- The Word Hindu comes from the Sanskrit Word shindu, meaning river, or more specifically, the Indus River.
- There are appx. 790, 000, 000 Hindus worldwide.
- Thirteen percent of the world's population is Hindu.
- More than 80% of the people of India practice some form of Hinduism.
- Nepal, where 89% of the population is Hindu, is the only nation where Hinduism is the state religion.
- Approxiamently 1 million Hindus live in the United States, primarily in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area.
Hinduism and Christianity
- Hindu ism states that there are many gods, Christianity states that there is just one God. None of the Hindu gods are personal and you are free to pick the one or ones you want to worship.
- To Hindus, Brahma is the impersonal creator of the world. Brahman is the Universal Soul and ultimate reality. This is an example of "the force". Cristianity believes in the trinity.
- Reincarnation is how Hindus become one with the ultimate reality. Christianity believes that we live once and physically die once.
- Hindus believe that good works will ultimately save you. This is known as karma. People keep going through the cycle of reincarnation because their bad works outweigh their good works. When their good works are more then they will become onewith the ultimate reality. Christians believe that faith in Jesus Christ alone will save the unbeliever. Works is a byproduct of faith.
Recap
- Hinduism is a major world religion with no founder and no single creed or doctrine.
- The main goal of Hindu is to break free from the world as we see it to unite with the ultimate reality.
- Ancient Hindus believe in reincarnation, polytheism and the essential spiritual unity of humankind.
- The most important Hindu scriptures are the Vedas, composed over a thousand year period beginning in 1400b.c.
- The three main Hindu gods are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The preists of Brahma climbed to the top of the religous and social order and established the Hindu system of castes.
- The only way for the individual soul to unite with the Universal Soul is through reincarnation and karma.
- Moshka occurs when the individual soul finally unites with the Universal Soul. There are three ways to attain it: way of activity, knowledge or devotion.
- Understanding the beliefs of Hinduism can help you understand many other religions and belief systems of the world.
Discussion
1. How do we explain that there is no force that we absorb into and Christianity is true?
4 comments:
"It's just bad karma", "May the force be with you," etc. Our culture is influenced by Hinduism more that we think. Many of the rock groups of the seventies were into the "eastern religions". When I was in my early twenties, I just loved the Bee Gees...Brothers Gibbs. Once I saw their personal jet at the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. On the side of the plane in very big bold words was the name of the aircraft, SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN. Whoooo...my eyes were opened. After that, no more Bee Gees.:) I'm sure that Christ was pleased with my decision. Paul McCartney, "My Sweet Lord," very popular song, (and many Christians loved it, ignorantly), was sung to McCartney's lord, Krishna. Louis and I have a friend from Slidell, who was saved out of the Krishna movement. She lived on the Krishna farm in Carriere, MS. Her stories are wild! She gave her testimony at our church about 15 years ago when we first came to Robert. If you ever hear me tell my husband that I am walking "5 steps behind him with my head down...", you'll know I got that from my friend, LyNell DeBin, who was REQUIRED to walk behind her husband, “5 steps behind him with her head down”. Sorry, I would not be a very good Krishna. All the “chanting, yoga, and transcendental meditation” is just weird! Furthermore, I'll take "grace and favor of the Lord" any day over "karma or the force"!
How do we explain these forms of Hinduism...just live what we preach and let the Holy Spirit do the explaining.
Oops, not Paul McCartney, George Harrison sang, "My Sweet, Lord." Wrong Beatle:(
Hinduism does not have the historical proof that Christianity has for one thing. The Bible has been "backed up" by historical proof for some people who need that. Also,how do they explain Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the grave?? Only the Savior would and could do that! Also, my God is a personal God who cares about all of us! I would explain to them that he loves and cares for them and wants to have a relationship with them, if they just believe with their hearts! I think, like Charlotte said, the Holy Spirit will guide. We just need to keep praying for these people and use the opportunity, when and if we get it, to share Christ with them! Many of them just haven't heard the truth of Christ!
A little late...but better late than never.....You know I've come to a conclusion after reading the other religions to now.....Christianity is the easiest and most believable religion out there. It's so simple. You trust in Jesus as your Savior. This will automatically (or should) make you WANT to do the right things will no alterior motive. And once you die, you live in a perfect paradise with your Maker for eternity. Come on....who wouldn't want that. But instead the Hindus believe you keep coming back until you get things right!!!! That's a horrifying thought! I would probably be here several times. It's so comforting to know I don't have to be perfect in order to be "united" with my God!
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