Teaching of Hinduism about God
Concept of God in Hinduism
- Hinduism is a monotheistic religion with the belief in one Supreme Being, but it also simultaneously follows henotheism, which means belief in and devotion to a single god while accepting the existence of others.
- Brahman is the ultimate, unreachable, impersonal reality that is a divine essence influencing the universe though it is not the same as the universe itself. It is often described as neti neti, meaning "not this, not this", signifying its indescribable nature.
- Brahman exhibits itself in three main forms or aspects: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, known collectively as the Trimurti. Each has a specific role - creator, preserver, and destroyer respectively.
- Contrary to Brahman, gods such as Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva, Rama, and Durga are manifestations of Brahman that are worshipped in personal forms - Ishvara. They are related to particular qualities or stories and have distinct characteristics, reflecting diverse aspects of life and reality.
- While focussing on separate deities, all are considered diverse expressions of Brahman, so ultimately, it is Brahman themselves being worshipped in different forms.
Bhakti and devotion to God
- Bhakti refers to the devotion to a personal deity. This practice allows the followers to form a much closer relationship with God, through a variety of practices such as prayer, ritual, and pilgrimage.
- The deity that a person may choose to exclusively worship is often familial or regional, however, this practice of singular devotion does not mean they disbelieve in the other deities. This is an instance of the henotheistic element of Hinduism.
- Expressions of Bhakti include singing devotional songs, engaging in selfless service (seva), and exploring scriptures (svadhyaya). These are all seen as ways to revere and connect with the God.
- The aim of Bhakti is to ultimately gain union with God, involving the dissolution of the individual self and identification with the divine, achieving a state called Moksha - a liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
God and reincarnation
- Hindu belief system holds the law of Karma in high esteem. The idea of every action bringing about certain effects which will affect future incarnations of the soul, ties directly into the concept of reincarnation or samsara.
- Hinduism teaches that the soul is eternal and it passes through cycles of birth, death, and rebirth until the soul is liberated (Moksha). In every birth, the deeds of the past life determine the conditions of the next.
- God plays an impartial role in implementing the law of Karma, maintaining a cosmic justice system. However, it is emphasized that God’s grace can help mitigate the consequences of karma, especially when called upon with sincere devotion.
God and Dharma
- Dharma is a central belief in Hinduism and is often translated as righteousness, moral duties, order, or sacred law. It gives purpose and meaning to life.
- Dharma is considered divine as it is believed to be the very laws of the cosmos established by the gods. It provides the rules for living in a way that upholds cosmic order (Rita).
- Hindus believe that living according to Dharma, doing moral deeds, following one's duties and responsibilities, can lead to a good and fruitful life, good Karma and ultimately, Moksha.
Atman and its relation to Brahman
- Atman is the immortal self or soul, which is believed to be the true self of an individual beyond identification with phenomenological reality.
- Atman is considered eternal and divine. The innermost self within everyone is connected to Brahman, the underlying universal spirit.
- The highest goal in Hinduism is to realise this divine connection, to recognise that Atman is Brahman. Self-realisation is perceived as Enlightenment and grants Moksha.