Diwali 2011

[Stan]

Diwali in 2011 will begin on Wednesday, October 26 and will continue for 5 days until Sunday, October 30.

Diwali is the celebration of light over darkness.

Jesus is the light of the world.

[John317]

On the significance of Diwali:

Quote:

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali,[1] popularly known as the "festival of lights", is an important festival in Hinduism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC

Deepavali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dpas) in Sanskrit: filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Deepawali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Deepawali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

While the story behind Deepavali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets), the essence is the same – to rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying Reality of all things (Brahman).

....Hindus have several significant events associated with Diwali:

The return of Rama after 14 years of Vanvas (banishment). To welcome his return, diyas (ghee lamps) were lit in rows of 20.

The killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Deepavali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. Krishna's wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the Dwapara yuga. In another version of the belief, the demon was killed by Krishna or Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna, defeating Indra.

Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Deepavali and is the day Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. According to the story, Krishna saw preparations for an annual offering to Lord Indra and asked his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He said that all human beings should do their 'karma' to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan and held it up to protect the people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. Although this aspect of Krishna's life is sometimes ignored, it sets up the basis of the 'karma' philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

[John317]

2 Cor. 6:14-18

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

[17] Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

[18] and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty."

See also Ezekiel 8: 6-18.

[SivartM]

Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

None, on Diwali. Thanks, Stan; I'll have to remember that!

[John317]

(quoting the wikipedia): Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights", is an important festival in Hinduism, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC

....While the story behind Deepavali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets), the essence is the sameto rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying Reality of all things (Brahman).

Diwali, then, is about rejoicing in the Inner Light (Atman). What is the Atman?

Quote:

atman, ( Sanskrit: “self,” “breath”) one of the most basic concepts in Hinduism, the universal self, identical with the eternal core of the personality that after death either transmigrates to a new life or attains release (moksha) from the bonds of existence.

Source of definition:

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/41350/atman

[John317]

Diwali is the celebration of light over darkness.

Jesus is the light of the world.

How could an SDA in India use Diwali to help the people there have an appreciation for Christ as the light of the world?

[Stan]

I think the same question could be asked in North America re Christmas, Thanksgiving or other Festivals, this is also their New Years type of celebration.

[John317]

I think the same question could be asked in North America re Christmas, Thanksgiving or other Festivals, this is also their New Years type of celebration.

Yes, but Christmas and Thanksgiving are essentially Christian celebrations anyway. It's fairly easy to bring up the centrality of Christ and God in relation to those celebrations. (I realize that Christmas has roots that go back to pagan celebrations, but the point here is that when people celebrate it, they are thinking of Christ's birth.)

I'd be interested in knowing how Indian SDAs view Diwali and whether they celebrate it. If they hold some sort of celebration, do they combine their Christian beliefs with some of the beliefs of Hindus.

When we celebrate the New Year here in North America, we're not thinking of gods and demons and of the Atman, etc. But these false teachings are at the center of the celebration of Diwali.

So my question would be, how do we point Hindus celebrating Diwali to Christ as the Light who conquered (and continues to conquer) darkness?

Would it be right to adopt some of their customs and give them Christian meanings?

This, of course, is exactly what the Church Fathers did when they adopted pagan holidays such as the day of the sun and made it the Christian Sunday.

[ClubV12]

I don't personally know any Hindus, but thanks for the post. If I run into any I'll try to be sensitive and understanding of their "delusion". Oop's I think I'm already off to a bad start on this...

I DO know and am witnessing to some Muslim friends, as such, I'm learning more about their faith to be a more effective witness. There are not real strict Muslims and perhaps that is why they acknowledge Jesus as a prophet? Like christians, there are SO many variations of "Muslim", it's a mistake to lump them all into the same category.

[Gail]

You need to be creative if you are serious about winning them. Ask about Stephen Dickie's books on what he discovered about what he learned about the "children of the East" in the Bible and how that knowledge helps him to put on Bible seminars in Muslim countries. He tells them how the God in the Bible used the children of the East to do His will at times and also in history. Reading his books helped me in talking with my Muslim friend about spiritual matters.

It's a question that all foreign missionaries have had to face. In my reading I've found that those who tried to take Western European cultures into other lands just created a "us vs them" attitude, whereas those who adapted what they consciously could showed the people respect. Some of them adopted their new land as their home. They were able to gain the people's trust.

I used to correspond with Indians and we shared about each other's religious customs. It didn't make me accept their feasts/holidays, and it gave me an inroad to share with them.

I find that asking questions of people who have been successful in witnessing to a particular culture group can help you avoid the mistakes of trial and error. Beyond that, creativity is a great tool. Sensitivity to where their mind is at is helpful, too, if you want to widen the crack of opportunity.

I liked Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. His statement about the living water transcended all discussion up to that point, and won not only her but the whole town.

[ClubV12]

I wasn't a christian when I lived in Hawaii, but those principles apply there just like they do in a foreign country. You have to know how to business the "local kine" way. To some degree, you need to be able to understand the pidgeon language (not always easy). While at the same time NOT trying to blend in by using it yourself. "Try listen", the locals would say, instead of try murdering the local accent. SO many different cultures to be aware off. Easy if your visiting, get's complicated if you want to do business.

There are plenty of local customs, sayings, beliefs. For the most part the people have plenty aloha, but are also easily offended and they don't take a shine to will dressed "salesmen" from the mainland all pushy and in a hurry. Slow down...

[Gail]

And... One thing that I found that I need continually, to not be pulled away, is a living connection with Christ. You will be tempted in your most weakest areas no matter what environment you are in. Christ lifted up, if only in your deportment if you find yourself in a land of nastiness, will do the drawing. That is a promise.