God speaks to the Hindus

Christians, particularly, are dead set on evangelizing Hindus, Buddhists and everyone else. But before we can be effective, perhaps we should first prepare and study how best to accomplish this. Failure is more likely when we go to battle ill-prepared. The best weapon is information. So let us first find out what these "pagans" are all about, shall we. 

The Buddhists have a saying: "A thousand monks, a thousand religions." This is true also for all other faiths, as well. Still, the Teachings of Hinduism presented below are, as far as it is known to this writer, according to the thoughts expressed by the principal proponents or founders inasmuch as, in many instances, the original concepts may have been changed according the varied interpretations of their less enlightened followers. In any case, the objectionable features in the teachings and in the practices which have resulted because of such changes should not be allowed to depreciate the value of the original concepts and teachings. 

Hinduism

In India, when the world was young some 4,500 years ago, the Vedas, the Indian Holy Scriptures, were prepared. Embodying the complicated combination of religious beliefs and social customs of the Indians, they later became the chief source of the teachings known in an earlier form as Brahminism and later on as Hinduism. The Hindus believe in personal gods. The most important among them are Brahma, the Father of All, Vishnu, the Preserver, and Siva, the Destroyer. They believe in the transmigration of souls, which teaches that at death, the soul transfers into some other creature, be it human or animal, as a direct consequence of one’s karma or the effects of one’s thoughts and deeds. This process continues until such time that the soul is able to attain to the state of Nirvana, and free itself from the rounds of rebirth, old age, disease and death.

Four Castes

As far as the human form of life is concerned, the Hindus believe in four progressive castes. These are the Brahmans or the priests, the Kshatriyas or the temporal rulers and soldiers, the Vaishyas or the merchants, artists and farmers and the Sudras or laborers. All who fall outside these four main groups are considered as outcastes or untouchables, the lowest of the low.

Four Goals

Hinduism lays stress on the need for self-realization and the awareness of deeper realities that overshadow our material and physical existence. Consequently, therefore, advocates of Hinduism believe that man has four basic goals in life.

The first and foremost goal is to attain to the union of Atman, the individual soul, with Brahman, the supersoul or God, which alone can bring eternal happiness.

Another important goal is the fulfillment of all normal human desires, including the enjoyment of a life of pleasure, even sexual pleasure. So, to the Hindus, there is no truth to the teaching that sex is evil. And to the Hindus, it is acceptable for a person to enjoy life’s pleasures. Many people feel, mistakenly, that sex and other worldly pleasures are bad for the soul. To the Hindus, however, these worldly pleasures are perfectly natural and should be experienced first before we can actually outgrow our desire for them and advance to the more spiritual goals in life.

A third goal is participation in economic activity and contribution to public welfare. Finally, these goals are to be pursued while one undertakes to live the right kind of moral or ethical life.

Four Stages of Life

In the pursuit of these goals, man enters into four stages of life. He first becomes a student who initiates studies mainly in preparation for the material aspects of life.

Then, he becomes a householder, at which stage, he is able to pursue three of the four goals, namely, a life of pleasure, participation in economic activity and right living.

Subsequently, as he advances in age, he might decide to retire and live the life of a hermit. Here, he withdraws from his business or professional activities. Likewise, he relinquishes direct family responsibilities and duties and enters a hermitage for further study of the more spiritual realities or otherwise engages in deeper reflections into the meaning of life. This is not a cop-out as some may think, but the hermit is withdrawing from his worldly involvements in order that he may be able to prepare himself for much greater service.

Finally, given the opportunity and the inclination, one could become a spiritual pilgrim, which is characterized by one’s complete renunciation of self and of all personal attachments, even family ties. After which, the pilgrim turns to a life of service to others. The pilgrim goes where God directs and helps whomever is worthy, all the while, trusting to divine providence by receiving needed material aid from those who are the recipients of his spiritual services. In every instance, however, such material aid comes to him never as a favor, but as a matter of right. In his travels, he promotes love and understanding. He provides guidance to all who ask and who are willing to listen by sharing the wisdom he has attained to over the years.

The Hindu Way to Salvation

Spiritual guidance is provided to the unenlightened through the Avatars or highly advanced beings under a system of discipleship whereby these Avatars, gurus or spiritual masters teach disciples or students the way towards their own salvation. According to these gurus, eventual salvation comes by way of:

1. Devotional service,
   
2. The accumulation of knowledge, or
   
3. The rendering of service to fellowmen or the accumulation of good karma.

For most people, however, who may not have the time or the desire to pursue their spiritual goals owing to their involvement in the primary material objectives such as earning a living, help and guidance are more conveniently sought through minor gods and goddesses, thus, the preponderance of personal gods to whom one can ask for special favors.
While this practice does not enable one to reach his eventual goal, he, at least, moves a step nearer to it. This suffices many, until the time comes, in their subsequent incarnations, that they are able to pursue the more spiritual goals directly to attain to their own salvation.

Reconciling Hindu and Christian teachings

Older than Christianity by 3000 years, Pantheism is actually the selfsame principle that Christ teaches us in his parable of the vine and the branches and his oneness with the Father and with us. St. Paul likewise elaborates on this important principle in his "one body of Christ" in Corinthians. Brahma, Siva and Vishnu correspond to the Holy Trinity, although not in the same exact sense. The worship of Krishna and other minor gods is equivalent to the Christian worship of Christ and the veneration of the saints. Transmigration and reincarnation was lumped into resurrection by the early Christians. The Hindu practice of devotion and meditation equate to Christian piety, contemplation and prayers.

The Hindu goal of accumulating knowledge or seeking enlightenment is a match to Christian spiritual education and mystic experiences. However, the church's insistence on the unquestioned acceptance of their dogmas is its own imposition, alone. Karma yoga is the same righteousness that Christ teaches us. While both publicly espouse the principles of personal responsibility and accountability for all thoughts and deeds, the Christian churches have by large measure nullified the strict application of this principle by demanding the blind obedience of their faithful to God according to the interpretations of their Catholic Magisterium and church edicts, and God's arbitrary granting of His divine mercy while Hindus can ask and may be granted special favors by their gods.

So therefore with only some slight modifications, Hinduism and Christianity are in effect saying the same things using different words and contexts.

So where is the evil in Hinduism?

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Buddhism in the Christian Context

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At about 600BC in India, the people were disillusioned with their religion. The religious authorities were degenerate and self-seeking and thought only of their own personal gain. And so, the people were turning away from their old beliefs. Since some people felt that animals were better than humans, they turned again to worshipping animals as gods.

The Story of Gautama

Into this world was born a prince, Siddharta Gautama, son of a warrior king, a high Hindu raja. Because of a prophecy that the son would be a prophet of great renown, the king, who desired so much that his son succeed him and inherit his kingdom, determined to do all things possible in order that the prophecy should not come true.

He decreed that Gautama be prevented from knowing of the evils and sorrows beyond the palace confines. All his travels were to be supervised and he was to meet only his caste-equals. But Gautama would not be so restrained. Sensing that he was being so protected, he determined to obtain freedom from such restrictions.

One day, in defiance of his father’s orders, he slipped out of the palace grounds to learn what he could on his own. Outside, he saw an old, old man, trembling with age and illness, toothless, blind with cataract and senile. For the first time in his life, Gautama came to realize that old age comes to everyone, and with its coming, the body of man ceases to retain the activeness, strength and beauty that his own body then presently enjoyed.

Next, he saw an emaciated man, miserable and moaning while he picked yellow scabs from his disease-ridden body. Gautama was shocked and his mind began to question why these things happen.

But then further on, at the side of the road, he came upon a scene that would leave a very deep and lasting impression on him. Here was death staring him in the face, a naked corpse, discolored and odorous, covered by a dense cloud of flies opened to his gaze.

While he was meditating on all that he saw and was greatly troubled, he chanced upon a well-clad, serene monk, calm and tranquil, untroubled by the misery and suffering all around him. And thinking that old age, disease and death awaited all of mankind and that by being a religious, one could attain peace and contentment, he resolved that he would become as that monk. So, presently, he left the palace and he became a seeker after truth, searching for the answers to the mysteries of life.

For six long and hard years, he sought out all the leading teachers of his time, asking, learning all he could from each of them, until all the teachers could teach him no more. But still, he did not have the answers. Until, finally, he resolved that he would not stop meditating until he did find the answers. A few days later, he experienced an illumination, and he had his answers. And, at that moment, he became the Buddha, the "Enlightened One." Afterwards, he formulated the way of life that became known as Buddhism.

Influence of Hinduism

It must be remembered that Buddhism is based on the principles of Hinduism and espouses certain of its fundamental beliefs. Included among them are Transmigration or the return of the soul into other forms of life; Karma or the consequences of one’s actions and Nirvana, which is the state of being a pure spirit, pure, so far as lack of lust for physical things are concerned.

The Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path

Gautama, the Buddha, therefore enjoins man to follow the "Middle Way" of life between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification through man’s recognition of the Four Noble Truths which are:

1. Human life holds the possibility of suffering.
2. Human suffering is caused by desire or craving for the things that are of the world.
3. When one ceases to crave for a thing, then one ceases to have suffering connected with that thing; suffering ceases with the complete cessation of cravings.
4. Man can free himself of these cravings by following the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path is as follows:

1. Right viewpoint — We should be aware of our real self, the Spirit Self, thereby obtaining an understanding of spiritual realities untrammeled by the illusions in the world.
2. Right aspirations — We should direct our strivings toward our spiritual objectives.
3. Right speech — We should always speak with love and consideration for others as our guide.
4. Right behavior — We should return love for hate and good for evil.
5. Right mode of livelihood — We should engage in an occupation that is beneficial and never harmful.
6. Right efforts — We should act purposefully with due regard to our own individual capacity and personal preferences.
7. Right mindfulness — We should discipline our thoughts and emotions.
8. Right contemplation — We should listen intuitively to correctly determine our true needs.

In so following the Noble Eightfold Path, man shall be able to attain to the state of Nirvana, which is not a state of nothingness, but, rather, that Nirvana which is equivalent to the higher Christian heavens and the spiritual perfection that they signify.

Branches of Buddhism

One branch or form of Buddhism is Lamaism, which flourished in Tibet before the Communist takeover of that country. This form of Buddhism developed as a consequence of Tibetan customs and traditions and was very advanced in the metaphysical sciences as expounded by Lobsang Rampa.

Another branch of Buddhism is Zen Buddhism, which teaches that one must first experience before he can know the truth. According to this school, truth cannot be known by just listening to the spoken word, or by reading the printed page. While all are enjoined to read and study Scriptures and to listen attentively to the learned lectures of wise men, all these serve only to guide us. All such studies must be accompanied by actual related experiences before we may more fully understand. One picture is worth a thousand words, but one experience is worth a thousand pictures.

Muslims and Christians are True Brothers

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Archangel Gabriel Visits Muhammad

Despite the growth of Judaism and Christianity in some Arabian communities in the 600s, much of Arabia lay steeped in ignorance, superstition and idol-worship. The tribes being constantly at war with one another, any real peace and unity could only be achieved if everyone could come to agree on a common ideal, a faith perhaps especially formulated and adapted to the Arab psyche, according to their then level of evolvement.

At this time, Gabriel, the Archangel, visited a Godly man named Muhammad, who is believed by many to be a descendant of Abraham and Ishmael, and told him that God had chosen him to preach and spread Islam, which means, submission to the will of Allah.

The Archangel being highly regarded by both Christians and Jews alike, Muhammad could not but be tolerant and accepting also of these earlier faiths, in fact recognizing his kinship with them. It is recounted that before tackling the last phase of his mission, he was taken up to heaven by the Archangel to meet with Jesus and the Old Testament prophets and God, Himself, to receive his final instructions.

The messages from God delivered by Archangel Gabriel to Muhammad were later written down by Muhammad’s followers and subsequently incorporated into the Qur'an, the Holy Scriptures of Islam.

The Spread of the Faith

The first convert of this new faith was Muhammad’s wife, Khadija, and with her encouragement, Muhammad began to win other followers. He preached against idols in favor of the One God. And this preaching brought him many enemies from among those who worshipped such idols.

Eventually, Muhammad and his followers were so persecuted that they were forced to flee to Medina. However, this flight, called "Hegira," became the turning point of his career. After having pacified all the warring tribes there, he was acclaimed the new ruler and military commander of the city. And, encouraged by this success, he moved on Mecca and conquered it, as well. He then proceeded to destroy the idols and built the ancient Kaaba shrine, the Sanctuary of Allah.

In victory, Muhammad was generous and merciful, offering friendship to all including Christians and Jews regarding them as his brothers. However, just as the Jews rejected Christ, the Christians and the Jews in general rejected Muhammad as God's latest messenger and prophet. Muhammad realizing the futility of winning them to Islam concentrated his efforts rather more on his own people and their needs. And from then on, tribe after tribe voluntarily submitted to his leadership, until at Muhammad’s death, all of Arabia stood united under Islam.

The Five Pillars

The doctrine of Islam is based on the Qur'an and the Sunna or traditions. The Sunna recounts the sayings and deeds of Muhammad. The Five Duties of a believer or the Five Pillars of Islam are:

1. Recital of the Creed. In its shortest form, the creed is: "I testify that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammad is His prophet." Acceptance of the creed implies belief in God, the angels, the inspired books, the prophets, the Day of Judgment, and God’s predestination of good and evil. The latter is the basis of the fatalistic attitude of the Muslim. Even in the face of life’s many hardships and tragedies, he willingly submits to the wisdom of God, and in faith, he declares: "It is the will of Allah."
   
2. Prayer. The Muslim worships five times a day facing Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad. Phrases of his prayers and the postures of his body are all prescribed. Worship is preceded by ceremonial bathing. And on Friday, the Muslim holy day, prayers and a short sermon are held in the mosque under the leadership of the Imam.
   
3. Fasting. All throughout the month of Ramadhan when the Qur'an was revealed, the faithful fast. They do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset.
   
4. Almsgiving. All believers are expected to give alms to assist needy fellow-Muslims.
   
5. The Pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims who are physically and financially able are expected to make a pilgrimage to the Holy City at least once in their lifetime.

Basic Beliefs

A believer is bound in the principle of mutual help and entrusted with the furtherance of good and the repression of evil. Emphasis is placed on equality and brotherhood. Muslims believe that man stands alone in direct relationship with his God, surrendering himself to His mercy. Hence, there are no organized churches, no priests and no sacraments. Impelled by circumstances as a result of the wars, the Arabs were encouraged to take in the widows of comrades killed in battle as their wives to help them and provide for their needs. Polygamy then came to be widely practiced and was adopted into the faith. However, Muhammad limited the number of wives to four or less, depending on the capacity of the men to provide for their needs. Women were granted rights to possess or inherit property and could even divorce their husbands under certain conditions. Slavery was condemned. Eating pork was forbidden and drinking wine, prohibited.

The concept of Jihad against infidels was from the very beginning limited to the self-preservation of the faith and never was intended to include aggression against non-combatants, women and children. As soon as the threatened annihilation of Islam was neutralized and the cause of justice was served, Muhammad forgave his enemies and worked to win the peace. Then he clarified the concept. Jihad in the greater spiritual sense is the struggle against the Muslim's evil or worldly desires and the overcoming of his human limitations. The terrorists' view of Jihad is contrary to the true teachings of Islam.

Christians, Jews and Muslims are true brothers inspite of the present religious conflicts.

Major Sects

There are two major sects of Islam; The Sunnites, who believe in the Sunna and who form the majority; and the Shiites, who reject the Sunna simply because certain other caliphs participated in the formation of the Sunna. These latter are followers of Ali, Muhammad’s blood relative, who hold that Ali, alone, is the rightful successor to Muhammad.