does not deny the existence of supernatural beings (indeed, many are discussed in Buddhist scripture), it does not ascribe power for creation, salvation or judgement to them. Like humans, they are regarded as having the power to affect worldly events, and so some Buddhist schools associate with them via ritual. </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>As with any history so old, there are many different stories of how the Buddha to be, Siddhartha Gautama ( Sanskrit ; in Pali , <EM>Siddhattha Gotama </EM>) made his way to enlightenment. Here is one: </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>Legend has it that he was born around the 6th century BCE . His birthplace is said to be Lumbini in the Shakya state, one of a small group of old Hindu oligarchic republics, in what is now Nepal . His father was a (Hindu) king, and Siddhartha lived in luxury, being spared all hardship. </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>The legends say that a seer predicted shortly after his birth that Siddhartha would become either a great king or a great holy man; because of this, the king tried to make sure that Siddhartha never had any cause for dissatisfaction with his life, as that might drive him toward a spiritual path. Nevertheless, at the age of 29, he came across what has become known as the Four Passing Sights : an old crippled man, a sick man, a decaying corpse, and finally a wandering holy man. These <EM>four sights </EM>led him to the realization that birth, old age, sickness and death come to everyone, not only once but repeated for life after life in succession since beginningless time. He decided to abandon his worldly life, leaving behind his wife, child and rank, etc. to take up the life of a wandering holy man in search of the answer to the problem of birth, old age, sickness, and death. </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>Indian holy men ( <EM>sadhus </EM>), in those days just as today, often engaged in a variety of ascetic practices designed to "mortify" the flesh. It was thought that by enduring pain and suffering, the atman (Sanskrit; Pali: atta) or " soul " became free from the cycle of rebirth with its pain and sorrow. Siddhartha proved adept at these practices, and was able to surpass his teachers. However, he found no answer to his problem and, leaving behind his teachers, he and a small group of companions set out to take their austerities even further. After nearly starving himself to death with no success (some sources claim that he nearly drowned), Siddhartha began to reconsider his path. Then he remembered a moment in childhood in which he had been watching his father start the season's plowing, and he had fallen into a naturally concentrated and focused state in which time seemed to stand still, and which was blissful and refreshing. </STRONG></P><STRONG>The temple of the Tooth, in Kandy , Sri Lanka , which is said to contain Buddha's tooth </STRONG> <P><STRONG>Taking a little buttermilk from a passing goatherd, he found a large tree (now called the Bodhi tree ) and set to meditating . He developed a new way of meditating, which began to bear fruit. His mind became concentrated and pure, and then, six years after he began his quest, he attained Enlightenment , and became a Buddha . </STRONG></P> <P><STRONG>According to one of the stories in the Ayacana Sutta ( <EM>Samyutta Nikaya </EM>VI.1), a scripture found in the Pali and other canons, immediately after his Enlightenment the Buddha was wondering whether or not he should teach the Dharma. He was concerned that, as human beings were overpowered by greed, hatred and delusion, they wouldn't be able to see the true Dharma which was subtle, deep and hard to understand. A god, Brahma Sahampati, however, interceded, and asked that he teach the Dharma to the world, as "There will be those who will understand the Dharma". With his great compassion , the Buddha agreed to become a teacher. At the Deer Park near Benares in northern India he set in motion the Wheel of Dharma by delivering his first sermon to the group of five companions with whom he sought for enlightenment before. They, together with Buddha, formed the first sangha, the company of Buddhist monks. </STRONG></P> <P class=style1> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><a href="index.html">Home</a> | <a href="about.html">About Us</a> | <a href="phil.html">Concept</a> | <a href="products.html">Products</a> | <a href="contact.html">Contact</a> | <a href="travel.html">Cultural</a> | <a href="links.htm">Links</a></font></p> <p align="center">© 2008 ZarposhIndia</p> </BODY></HTML>