Matthew Nethery, The Triarchy of Spirituality in India (DOCO 2023)

Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Varanasi, Bodh Gaya and Amritsar. Mother Ganga, Mahabodhi Temple and the Golden Temple. The 3 epicentres of spirituality in India. Whilst travelling in India recently I was fortunate enough to not only be able to visit these incredible places, but interact with some the people that lead them. In Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges, hundreds of bodies are burnt a day as Hindus believe that anyone who dies there and whose ashes are spread in the water will be transported to heaven and escape the cycle of rebirth. We experienced the nightly ritual of cleansing with fire after watching the funeral pyres being burnt all day. A Sadhu (Bone Priest) blessed us with Bone Ash from his body. A Buddhist Monk at the Temple where Bodhisattva (Buddha) reached enlightenment after seven weeks of meditation. Hundreds of monks gathered to chant hymns thousands of times in celebration. In Amritsar, the Golden Temple is the spiritual centre of Sikhism. Open to all religions and all walks of life, this incredible Temple glows in the morning light, an aura of divinity emanating across the waters. Hundreds of thousands of people visit every day, to pray, wash in the water and eat food cooked by an incredible team of volunteers. This Sikh guard was patrolling with his spear, and allowed me a brief moment to take a photo of him.

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