Methodology based on symbols in sacramental rites : an anthropological and phenomenological discussion on the symbolic functions and religious experience in myths, rituals and sacrifices based on Louis Dupré's works with reference to Indian religious traditions and Syro-Malabar sacramental rites

摘要

Preface…………………………………………………………………………………..…i Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………iiiBibliography……………………………………………………………………………….xGeneral Introduction………………………………………………………………...xxxviiiChapter OneThe Role Of Symbols In Christian LivingThe Significance and Role of Religious Symbols and Religious ExperienceIntroduction...................................................................................................................... 11. The Symbolic Forms: Its Nature And Task ............................................................... 21.1. Cassirian Symbolic World and its Manifestations................................................... 21.1.1. Symbolic Creativity of the Human Spirit ......................................................... 31.1.2. Cultural Patterns in Symbolic Forms................................................................ 41.2. The Symbolic Forms And Religious Attitude ......................................................... 51.2.1. The Phenomenological Approach in Studying Religious Symbols.................. 51.2.2. Phenomenological Vicinities of Religious Attitude ......................................... 71.2.3. Symbolic Theory of Culture ............................................................................. 81.3. Polyvalence of Symbol ............................................................................................ 91.3.1. Definition and Relevance of the Symbol ........................................................ 101.3.2. Features and Types of Religious Symbol ....................................................... 111.4. Dupré’s understanding of symbol.......................................................................... 121.4.1. Dupré’s Proposal in New Keys....................................................................... 131.4.2. Understanding the Reality: Its ‘Form’ in Symbolic Representation............... 151.4.3. Divine Form in Symbolization........................................................................ 161.4.4. Represention in Symbols ................................................................................ 171.4.4.1. Representation: Idol and Icon .................................................................. 181.4.4.2. Theological Aspect of Symbolization...................................................... 191.4.4.2.1. Rahnerian ‘Symbol’ Theory..........................................................................191.4.4.2.2. Aesthetic Symbol ..........................................................................................211.4.4.2.3. Hermeneutics: Metaphoric Process...............................................................211.4.4.2.4. Sacred and Profane in Symbolization ...........................................................221.4.4.3. Religious Attitude Making Symbolic Forms ........................................... 231.4.4.3.1. Symbolic Forms and Subjective Response ....................................... 231.5. Sign and Symbol.................................................................................................... 241.5.1. Sign and Symbol in Sacramental Sense.......................................................... 251.5.2. Integrating Capacity of Religious Symbols .................................................... 271.6. Hermeneutical Approaches in ‘Symbol’ Studies................................................... 291.6.1. Socio-cultural Patterns in Symbolic Action.................................................... 301.6.2. Biblical Hermeneutical Advancement of Symbols......................................... 321.6.3. Typological and Sacramental Approach......................................................... 331.6.4. Mystical Approach.......................................................................................... 342. The Symbolic Expressions In Mystical Experience ................................................. 34iv2.1. Inwardness in Religious Experience...................................................................... 362.1.1. Inwardness a Personal Option......................................................................... 362.1.2. Inward Journey and Communal Commitment................................................ 372.2. Symbolic Nature in Apophatic Mysticism............................................................. 382.2.1. Apophatic Mysticism and Revival of Christian Identity ................................ 392.2.2. Negative Theology and Image Mysticism ...................................................... 392.2.3. Symbolization of Eckhartian Mystical Thinking............................................ 412.2.4. Trinitarian Spirituality .................................................................................... 442.3. Mystical life an Ethical Commitment .................................................................... 452.4. East-West Synthesis in Religious Experience ....................................................... 482.4.1. Breaking Contexts in Theology of World Religions ...................................... 492.4.2. Religious Experience in Hindu Worship and Symbolisms............................. 492.4.2.1. Cultural Adaptations of Religious Experience ........................................ 512.4.3. Monistic Mysticism: Meister Eckhart and Advaita Vedanta.......................... 512.4.3.1. Inward Thread in Eastern Mystical Cord................................................. 532.4.4. Dharma in Indian Mystical Symbolism. ......................................................... 543. Religious Experience And Sacramental Life............................................................ 553.1. Regaining ‘the Transcendence’ in Sacramental Symbols...................................... 553.2. Mystical Encounter and Ecclesial Life .................................................................. 563.2.1. Materializing Divine Love in Ecclesial Life................................................... 573.2.2. Contemplative in Action and Sacramental Life.............................................. 583.2.3. Aesthetics of Revelation in Form and Splendour ........................................... 593.2.4. Aesthetics of Mystical Life............................................................................. 613.3. Christian Life Perfected in Mystical Experience ................................................... 62Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 63Chapter TwoThe Symbolic Activity Of Rituals In Ordering The WorldInvestigating the Significance of Rituals and their Symbolic Communication inSacramental and Liturgical Rites Inviting RenewalsIntroduction.................................................................................................................... 651. Ritualistics In Ordering A Community’s Worldview And Ecclesial Identity....... 661.1. The Naïve Forms in Developed Religions............................................................. 681.2. Ritual: Cultural and Historical Context ................................................................. 691.2.1.What is Ritual? Its Characteristic of Ordering................................................. 701.2.1.1. Efficacy of Ritual..................................................................................... 701.2.2. Ritual: Its Process of Symbolization............................................................... 721.2.2.1. Ritual Symbolization of Mythopoeic Thought ........................................ 731.2.2.2. ‘Meaningfulness’ of Ritual in Cultures.................................................... 741.2.2.3. Religious and Social aspects of Ritual Symbolization ............................ 761.3. Ritual: Its Process Socialization ............................................................................ 771.3.1. Socialization through Religious Ordering ...................................................... 791.3.2. Ritual: In Making Harmony and Difference................................................... 80v1.3.3. Rites of Memorials, Feasts and Ceremonies................................................... 821.3.4. Dupré on Ritual: ‘Ordering in Transcendence’ .............................................. 831.4. Ritual: As Medium of Communication ................................................................. 851.4.1. The Linguistic Tool in Ritual Utterances and Chants..................................... 851.4.2. Ritual: Socio-linguistic Rhetoric..................................................................... 871.4.3. Artefacts and Ritual Dance ............................................................................. 881.5. Space and Time: A Cosmic Relatedness of Ritual ................................................ 891.5.1. Ritual Space .................................................................................................... 891.5.1.1. Space Meeting ‘The Other’...................................................................... 901.5.1.2. Ritual Space in Worships......................................................................... 911.5.1.3. Space-making in ‘Ritual Architectural Events’ ....................................... 931.5.1.4. Space of Sacramental Living ................................................................... 941.5.1.5. Ekklesia an Expression of Local Community.......................................... 951.5.1.6. Architecture in Transcending the Spatiotemporality ............................... 961.5.2. Sacralization of Time...................................................................................... 981.5.3. Sacramental and Liturgical Space-time ........................................................ 1001.5.3.1. The New Temporality in Sacred Time................................................... 1001.5.3.2. The Eastern Liturgical Time .................................................................. 1011.5.3.3. The East Syrian Sacred Space................................................................ 1021.5.4. Cosmic Relatedness ...................................................................................... 1031.5.4.1. Cosmic Relatedness and Vedic Ritual Symbols .................................... 1041.5.4.2. Rituals Safeguarding Social Duties ....................................................... 1051.5.4.3. Cosmic Worship in Symbols Pratīkopāsanā .......................................... 1061.5.4.4. Body as Temple in Upanishad ............................................................... 1072. Possibilities Of Ritualizing In The Juncture Of The Liturgical And SacramentalRenewals ........................................................................................................................ 1082.1. Ritualizing: Reinventing Ritual Praxis ................................................................ 1082.1.1. Ritualizing Ordinary Drama of Human Life................................................. 1092.1.2. Rites in Transitions or of Passage................................................................. 1112.1.2.1. Dynamics (schéma) of Individual/Social Transitions............................ 1112.1.2.2. Transitions in Bodily Rituals ................................................................. 1132.1.2.2.1. Bodily Ritual in Biblical and Sacramental Contexts. ..................... 1152.1.2.3. Transitions from Individuality into Communitas .................................. 1172.2. Reinvestigating the Liturgical Rituals ................................................................. 1192.2.1. Researching and Interpreting the Liturgical Ritual-Praxis ........................... 1202.2.1.1. ‘Participant Observation’ ....................................................................... 1212.2.1.2. Ritual Healing ........................................................................................ 1232.2.2. Rite in Ritualizing ......................................................................................... 1232.2.3. Revisiting the Cosmic Connectedness of Sacramental Signs ....................... 1252.2.4. Revival of Rites and Sacramental Actions.................................................... 126Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 127viChapter ThreePersistence Of Myth As Symbolic FormUnderstanding the Symbolic Link between Myth, Language, Art and SacrificeWithin Sacramental RitesIntroduction................................................................................................................... 128Part OneMyth: Its Nature and Scope in Symbolization1. Preponderance Of Myth........................................................................................... 1291.1. Function of Myth as Cultural Form ..................................................................... 1301.2. Myths in Ordering World .................................................................................... 1301.3. Mythical Rituals in Mediation of ‘Primitive’ ...................................................... 1321.4. Myth: Participant in Scientific Symbolic Network.............................................. 1331.4.1. Myth: Process of Reflection and Individuation ............................................ 1341.4.2. Mythical Thought of ‘Primitive’ in Transition ............................................. 1351.4.3. Primitive Mind ‘Without Writing’................................................................ 1361.4.4. Integrating and Structuring Capacity of Myth .............................................. 1361.5. Could Myth Survive as Religious Symbol?......................................................... 1371.5.1. Mythical Remnants in Religious Dogma...................................................... 1391.5.2. Demythologisation Process of Hebrew Religious Traditions....................... 1401.5.3. Mana: Between the Sacred and Profane ....................................................... 1401.5.3.1. Mana in Hindu Religious Context. ........................................................ 1411.5.3.2. Mana: Is Demythologised in Biblical Allusions? .................................. 1421.6. Myth and Language in the Symbolic Process...................................................... 1431.6.1. Myth as Agent of Cultural System................................................................ 1441.6.1.1. Crisis and Promise of Culture ................................................................ 1461.6.2. Language in Formatting Cultural Pattern ..................................................... 1471.6.2.1. Language forming World Perspective ................................................... 1491.6.2.2. Language Symbol Making Tool ............................................................ 1491.6.2.3. Language in Religious Representation .................................................. 1501.6.3. Hermeneutical Approach to Myth and Traditions ........................................ 1501.6.3.1. Interpreting Traditions ........................................................................... 1511.6.3.2. Liturgical Linguistic Traditions ............................................................. 1531.7. Mythical-linguistic symbolization in Word and Name........................................ 1531.7.1. ‘Word and Name:’ Religious Symbol........................................................... 1541.7.2. ‘Word and Name’ From Myth to Religion ................................................... 1561.7.2.1. Biblical Allusions to ‘Word and Name’ ................................................ 1571.7.2.2. Word and Name in Psalms and Liturgical Hymns................................. 1581.7.2.3. ‘Name and Word’ in Spiritual and Ideological Framework. ................. 1591.8. Myth and Rites of Passages ................................................................................. 1601.8.1. ‘Naming’ in Rites of Initiation...................................................................... 1601.8.2. ‘Naming’ in Christian Initiation.................................................................... 1612. Aesthetic Symbolisation Of Myth............................................................................ 1612.1. Mythical Aesthetics and Beauty of Revelation.................................................... 162vii2.2. Theological Aesthetics Transcending .................................................................. 1632.3. ‘Christening’ of the Mythical Consciousness ...................................................... 1642.3.1. Religious Myth Leading to Transcendent..................................................... 1652.3.2. Formless Light in Myths............................................................................... 1662.3.3. Narratives in Sacramental Rites.................................................................... 167Part TwoSacrifice and its Symbolic Dimension1. Sacrifices In Religious Traditions............................................................................ 1681.1. Sacrifice of Purusha ............................................................................................. 1691.2. Sacrificial Meal Gift and Communion................................................................. 1701.2.1. Sacramental Meal and Communion.............................................................. 1711.3. Mythical Ritual of Atonement: Penance and Forgiveness................................... 1722. Primitive Christian Rites And Sacrificial Elements .............................................. 1732.1. Sacrificial Elements of Christ’s Sacrifice in Relation to Eucharist ..................... 1732.1.1. Offering in Sacrifice ..................................................................................... 1732.2. Substitutional Character and Christ’s Sacrifice ................................................... 1742.3. Sacrificial Offering and Redeeming Blood.......................................................... 1752.4. Sacrifice of Christ in Apostolic and Patristic Tradition....................................... 1762.4.1. Sacrifice in Pauline Thought......................................................................... 1773. Eucharist As Memorial Of Christ’s Sacrifice ........................................................ 1793.1. Eucharist: As Sacrifice and Symbolic Event ....................................................... 1803.1.1. Eucharist as Sacrifice: Offering and Meal .................................................... 1803.1.1.1. Eucharistic Narrative and Offering as Sacrificial Elements .................. 1813.1.2. Self-giving in Christ’s Sacrifice.................................................................... 1823.1.3. Eucharistic Offering as Sacrificial Oblation ................................................. 1833.1.4. Eucharist: Transcending ‘Mythical’ and ‘Primitive’ .................................... 1843.2. Christian Rites: Religious and Cultural Adaptation............................................. 1853.2.1. Inculturation: Multi Religious Faceted Direction ......................................... 1863.2.2. Judicious Call for Cultural Encounters ......................................................... 1863.2.3. Worship and Inculturation in Eastern Traditions.......................................... 1873.2.4. Syro-malabar Sacramental Rites and Indian Cultural Elements................... 189Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 191Chapter FourCommunity In Worship, Tradition And CultureThe Symbolic Approaches and Traits in Sacramental Praxis of Syro-Malabar Rite ofEast Syrian ChurchIntroduction................................................................................................................... 1931. Revisiting Sacramental And Liturgical Rituals ..................................................... 1931.1. Streamlining the Anthropological Dimensions.................................................... 194viii1.1.1. The Symbolic Efficacy of Sacramental Rituals ............................................ 1951.2. The Symbolic Task of Sacramental Rites............................................................ 1961.3. The Anthropological Turn in Sacramental Renewals.......................................... 1971.3.1. Restoration in Sacramental and Liturgical Praxis in New Keys................... 1991.4. Renewed Concerns in Sacramental Praxis........................................................... 2001.4.1. Sacraments Rooted in Human Phenomena ................................................... 2011.4.1.1. Sacraments in Historical Derivation ...................................................... 2021.4.2. Sacraments: Being Sign and Symbol............................................................ 2031.4.3. Sacraments As Mediation ............................................................................. 2051.4.4. Sacraments: Symbolic Acts of ‘Eventing Grace’ ......................................... 2051.4.4.1. Ecclesia Locus of Mediating ‘Events in Grace’ .................................... 2071.4.4.2. Church as Sacred Space Mediating Eventing Grace.............................. 2081.4.4.3. Linguistic Symbol Active in ‘Word’ Eventing Grace ........................... 2091.4.5. Ritualizing the Body: Mediating ‘Events of Grace’ ..................................... 2101.4.5.1. Sacraments: Rites in Social Setting as ‘Sign of Community’................ 2111.4.5.2. Sacramental Body Ritualized................................................................. 2121.4.5.3. Sacramental Bodily Ritual into “koinonia” ........................................... 2131.4.5.4. Eucharist as Mediating Symbol of Fellowship ‘Koinonia’.................... 2141.4.5.5. Sacramental Rites Delimits Marginalization and Fulfils koinonia ........ 2151.5. Sacramental Rites as Transforming Grace........................................................... 2151.5.1. Musical Harmony in Sacramental Rites ....................................................... 2162. Symbolization In Sacramental And Liturgical Theological Conduits................. 2172.1. Eastern Tradition and Its Role in Symbolization................................................. 2172.1.1. Persian-Indian Religious and Cultural Links................................................ 2182.1.2. Patristic and Ecclesial Traits......................................................................... 2192.1.3. Linguistic Relationship ................................................................................. 2202.1.4. ‘Law of Thomas’ Symbolizing Worship, Tradition and Culture.................. 2212.2. East Syrian Sacramentology ................................................................................ 2232.2.1. Typology as Symbolic Tool.......................................................................... 2232.2.2. Sacramental Universality of the Incarnated Word........................................ 2242.2.3. Creation as Partaking in Salvific Event ........................................................ 2262.3. Liturgical Rites and Its Symbolization ................................................................ 2262.3.1. Standing with Risen Lord ............................................................................. 2272.3.2. Sanctuary Veil............................................................................................... 2272.3.3. Sacramental Symbolism of Rāza .................................................................. 2282.3.3.1. Celebrations of Mysteries ...................................................................... 2292.3.4. St. Thomas Cross in Symbolization.............................................................. 2302.3.4.1. Reverence of the Cross .......................................................................... 2312.3.4.2. Veneration of the Cross as Popular Piety .............................................. 2332.4. The Feasts: As Anthropological and Liturgical Rituals....................................... 2342.5. Symbolism of ‘East’ ............................................................................................ 2352.6. Icon in Eastern Liturgical Tradition..................................................................... 2362.6.1. Idol as Function of the Gaze ......................................................................... 2372.6.2. From Metaphysical Idols to ‘Iconic’............................................................. 2382.6.3. Icon: Invisibility Provoking .......................................................................... 2392.6.4. In Iconology New Eucharistic Theology ...................................................... 240ix3. Symbolization Of Sacramental Rites ...................................................................... 2403.1. The Christian Initiation Rites............................................................................... 2413.1.1. Initiation Rites Sanctifying the Christian Life .............................................. 2413.1.2. Cosmic Order and Sanctification through Baptism at Jordan....................... 2423.1.3. Naming in Baptismal Rites ........................................................................... 2433.2. Symbolisms in the Eucharistic Celebration ......................................................... 2453.2.1. Anamnesis of ‘Leavened Bread’................................................................... 2463.3. Ritual Symbolisms in the Celebration of Marriage ............................................. 2473.4. Participation of the Women ................................................................................. 2483.5. The Anointing of the Sick and the Last Rites ...................................................... 249Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 250General Conclusion....................................................................................................... 252Résume........................................................................................................................ 252Implications…………………………………………………………………………..259