Analysis of Hinduism

Part I - Analysis of Hinduism

Origin contends "that god and the universe are one and the same" (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011, p. 56). God is impersonal; he is not the creator of the universe nor is he a kind, personal god that is concerned about his foundation or answering prayers. God is viewed as a profound, dispassionate force and does not have manlike characteristics. Since mankind is surrounded by this force, and when one departs the worlds entrapments and focuses on the forces reality then one can fully stop the reincarnation process becoming one with this eternal force or element. Everything in the universe has always existed and is not of God but only part of god.

Identity considers "all life to be sacred or spiritual in nature" (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011, p. 57). Man's soul is regarded eternal and it is the soul or essence that is considered to be important; when Nirvana is attained, the eternal soul will become joined with Brahman. Life cycles of reincarnation rest upon the good or bad actions of an individual which is the ideology of Karma. Good deeds bring rewards and closer in a future life design to obtain Nirvana. Bad deeds result it negativity in one's life and the consequence results in one being reborn into a lower life mold which extends the reincarnation cycle.

Meaning of life in Hinduism is observed as Maya or an illusion in which everything around an individual is seen as a mirage and is not valid. Halverson (2004) states, "Samsara refers to the every-revolving wheel of life, death, and rebirth" (p. 2). An individual's Karma decides the type of body one will be reincarnated in whether animal, human, or insect. Additionally, to be liberated or moksha, one must attempt to separate oneself from the egotistical desires to become in oneness with Brahman.

Morality of Hinduism come from two principles which are dharma and karma. Kinnard (2013) states that, "dharma fundamentally underlies conceptions of morality and ethics in Hinduism" (Patheos Library, p. 1, para. 2). Dharma requires one to act properly at all times and is associated with Karma because positive acts leads to positive effects while negative acts brings negative effects. Ones actions will return ones Karma and it is the responsibility of the individual to determine what and how those actions should be carried out.

Destiny of Hindus attest that "the choices they make while on this earth" (Weider & Guiterrez, 2011, p. 64) will directly affect their eternal position in the future. It is believed that the caste one enters at rebirth is established by good or bad Karma. For example, if one has good Karma, he or she will be caste into a higher position such as Kshatriya, commonly a warrior caste, which is closer to Brahman, composed of nobility and religious teachers and leads to the maximum chance for attaining Nirvana. Bad Karma will ultimately place one in a lower caste such as Shudra, commonly of laborers or farmers, or possibly even more distressing can be rebirthed as an animal.

Part II - Comparison and Contrast of Hinduism with a Biblical Worldview

Origin in Christianity contends that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the