Phallic worship

[Antibush5]

I don't know where this should really go, since it spans a fair few religions. But if you do this sort of thing? How are you okay with it? Did it take time for you to become comfortable with the idea?

 

[Riverwolf]

Do you mean deliberate worship of phallic symbols, or worship through symbols that are sometimes considered phallic?

 

[Antibush5]

Both, I can't remember if the shivalinga is meant to seem phallic or is.

 

[Many Sages One Truth]

Well the Egyptian god Min, who is actually a form of Horus, is sort of phallic. He's depicted with a huge penis, which it's said was to make men humble. No man could boast before the manhood of god.

 

[xkatz]

Both, I can't remember if the shivalinga is meant to seem phallic or is.

I don't know but you should look into Lingayatism if your interested in the Shiv Ling.

 

[Antibush5]

I don't know but you should look into Lingayatism if your interested in the Shiv Ling.

I'm not really interested in phallic worship, its just some elements of my religion have phallic symbols and I feel uncofortable around them and want to see how to get used to it.

 

[Riverwolf]

Both, I can't remember if the shivalinga is meant to seem phallic or is.

One of its aspects is; it's just not how I see it most of the time. For me, it's primarily representative of the Formless; the idea that all other Murthis (images used in worship) are of humans or animals or something of definite form, yet this one is just an oval.

As a phallic symbol, the Linga is placed in a Yoni, which represents the feminine. I have no problem with this sort of imagery, or seeing the Linga in this manner. However, some might say it's an incorrect interpretation.

I think if I ever was uncomfortable with this sort of thing (I honestly can't remember), I probably would have gotten over it simply by becoming more secure with sexuality in general, and it does help that for me, sex is a sacred thing, anyway.

 

[Vinayaka]

The lingam is not phallic; its a mark. I have no idea (well I do but I don't want to denigrate other faiths here) how this idea came into being. This is a degrading interpretation of an ancient ancient method of worship. in fact, one o the most important lingams on the planet is made of ether. (at Chidambaram)

 

[Marble]

I always thought Lingam & Yoni are an ancient representation of the unity of masculine and feminine, much like the Yin-Yang symbol.

 

[earlwooters]

I've never heard of this God, Phallic. What exactly was he supposed to be? Exactly?

 

[Marble]

I've never heard of this God, Phallic. What exactly was he supposed to be? Exactly?

Phallic symbols, not a god named Phallic. :biglaugh:
Here is an example from Hinduism, the Shiva Linga:

 

[Vinayaka]

A good Saiva (worshippers of Siva) explanation here: shiva lingam - A Glorious Worship

Seems to me we should ask people of same religion questions about that religion. In other words, who would know best but Saivas.

 

[K.Venugopal]

Does the effect of worship upon man differ according to the object he chooses to worship? That is, does worshiping a phallic symbol make a man have a different experience than if he worshipped, say, a statue of Buddha?

 

[Falvlun]

I'm not really interested in phallic worship, its just some elements of my religion have phallic symbols and I feel uncofortable around them and want to see how to get used to it.

Well, I would think the first step is finding out what those symbols mean and why your religion honors them. As others have pointed out, phallic symbols can display power and serve to humble people. And when coupled with a feminine symbol, they can show unity, the continuation of life, the contrast and necessity of two parts of a whole.

Also, what particularly about them makes you uncomfortable? Are they that graphic? Is it the patriarchal undertones? Or can you just not get passed the idea that it's a penis?

I agree with Riverwolf. Getting more comfortable about sexuality in general will probably aid in dissipating your discomfort with the symbols. But, more importantly, focus on the meaning of the symbols rather than their outward form.

 

[Riverwolf]

A good Saiva (worshippers of Siva) explanation here: shiva lingam - A Glorious Worship

Seems to me we should ask people of same religion questions about that religion. In other words, who would know best but Saivas.

Normally, you'd have a point, but sometimes members of a certain religion, especially one like Saivism that stretches back to antiquity, and has had to endure many outward changes due to changing cultural mindsets, may forget some aspects of their symbolism. I personally fail to see how considering the Linga as a phallic symbol could be degenerating, but that's just me. It's most certainly not the primary meaning of the Linga.

 

[Riverwolf]

I agree with painted wolf. Getting more comfortable about sexuality in general will probably aid in dissipating your discomfort with the symbols. But, more importantly, focus on the meaning of the symbols rather than their outward form.

I'm RIVER wolf!! :slap:

 

[Azekual]

You have to admit, being the leader of a religion centered around this would be..... loaded with fringe benefits.

 

[Falvlun]

I'm RIVER wolf!! :slap:

Fixed!

 

[Vinayaka]

Normally, you'd have a point, but sometimes members of a certain religion, especially one like Saivism that stretches back to antiquity, and has had to endure many outward changes due to changing cultural mindsets, may forget some aspects of their symbolism. I personally fail to see how considering the Linga as a phallic symbol could be degenerating, but that's just me. It's most certainly not the primary meaning of the Linga.

I've sat in front of a fairly large number of lingams in my day and I can honestly say I am drawn within to meditative states that have absolutely nothing to do with phallic worship. Quite the opposite in fact. But I doubt that many here would get that. Some days I don't.

Just because you personally fail to see it as insulting doesn't mean that should be true of anyone else. I don't find a caricature of Muhammed insulting, but I sure know Islamists do. We cannot judge what is insulting for someone else. If someone says they're insulted, then they're insulted.

What I find even more insulting is how westerners like Michael Witzel and Wendy Doniger can spew out misinformation about my religion which I love so dearly can get away with it and even be accepted as scholars.

I repeat: The siva Lingam is not a phallic symbol. Its a mark of God. Anybody wishing to interpret it that way is just plain wrong. Its a sexual hung up Victorian era western interpretation that is just another attempt to make Hindus look inferior and silly. But as the saying goes, you do have the right to be wrong.

 

[atanu]

Shiva is Auspicious. Lingam is the indicatory mark. 'lingam' word is used in sanskrit very often. Shiva lingam is the indicatory mark for everything that is auspicious. Mahanarayana Upanishad is an upanishad that distills the worship rituals of Vedas. A passage from Mhanarayana Upanishad explains what actually Shiva linga is.

Mahanarayana Upanishad

XVI-1: [By these twenty-two names ending with salutations they consecrate the Sivalinga for all] – the Linga which is representative of Soma and Surya, and holding which in the hand holy formulas are repeated and which purifies all:​

Nidhanapataye Namah ![Salutations to the Lord of the dissolution of the universe !]​

Nidhanapataantikaya Namah ![Salutations to the end-maker (Yama who is responsible for the death of all creatures) !]​

Urdhvaya Namah ! Salutations to the Most High standing at the head of the categories which evolve into the universe !]​

Urdhva-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to the principle of Sadasiva embodying the power of Intelligence !]​

Hiranyaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is beneficial and charming to creatures !]​

Hiranya-Lingaya Namah ! Salutations to Him, He who is visualized as the Linga made of gold !]​

Suvarnaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is endowed with attractive splendour !]​

Suvarna-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is of the form of Linga made of suvarna (silver) !]​

Divyaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is the source of bliss in heaven !]​

Divya-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is worshipped as the divine emblem !]​

Bhavaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is the source of the cycle of birth and death !]​

Bhava-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is worshipped as the Linga by human beings !]​

Sarvaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is the suppresser of the universe at the time of final dissolution !]​

Sarva-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who has the shape of the Linga emblem of Sarva, who gives bliss !]​

Shivaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is most auspicious !]​

Shiva-Lingaya Namah ![Salutations to Him, He who has the form of Sivalinga !]​

Jvalaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who has the form of a flaming splendour !]​

Jvala-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who has the form of the brilliant Linga !]​

Atmaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is the Spirit - Atman - dwelling in all creatures !]​

Atma-Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is concealed in the heart of all creatures being their inmost Self !]​

Paramaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is unsurpassed !]​

Parama Lingaya Namah ! [Salutations to Him, He who is the Supreme Lord of bliss and liberation indicated by the Linga emblem !]​