Why does Hinduism have so many gods while other religions worship one God?

The Hindu religion differs significantly from other religions. Unlike other religions that practice monotheism, Hindus worship many gods. They perceive divinity in nature and revere plants, animals, and rivers.

There are even different sects of Hindu worshipers who debate among themselves about which god is superior. This contrasts sharply with other religions that predominantly worship idols and believe in a formless god.

If there is only one world, one creation, then there should be only one creator. So why are there so many religions when the creator is the same? While some religions have formless gods like Islam and Judaism, Hindus worship gods who can be conceptualized in different forms.

The question is, who is correct? In this article, I will explain that everyone is correct, but they misunderstand one another by arguing that one group is superior to the others. There is only one world, one creation, and one God. However, people misunderstand the concept of divine oneness. To investigate this matter, let's first see what other religions like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism say.

Topics Covered

• Holy Trinity in Christianity
• Have you ever wondered if Islam acknowledges other Gods?
• The Harmony of Oneness: Exploring Non-Duality in Buddhism
• Hindusim and Advaita Vedanta
• Conclusion

Holy Trinity in Christianity

The Holy Trinity is a fundamental concept in Christianity. According to Christian belief, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct individuals yet they exist together as one divine unity.

Father

The Father is often referred to as "Our Father" in prayers and is viewed as the creator of the universe, the source of all life, and the ultimate authority figure.

Son

The Son, Jesus Christ, is considered both fully divine and fully human, with the Incarnation being a central tenet of Christian faith. The Son took on human form to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile them with God. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are pivotal events in Christian salvation history.

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as a dove and is seen as the active presence of God in the world today. The Holy Spirit is associated with healing, prophecy, and the expulsion of demons (exorcism).

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 "The LORDour God, the LORD is one". 

 
Have you ever come across the phrase in the Bible? It's an intriguing statement, isn't it? It reveals something profound about God and HIS nature. Let's dive into it and explore what it means together. 

The Bible reveals that God is one but also exists in three forms: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet these forms are not similar. It's like ice, water and vapor. They are the same but exist in different forms and these forms are not the same as each other. In conclusion, Christianity emphasizes the divine oneness or non-dual attribute of God.

Have you ever wondered if Islam acknowledges other Gods?

"Al-Wahid" is an Arabic term that translates to "The One" or "The Unique" in English. It is one of the 99 names or attributes of Allah (God) in Islamic tradition, known as the Asmaul Husna (Beautiful Names). Each name signifies a specific quality or attribute that defines the nature of God in Islam. Al-Wahid emphasizes the oneness and uniqueness of Allah.

The concept of oneness is fundamental in Islam  "La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah," which means "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Al-Wahid reinforces the idea that Allah is incomparable and beyond any human understanding.

The belief in the oneness of God is deeply rooted in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. For example, Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) explicitly declares the oneness of Allah:

"Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One,

Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

He neither begets nor is born,

Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"

The name Al-Wahid holds immense significance for Muslims, stirring up a passion for monotheism and underlining the fundamental belief that there is only one God who deserves utmost worship and devotion. This recognition of Allah's oneness is the cornerstone of Islamic theology and spirituality, driving Muslims to approach their faith, prayers, and daily lives with unparalleled zeal and enthusiasm. It's an exciting and invigorating way to live, filled with boundless energy and purpose!

The Harmony of Oneness: Exploring Non-Duality in Buddhism

   

The ancient wisdom of Buddhism offers a unique perspective on the nature of suffering and how to liberate yourself from it. Through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, you will gain a deeper understanding of the causes of suffering and how to transcend the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Unlike other religions that focus on a single deity, Buddhism empowers you to take control of your destiny and find true liberation from the endless cycle of suffering.

Did you know that in Buddhism, the ultimate goal is to achieve Nirvana, a state of absolute freedom from suffering? This state of being is beyond words and conceptualization and is often described as an ineffable state of liberation. Unlike other forms of divine oneness, Nirvana is not just the cessation of suffering but a state of pure ecstasy beyond human limitations. Imagine attaining a state of absolute bliss and freedom from all suffering - that's Nirvana for you!

An important aspect of Buddhist practice is meditation, which plays a central role in cultivating mindfulness and insight. Through meditation, practitioners aim to understand the impermanent, unsatisfactory nature of all phenomena and, ultimately, the nonexistence of a permanent, independent self. This understanding challenges the concept of a singular, eternal divine entity.

While Buddhism does not espouse the idea of a personal, creator God, various Buddhist traditions incorporate deities, bodhisattvas, and celestial beings into their cosmologies.

Image Courtesy: Incredible India

 These figures, however, are not considered eternal or absolute in the monotheistic sense. They are seen as beings subject to the cycle of birth and rebirth, with their paths toward enlightenment.

    

In summary, the concept of divine oneness in Buddhism is distinct from monotheistic traditions. Buddhism emphasizes the understanding of suffering, impermanence, and the absence of a permanent self. The ultimate goal is not a union with a singular divine entity but rather the realization of Nirvana, a state beyond suffering and conditioned existence. Interconnectedness and interdependence characterize the Buddhist perspective on oneness.

Hindusim and Advaita Vedanta

The swan is a symbol of the Jivanmukta, who is liberated while still alive in this world, by having realized Brahman.

  

   Adi Shankaracharya (8th century) developed the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, which is based on the idea that Atman and Brahman are one.

The essence of the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy says "Brahman is the only reality the world is an illusion, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and the individual self (Atman)". Here the word Brahman does not represent the caste or the priest in Hinduism. I will elaborate on the concept of Brahman in another article.

All the major religions dwell on the practice of  worshipping one single God. But most Hindus will differ from this and thus there is a dichotomy. I will explain this later in another article. All religions perceive God as the supreme Being, the creator of the universe , and the symbol of ultimate goodness.

 Nowadays the world is broken into fragments based on caste, religion, social status, economic power, gender discrimination and so on, it is high time for us to return to our spiritual roots. Nurturing the essence of our divine connection with God is the key to eradicating all social and psychological problems that Gen Z faces nowadays. 

Whether it is terrorism, power struggle, corruption, or any form of discrimination, our society should follow its spiritual path for salvation. Problems like anxiety, depression, insomnia or suicidal tendencies, prevalent among today's youth can only be healed by taking the holy path that God instructs us to follow.

Conclusion

The purpose of my article is to look into reality through the lens of Sanatan Dharma. The law of Divine Oneness teaches that everything is linked. All beings and elements are part of a single universal consciousness. This concept transcends religious and spiritual boundaries, highlighting unity and interdependence.

By recognising this law individuals understand that their actions impact the collective whole. It encourages empathy, compassion and responsible behavior emphasizing that harming others ultimately affects oneself. The law of Divine Oneness inspires harmony and the understanding that each part of existence contributes to the intricate fabric of the universe fostering a sense of connection and purpose.

Which religion do you practice and what are your views?


In the next article I will demystify the relationship between a formless God and idol worship in Hinduism