Questions about HInduism answered by a Hindu

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace;

Hi Sarada,
.
... I believe that these days there is so much mischief and evil going on in the world. So is there a God in human form right now? :?
.

also 1 related q:

how hindus will recognise god when he comes in human form ? Who was the god in human form after Lord Rama or Krishna ?

Is there anyone now ? If not why not ?

 

[Sarada]

i like hindu philosophy - or at least what i know of it. but as for the religion, i can't get past the caste system.

The caste system is actually a social construct rather than a religious one.
Albeit it has been in existence for thousands of years. Originally, it was means of categorizing people in the society according to their function. Thus, the varna system outlined the duties, responsibilities and rights of each group.

These categories were called Varnas, and were NOT hereditary. There were and are certain rules and standards of behaviour that apply to the varnas.

In the one of our religious scriptures, the Mahabharata, Yudhisthira, (a prince who represents righteousness) was questioned about what makes one a Brahmin. Yudhisthira, without hesitation, said that it is conduct alone that makes one a Brahmin.

In modern India, the caste system is becoming less and less important.

 

[Sarada]

Hi Sarada,

Thanks so much for ur answers .
So according to ur beliefs, God comes to Earth as a human... to make the Good win over the Evil. right? I believe that these days there is so much mischief and evil going on in the world. So is there a God in human form right now? :?

And also, I would like to know... what do the hindhu's believe will happen to a person after he dies? Do you believe there will be resurrection?

once again thank you for ur answers.

There are some that claim to be God in human form now. But it is not easy to prove. Hindus believe that we are all a part of God. When we say "Namaste" it means "I bow to God within you".

It becomes a matter of personal faith, whether you think that this sage or that leader is actually God in human form. As Hindus, we have a very tolerant attitude to this. If someone chooses to believe that a person is God, that is their right. However, the ultimate test is the test of behaviour and actions, and only the Supreme Absolute knows the truth. I personally have not met or heard of anyone that I believe to be God.

We believe in reincarnation and karma, which means that there is a cycle of birth and death in which we must be reborn until all of our good deeds have cancelled all of our bad ones. When this occurs, we achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birht and death, and we merge with the Supreme Reality.

 

[Sarada]

Salaam/peace;





also 1 related q:

how hindus will recognise god when he comes in human form ? Who was the god in human form after Lord Rama or Krishna ?

Is there anyone now ? If not why not ?

Lord Buddha was God in human form after Lord Krishna. We will not know for certain how to recognise God as a human being. It could be anyone. Therefore, we must treat each person with the same respect that we would show to God. "Namaste" means "I bow to God within you"

Some Hindus believe that one or another living person is God. I respect their right to feel that way, and I pray that they have not been mislead. I cannot refute their belief, either. But in my personal view, I have not heard of nor met anyone that I believe to be God incarnate.

As to the question of why? The answer is known only to the Supreme Absolute.

 

[sabah]

salam, great thread it gives me a chance to get to know more about the beliefs of others.

i have a question if you could answer it: i seen a programme about hindu beliefs and there was alot of people carryin out symbolic actions for things they wanted ie an increase in health or wealth, i didnt really understand the concept behind it, would u explain further.

thanks

 

[united]

would you say that the usage of idols may be a stepping stone to worship where idols are not neded.
would you also say that due to the lack of a better translation, the gods such as rama sita etc may be in actual facts pious people who called people towards God but were made into dieties themselves over a long period of time.

 

[snakelegs]

The caste system is actually a social construct rather than a religious one.
Albeit it has been in existence for thousands of years. Originally, it was means of categorizing people in the society according to their function. Thus, the varna system outlined the duties, responsibilities and rights of each group.

These categories were called Varnas, and were NOT hereditary. There were and are certain rules and standards of behaviour that apply to the varnas.

In the one of our religious scriptures, the Mahabharata, Yudhisthira, (a prince who represents righteousness) was questioned about what makes one a Brahmin. Yudhisthira, without hesitation, said that it is conduct alone that makes one a Brahmin.

In modern India, the caste system is becoming less and less important.

yes, in modern india - at least in the cities and among the growing middle class, castes are becoming less important. but i disagree that it is not hereditary.
btw, people are actually still getting killed in india for things like using the well of a higher caste.

 

[Sarada]

yes, in modern india - at least in the cities and among the growing middle class, castes are becoming less important. but i disagree that it is not hereditary.
btw, people are actually still getting killed in india for things like using the well of a higher caste.

Yes the caste system in India is hereditary; and yes, people are getting killed over caste issues. But that is a cultural phenomenon, not a religious one. It is sometimes difficult to separate cultural norms from religious ones, especially in the case of Hinduism, a religion that has been confined to a particular culture in one part of the world, and has only recently started gathering converts from different backgrounds.

Here is a link to a website which explains the caste system at length:

http://www.geocities.com/lamberdar/_caste.html

 

[Grace Seeker]

Namaste Grace Seeker,

you asked:



Yes, energy, potential energy, matter everything is God. Everything exists in God.

I find that Hinduism being a non-dual philosophy encompasses all of the so-called pairs of opposites, whereas the philosophy of the Abrahamic religions is dual in nature.

Hindus can easily accept "both and" in instances where Christians, Muslims, and Jews would say it must be "either or"

A common example that everyone can agree on is the question of fire. Is fire beneficial or harmful? The answer, of course, is that it is both. Fire is used to cook our food and provide warmth and light, but it can also be destructive if we come too close or let it get out of control.

I've noticed that. I don't know if you would say that Hinduism is relativistic, but I do notice that it has no absolutes in it.

 

[Sarada]

salam, great thread it gives me a chance to get to know more about the beliefs of others.

i have a question if you could answer it: i seen a programme about hindu beliefs and there was alot of people carryin out symbolic actions for things they wanted ie an increase in health or wealth, i didnt really understand the concept behind it, would u explain further.

thanks

Hindus are like most people, when we are in difficulties or in need, we pray to God for help. Hinduism is full of symbolic and elaborate rituals.

When we pray to an aspect or an avatar of God, we symbolically invite God as a guest. We shower God with all kinds of wonderful things, which we believe will make him/her happy. By doing so, we are also saying that I own nothing, everything I have is by Your Grace, and only for a time.

So if we wish to ask for something that we are in need of, be it health, adequate financial means, to mend a broken relationship, guidance, we ask in a ritualized way that we believe is honouring and respectful.

I have no experience as a Muslim, but when I was a Christian, I often prayed to God for help in my daily life.

 

[snakelegs]

Yes the caste system in India is hereditary; and yes, people are getting killed over caste issues. But that is a cultural phenomenon, not a religious one. It is sometimes difficult to separate cultural norms from religious ones, especially in the case of Hinduism, a religion that has been confined to a particular culture in one part of the world, and has only recently started gathering converts from different backgrounds.

Here is a link to a website which explains the caste system at length:

http://www.geocities.com/lamberdar/_caste.html

point taken. thanks.
namaste.

 

[Sarada]

would you say that the usage of idols may be a stepping stone to worship where idols are not neded.
would you also say that due to the lack of a better translation, the gods such as rama sita etc may be in actual facts pious people who called people towards God but were made into dieties themselves over a long period of time.

The pictures and statues that we use in our rituals and in our prayers are not idols. We do not worship these things. For us, they are symbols which help us not only to focus on certain aspects and attributes of God, but they also remind us of how we should behave in this world.

For example, Ram and Sita are examples of how we should conduct ourselves in this world, honourably, with dignity, and with love and compassion.

The picture of the Baby Krishna, reminds us that we need to be gentle. loving and tolerant with our children, and that we should enjoy them while they are young. Lord Shiva makes me think of meditation, Hanuman represents loyalty, etc.


From some perspectives that may be true. Not everyone believed that Ram and Sita were God during their time on earth.Believing that someone is an incarnation of God is a matter of faith. There is no test that can either prove it or disprove it. Naturally, when God takes form in a human body, He accepts the body's limitations, to some extent.

I would not ask you to believe that Ram and Sita were anything more than what you said. For me personally, it does not matter whether they existed or not (although I believe there is some historical evidence that they may have). What matters is the message and the lessons that these stories convey.

 

[Sarada]

I've noticed that. I don't know if you would say that Hinduism is relativistic, but I do notice that it has no absolutes in it.

If, by relativistic, you mean that there is no absolute truth, only truth relative to the individual, or to a particular time or culture, or both, then I would say, no. But I would say that we tend to be pragmatic, and we tend not to be authoritarian.

HIndus believe the Absolute Truth to be: " And when you have thus learned the truth, you will know that all living beings are but part of Me--and that they are in Me, and are Mine. "- Bhagavad Gita, Ch 4 vs 35.

BTW, there is a wonderful website containing a very good translation of the Gita:

http//www.asitis.com

We Hindus believe in the cause and effect of karma over many lifetimes: that you will eventually reap what you have sown. We have strong moral values, but it is not up to us to judge, condemn or meet out punishment from a religious perspective.That is left to karma and Bhagwan (Ishwar). Of course, from a societal point of view, we must maintain order and prevent chaos.

Hinduism shelters many different schools of thought under its umbrella. The main ones are:

the Arya Samaj, which worships only the formless aspect of God.

the Vaishnavites, who worship only Lord Vishnu and his Avatars such as Ram and Krishna.

the Shaivites, who focus mainly on Lord Shiva,

the Shaktiites, who worship mainly Durga Mata and Kali Mata, and

the Smartists, like me, who worship the five main aspects or attributes of Bhagwan. These are Lord Ganesha, all the forms of Devi (the female aspect of God), Lord Vishnu and his Avatars, Ram and Krishna, Lord Shiva and his Avatar, Hanuman-ji, and Surya Narayan, the Sun.

 

[rozeena]

in hinduism what is the purpose of us being created? and how many gods in total do you have?

 

[rozeena]

The pictures and statues that we use in our rituals and in our prayers are not idols. We do not worship these things. For us, they are symbols which help us not only to focus on certain aspects and attributes of God, but they also remind us of how we should behave in this world.


also where do you get their images/symbols from? eg, the elephant idol (sorry i dont know the name) that u worship, how do you know it is a elephant? n how can god look like something that he has created?

 

[Sarada]

Here is a comparison of Hinduism and Christianity, which I found at

www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/point/index.html

I think it might help to put things into perspective.

Although it has been taken from a Hindu website, the Christian viewpoint was written by the editors of 'Christianity Today'.

"Hindu-Christian Point-Counterpoint: Are all religions really one? Read this point-counterpoint and decide for yourself! This is a list of nine parallel aspects of theology from both faiths, e.g., the concept of Hindu liberation is compared with the Christian concept of salvation. A collaboration between the editors of Hinduism Today and the editors of Christianity Today (who wrote every word of the Christian beliefs), this comparison was printed in Christianity Today to give readers a better understanding of Hinduism."


http://www.himalayanacademy.com/basics/


(The above was added on Aug.21, 2007 to avoid any misunderstanding as to the source of the description of Christian beliefs)

Hindu Christian Point Counter Point

1) Christians believe that the Bible is the uniquely inspired and fully trustworthy word of God. It is the final authority for Christians in matters of belief and practice, and though it was written long ago, it continues to speak to believers today.

1) Hindus believe in the divinity of the Vedas, the world's most ancient scripture, and venerate the Agamas as equally revealed. These primordial hymns are God's word and the bedrock of Sanatana Dharma, the eternal religion which has neither beginning nor end.


2) Christians believe in one God in three persons. He is distinct from his creation, yet intimately involved with it as its sustainer and redeemer.

2) Hindus believe in a one, all-pervasive supreme being who is both immanent and transcendent, both Creator and Unmanifest Reality.

3) Christians believe that the world was created once by the divine will, was corrupted by sin, yet under God's providence moves toward final perfection.

3) Hindus believe that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.

4) Christians believe that, through God's grace and favor, lost sinners are rescued from the guilt, power and eternal consequences of their evil thoughts, words and deeds.

4) Hindus believe in karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds.

5) Christians believe that it is appointed for human beings to die once and after that face judgment. In Adam's sin, the human race was spiritually alienated from God, and that those who are called by God and respond to his grace will have eternal life. Those who persist in rebellion will be lost eternally.

5) Hindus believe that the soul reincarnates, evolving through many births until all karmas have been resolved,
and moksha, spiritual knowledge, and liberation from the cycle of rebirth, is attained.
Not a single soul will be deprived of this destiny.

6) Christians believe that spirit beings inhabit the universe, some good and some evil, but worship is due to God alone.


6) Hindus believe that divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotionals create a communion with these beings.

7) Christians believe that God has given us a clear revelation of Himself in Jesus and the sacred Scriptures. He has empowered by his Spirit prophets, apostles, evangelists, and pastors who are teachers charged to guide us into faith and holiness in accordance with his Word.

7) Hindus believe that a spiritually awakened master, or satguru, is essential to know the Transcendent Absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry and meditation.

8) Christians believe that life is to be highly esteemed but that it must be subordinated in the service of Biblical love and justice.


8) Hindus believe that all life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice ahimsa, "noninjury."

9) Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate and, therefore, the only sure path to salvation. Many religions may offer ethical and spiritual insights, but only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

9) Hindus believe that no particular religion teaches the only way to salvation above all others, but that all genuine religious paths are facets of God's Pure Love and Light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

 

[Sarada]

in hinduism what is the purpose of us being created? and how many gods in total do you have?

We are all jivanatmas, or living souls, part of the Paramatma, the Supreme Soul which is God. In God's "leela" or divine play, we experience material existence. As a result of taking birth as a physical being of flesh and blood, our pure nature, over lifetimes becomes covered with impurities. It is our purpose to remove those impurities by devotion to God, selfless service to all living beings (especially humans), meditation, pilgrimage, and right action. Having removed all of the impurities, we achieve Moksha, or liberation, and join once again with the Paramtma,

also where do you get their images/symbols from? eg, the elephant idol (sorry i dont know the name) that u worship, how do you know it is a elephant??

We do not worship an elephant idol. We worship an attribute or aspect of God which we visualize as having an elephant's head. One of the popular names of this attribute is Ganesha. Hindu pictures and statues are very symbolic. They are not meant to be taken literally. So, for example when you see a statue with 4 or more arms, it does not mean that we believe such a being actually existed. It is used to represent the immense power of God.

Here is a quote from: http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/ganesha/ which explains some of the symbolism of Ganesha or Ganapati.

"The most striking feature of Ganesha is his elephant head, symbolic of auspiciousness, strength and intellectual prowess. All the qualities of the elephant are contained in the form of Ganpati. The elephant is the largest and strongest of animals of the forest. Yet he is gentle and, amazingly, a vegetarian, so that he does not kill to eat. He is very affectionate and loyal to his keeper and is greatly swayed if love and kindness are extended to him. Ganesha, though a powerful deity, is similarly loving and forgiving and moved by the affection of his devotees. But at the same time the elephant can destroy a whole forest and is a one-man army when provoked. Ganesha is similarly most powerful and can be ruthless when containing (opposing) evil."

n how can god look like something that he has created?

We Hindus believe that, God, being all powerful can take any form he wishes.

I hope that answers some of your questions. No doubt, by my answer, I have raised more.

Salaam,

Sarada

 

[silkworm]

NAMASTE Sarada, I am here not to accuse any religion but just to seek knowledge, thanks for your great behavior, I hope we will get along fine, thanks again.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/ peace ;

Is it true that Hindus believe if u sin in this life, u will born again in the world as cat , dog or
rat ?????

 

[Sarada]

NAMASTE Sarada, I am here not to accuse any religion but just to seek knowledge, thanks for your great behavior, I hope we will get along fine, thanks again.

Namaste, Silkworm, I bow to God within you.

It is an honour to be given a chance to explain my views. My purpose here is to promote better understanding amongst people of all religions, and to share knowledge, both mine and yours. I believe that by understanding many different points of view, we achieve a personal growth that is not possible in any other way.

I am sure that we will get along fine. The people I have met on this forum are very respectful of me, I appreciate that very much, and I hope they feel that I return that respect to them.

Here is a "sloka" or quote from, I believe, the Rig Veda called Shanti Paath:


"Aum dow shanti,
Anta riksha gwam shanti,
Prithivi shanti, Rapah shanti,
Roshadaya shanti, Vanaspatay shanti,
Vishwa devah shanti, Brahma shanti,
Sarvagwang shanti, Shanti reva,
Shanti sama Shanti redhi.
AUM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH"


May there be peace in Heaven,
Peace in the Atmosphere,
Peace across the waters,
May there be peace on Earth,
May peace flow from herbs, plants and trees,
May all the celestial beings pervade peace,
May peace pervade all quarters,
May that peace come to us too.
MAY THERE BE PEACE PEACE PEACE