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The Christian & Other World Religions Hinduism Maranatha Bible Church Adult Sunday School Mantra DHARMA YOGA MEDITATION KARMA THESE ORIGINATED WITH OR ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HINDUISM 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 2 Demographics of Hinduism ~950M to 1.4B Hindu’s Approximately 1M Hindu’s in North America Hindu’s Primarily In These Areas 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 3 Hinduism - Origins • The name Hindu comes from the original name of the country – “hind” which was an ancient Persian term for India – Others say it is derived from the Indus River and Indus Valley which is modern day Pakistan • The overall beliefs and practices that make up what is now called Hinduism originated around 4,000 years ago in northwest India • There is no single founder of Hinduism • During 600 - 500 BC, the Brahmins were at the height of their power and controlled all Hindu religious rituals when the lower caste revolted – This led to the breakaway faiths of Buddhism and Jainism 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 4 Hinduism - Origins • Hinduism evolved out of a complex gathering of Indian ideas and ancient cultural beliefs • Many scholars believe that Dravidians of the Hohenjo-Daro civilization were overrun by the more aggressive Aryan people from ancient Persia and the amalgamation of these cultures led to the polytheism and animism that is the basis of what developed into Hinduism • Over time, this Indo-Aryan culture developed a stratification that led to the present day caste system of India (dying out today to some degree) – – – – Brahamins – Teachers/Priests Kshatriyas: Warriors, nobles, and Kings (Military and rulers) Vaishyas: Farmers, merchants, and businessmen Shudras: Servants and labourers (peasants) • Hindus and scholars debate whether the so-called caste system is an integral part of Hinduism sanctioned by the scriptures or an outdated social system 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 5 Hinduism – Definitions • Brahmin – the Hindu word for Ultimate Reality – the source of all things that permeates all things • Samsara – The Hindu belief that one’s immortal soul is continuously reborn (reincarnation) • Karma – A Sanskrit word that means, “actions” and conveys the notion that one’s moral choices have a direct impact on one’s quality of life in this life and future incarnations • Moksha – The goal of Hinduism. This refers to the liberation or release from the endless cycle of reincarnation (samsara). Some liken this to being in the presence of God, others see it as a kind of merging with the Ultimate, as a drop of water is absorbed into the ocean • Action – performing one’s religious duties and thus obtaining blessing • Knowledge – seeking for the meaning of life through meditation and realization of fundamental unity between the external Brahman and the internal atman, or divine self • Devotion – worshipping certain deities and becoming one with them • Dharma – The ethical, dutiful “way of living” by following dietary laws, observing the expectations of the caste system, and participating in sacrifices and rituals 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 6 Hinduism – Deities • Hinduism has both one God and at the same time – many gods – The one God – Brahman – is a trimurti (show below) • Brahma – the creator • Vishnu – the preserver • Shiva – the destroyer Temple carving at Hoysaleswara temple representing the Trimurti: Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 7 Hindu Deities There are 33 main deities according to the Veda – these are considered 33 facets of the one god - Brahman Hindu’s are encouraged to pray to an image as a way of finding help in worship. Hindu gods are meant to bring peace and ward off evil spirits Worship of these deities is carried out in Temples or in the home – nearly every Hindu home has a shrine that takes up a whole room or corner of a room 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 8 Hindu Scriptures Upanishads – supplement The Vedas. They consist of Over 100 books containing Stories, conversations, and Wise sayings ATHARVA YAJUS SAMA RG Veda means Wisdom – there are four (4) Vedas consisting Of Hymns and Prayers The accumulated treasury Of spiritual laws were transmitted Orally for many centuries before They were written down in two great works Called Vedas and the Great Epics 5/24/2017 There are Two (2) Great Epics which Consist of (1) Ramayana – mythical Stories about rulers and wars of ancient India and (2) Mahabharta – Scriptures And Hymns, including the most popular Hindu Scripture – the Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad - the Song of the Blessed Lord – endorses the Hindu belief of “bhakti” – devotion to a particular god as a way of achieving salvation WRC-MBC-NJB 9 Hinduism – Basic Beliefs and Practices • The quest for internal knowledge (finding God within through meditation) is extremely important • Hindu worship consists of worshipping one or more deities, often represented by stone and wood idols – Worship consist of prayer, meditation, breathing exercises (yoga), and chanting the “om” syllable before and after all prayers, and reading of the scriptures (Veda, and the Great Epics) • Yatra, pilgrimages, are sometimes undertaken to the religious cites and holy sites culminating in ritualistic bathing in holy rivers such as Ganges, Jumna, and others. – This practice of bathing is believed to effectively wash away one’s sins and garner the blessing of the deities. 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 10 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response PANTHEISM / PANENTHEISM / MANY GODS There is both one God (Brahman) and yet many gods EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE Only one God – triune in character and person Exo. 20:3; Deut. 5:7; Psalm 96:5) Idol worship is prohibited by God – We worship only Him and Jesus Christ Leviticus 26:1, Acts 17:16 God created all things for his glory – but is not IN all things I Cor. 8:1 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 11 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response THE ULTIMATE REALITY The ultimate reality is when one’s self is merged with the divine – This takes place by finding this knowledge within one’s self EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE God is our reality along with His Son Jesus Christ – Heaven, Hell, Earth are Real, along with knowing what God wants us to do on earth and in eternity (Col. 1:15-18) We do not find reality by looking within – this is what Satan deceived Eve with In the garden of Eden and men have been deceived with ever since (Gen 3:1-5) We can find reality only by clinging to Him – the vine and source of all knowledge And relying on His reveal Word (John 1:1) 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 12 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response REINCARNATION - SAMSARA Life is a cycle of birth-life experiences – death – rebirth until the self is emptied of desire and at one with the divine EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE God created mankind to live only once and die only once – Hebrews 9:27 Jesus Christ was not reincarnated time and again – only came to earth once As a baby – and died once – as our Savior (Hebrews 9:28) We will be raised from the dead but with new bodies – to eternal life / death As the case may be based on our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior We are to fill our selves with the Holy Spirit – not with ‘emptiness’ (Gal. 5:16-25) 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 13 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response KARMA – The total of an individual’s acts in this Life which determine his destiny in the next life Until Nirvana / the Ultimate Reality is reached EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE Our works are not worth anything in God’s site – due to being sinners (Romans 3:9-20) It is only on the basis of God’s mercy and grace we can be saved (Eph 2:8-9) God would not have had to send His Son to be crucified if we could work our way Into Heaven 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 14 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response DHARMA – The law of Moral Order which must be found and followed by each person who wishes to attain Nirvana EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE The Mosaic Law was given to show us the utter hopelessness of meriting God’s favor or Heaven by our works or self and shutting us up solely to God’s grace (Romans 3:27-28) Only when we received Jesus Christ as Savior and are indwelt with His Spirit can we perform the good works he prepared before hand and be morally acceptable in his sight. (Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:16-25) 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 15 Key Hindu Concepts and Christianity’s Response PATHS TO MOKSHA – The liberation from Samsara and reunion with Brahman Three paths: Dharma – Works Inana – Knowledge Bhakti – Passionate devotion EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITIES RESPONSE Works, knowledge, or devotion will not get a person to heaven Only faith / trust in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the Cross will save (John 1:12-13, 3:16) Gentiles seek knowledge and the preaching of the cross is foolishness (I Cor.1:20-25) Passionate devotion is not the same as putting your trust / faith in the finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and accepting it for your personal self 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 16 Cedar Rapids Gazette Article Hinduism on Faith vs. Reason The question is asked about The final word – faith or reason? Hinduism, based on the philosophy of Vedanta, maintains that it is neither faith nor reason, but the experience that is the sure source of knowledge and the ultimate validity of religious truth 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 17 The Unexpected Journey – Hinduism Chapter 3 (p47) In the story, what were the major points in his background • Dr. Ravi was born into a wealthy family – 2nd highest in the caste system • Ravi contracted Polio – and his family built temples and prayed to gods to cure him – but nothing happened • The lack of an answer from their gods eventually led to his family considering him a burden – having bad karma in a previous life – No forgiveness in Karma and no innocent suffering • Ravi ran away from home – because he could not stand the guilt of thinking his sins caused him to be born with polio • An Christian crossed paths with Ravi one day and shared the Gospel with Ravi – Through Adam sin came upon the human race – God loves us and we have obtained forgiveness through Jesus Christ and the cross – God has a special purpose for our life and uses even our disabilities for His Glory 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 18 The Unexpected Journey – Hinduism Chapter 3 (p47) What caused this Ravi to turn to Jesus Christ? What happened after being saved? • The Hindu gods not answering their prayers to heal him • Coming across a Christian who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him • The reading of God’s Word – Psalm 27:10 – had a major impact on his life • He went to Christian boarding school – where his physical needs and emotional needs for love and acceptance were provided for – and he heard God’s Word – Romans 3:23, Isaiah 45:22, John 3:15, Romans 10:13 • After trusting Jesus Christ, his family totally disowned him – Ravi had to find forgiveness in his heart just as God has forgiven us • Forgiveness and prayer for them resulted in them being saved as well 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 19 The Unexpected Journey – Hinduism Chapter 3 (p47) What can we learn from this person’s testimony about witnessing to Hindu’s? • Establish a relationship with them • Don’t be afraid to have fellowship with them in a social manner • Be open and honest with them – if you mess up, admit it • Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their beliefs and how they worship • Ask about how they feel regarding the results of their prayers or rituals regarding their life and hope for achieving the ultimate state • Share with them your testimony and the scriptures regarding God’s love, forgiveness, straightforwardness of salvation • Make sure they have truly put their trust in the One True Living God and abandon their other gods – Christianity is not polytheistic 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 20 Homework • Homework for next time - Unitarianism: – Read Chapter 9 (p141) – “A Humble Approach to God” • • • • What was your overall reaction to this account? What were some of the experiences this man faced? Did they help or hinder his acceptance of Jesus Christ? How has God used this man after his conversion to further the Kingdom of God? • How can we apply these lessons / experience in our witnessing for Christ to those of the Hindu faith? 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 21 References • Eckel, Malcolm David. Great World Religions: Buddhism, The Great Courses, Religion, Chantilly, VA.: The Teaching Company, 2003. • New American Standard Bible Edition : Fourth Copyright : Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Electronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 2003, QuickVerse, a division of Findex.com, Inc. • Pollack, Robert. The Everything World’s Religions Book, Avon, MA.: Adams Media, An F+W Publications Company, 2002. • Ridenour, Fritz. So What’s The Difference? – A look at 20 Worldviews, Faiths, and Religions and how they compare to Christianity, Ventura, CA.: Regal Books, 2001. • Wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism: Accessed December 30, 2009. • World Religions Made Easy, John Hunt Publishing, Peabody, MA.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999. 5/24/2017 WRC-MBC-NJB 22