Hindu Beliefs

There is only One God and One Truth. All men are brothers. However, man’s perception and understanding of God’s absolute Truth is limited to the level in the order of evolution to which he has arrived. Christ said, "You must be perfect." And so therefore, we will all attain to perfect knowledge, however, we will only be able to approach the Truth gradually, in stages.

Hinduism is the oldest surviving religion through which the Truth is being disseminated. To the men of 5,000 years ago, only the simplest concepts and explanations could be taught or understood. In much the same way, when we were younger, we began our education by first learning our ABCs and simple arithmetic. Only after we are more highly educated do we begin to take up algebra, physics and other more involved and advanced studies.

Hindu teaching lays stress on the need for self-realization (of our spirit self) and the awareness of deeper realities apart from the material and physical existence. To start them on their journey towards Truth, Hindus are enjoined to pursue an ethical way of life and are taught the elementary concepts relating to reincarnation and transmigration, karma, our true spiritual nature apart from the physical self and the existence of Nirvana or higher spiritual states of consciousness.

However, owing to their low degree of development during earlier times, false teachings, beliefs and practices crept in and intermingled with the age-old and eternal truths.

Nevertheless, to all who are ready, subsequent and more advanced instruction is provided. As Judaism was upgraded through the teachings of Jesus, so were Hindu teachings likewise upgraded by the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Everytime, there is to be progress and continuing progressive instruction.

Today, we are approaching a New Age. Great changes are coming and New Learning. It is also prophesied that Christ will come again at the beginning of this Golden Age of Enlightenment, the Age of Aquarius.

But before we can make any further advances, we have to be brought back to the beginning, hence, the resurgence of the old Eastern religious teachings, Christian revival movements and the reintroduction of all the ancient philosophies and teachings. However, the New Age Movement is far more than just these. After we are brought back to the basics, then more advanced New Teachings can be taken up.

Now back to your more specific questions. You are generally correct in your assessment regarding some false beliefs and practices of the Hindus. But what religion does not have its own share of misconceptions and false teachings? Moreover, there are certain other important points that should also be taken into consideration.

1. Yoga — This is any discipline resorted to in order to attain a desired end. The end may be physical or spiritual. Most people understand yoga to be purely a physical discipline — fakirs and such going into body contortions which do not in any way serve to bring us closer to our spiritual objectives. We do not advocate this form of yoga. However, where yoga is understood to mean the pursuit of good over evil, the rendering of service to fellowmen or the refinement of one’s character, this, we advocate and teach.
   
   
2. Chanting, mantra meditation and TM — Regardless of the false claims of their advocates, the only realizable objective of these practices is to enable us to tap into our subconscious or Higher Consciousness and other higher spiritual dimensions. We here on earth are so engrossed in worldly concerns, such that we are hard put to see the Truth plainly. St. Paul concurs. He said, "Now, we see through a looking glass darkly. But when corruption puts on incorruption, then we will be able to see more clearly." Meditation enables us to see more clearly, now.
   
   The process of meditation distracts or dulls the conscious mind in order for us to transcend it and gain access to higher levels of consciousness. Contrary to what others teach, we teach that meditation does not of itself develop spirituality. However, it is a very useful tool that enables us to become more aware and therefore more responsive to our spiritual needs. This practice is not any different from the Christian practice of praying the rosary and listening to God.


3. The sacred cow — In early India, the cow was very, very valuable. The cow provided milk for babies and cheese for the full-grown in a land where food was scarce. It was indispensable in plowing fields and served as the primary means of transportation. Remember that there were no motor vehicles at the time. The cow was so very important, so vitally needed that it was deemed extremely disadvantageous if it was killed and eaten for its meat alone. Given these considerations, is it not very possible that in order to save it from being decimated, the Hindu elders and priests decreed the cow to be sacred?
   
   
4. The worship of rats — First I heard of this. But, anyway, Hindus are taught to reverence life — All life being One Life. This is not just a Hindu teaching. It is carried even into the Bible. There are references to the One Body in Corinthians according to Paul and the vine and the branches of Jesus in the Book of John. In essence, all that is, even rats, are part of the One Body. Without God, there is nothing. We are all part and parcel of the One God. Therefore, we all should love one another, even our enemies, even rats — provided that all these are done within reason.
   
   
5. Burning widows alive — We have to have lived during those times to more deeply appreciate the real implications. In some cultures, as recent as some American Indians, the male is the sole provider. This concept is sometimes carried to the extreme such that widows are considered non-entities, not entitled to any rights and privileges. Since the provider is gone, the widow has no more recourse to food and other basic necessities. She would be relegated to a life of misery and want and, in the end, she can only expect a slow and painful death. It is much kinder that she be allowed to die with her remaining dignity.
   
   You must remember and this is very important — that Hindus, American Indians and Buddhists firmly believe in life after death. And they believe that life to be far more glorious than our present life. Death to them is merely a transition to the Real World, this world being only an illusion. There, they can continue life with their loved ones, and live it more fully. In addition, there is the belief in reincarnation. Provided that we have done the best we can in the present life, we will have done well and we will be able to continue with our development in the next life.
 
6. Hinduism and the Christian Gospel — Hinduism and Christianity, for that matter, are just chapters in the Book that leads to Truth. It is helpful to us to study every chapter and learn the lessons they teach lest our education be incomplete for not having had the experience. Through the application of reincarnation, we will be doing just this. We will live some lives as Hindus, others as Christians or something equivalent to them. Each religion has something to teach. Each has been endowed with some aspect of Truth it alone may dispense and teach. God loves all of His creation and He gives to all of us equally. To know the whole, we have to draw from each of the parts. Refer also to the INNER QUEST logo.

We note that you have a healthy curiosity and interest as evidenced by the fact that you have done some readings on these subjects. Do please continue. There is so much more that can be learned.

Some of our explanations may be new to you and incomprehensible for now. You probably will not agree with some of them. That is perfectly alright. Eventually, however, as you continue with your studies, you should find that there is something to what we are saying, after all.

Letter-response to an inquirer