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Water In Religion

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Water is a significant part of religious rituals. It is used as a symbol of purity and protection. This essay will cover the rituals and uses of water in religion as well as the significance and symbolism of water in the rituals. In the religions of Christianity, Buddhism and Islam, the use of water remains significant in spiritual rituals.

In Christianity, water is major part of rituals. In the bible, the word ‘water’ is mentioned 722 times (Why is the Bible and Water important to Christians?, 2010). Water is used in most Christian rituals, such as baptism and the use of holy water. The use of water in baptism is Christian denominations is similar. In denominations such as the Orthodox Church, baptism is considered, according to Greek Orthodox …show more content…

Holy water is placed near the entrances of churches. The placement and use of holy water stems from the Old Testament Jewish practices of purification (Saunders, 1998). According to Saunders (1998), in the Catholic Church, holy water is used for blessings for three reasons. It is used as a sign of regret of sin, for protection from evil and as a reminder of baptism (Saunders, 1998). In Orthodox Churches, holy water is kept in a font placed in a baptistery. As well, a smaller font may be near the entrance of the church (holy water, 2015). With rituals relaying on blessed water, water remains significant in Christian rituals.

In Buddhism, water is used as a symbol of purity and calmness. Water is offered at Buddhist shrines to symbolise, according to Shi’an, ‘the aspiration to cultivate the virtues of calmness, clarity and purity with our body, speech and mind’ (Shi 'an, 2011). In most Buddhist denominations, a single of water is offered. In the Vajrayana tradition, seven bowls are offered to symbolise the paying of homage, giving of offerings, repentance of misgivings, rejoicing in goodness, requesting the Buddas to remain, inviting them to teach and the dedicating of merits (Shi 'an,

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