Death And Dying In Hinduism Essay

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The Death and Dying Process in Hinduism There are many different religious belief systems in this world. Each one of them consists of basic rituals and traditions that may be followed when an individual is going through end-of-life processes. This wide variety leaves the nursing procedure slightly more difficult when trying to figure out the best possible plan for end-of-life care. Hinduism is a religion worth noting and is indeed unique from other religions. With that being said, it needs to be carefully studied by nurses to ensure that the Hindu individual’s traditions and values, as well as the family’s, are understood and respected. In view of this, it is crucial to take a closer look at the beliefs and behaviors that those of Hindu faith obey when it comes to death and dying. It is then necessary to determine the differences between Hinduism and one’s own beliefs in order to be more aware of any biases that may be present with the care being given, and then proceed to give the best culturally competent care possible. …show more content…

As stated by Johnsen, there is also no specific form of worship. The individuals choose to pray, meditate, or participate in other practices. Hinduism is also a polytheistic religion, meaning there are many gods and goddesses that are worshiped (as cited in Shanmugasundaram, O’Connor, & Sellick, 2010). They will typically keep a small shrine in their homes for their devotion to these deities, as mentioned by Bhaskarananda (as cited in Shanmugasundaram, O’Connor, & Sellick, 2010). Hindus also bathe before participating in prayer or worship for they believe it allows them to communicate with their deities in a purer form. There are countless other basic beliefs and behaviors that characterize Hinduism, many of which will not be discussed in

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