Inside Hinduism: What is it?

It’s incredible to think that 15% of the world’s population practice Hinduism.  That’s more than one billion people, most of whom live in Asia.  But what is Hinduism?  What do Hindus really believe?  To bring Hinduism into sharper focus, let’s do a brief compare/contrast between those who are followers of Hinduism and those who follow Jesus.

Hinduism believes that all religions are valid ways to God.  So whether you worship Krishna or Kali, Buddha or Jesus, they are all paths to salvation.  But Jesus was clear.  “I am the way, the truth, life,” He said.  “No-one comes to the Father but through me.”  According to Christianity, Jesus is the only way.

Hindus believe in reincarnation, a cycle of rebirths where they advance through birth after birth, life after life, until all karmas have been worked out, and liberation from this cycle (moksha), has been achieved.  Followers of Jesus believe that we live one life.  Heb. 9:27 states, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement…”

Hinduism sees moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation) as the aim.  When moksha is realised, people themselves become gods.  They gain moksha by earning good karma through good works, following a guru, practicing yoga, performing ceremonial deeds, etc.  It is by their own effort.  But the Bible makes it clear that people are in need of salvation because they are sinful and have broken relationship with God.  They only way for this broken relationship to be fixed is through faith in Jesus.  It is through His redemptive work on the cross. 

The gods within Hinduism do not forgive sins and are not interested in saving their followers.  If a wrong is done, the sinner pays for their wrong-doing in the next life.  The only escape is for their good karma to outweigh their bad karma.  But God revealed in Jesus Christ is a God of love and mercy, ready to forgive those truly sorry for their wrong-doing. To satisfy his justice, a price had to be paid for these wrongs, but moved by mercy, Jesus paid this price for us.

Hinduism is a religion of many gods - 330 million at last count! Brahmā: the creator, Śiva: the destroyer, and Viṣṇu: the preserver, are the three highest gods.  Followers of Jesus worship one God and Jesus is his name!

Hinduism is the epitome of relativism, stating that there is no absolute truth; it depends on the individual.  However, Jesus said God’s Word is the truth (Jn. 17:17).  It is the external standard by which followers of Jesus live.

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Next blog: Inside Hinduism: Sights and Smells