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?

Who said there is evil in hindus?
I see every religion searching the bad in other religions.what they didn't understand is some answers lie in every religion which when merge would become a whole one.In every religion there is a reality.Another thing is many true scriptures or sayings have been distorted.you have to listen to your heart to know which is true and which is not true.