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Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons
www.lectionarystudies.com
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Scripture
There is a tremendous quantity of sacred writings, much of which has not yet been translated into English. Scripture is divided into two groups:
Sruti. Scripture that has been passed on orally from generation to generation within Brahmin families. They claim it is the mind of God, an embodiment of the Divine, discovered by seers through the ages. These scriptures are known as the "veda" and are the primary revelation.
Smrti. Sacred writings which explain and expose the hidden meanings of revelation. They are secondary to Sruti, but are more widely used by Hindus. The most popular book in this group is the Bhagavadgita, ("The Lord's Song").
On many points Hindu scripture seems to be in conflict and so the individual is left to decide for themselves where the truth lies. Hindus happily hold different points of view. Each view, if arrived at properly, contains an element of ultimate truth which is, in the end, beyond comprehension.
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Basic teaching
1. God
2. Creation
The cycle of existence is described in two different ways. Hindus do not agree on which of these cycles is correct, but then correctness doesn't matter.
3. Salvation (moksa) The Bhagavadgita describes three paths to Salvation for a person:
i] Karmamargak - "The path of duties" - The fulfilling of religious (ritual) and social duties. ii] Jnanamarga - "The Path of Knowledge" - Deep study of the scriptures using meditation (Yoga) to gain insight into identity with Brahman. iii] Bhaktimarga - "The Path of Devotion"
Most Hindus follow the path of duty, but in the long run each person must work out their own path and follow it.
Practices i] They live with a deep respect for life (ahimsa) because of their belief in the unity of all life. Therefore they tend to be vegetarian. Even their treatment of nature expresses this principle. The tending of a vegetable patch is carried out with care and deep respect for the life-force within each plant. Those Hindus who do eat meat raise the animals without cruelty and take their lives painlessly. Even the preparation and eating of food expresses this principle. For this reason Hindus refrain from talking during a meal. ii] As matter is something to be cast off - an impediment to the soul - a Hindu puts a low value on material possessions and sensual desires (gluttony, drunkenness, sex, etc.) To dwell on these things, rather than divest them, can only bring rebirth (karma) rather than salvation (moksa) and the attainment of Nirvana. Therefore eating and drinking is carried out in moderation, with certain days set aside as fast days, while sex is held in esteem only for procreation. For this reason marriages of "love" are frowned upon and therefore mostly arranged. iii] To break from the cycle of rebirths and attain union with God (Nirvana) is a Hindus aim in life. Unless they follow the path set before them (marga), they have no hope. Therefore the performance of their religious and social duty is uttermost in their mind.
Religious duty is extremely involved and varies between caste and subcaste. A good Hindu's home will have a separate room for a temple with a shrine containing pictures and statues of the personalized form of Brahman that the family worships. On rising in the morning, each member of the family performs ritual washing, offers prayers inside and outside of the household temple, and eats breakfast separately. Lunch is usually vegetarian. In the evening, there is ritual washing again, evening prayers and offerings in the temple (pudja) chanting of mantras (verses from the Veda), the singing of hymns (Bhajans) and a reading from scripture in Sancript, which is then translated. After prayers, there is the sharing of fire and then the evening meal. A Hindu is not bound to visit a public temple or holy place and only does so on special occasions and pilgrimages. Their religion tends to be personal. Comments from a Christian perspective i] In the living of their faith most Hindus would put many Christians to shame.
ii] Hindu scripture tends to express too many divergent truths to be accepted as an authoritative revelation from God. The Bible, on the other hand, stands as a homogeneous whole and so can well claim of itself Divine authority. Yet, we should note the following: iii] From the beginning of time humans have sought after God. Their search has led them in many directions. In the Bible we read of God taking the initiative and revealing himself to mankind and finally revealing himself in his Son. Jesus claims of himself to be the complete and final revelation of God to man - one with God, the only way to God, the true image of God. Other religions may move us toward God, but in Jesus we meet God and through him become one with God. Our search for God ends in Jesus. Such a view is quite distinct and apart from the Hindu faith. In the end, only one "way" can be true. iv] Hinduism stresses personal effort in attaining salvation. Yet, can a person ever free themselves from ego, lust, anger etc.? How then can they find salvation? Every day we fail to attain perfection, so there is little hope of getting to God by our own effort. In Jesus, God provides the way. God no longer sees our imperfection, but the perfection of his Son. Jesus has taken our imperfection upon himself in his death on the cross. Union with God is therefore freely ours when we accept Jesus' offer of salvation through his death for us. His resurrection from the dead guarantees our union with God. The difference between the Hindu and Christian faiths
1. God
2. Jesus Christ
3. Sin
4. Salvation |