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Hinduism
Intro
Aum - also spelled "Om," in Hindu thought this image represents a sacred sound.
Origins
Originated in India. Hindu means "dwellers by the Indus River." No single founder.
It was only towards the end of the 18th century that European merchants and colonists began to refer
to the followers of Indian religions collectively as Hindus. The term Hinduism was introduced into the
English language in the 19th century to denote the religious, philosophical, and cultural traditions native
to India.
3rd largest religion in the world.
Nehru, the first prime minister of free India was once asked to define Hinduism. He replied, "Hinduism is
all things to all men."
Core Beliefs
The Hindu belief is that gods or divinities can take many forms, but all form one universal spirit
called Brahman.
The three most important representations of Brahman:
- Brahma, the creator of the universe
- Vishnu, the preserver of the universe
- Shiva, the destroyer of the universe.
Belief in reincarnation of the soul, i.e. rebirth after death.
The conditions of one's present life are due to karma, i.e. accumulated good or bad behavior in
past lives. One improves one's conditions through good behavior and creates suffering for
oneself through bad behavior.
Eventually the soul will achieve moksha, or salvation, and stop the cycle of rebirths to become a
part of the absolute soul.
Paths to salvation are called the margas (a means to accomplish something):
- The Way of Action: performing social obligations and offering selfless service, religious
ceremonies, rites.
- The Way of Knowledge: studying and cultivating an intellectual understanding into one's
identity with Brahman.
- The Way of Devotion: devotion to one's personal god.
- The Royal Road: not as widely recognized as the three outlined in the Bhagavad Gita, this path
uses meditation and yoga techniques to gain insight into the absolute soul that resides within
one's self.
There are multiple sects, theologies, and beliefs in Hinduism, and there is no single book of
doctrine, but many.
It is an inclusive religious group, allowing for much diversity.
Religious texts:
The Vedas are the primary literary works, containing sacred verses and hymns composed in
Sanskrit and taking on their current form around 1500 B.C.
Rig Veda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.
Two other important texts are the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Pilgrimages and festivals are common in Hinduism.
Deepavali or Diwali – festival of lights. New Year's celebration, lighting of ceremonial lamps.
The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance,
good over evil, and hope over despair.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." – John 8:12
Differences with Christianity:
Term
Hinduism
Christianity
God
Impersonal
Personal (1 John 4:8)
Humanity’s Problem
Ignorance
Moral rebellion (Romans 3:10-11)
The Solution
Liberation from illusion and ignorance
Forgiveness of sin and reconciliation
with the personal holy God
The Means for the
Solution
Striving to detach oneself from the separated
ego and seeking to be aware of one’s unity
with the divine through self effort.
Trusting in the completed and
substitutionary work of Jesus Christ
(Romans 4:5; Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Outcome of the
Solution
Merge into the Oneness; the individual
disappears
Eternal fellowship with God; the
person is fulfilled in a loving
relationship with God (John 17:3).
Jesus
One among many gods and/or avatars.
God the Son (John 1:1; 8:24).
Number of gods
Many
One (Isaiah 43:10; 44:8)