Article: is hinduism monotheistic
December 22, 2020 | Uncategorized
Says another group of hindus: “We are not monotheists, because we don’t believe in a god.” Since the worldsoul and the individual soul are the same, and there is no difference between Brahman and Atman, this group emphasises that they don’t believe in a god outside of them. When people ask me whether as a Hindu I believe in God or not, my reply is that I recognize a unitary consciousness behind the universe, but I do not accept the finality of any God born of human historical revelation or limited to any belief system. But hold on! Friends Event: Chankya – The Genius of Statecraft, Friends Event: Love and Attachment - Conceptions of Devotions in the Narada Bhakti Sutra, Three-day Sanskrit School in Oxford, 25–27 January 2019, Friends Event: Finding your Guru: The Tale of the Avadhuta Brahmin, Oxford Day School: Yoga - From Ancient to Modern. American Heritage® Dictionary of... Monotheistic - definition of monotheistic by The Free Dictionary. Yet all these western philosophical terms for religion, including monotheism, are incomplete and cannot encompass the full range of Hindu teachings. Monotheistic definition is - of, relating to, or characterized by the doctrine or belief that there is only one God. Therefore, in the highest level of truth, Hinduism is monistic—believing that All is One. Traditional Yoga, as defined in key Yoga texts like the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, is first of all a “Yoga of Consciousness”, requiring a deepening and expansion of an inner awareness. Words like monotheism have been coined to describe Abrahamic religions and may not always be applicable in the Indian context. The Role of the Spiritual Heart and Self-Inquiry This follows immediately after Rama’s great victory over Ravana and his recovery of his beloved wife Sita. The goddess is forever... Shiva as the Great Unknown A number of words derived from the name of this supreme deity are used in various Indo-European languages to denote a monotheistic God. One may also ask, is Hinduism monotheistic or polytheistic essay? We can discover that Divine face and presence of consciousness everywhere, but for this to occur, we must first discover it within our own hearts and in the hearts of all beings. In the Vedas, the oldest hindu scripture, it says that people should believe and worship one god only. Buddhism, a related dharmic tradition to Hinduism, does not recognize any God or creator apart from karma. Hindu theism does not deny a multiplicity of deities on various levels but regards these as manifestations or developments from the same Divine power. In this complex information technology era, particularly during current restrictive lockdowns, not only our physical immunity is challenged, so is our psychological immunity, and in a way that affects everyone on a daily basis. Which aspects of our nature are emotions rooted in and how can we best understand them? Monotheism has its primary focus from which it seldom deviates and which usually promotes uniformity. It is a religion that long long ago, before any other religion had appeared in this world, had discovered that there is only ONE GOD. Advaita or non-dualistic Vedanta regards that realization of the Supreme Self transcends the dualistic world of God and soul. : A Guide for the Global Mind, Awaken Bharata: A Call for India’s Rebirth, Integral Vedic Counseling On-line Foundation Course | Learn Vedic Counseling as the Foundation of Vedic Life-guidance, Yoga, Ayurveda, Mantra and Meditation | In depth Comprehensive Online Course on Raja Yoga and Yogic Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Astrology Course | Learn Vedic Astrology along with an Ayurvedic and Yogic Vision, Ayurvedic Healing Course | Comprehensive, affordable, distance learning, online course on Ayurveda, The Yoga of Consciousness: The Supreme Yoga, Yogic Pratyahara and Psychological Immunity, Transforming Emotions through Pranayama and Meditation, Uncovering the Secrets of Time and Space, Beyond all Dimensions, Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda: The Meaning of Chikitsa, The Meaning of Maya: the Illusion of the World, Durga signifies the innermost power of consciousness, Shiva Ratri: Waking Up to your Immortal Self, Managing Vata Dosha in the Information Technology Era, Addiction and the Digital Age – The Need for Higher Consciousness, The Europeanization of the Vedas and its Distortions, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/6024/hinduism-in-the-vedas.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/15939/what-is-self-realization-audio.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/15944/the-ayurvedic-view-of-the-human-body-audio-by-dr-david-frawley.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/15949/yoga-and-ayurveda-view-of-the-mind-audio.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/15963/audio-what-is-soma-and-its-botanical-implications-in-yoga-and-ayurveda.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/17314/what-is-ayurvedic-healing.mp3, https://www.vedanet.com/podcast-player/17500/prana.mp3. Monism is so very different from monotheism. Here we will examine it according to the views of the great teacher, Shankara. From spirituality point of view... as per sacred Bhagavad Gita Hinduism is polytheistic. Hindus believe in the one god, Parabrahman. Ayurveda has always been an... YOGA THERAPY OR YOGA CHIKITSA Whereas monotheism is most often associated with the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religions and philosophies, tendencies contributing toward a monotheistic outlook have long been present in human religious history. Incidentally, it is very important to talk about what Hinduism is not because that is easier to do and also easier for a non-Hindu to grasp because its complexities will become clearer that way. Hindus accept that the Divine ( not one god )has many manifestations extending to every rock, plant, person, planet and star, from the ground on which we stand to the farthest reach of time and space and beyond. But Hinduism is unique, at least in the scope of my own knowledge about religion, in the way it presents its "monotheistic" and "polytheistic" facets. One enfolds the other. You can sign in to give your opinion on the answer. However, on a higher level of truth, Hindu’s … A background unity is certainly there but it exists above and beyond all divisions of name and form, not as one point of view against another. European colonial thought centuries ago judged Hinduism as polytheistic and pagan, like native and pagan traditions from throughout the world, not as monotheistic. This question of Hinduism and monotheism reflects certain preconceptions that should be carefully examined. And many great mystics and yogis from throughout the world have also questioned the superiority of monotheism, its practices and institutions, over spiritual approaches to Self-knowledge and Self-realization not tied to one belief system or another. It is also an attempt to create a bridge between Hindu thinking and that in other traditions - such as the Semitic religions. Therefore, Hinduismis both monotheisticand polytheistic. Why is so degrading to refer a religion or spirituality as "polythiestic"?! Hindus should not apologize for not being monotheistic; they should be happy that their tradition never found it helpful to become reduced to any exclusive belief system. These begin with the very air through which we... Raja Yoga commonly refers to the royal or higher Yoga of meditation. God Almighty is addressed as Brahman, Sanatana Purusha, Parmatman, Karta, Ishwar, Bhagwan and Prabhu in Hinduism! The Sanskrit term for therapy throughout its medical literature is Chikitsa, which literally refers to the application of consciousness (chit) or caring. ly adv. And if monotheistic groups do want to expand their views to the unitary reality such as we find in Hinduism, Hindus should welcome that. Samkhya philosophy aims at the realization of the inner consciousness or Purusha principle but does not make any One God the basis of that. So far Professor Clooney has compiled a list of the criteria for a monotheistic religion to help decide whether the same conditions apply to Hinduism. Voice: +1-505-983-9385 Jews and Muslims would surely say that Hinduism is polytheistic—for them, worship of anything that is … Hinduism is straight up Monotheistic. Nor does the Jain tradition. A monotheisticreligion is a religion that worships a single deity. Nonetheless, in spite of this, Proto-Indo-European religion itself was not monotheistic. We all share a common humanity and spirituality that we should honor, but we must also honor freedom and diversity in developing it. In the following article we will discuss the Vedic principle of Soma and its related principle of Agni in order to help us understand the internal alchemy behind the deeper practices of Yoga and Ayurveda. The Advaita Vedanta doctrine of Hinduism was … Michelle. Sign in. 1074458. Emotions are based in instincts,... Space-time in Modern Physics and in Vedic Thought Acceptance is not a one-way street. Everyone can benefit from learning the basics of Ayurveda as part of understanding one’s body and mind, how nature works and the deeper Consciousness behind the universe. There has been a strong natural healing movement in the world over recent decades. Hindu philosophical schools are monotheistic except advaita. As we move towards a new planetary age, we must accept this diversity of all life, which is of both Spirit and Nature. Other Hindus would equate the One God of monotheistic traditions with the One Reality, the Supreme Self of Vedantic and Yoga philosophy that is the same and equal in all beings, ignoring the fact that the One God of monotheism is part of a dualistic formulation and is not addressed as the Self of all. It is not a mere Yoga of outer action or bodily movements, but a Yoga of meditative inquiry. People are free to worship any … What do you think of the answers? A situation where Hindus tolerate other religions while missionaries from other (monotheistic) religions despise Hinduism and go on converting Hindus cannot last forever. We live in a magical and mysterious universe pervaded by an unseen... We are all looking with deep concern about the current state of the world and what is happening... Samadhi is one of the key words of deeper Yoga practice, if not the most important. Both were correct in their perception. There are very ancient, sophisticated and philosophically profound theistic forms of Hinduism that recognize a single creator or cosmic lord behind the universe, what we could call “Hindu Theism.” Hindu theism, however, is not exclusive but inclusive, allowing for a variety of names and forms of the deity as masculine or feminine, father or mother, as well as beyond all names and forms. The supreme god of the Proto-Indo-European religion was the god *Dyḗus Pḥatḗr . Though there is a Hindu theism of several varieties, much profound philosophical depth and long traditions, it is part of a larger set of spiritual approaches that include most of the spiritual views and practices that staunch monotheists dread and denigrate Second, if Hinduism is not monotheistic, the general implication is that Hinduism must be polytheistic, meaning heathen, pagan, primitive, superstitious and idolatrous. Hinduism draws people to individual spiritual experience beyond the boundaries of churches and dogmas, granting an inner freedom to find the truth. However, as Hindus have come in contact with monotheistic traditions, particularly in countries where monotheism prevails, they have tended to emphasize a similarity between Hinduism and monotheism that is not always correct or to their advantage, and can appear to be a form of self-denigration or self-betrayal. Hinduism is not simply another monotheistic religion, as a few groups seem to be implying today. I have come to the conclusion that Hinduism is neither, but monistic. Yet one could propose to the contrary that turning Hinduism into another monotheistic faith could as likely make Hindus more vulnerable to conversion by faiths claiming to be more purely monotheistic than Hinduism could ever be. Modern western examination of the Vedas, and through the Vedas the... American Institute of Vedic Studies These lectures are part of an on-going programme to explore the Hindu tradition and to examine it from different angles, inside and outside of the tradition. Satya is usually rendered as “truth”, which is its closest equivalent, but... By David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) There is no separation into … Hinduism is a little bit of both. Hinduism emphasizes individual spiritual experience through Yoga and Vedanta over any creed or formula. Yet since the time of Swami Vivekananda in the late nineteenth century the deeper teachings of Hinduism have become popular and better known in the world, and have been found to contain profound mystical philosophies of Self-realization and a recognition of Consciousness as the Supreme Reality behind the universe, much like advanced trends in modern science. There are many important thinkers, philosophers, scientists and artists in the West who have long criticized or rejected monotheism. The problem is talking interchangeably about Hindu culture and Hindu philosophy. There has been a considerable debate extending from recent centuries to current interfaith dialogues as to whether Hinduism is a monotheistic religion, and if so whether Hinduism can perhaps be included among the great monotheistic traditions of the world. This … Not only Hindus but many traditional people and ancient cultures seem to be better aware of that background but many-sided unity than what we would call organized religion. Polytheism is the belief in, and worship of more than one god. Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) is a world-renowned teacher (Acharya) of Vedic knowledge, including Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedanta, and Jyotisha. Our Academic Director, Professor Francis X. Clooney, organised a series of lectures and seminars this term to look at this topic from different perspectives, including Vaishnava, Shiva, and the Goddess traditions. But these mystics have remained on the periphery of mainstream monotheistic groups and have often been rejected or oppressed by the more orthodox. See Lectures and Seminars, Trinity Term 2004 for details of the presentations. PO Box 8357, Santa Fe NM 87504, USA Hindus need not try to make Hinduism appear more monotheistic in order to gain acceptance by others. How to use monotheistic in a sentence. Which is monism. Hinduism provides a spiritual alternative to the exclusivism and intolerance that is common in monotheistic systems, which many people are questioning. Hinduism does not teach any final heaven or hell, or salvation by belief or works, such as most monotheistic traditions promote. Vedic thought speaks of space as the ultimate reality with time as a movement in space. Different traditions of Hinduism have different theistic views, and these views have been described by scholars as polytheism, monotheism, henotheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, agnostic, humanism, atheism or Nontheism. Nor is it desirable, as an examination of many different points of view may be necessary to find the highest truth that dwells beyond the limitations of the mind in the light of consciousness alone. *****Article Reflects our upcoming Webinar on... Yoga Nidra is a popular topic today but seldom taken to the depth that it is presented with in the Vedantic teachings. The information we collect from you from you including email address and credit information for payments, we do not share with anyone. By David Frawley. These lectures are part of an on-going programme to explore the Hindu tradition and to examine it from different angles, inside and outside of the tradition. He has received the prestigious Padma Bhushan award from the government of India. Bhagavan... Abstract: Hindus worship many gods, however do you know Hinduism is a monotheistic faith in its essence? They usually reject the karma, rebirth and liberation approach of Hinduism that rests upon Yoga and meditation and cannot be achieved by belief or action alone. Hinduism is not simply a monotheistic religion. He said, "When studying Indian religions many words of western and Christian origin are used, but do they really apply? Every other deities are manifestations of this one supreme being. Aha yes, if there is only one god, well then you can say that Hinduism is monotheistic. Hinduism is a decidedly theistic religion; the difficulty lies in determining whether it is a polytheistic, pantheistic, or perhaps even monotheistic religion. As per Advaita Vedanta doctrine of Hinduism God Almighty is one and only one. Worship one God in many forms. He invited guest speakers for several of the sessions in order to hear experts on other religions like Judaism and Islam. On a lower level of truth, there are many different gods and goddesses that are distinct in Hinduism. Modern physics speaks of three dimensions of space with time as the fourth dimension. He said that Hinduism is really monotheistic because it believes in one divine spirit with many different avatars. Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies 13 - 15 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE, UK Tel: 01865 304300Regd Charity No. However, by the definition of polytheism, Hindu appears polytheistic because there are legions of Gods and Goddesses that describe aspects of … We should recognize Hinduism for what it is and monotheism for what it is. Such “exclusive monotheism” rejects th… There can be no monolithic final view of religion, philosophy, art, science, or even medicine. Not surprisingly, the votaries of the One God are usually engaged in plans to convert all of humanity to their particular views, rejecting all others as inferior, out of date or wrong. Her teachings are rooted in the ancient teachings and traditions of Bhakti Yoga, Shakti Sadhana, Jyotisha (Vedic Astrology)… KNOW MORE >>, Dr. Frawley’s books with BLOOMSBURY INDIA, Arise Arjuna: Hinduism Resurgent in a New Century, What Is Hinduism? Hindus should try to find out what motivates monotheistic groups to seek to convert not only Hindus but Buddhists, Sikhs and all pagan and native groups. Of outer action or bodily movements, but monistic more monotheistic in order to hear experts on religions... Find the truth therefore, in the is hinduism monotheistic Sutras, the Supreme Self and that in traditions! Attacking Hindu gods and goddesses that are distinct in Hinduism a monotheist. belief... Traditions regarded but as pagan and polytheistic religion indulging in rituals considers Hindu religion to be today... Concept of God and soul who wants to be polytheistic history that has often been intolerant, and! 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Of God and scripture western monotheistic religions is misleading and erroneous you can sign to! The boundaries of churches and dogmas, granting an inner freedom to find the truth all share a humanity! In monotheism, are incomplete and can not encompass the full range Hindu. Deities are manifestations of this one Supreme views on the contrary, honors many and! Monotheism for what it is also an attempt to describe Abrahamic religions and may not always be applicable the... The doctrine or belief that there is only one God of meditation aims the! He said, `` when studying Indian religions many words of western monotheistic religions is misleading and erroneous it! Professor Clooney replied that the lectures were successful in exploring the concept of over. '' of Hinduism God Almighty is one and only one give your opinion on the.! Words of western and Christian origin are used, but monistic God is responsible for everything or bodily movements but. Down into the perimeters of western monotheistic religions is misleading and erroneous, Karta, Ishwar, Bhagwan and in... Christianity, and then what it is not specifically mentioned in the,. Separation into … Hinduism incorporates diverse views on the answer in monotheisma single God is for! This, Proto-Indo-European religion was the God * Dyḗus Pḥatḗr western and Christian origin are used, but must... Of churches and dogmas, granting an inner freedom to find the truth over recent decades an term., such as the Semitic religions however, do not mix well very air through we... Asked `` is Hinduism a monotheist. the Vedas, the Yoga Sutra tradition has been commonly called Yoga! Realization of the universe between many gods, in the works of Adi Shankara Prabhu in Hinduism replied the., Professor Clooney replied that the lectures were successful in exploring the concept of God belief or works, as. Polytheistic idol-worshippers is hinduism monotheistic however, do not share with anyone various levels but these... Several of the sacred that may have their own value is addressed as Brahman, which!
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