Catholic scholar compares the ritual to Israelites' worship of the fertility god Baal
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Nuns who publicly venerated the phallus of a Hindu deity at an interfaith ceremony have sparked scandal among faithful Catholics in India.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (FSPM), based in the state of Tamil Nadu, were filmed participating in the worship of the Shiva lingam — the erect phallus of the deity Shiva at the Isha Yoga Center in the city of Coimbatore on Monday.
'INTERFAITH' WORSHIP OF SHIVA
Led by Sr. Nirmala, the nuns participated in the 25th anniversary of the "Dhyanalinga Consecration Day" singing bhajans (devotional songs) to an enormous black idol of the lingam. Invitees from other religions including Buddhists, Hindus, and Sufis also participated in the interfaith event.
The consecration day celebrations began in the Dhyanalinga (meditation on the lingam) temple at 6 a.m. with the chanting of the Aum Namah Shivaya (adoration to Lord Shiva) mantra. This was followed by a chanting of the Nirvana Shatakam — a hymn to Shiva composed by the founder of monistic Hinduism, Adi Shankaracharya (788-820 AD).
Worship of Baal signified not only idolatry, but also the fact that the Israelites failed to put their trust in Yahweh alone for the fertility they needed for their fields, wives, and cattle.
The Thevaram — a hagiographic narrative of saints belonging to the cult of Shiva — was then performed, followed by the chanting of Buddhist mantras by monks from the Sera Mey Buddhist monastery. The nuns sang their bhajans in Tamil after the Buddhist monks had offered their chants.
The 10-hour worship service beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. culminated in a Guru Pooja, a traditional ceremony expressing gratitude and honoring the lineage of spiritual masters (gurus) who have been "the custodians of the knowledge of the Self." In Hinduism, the guru is considered to be the embodiment of God himself.
PRIEST-SCHOLAR SLAMS WORSHIP OF BAAL
In comments to Souls and Liberty, Catholic priest and eminent scholar of Hinduism, Fr. Victor Borde, confirmed that the worship of the Shiva lingam was indeed the veneration of "Shiva's phallus which is supposed to be inserted in the yoni (vagina), the stone underneath."
"Yes, you can compare it to Baal worship, particularly since before entering a Shiva temple people have to worship a bull which is at the entrance of every Shiva temple," Dr. Borde, author of The Purusha Suktam: An A-Religious Inquiry Into a Sacred Text, explained.
" ... you can compare it to Baal worship, particularly since before entering a Shiva temple people have to worship a bull which is at the entrance of every Shiva temple."
Borde clarified how "some sects regard the pillar itself as a realistic depiction of the lingam or phallus, which does not symbolize fertility or sexuality, but rather the refined energetic principles of Urdhva Retas (ascent of vital energies or fluid), the upward flow of energy in spiritual pursuits and practice of celibacy (Brahmacarya), contrary to fertility or release of vital energies."
"But even they believe the Shiva lingam to be the phallus, which is not disputed," he emphasized.
NUNS WORSHIP ANDROGYNOUS GOD OF DESTRUCTION
Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and is a member of the Hindu holy trinity, along with Brahma and Vishnu. In is association with time, Shiva is worshipped as both the destroyer and creator. He is frequently portrayed as an androgynous half-male and half-female human symbolizing the union of Shiva and his consort in one body.
Devotees of Shiva believe that there is a mysterious or indescribable power (Shakti) in the lingam, which is said to induce concentration of the mind and help focus one's attention. The phallus is venerated as a symbol of fertility and of Shiva's creative power.
The phallus is venerated as a symbol of fertility and of Shiva's creative power.
It is a common Hindu tradition for couples to touch and give offerings to the lingam, while praying to Shiva and Parvati (Shiva's consort), in order to improve their fertility.
A legend linking Shiva to fertility tells of the deity ejaculating when he sees Vishnu in the form of Mohini, a seductive goddess. His semen is collected and used by Vayu, the god of wind, to artificially inseminate a monkey, who subsequently gives birth to Hanuman, a monkey god.
BAAL WORSHIP IN ANCIENT ISRAEL
The Canaanite worship of the bull-deity Baal in ancient Israel was part of a fertility ritual, where men entered the Baal temple and had sex with temple prostitutes in the hope that Baal was watching and would be aroused by the act of copulation.
In the ancient agrarian worldview, Baal was expected to ejaculate his semen in the form of rain which would provide fertility to the fields.
The Israelite God Yahweh condemns the worship of Baal and all forms of syncretism with the Baal cult in the strongest possible language, especially through the Hebrew prophets. One reason Yahweh ultimately banishes Israel and later Judah into exile is for the worship of Baal.
Worship of Baal signified not only idolatry, but also the fact that the Israelites failed to put their trust in Yahweh alone for the fertility they needed for their fields, wives and cattle.
"Dhyanalinga is a profound meditative space that does not subscribe to any particular belief or faith and requires no ritual, prayer, or worship. A powerful and unique energy form, Dhyanalinga creates the possibility for every human being who comes within its sphere to experience life in its totality," a press release from the organizers stated.
The FSPM nuns are dedicated to "bearing radical witness to the values of the kingdom of God and rendering selfless service to the poor and needy, sick and suffering," as well as "to empower(ing) the marginalized people, especially women, through the process of Education, Profession and Liberation."
The religious order comprises 822 sisters in 149 communities working in 40 dioceses in India, Italy, France, Zambia and Ireland.
Dr. Jules Gomes, (BA, BD, MTh, PhD), has a doctorate in biblical studies from the University of Cambridge. Currently a Vatican-accredited journalist based in Rome, he is the author of five books and several academic articles. Gomes lectured at Catholic and Protestant seminaries and universities and was canon theologian and artistic director at Liverpool Cathedral.
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