Are there many Gods in Hinduism?
The truth is, in Hindusim we only have one Supreme God. Supreme Godhead in Hinduism is characterized by His or Her ability to Create the world and life. There is only One Being who has this ability. This is the One God whom we all pray to. A quote from the Rig Veda goes like this: "They call Him Indra, Varuna, Mitra or the heavenly sunbird Garutmat. The seers call in many ways that which is One; they speak of Agni, Yama, Matarishvan."
However in Hinduism we believe that All-Mighty God can appear to His or Her devotee howsoever He or She pleases. Thus in Hinduism we have many varied forms of a Singular Godhead. This is also why Hindus understand that people of other religions are also praying to the same God as we are, albeit in another form. Thus you will hear Hindus claim that there is One Truth but many paths leading to it.
Are Hindus idol worshippers?
This is another commonly misunderstood tradition of Hinduism. Not understanding the philosophy and reasons for worship of images to represent God, many people think Hindus worship stone or the pictures that we use for worship as God Himself. Actually the Hindu representation of God through worship is not much more different than the use of images and symbols of worship that can be found in other religions. However, the use of images for worship in Hindu temples does have a deeper esoteric significance than simple symbolism or as a point of reference for our devotion. We idolize God and make images of Him or Her and use it for worship because this is very much a natural part human expression of appreciation.
The deeper aspect of image worship in Hinduism is in its use in temples. When established properly in the sanctum of a temple, the image or murthi plays a special role as a conduit of Gods blessings to His or Her devotees. The ceremonies done by the priest in the temple turn the stone, wood or crystal image from a simple physical object to a doorway into God's abode in the Brahmaloka through which communication takes place between the physical and spiritual realms. People who do not understand this metaphysical science behind the role of the murthi in the temple will generally mistake the reverence we give to the image as a primitive or lowly form of worhsip.
Is there a Hindu bible?
When we think of a bible, the picture that comes to mind is the Christian bible or the Islamic Koran. All these books are singular volumes which can easily be shown or referred to as the authoritative scripture of the religion. Does Hinduism have a bible like these other religions? The answer is yes and no. Yes because we do have an authoritative central Scripture in Hinduism. These are called the Vedas. No because it is not a singular volume.
All Hindus revere the Vedas as the source of Hinduism. It is historically the world's oldest scripture, where scientific dating puts the writing of these Scriptures beyond 5000 years ago (well before the emergence of other scriptures in Hinduism or other religions). The teachings in the Vedas were revealed directly by God to meditating rishis. In Hinduism such God revealed Scriptures are called shruti. These teachings were then passed on orally from guru to sishya and eventually they were written down in ancient books. The revelation of the Vedas to the rishis is similar to God's revelation of Scriptures of the other religions to their prophets.
However unlike the Christian Bible or the Koran, the Vedas is not a singular book. Neither were the teachings in the Vedas revealed to one particular rishi. In fact the Vedas are a collection of books that were written by many (some say thousands) of rishis, most of whom remained anonymous.
Why do we worship cows?
The worship of cows in Hinduism is practical application of two fundamental beliefs of Hinduism. The first is the reverance of all life as God. 'seeing God in all beings and things.' regard all of life: humans, animals, plants and the elements as divine manifestations. The worship of the cow is an expression of this reverance of all life as divine.
The second belief is the importance of ahimsa or the practice of non-violence as the cardinal virtue of spiritual living.
The question though is why the cow and not another animal? Indeed the worship of the cow is symbolic. The reason the cow was chosen above other animals is mainly out of convenience and the ease with which we can express reverance to it.
The cow is a gentle and easily tamed animal. It is also an animal that is an important provider for the human race. I am of course referring to the milk the cow gives (not the meat!) and its role in the economic activity of rural farming and transportation. One cannot underestimate the role of the cow in life and economics not only of the past but also in present times. Indeed, when we ponder on the importance of the cow in human civilization it is easy to surmise that this animal holds a unique and important role compared to other animals. There is a saying in India that while a mother produces milk for her child only for the first few years of life, Gomatha (mother cow) can provide milk for humans all throughout their life. Thus the cow is easily the most suitable creature for the symbolic worship to revere all manifestations of life.
Must we be Vegetarian?
In Hinduism there is a cardinal virtue called ahimsa. Cardinal means, of the greatest importance or fundamental. Ahimsa means non-violence. The practice of not hurting other living things either through physical force, words and even thoughts is the highest practice of goodness in Hinduism. A person who is able to live a life while observing all the edicts of ahimsa can be considered a saint. Our Hindu gurus and leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi are and were exponents of ahimsa. By extension of observing ahimsa, vegetarianism came to be. Whereby, the ideal practice of ahimsa inflicts no harm to life even in feeding oneself.
What is Karma?
Karma is a law of nature just like gravity postulated by Hinduism. Karma regulates the consequences to the actions that we do. According to the law of karma, all our actions reap consequences that are equal in nature to our original action, which returns to us at the most appropriate time in our life. To put it simply, the law of karma states that if one does good, good experience of equal measure is received; if one does bad, bad experience of equal measure is received. Sometimes teachers equate karma to Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that, for every action there is and equal and opposite reaction. However, karma does not govern motion, instead it governs our deeds.
According to the belief of karma, one shapes ones own destiny through deeds. Thus the happiness or sorrow that we experience in life are the cause of our previous actions.
The goal of karma management is to maximize the creation of good karmas and minimize if not avoid altogether the creation of bad karmas. This is Sanatana Dharma.
Do we believe in reincarnation?
Yes, reincarnation is one of the core beliefs of Hinduism. Reincarnation is closely tied to the Law of Karma. In this life process of being born again, what continues life is our soul. Our soul is the part within us that is immortal. The soul is indestructible. It is not affected by the disease nor death of the body. The soul or atma is the most spiritual part of us. It is our primal identity that God created directly out of Himself. Whereas our body came through our parents our soul came out of God. Thus all souls are children of God.
The atma goes through cycles of reincarnation on earth to grow spiritually. All our souls share the same goal of life. That is to return to God. My guru used to quip, "just like a how rain drops originated from the oceans, our soul was created by God directly from His Being. Just like how the rain drop eventually falls on earth and merges back into the mighty ocean as a river flows into the ocean, our soul is born on earth many times but will eventually make its way back to reunite with God."
Sometimes non-hindus who do not understand the process of reincarnation claim that reincarnation is an endless process. That it continues to eternity and as souls we are stuck in it. This is wrong. Reincarnation ends in moksha and according to Hindu scripture and gurus all souls will achieve moksha.
Why do we wear the Tilak?
The tilak is symbolic of our soul's eye otherwise know as the 'third eye.' The tilak marks the placement of the third eye on our forehead. It is a sensitive spot in the middle of our brow situated slightly above the eyebrows. If your ran your fingers along the middle line of your brow you will be able to sense this sensitive spot. This is the correct placement of the pottu or tilak dot.
The act of putting the tilak is actually to remind us of our higher spiritual nature that is our soul. That we should endeavour to see and understand life from the higher, inclusive and loving perspective of our soul. It is to remind us to continue striving to perfect weakness in our nature so our personality more and more resembles the peaceful and benevolent nature of our soul. It is also to remind us of our ultimate goal of life, that is to break free from the cycle reincarnation on earth so we may live forever in the Heavens.
