Prostration
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
, 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.
, 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
).
, 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 genuflection
s for those who are unable to genuflect.
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 icon
s. 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.
, eight-limbed (ashtanga pranama) and five-limbed (panchanga pranama) prostrations are included in the religious ritual of puja.
, prostrations (sujud) are used to praise, glorify and humble oneself in front of God
(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. Additionally, the thirty-second chapter (sura
) of the Qur'an
is titled As-Sajda
h ("The Prostration") (See ), 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.
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.
It is also important to note that in Islam, prostration to any one but God 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 the Creator, not to creatures. Regardless of the circumstances, no Muslim should request, or even accept, it from others.
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.
, the Tanakh
and Talmud
ic 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.
, 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.
, 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.
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.
, particularly in the Shotokai
and Kyokushin
styles of Karate
, it is a form of extreme spiritual discipline.
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
.
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.
Traditional religious practices
Baha'i Faith
In the Bahá'í FaithBahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
, a single prostration is performed in place of each missed obligatory prayer
Obligatory Bahá'í prayers
Obligatory Bahá'í prayers are prayers which are to be said daily by Bahá'ís according to a fixed form decreed by Bahá'u'lláh. Prayers in the Bahá'í Faith are reverent words which are addressed to God, and refers to two distinct concepts: obligatory prayer and devotional prayer . The act of 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.
Buddhism
In BuddhismBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, prostrations are universally used to build confidence to and gratitude for the gifts of the Triple Gem:
- the Awakened One (SanskritSanskritSanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
/PaliPáli- External links :* *...
: BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
) (in this meaning, to own potential) - his teaching (Sanskrit: DharmaDharmaDharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
; Pali: Dhamma) - his community (SanghaSanghaSangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as "association" or "assembly," "company" or "community" with common goal, vision or purpose...
) of noble disciples (ariya-savaka).
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
tantric
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
preliminary practice of a 100,000 prostrations as a means of overcoming pride (see Ngöndro
Ngöndro
Ngöndro refers to the preliminary, preparatory or foundational 'practices' or 'disciplines' common to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and also to Bön...
).
Christianity
In ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican churches use prostrations during the imposition of Holy Orders
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
, Religious Profession
Profession (religious)
The term religious profession is defined in the 1983 Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church in relation to members of religious institutes as follows:By religious profession members make a public vow to observe the three evangelical counsels...
and the Consecration of Virgins
Consecrated virgin
In the Catholic Church a consecrated virgin is a woman who has been conscrated by the church to a life of perpetual virginity in the service of God. Consecrated virgins are to spend their time in works of penance and mercy, in apostolic activity and in prayer, according to their state of life and...
. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, prostrations ("profound bows") can be used in place of genuflection
Genuflection
Genuflection , bending at least one knee to the ground, was from early times a gesture of deep respect for a superior. In 328 BC, Alexander the Great introduced into his court etiquette some form of genuflection already in use in Persia. In the Byzantine Empire even senators were required to...
s for those who are unable to genuflect.
Full prostrations, lit., "low bows" (zemnoy poklon
Zemnoy poklon
Poyasny and zemnoy poklon are different kinds of bows used in an Eastern Orthodox worship service....
) are common in Eastern Orthodox worship, and are used in conjunction with the Sign of the Cross
Sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross , or crossing oneself, is a ritual hand motion made by members of many branches of Christianity, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of a trinitarian formula....
, at specific moments during the services and when venerating
Veneration
Veneration , or veneration of saints, is a special act of honoring a saint: an angel, or a dead person who has been identified by a church committee as singular in the traditions of the religion. It is practiced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic, and Eastern Catholic Churches...
relics or icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
s. However, the use of full prostrations is traditionally discouraged on the Lord's Day
Lord's Day
Lord's Day is a Christian name for Sunday, the day of communal worship. It is observed by most Christians as the weekly memorial of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is said in the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament to have been witnessed alive from the dead early on the first day of...
(Sunday), during Paschaltide (Easter season) and on Great Feasts of the Lord. During Great Lent
Great Lent
Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important fasting season in the church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Pascha . In many ways Great Lent is similar to Lent in Western Christianity...
, and Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, 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
Latria
Latrīa is a Latin term used in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theology to mean adoration, a reverence directed only to the Holy Trinity. Latria carries an emphasis on the internal form of worship, rather than external ceremonies.-Catholic teachings:In Catholic teachings, latria also applies...
), such as the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, one's spiritual father or one-another when asking forgiveness
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. The Oxford English Dictionary defines forgiveness as 'to grant free pardon and to give up all...
(in particular at the Vespers
Vespers
Vespers is the evening prayer service in the Western Catholic, Eastern Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies of the canonical hours...
service which begins Great Lent
Great Lent
Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important fasting season in the church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians for the greatest feast of the church year, Pascha . In many ways Great Lent is similar to Lent in Western Christianity...
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.
Hinduism
In HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, eight-limbed (ashtanga pranama) and five-limbed (panchanga pranama) prostrations are included in the religious ritual of puja.
Islam
In IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, prostrations (sujud) are used to praise, glorify and humble oneself in front of God
God in Islam
In Islamic theology, God is the all-powerful and all-knowing creator, sustainer, ordainer, and judge of the universe. Islam puts a heavy emphasis on the conceptualization of God as strictly singular . God is unique and inherently One , all-merciful and omnipotent. According to the Islamic...
(Allah), and are a vital part of the five obligatory prayers performed daily; this is deemed obligatory for every Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
irrespective of the prayers being performed individually or in congregation. Additionally, the thirty-second chapter (sura
Sura
A sura is a division of the Qur'an, often referred to as a chapter. The term chapter is sometimes avoided, as the suras are of unequal length; the shortest sura has only three ayat while the longest contains 286 ayat...
) of the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
is titled As-Sajda
As-Sajda
Surat As-Sajda is the 32nd sura of the Qur'an with 30 ayat. Surah As-Sajda has a prostration in it.According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir said,...
h ("The Prostration") (See ), 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.
According to a Hadith
Hadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
(collection of oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
)(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.
It is also important to note that in Islam, prostration to any one but God 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 the Creator, not to creatures. Regardless of the circumstances, no Muslim should request, or even accept, it from others.
Jainism
In JainismJainism
Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...
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.
Judaism
In JudaismJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, the Tanakh
Tanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
and Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic texts as well as writings of Gaonim and Rishonim
Rishonim
"Rishon" redirects here. For the preon model in particle physics, see Harari Rishon Model. For the Israeli town, see Rishon LeZion.Rishonim were the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately during the 11th to 15th centuries, in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and...
indicate that prostration was very common among Jewish communities until some point during the Middle Ages. In Mishneh Torah
Mishneh Torah
The Mishneh Torah subtitled Sefer Yad ha-Hazaka is a code of Jewish religious law authored by Maimonides , one of history's foremost rabbis...
, 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
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
as did Yemenite Jews
Yemenite Jews
Yemenite Jews are those Jews who live, or whose recent ancestors lived, in Yemen . Between June 1949 and September 1950, the overwhelming majority of Yemen's Jewish population was transported to Israel in Operation Magic Carpet...
during the Tachanun
Tachanun
Tachanun or , also called nefillat apayim is part of Judaism's morning and afternoon services, after the recitation of the Amidah, the central part of the daily Jewish prayer services...
part of regular daily Jewish prayer until somewhat recently. Ethiopian Jews traditionally prostrated during a holiday specific to their community known as Sigd
Sigd
Mehlella also Amata Saww or in is popular name Sigd is one of the unique holidays of Beta Israel community. Celebrated in 29th Cheshvan....
. 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.
Sikhism
Sikhs prostrate in front of Guru Granth SahibGuru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
, the holy scripture of the Sikhs. Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib as their living Guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
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
Rehras
The rehras sahib is the evening prayer of the Sikhs. It is recited at the end of a working day. Its purpose is to add energy to one's being and living environments...
) will prostrate upon the completion of prayers and the Ardaas
Ardas
The Ardās is a Sikh prayer that is done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis ; or completion of a service like the Paath , kirtan program or any other religious program. In Sikhism, these prayers are also said before and after eating...
, 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.
Other contexts
Hawaii
In ancient HawaiiAncient Hawaii
Ancient Hawaii refers to the period of Hawaiian human history preceding the unification of the Kingdom of Hawaii by Kamehameha the Great in 1810. After being first settled by Polynesian long-distance navigators sometime between AD 300–800, a unique culture developed. Diversified agroforestry and...
, a form of prostration known as kapu moe
Kapu
Kapu refers to the ancient Hawaiian code of conduct of laws and regulations. The kapu system was universal in lifestyle, gender roles, politics, religion, etc. An offense that was kapu was often a corporal offense, but also often denoted a threat to spiritual power, or theft of mana. Kapus were...
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.
Imperial China
In Imperial China, a form of prostration known as a kētou was used as a sign of respect and submission.Japan
In JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
the name of the prostration used is kowtow
Kowtow
Kowtow is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to have one's head touching the ground. An alternative Chinese term is ketou, however the meaning is somewhat altered: kòu originally meant "knock with reverence", whereas kē has the general meaning of "touch upon ".In Han...
in English but in Japanese pronounced Dogeza
Dogeza
is an element of Japanese manners by kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself as touching one's head to the floor. It is translated into English as "prostration" or "kowtow". It is used to show deference to the most highly-revered high-class person, as a deep apology and to...
was used as a sign of deep respect and submission for the elders of a family and the Emperor.
Martial arts
Shugyo in martial artsMartial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
, particularly in the Shotokai
Shotokai
is the organisation formed originally in 1930 by Gichin Funakoshi to teach and spread the art of karate . The organization still exists and promotes a style of karate that adheres to Funakoshi's teachings, in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate...
and Kyokushin
Kyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
styles of Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, it is a form of extreme spiritual discipline.
Yoga
In modern yogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
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
Sadhana
Sādhanā literally "a means of accomplishing something" is ego-transcending spiritual practice. It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Sikh , Buddhist and Muslim traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives.The historian N...
.
Yoruba "Doba'le"/"Ikun'le"
In traditional and contemporary YorubaYoruba Culture
Yoruba culture refers to the idiosyncratic cultural norms of Yorubaland and the Yoruba people.-Sculpture:The Yoruba are said to be prolific sculptors, famous for their magnificent terra cotta works throughout the 12th and 14th century; artists also harnests their capacity in making artwork out of...
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
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
, particularly in Brazil and Cuba.