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Hindu Concepts About God Promoting Human Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism

God in Hinduism

Many Hindus understand God to be BRAHMAN or the absolute. BRAHMAN is ever-present, all-powerful, and beyond comprehension Some believe that BRAHMAN is formless and without attributes, but may manifest in form… …while others believe BRAHMAN has a transcendent form and attributes.

material existence monism From Brahman come various manifestations to which Hindus offer prayers and devotion The entirety of material existence is seen as a manifestation of Brahman by some and creation of Brahman by others This understanding of the one Absolute as the origin of various manifestations and the universe is best described as monism

Hinduism Monism

Hindu monism is the foundation for understandings of God (the Absolute) that range from non-dualistic to dualistic. NON-DUALISTIC the universe and the Absolute are not separate, but one and the same QUALIFIED NON-DUALISM the universe is different from, but dependent on and inseparable from the Absolute DUALISTIC the universe, while reflecting the Absolute’s divine qualities, is dependent on, but separate from the Absolute

HINDUISM ALSO ENCOMPASSES Pantheism all of existence is the Absolute Panentheism all of existence is within the Absolute Theism the understanding of the Absolute being external to all of existence Volunteer by parkjisun from the Noun Project education by Yi Chen from the Noun Project

the Divine

The Divine or reflection of its qualities can be seen… in oneself and all other HUMAN BEINGS in all other beings, including PLANTS AND ANIMALS in the WHOLE UNIVERSE including mountains, rivers, trees, and other plants

Brahman

Murtis are believed to be CHARGED WITH THE PRESENCE of Divine A murti is more than a image or icon it is a powerful visual tool used for contemplating the nature of BRAHMAN Murtis are believed to be CHARGED WITH THE PRESENCE of Divine The murti also enables Hindu worshippers to COMMUNICATE with the Divine.

Hindus understand God to be present in the murti, but THEY DO NOT CONSIDER GOD TO BE LIMITED TO THE MURTI. God can be understood as BOTH IMMANENT AND TRANSCENDENT.

These 3 are often times seen as a trinity that sustains the universe BRAHMA The Creator SHIVA The Transformer VISHNU The Preserver These 3 are often times seen as a trinity that sustains the universe Brahman is understood as beyond gender, although capable of taking on both masculine and feminine qualities and forms.

shakti the female form of the Divine is understood as an essential half of Brahman. Shakti manifests in the form of Goddesses such as: Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth Saraswati the Goddess of Knowledge Durga the Goddess of Power

BRAHMA CREATION Goddess Saraswati Creativity SHIVA TRANSFORM- ATION Goddess Durga Power VISHNU PRESERVATION Goddess Lakshmi Prosperity Each of these deities offers the Hindu worshipper a different quality or aspect of the Divine to focus on.

Other Gods include… Ganesh the Remover of Obstacles Hanuman the Embodiment of Strength and Perfect Devotion

beyond human form

Ganesh is presented as having an elephant head Because of Hinduism's fundamental reverence of the Divine or its essence in all things, animals are commonly depicted in representations of Brahman Ganesh is presented as having an elephant head Hanuman is depicted as a monkey

Trees, plants and rivers are also given divine status in Hinduism Ashwattha (Ficus Religiosa) Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum) The Ganges and Yamuna

avatars

Hindus believe that God can incarnate in human form, as an avatar

Lord Rama the paragon of virtue To eradicate evil from the world, the Divine is believed to have taken human form on earth as: Lord Rama the paragon of virtue Lord Krishna a kingmaker

Hindus may also pray to deities, some of whom were once real people, both male and female, who are believed to have attained such a high level of enlightenment that they are seen as pure expressions of the divine They may also be seen to be manifestations of other major Gods and Goddesses

pluralism

This philosophy leads to PLURALISM within Hinduism and outside of it Hinduism promotes respect for OTHER RELIGIONS and acknowledges the potential for truth in them This philosophy leads to PLURALISM within Hinduism and outside of it Most Hindus see the variety of religions and philosophies as DIFFERENT PATHS TO GOD

The truth is one. The wise call it by many names The truth is one. The wise call it by many names. A quote from THE VEDA’S summarizing the Hindu perspective

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