Prostration is the placement of the body in a reverentially or submissively prone position. Major world religions employ prostration either as a means of embodying reverence for a noble person, persons or doctrine, or as an act of submissiveness to a supreme being or beings (i.e. God or Gods). Within various cultures and traditions, prostrations are similarly used to show respect to civil authorities and more accomplished masters. The act is thus often an important part of religious, civil and traditional rituals and ceremonies.
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Many religious institutions (listed alphabetically below) use prostrations to embody the lowering, submitting or relinquishing of the individual ego before a greater spiritual power or presence.
In the Bahá'í Faith, a single prostration is performed in place of each missed obligatory prayer while saying "Glorified be God, the Lord of Might and Majesty, of Grace and Bounty". However, if unable to do so, saying "Glorified be God" is sufficient.[1]
In Buddhism, prostrations are universally used to build confidence to and gratitude for the gifts of the Triple Gem:
In addition, different schools within Buddhism use prostrations in various ways, such as the Tibetan tantric preliminary practice of a 100,000 prostrations as a means of overcoming pride (see Ngöndro).[3]
In Christianity, the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches use prostrations during the imposition of Holy Orders, Religious Profession and the Consecration of Virgins. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, prostrations ("profound bows") can be used in place of genuflections for those who are unable to genuflect. The prostration is always performed before God, and in the case of holy orders, profession oder consecration the candidates prostrate theirself in front of the altar which is a symbol of Christ.
Full prostrations, lit., "low bows" (zemnoy poklon) are common in Eastern Orthodox worship, and are used in conjunction with the Sign of the Cross, at specific moments during the services and when venerating relics or icons. However, the use of full prostrations is traditionally discouraged on the Lord's Day (Sunday), during Paschaltide (Easter season) and on Great Feasts of the Lord. During Great Lent, and Holy Week, prostrations are especially encouraged in all the Eastern Churches (see Prayer of St. Ephraim). Orthodox Christian will also make prostrations in front of people (though in this case without the Sign of the Cross, as it is not an act of veneration or divine worship), such as the bishop, one's spiritual father or one-another when asking forgiveness (in particular at the Vespers service which begins Great Lent on the afternoon of the Sunday of Forgiveness.) Those who are physically unable to make full prostrations may instead substitute metanias (bows at the waist). Orthodox churches (Oriental Orthodox Churches) also prostrate during daily prayers. Syrian Orthodox Christians prostrate, or should, during all daily prayers, except on days which the Holy Liturgy is celebrated.
In Hinduism, eight-limbed (ashtanga pranama) and five-limbed (panchanga pranama) prostrations are included in the religious ritual of puja.
In Islam, prostrations (sujud) are used to praise, glorify and humble oneself in front of (Allah), and are a vital part of the five obligatory prayers performed daily; this is deemed obligatory for every Muslim irrespective of the prayers being performed individually or in congregation.[4][5][6] Additionally, the thirty-second chapter (sura) of the Qur'an is titled As-Sajdah ("The Prostration") (See 32:1 (Translated by Yusuf Ali)), while the Arabic word Sujood (also meaning prostration) appears about 90 times in the Qur'an, a fact which many Muslim scholars claim to be another example of its significance in Islam.[6]
According to a Hadith (collection of oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of Muhammad)(Sallahu Alih e Wa Aalihi Wasalam) report in the Ibn Majah, Muhammad(Sallahu Alih e Wa Aalihi Wasalam) is reported to have said that 'The prayer (Salaah) is a cure for many diseases', and in another Hadith he is also said to have advised people to perform prostration calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease.[5]
It is also important to note that in Islam, prostration to any one but (Allah) is absolutely forbidden. Prophet Muhammad(Sallahu Alih e Wa Aalihi Wasalam) himself strictly prohibited Muslims from prostrating before him, because prostration should only be performed to (Allah), not to creatures. Regardless of the circumstances, no Muslim should request, or even accept, it from others.
In Jainism also, there is a great importance of Prostration especially when a devotee is in the temples or in front of high souls. It represents nothing but surrendering of ego.
In Judaism, the Tanakh and Talmudic texts as well as writings of Gaonim and Rishonim indicate that prostration was very common among Jewish communities until some point during the Middle Ages. In Mishneh Torah, the Rambam states full prostration (with one's body pressed flat to the earth) should be practiced at the end of the Amidah, recited thrice daily. Members of the Karaite denomination practice full prostrations during prayers. Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews prostrate during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as did Yemenite Jews during the Tachanun part of regular daily Jewish prayer until somewhat recently. Ethiopian Jews traditionally prostrated during a holiday specific to their community known as Sigd. Sigd comes from a root word meaning prostration in Amharic, Aramaic, and Arabic. There is a movement among Talmide haRambam to revive prostration as a regular part of daily Jewish worship.
Sikhs prostrate in front of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs. Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru and the unchanging word of God, thus by prostrating Sikhs present their head to their Guru, awaiting command, which is taken in the form of a Hukamnama, a random opening of Guru Granth Sahib to reveal a edicet for the individual or congregation. Sikhs call the prostration "Mutha Tekna" (meaning placing down the forehead) Whenever and however many times a Sikh is in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib he/she will prostrate, usually upon initial sight of Guru Granth Sahib and then upon leaving the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs in their personal worship (morning Nitnem and evening Rehras) will prostrate upon the completion of prayers and the Ardaas, direction of prostration is not important as Sikhs believe in the omnipresence of God, however if it is an option Sikhs will usually prostate in the direction in which Bani(books containing the word of God e.g. Gutka Sahib or Pothi Sahib)is kept. Other prostrations practiced by Sikhs (those with Indian culture) are touching of the feet, to show respect and great humility (Normally done to grandparents, uncles, aunts, and people of older age.) However full prostration is only reserved for Guru Granth Sahib, as prostration is considered to be the ultimate act of physical humility and veneration.
Outside of traditional religious institutions, prostrations are used to show deference to worldly power, in the pursuit general spiritual advancement and as part of a physical-health regimen.
In ancient Hawaii, a form of prostration known as kapu moe required all to prostrate in the presence of a nīʻaupiʻo or a piʻo chief on the pain of death. The only people exempt from this were chiefs of the next grade the naha and wohi chiefs who were required to sit in their presence. Other Polynesian group are known to practice this.
In Imperial China, a form of prostration known as a kētou was used as a sign of respect and submission.
In Japan the name of the prostration used is kowtow in English but in Japanese pronounced Dogeza was used as a sign of deep respect and submission for the elders of a family and the Emperor.
Shugyo in martial arts, particularly in the Shotokai and Kyokushin styles of Karate, it is a form of extreme spiritual discipline.
In modern yoga practice, "sun salutations" (sūrya namaskāra) are a regular part of practitioners' routines. Such a practice may be used for both maintaining physical well-being and spiritual attainment.
In traditional and contemporary Yoruba culture, younger male family and community members greet elders by assuming a position called "doba'le". The traditional, full Yoruba prostration involves the prostrator lying down almost prone with his feet extended behind his torso while the rest of his weight is propped up on both hands. This traditional form is being replaced by a more informal bow and touching the fingertips to the floor in front of an elder with one hand, while bending slightly at the knee. The female form of the greeting is the "ikun'le", a form of kneeling where the younger party bows to one or both knees in front of an elder relative or community member. Both gestures are widely practiced; to not perform them would be considered ill-mannered.
Modified versions of both greetings are also common in traditional Yoruba religious and cultural contexts in the African Diaspora, particularly in Brazil and Cuba.