Hinduism - The Eternal Religion

[Betterlife]

Hinduism is Sanatan Dharma, The Eternal Religion. It is based on the fundamental principles which are well beyond the dimenaions of time and space. It has no beginning. It has no end. It encompasses the entire creation.

The name Hinduism was given to this Sanatan Dharma by those who could not understand it and wrongly associated it with people living in India who were practicing this religion and were named as Hindus. To understand this religion one has to come out of narrow mind set associated with narrow religious beliefs.

The first teaching of Hinduism is - "God is one. Different people perceives Him and pray to reach Him in different ways". One has to be very-very clear on this principle before going further in understanding Hinduism.

Forum members are welcome to post their querries and views.

[Lightkeeper]

Does Hinduism still have the different Avatars of God?

[Mystic]

Similar to christianity,

Many hindus are still awaiting the comming of a "kalki" avatar. the 10th avatar of vishnu that will bring peace to the planet by destroying the forces of evil.

The concept of avatar is, however, much deeper.

An avatar is a manifestation of god. and Advaitins believe that we are all manifestations of god. not parts of god, not creations of god, but manifestations of good. God showing himself off, in different shapes and sizes - to himself. Each manifestation is assigned a role in a lifetime, an ego, and certain qualities. All manifestations are part of the realm of maya. Where god does not know who he is. paralally, a complete form of god, out of the illusion (maya) also exists. That's however an entirely different subject.

[Betterlife]

Mystic has rightly explained about Kalki avatar which Hindus believe will take place in this period known as Kalyug.

I have already highlighted that as per Hinduism, God is one. He has no form but is forced by His Bhaktas (those who have full faith in Him) to assume form and come to them. This is His love for his Bhaktas. He has taken many avatars and will take many more avatars whenever His Bhaktas need Him.

In His avatar as Krishna, He has said that I come to the aid of my Bhaktas whenever evil forces become strong and start torturing His Bhaktas. He comes and destroys the evil. In Ramayana there is a detailed account of why God takes avatars and the description of various avatars.

[Luguber]

Hinduism is fascinating in that there's no centralized doctrine. A believer in "Hinduism" can hold practically any view on anything. Being a follower of Hinduism is more like belonging to a community and respecting some common rituals.

Originally Posted by betterlife

The first teaching of Hinduism is - "God is one. Different people perceives Him and pray to reach Him in different ways". One has to be very-very clear on this principle before going further in understanding Hinduism.

This is a simplification. Not all Hindus are Advaita (= not-two).

Following Shankara's advocating Advaita (ca. 800 C.E.), there were philosophers like Ramanuja och Madhva, who modified the Advaita monism by making a differenc between the world and the god.

Regarding avatars, I think that this is a phenomenon mainly advocated by Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu). I never encountered any avatars of Shiva. I haven't yet made up my mind, though, on how to intrepret the different aspects of Lord Shiva's consort, Parvati. She's sometimes the terrible Durga or Kali, who never the less saves the feeble community of male gods by slaying the buffalo demon, sometimes she's the intriguing Cinnamasta, most often presented as a woman with a severed head, two streams of blood flowing from her neck, bestowing her own life-force unto Varnani and Dakini, the two 16-year-old female figures beside her. It is she who distributes "vital essence" or "life energy" to all beings. Have a look at my favourite Cinnamasta.

[Lightkeeper]

Wouldn't all of these be avatars of the One God?

[Betterlife]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Wouldn't all of these be avatars of the One God?

Yes, in one sense they all are avatars of God. This should be seen as various forms of God, as His Bhaktas perceive Him - "Jaaki ki rahi bhavana jesi Prabhu murat jin dekhi tesi", meaning that one sees Him as one perceives Him.

[Betterlife]

Originally Posted by Luguber

Hinduism is fascinating in that there's no centralized doctrine. A believer in "Hinduism" can hold practically any view on anything. Being a follower of Hinduism is more like belonging to a community and respecting some common rituals.......... Not all Hindus are Advaita (= not-two).

Yes you are right. Also not all Hindus believe in Advaita Darshan. A common Hindu householder prefers to see God as he perceives Him, while believing in the doctrine that God is one and has no form. He finds this dualism simple to understand.

[qwert18]

it's good to see such topics being discussed openmindedly.

[revpo]

It sounds like a very open religion, not being narrowed minded like so many religions, what one believes or sees is what one perceives as GOD.

REVPO