Final answer:
Von Furer-Haimendorf suggests that the process of becoming a priest is contingent upon the religious tradition, with Christians typically requiring formal education, while Hindu priests need to be proficient in Sanskrit and Hindu ceremonies. Despite these formalities, there is an underlying belief that all baptized Christians hold a spiritual priesthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Von Furer-Haimendorf states that in different religious traditions, there are various qualifications for becoming a priest. In general, becoming a priest involves a high level of specialization and commitment to religious practices and beliefs. Priests act as intermediaries between the divine and humans, necessitating substantial authority and power within religious communities.
In Christian contexts, becoming a priest usually requires completing a formal higher education program. For Hindu priests, known as pujari, mastery of the sacred language Sanskrit and proficiency in Hindu ceremonies is required, along with adherence to lifestyle restrictions such as a vegetarian diet. Traditionally, this role was reserved for men of the Brahmin caste, though this is changing to allow other castes and women to join the priesthood.
The excerpts also highlight that in certain extreme situations, the formal rites of ordination could be bypassed if believers elect someone among themselves to perform priestly duties, and that every baptized Christian has a spiritual priesthood. However, in the ordinary structure of the Church, priests are formally trained and ordained to serve their communities.