Page 13 - Ashlar July-September 2019

O E G I N A L G R AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XV Issue II

spiritually awakened Moses broke the tablets Every civilization has practiced and performed
containing Ten Commandments into pieces rituals in various forms attracting the people to
pelting it on the floor. This was astringent act of pursue a religious or moral path and also to
warning to the people who have erred by have consolation in adverse times. Every
disobeying the commandment, “Thou shall not religion has its share of rituals in its working and
worship any other gods than me”. Symbolic faith formation. A ceremony or ritual is adopted
human sacrifice-of Jesus- is still practiced in by the society from other societies that were
Christian churches as a ritual for atonement of practicing a similar ceremony or ritual in a
sins. similar form. Very rarely a set of rituals or
Worshiping of several deities by various sects ceremonies are invented on a particular date
were prevalent in ancient India. Chanting and patented
Slokas and singing Bhajans in the presence of Freemasonry being an order of social fraternity
deities/temples and purification of the idols by has rituals in its teaching of tenets and
authorized priests are rituals practiced in principles to make a good man to a better
modern times. The psychological or spiritual person. The cardinal principle of Fatherhood of
awakening or alertness gained during the God and Brotherhood of man and ethical
ceremonies definitely enhance the good values like Brotherly love, Truth and Charity are
feelings of the devotee yearning for peace and imparted in the proceedings by rituals and
tranquility in his daily life. The devotees derive ceremonies practiced in the order. Ritual is the
consolation and solace after completion of the means by which the knowledge, moral lessons
ceremonies and rituals and return to his , masonic love and traditional histories are
ordinary life with a rejuvenated mind set-up passed to each new candidate in progressive
after ensuring the spiritual encounter at the holy degrees. A prescribed manner of performance
temple. Animal sacrifices once practiced in of rites and ceremonies in an elaborate way is
India was abolished and banned after ritualistic followed. Through the symbolic rituals we seek
reformation was carried out by Brahmin priests the media to pass from darkness into light, from
by adopting self-sacrifice of Atman. This may conjecture to truth, from substitutes to the
be a turning point to adopt non-violence and genuine.
banish animal slaughter. Rituals are performed only at the lodge
The Sheng (Chinese dynasty)had used the meetings and it is the important means to
rites to gain the good offices of the ancestors impart structure, contents and appreciation of
and Gods. It became more important to perform its values. A candidate/initiate partakes in the
the rituals precisely and beautifully .when they ritual enabling him to educate himself in the
were perfectly executed something magical principles through the solemn ceremonies.
occurred within the participants that gave them This education opens the door to self discovery
intimations of divine harmony. The rituals were of meaning and essence of earthly existence. .
well performed beautifully and still had a Ritual is primarily important in so far as it is the
profound effect on the participants, but a few means by which Freemasonry is explained,
tough minded critics were beginning to lose although more important is what is explained.
their faith in their magical efficacy. Yet the Though there are certain improvements made
response to this growing crisis would be more in the ritual contents , it has not changed the
ritual- not less. original and fundamental purpose of ritual
According to the English Illustrated Dictionary within Freemasonry. Simply put , without ritual
the word-Ritual is defined as “Prescribed order Freemasonry would not be Freemasonry.
of performing religious service, book containing Freemasonry as we know today has had its
this, performance of ritual acts; a religious or rituals recorded from the beginning of the 18th
solemn ceremony involving a series of actions century. No single man compiled our ritual.
performed according to a set order. Originally it developed from the ceremonies of
Rituals are a part of the culture of the society. the Operative Masons. There is evidence that

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