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Can Non-Abrahamics and Abrahamics be from same God?

SalixIncendium

अहं ब्रह्मास्मि
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm reminded of the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant...


A group of blind men had heard that an animal they had never encountered, called an elephant, had been brought into town. They decided to investigate to see what this animal was like. When the came upon the animal, each reach out to touch it.

The first, standing in front of the animal, reached out and touched the elephant's trunk. Upon touching it, he said, "An elephant is a thick snake."

The second, standing near the animal's head, reached out and touched the elephants ear. When he touched it, he said, "An elephant is some sort of fan."

The third, standing next to the elephant, reached out and touched its side. "An elephant is just like a wall," he said.

The fourth, standing next to one of the elephant's legs, reach out and touched it. He said, "An elephant is just like the trunk of a tree."

The fifth reach out to find its tusk. "An elephant is a kind of spear."

The sixth, standing behind the elephant, took hold of the elephants tail said, "An elephant is just like a rope."


Yes, there is only one elephant, but each blind man, being ignorant to the perception of the others, creates multiplicity, and one elephant becomes six different beings.

Until one can become open to the true nature of God, one is subject to avidya.
 
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TransmutingSoul

One Planet, One People, Please!
Premium Member
You probably meant: There shouldn't be any compulsion in religion?

I quoted it as Muhammad revealed and the Spirit behind the teaching, it is a pity that some men chose to practice it in a different way.

Therin is how God can be One, but man sees it in many different ways. All we are asked to do, is put the differences aside and look for our unity.

Regards Tony
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Although the Hindu, Budhism and other Non-Abrahamic Religions seem to be different than the Abrahamics ones, Can they be from the same God, but were revealed or manifested in different ways, based on cultural differences
Could God have spoke dharma, the way He did to Hindus, but in other cultures, He manifested Prophets as seen in Abrahamics.

Would this verse of Quran, explain it?

"To every People have We appointed [different] rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way. 2:67

Comment in bracket is by myself.

Logically it makes sense there is a common underpinning to reality independent of our beliefs. We agree that there is one sun the earth revolves around regardless of belief. Believing the sun not to exist doesn't alter its presence. None of us really knows for certain what lies in the realm beyond this phenomenal world. Whatever that reality is, its independent of our own personal beliefs and preferences. If there really is One God, then that God exists independent of our belief or non-belief.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Here for the ride
Premium Member
"Can Non-Abrahamics and Abrahamics be from same God?"

No. Baha'is need to stop appropriating the religions of others and misrepresenting them. It's very insulting and only increases resentment.
 

TransmutingSoul

One Planet, One People, Please!
Premium Member
"Can Non-Abrahamics and Abrahamics be from same God?"

No. Baha'is need to stop appropriating the religions of others and misrepresenting them. It's very insulting and only increases resentment.

Living a life, where being insulted is of no consequence, seems to be a core teaching for all to practice.

Regards Tony
 

Dawnofhope

Non-Proselytizing Baha'i
Staff member
Premium Member
Well the God experience is in western world where Buddha is in the asian world in my understanding this has to do with how we as a people are in the western world and in the asian world.

Even as a person from the western word (Norway) i have always felt more drawn to the asian way of life and culture. I can not fully explain why but as far my understanding of past life i have been asian in previous life. so it might explain why buddhism is closer to me then abrahamic religions.

When looking at existance outside our human real there is consiousness, this is what i think abrahaic religions call God. a living non physical entity that everything expand from, and who can take physical form when humans need guidance in how to go back to true consiousness.

Buddha did teach singel pointed consiousness and this we experience in meditation. but only by getting rid of the physical body can we trully experiene singel pointed consiousness.

There does seem to be statements in writings attributed to the Buddha that could at least be perceived as theistic.

For example:

There is the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, and therefore there is an escape from the born, created, formed, originated. If it were not for the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, there would be no escape from the born, created, formed, originated, but because there is the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, there is an escape, there is liberation from the born, created, formed, originated (Udana VIII.3).

Buddha Space: 'The Unborn,' by Ajahn Sumedho
 

robocop (actually)

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Although the Hindu, Budhism and other Non-Abrahamic Religions seem to be different than the Abrahamics ones, Can they be from the same God, but were revealed or manifested in different ways, based on cultural differences
Could God have spoke dharma, the way He did to Hindus, but in other cultures, He manifested Prophets as seen in Abrahamics.

Would this verse of Quran, explain it?

"To every People have We appointed [different] rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way. 2:67

Comment in bracket is by myself.
I think after looking at the meru foundation at meru.org, there are deep seated patterns that are in all major religions.
 

Fool

ALL in all
Premium Member
Although the Hindu, Budhism and other Non-Abrahamic Religions seem to be different than the Abrahamics ones, Can they be from the same God, but were revealed or manifested in different ways, based on cultural differences
Could God have spoke dharma, the way He did to Hindus, but in other cultures, He manifested Prophets as seen in Abrahamics.

Would this verse of Quran, explain it?

"To every People have We appointed [different] rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way. 2:67

Comment in bracket is by myself.


What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes 50
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
Yet throughout recorded history hundreds of wars and millions of people have been killed in wars where one side or both have been trying to impose their religion on the opposition

What is religion all about?? Religion, all religions and Holy Books teach and promote love, mercy, compassion, good character, patience, the virtues, respect, tolerance, forgiveness, a sin covering eye, humility, forbearance, caring, courtesy,excellence, devotion, detachment, moderation, kindness,generosity, fairness, meekness, charity, hospitality, friendliness, truthfulness, integrity, uprightness, honesty, wisdom, empathy, cooperation, unity, harmony, oneness, peacefulness. This is what the Holy Books of all Faiths teach.

So are you saying obedience to these teachings of religion is the cause of wars???
 
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shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Yes, if you remove the cultural burdens of defining God(s), or the non-existence of God(s) in ones own image, and acknowledge God is the 'Source' some call God(s) or some other sort of mythical being(s). Accepting that the Revelation from the 'Source' and the relationship between the 'Source' is universal with humanity regardless of the cultural names throughout our history since the first Adam became human and knew the 'Source' we call God.

It is an important issue that 'IF' the 'Source' exists it would not be in the images of the one or more of the individual religions, divisions nor belief systems. It would be universal with Creation totally without regard to any one cultural nor religious perspective.
 
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George-ananda

Advaita Vedanta, Theosophy, Spiritualism
Premium Member
Can Non-Abrahamics and Abrahamics be from same God?

In my view there is only Brahman (One Consciousness) that is ultimately real.
So I would add even atheists. polytheists, and everyone to that list.

As thinking about this stuff gets complicated, there are many religious and philosophical schools and in the end the differences are not that critical. Brotherly love for others is what does matter and I find respecting that pretty universal.
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God.(Baha’u’llah)

Buddha mentions God in this passage from Buddhist texts.

There is, O Bhikkhus, an unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed. Were there not, O Bhikkhus, this unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed, there would be no escape from the world of the born, originated, created, formed.

Since, O Bhikkhus, there is an unborn, unoriginated, uncreated, unformed, therefore is there an escape from the born, originated, created, formed.”

(The Udana, translated from the Pali by D.M.Strong, p.112)
 

RoaringSilence

Active Member
how easy it is for you to accept one man's experience in a cave , but you discard researchers like Dr. Ian stevenson who spent their entire lives proving the truth about reincarnation scientifically.

Long before you guys claimed a flat earth , the hindus were talking about the 3 realms and multiverses , the nine planets (nav-grah) and millions of suns and moons multiple dimensions , time dilation ( number of days on brahama lok vs 1 day of earth), space and time (aakash , kaal ) . you really have to consciously choose to be ignorant to ignore that, or maybe the desperation to rule the world with your law and hidden agendas of using funding from turkey and qatar ( ottomans) to dominate and oppress.

no matter what you do you cannot ever explain ,, why is it that one man is born more fortunate than the other ...if it wasn't for karma and rebirth. if it is one life and eternal punishment then we should ve all been clones.

 
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Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
There does seem to be statements in writings attributed to the Buddha that could at least be perceived as theistic.

For example:

There is the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, and therefore there is an escape from the born, created, formed, originated. If it were not for the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, there would be no escape from the born, created, formed, originated, but because there is the unborn, uncreated, unformed, unoriginated, there is an escape, there is liberation from the born, created, formed, originated (Udana VIII.3).

Buddha Space: 'The Unborn,' by Ajahn Sumedho
In my understanding Buddha talking about being born in to this physical world as example human beings, and that it is possible to escape this birth
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
how easy it is for you to accept one man's experience in a cave , but you discard researchers like Dr. Ian stevenson who spent their entire lives proving the truth about reincarnation scientifically.

Long before you guys claimed a flat earth , the hindus were talking about the 3 realms and multiverses , the nine planets (nav-grah) and millions of suns and moons multiple dimensions , time dilation ( number of days on brahama lok vs 1 day of earth), space and time (aakash , kaal ) . you really have to consciously choose to be ignorant to ignore that, or maybe the desperation to rule the world with your law and hidden agendas of using funding from turkey and qatar ( ottomans) to dominate and oppress.

no matter what you do you cannot ever explain ,, why is it that one man is born more fortunate than the other ...if it wasn't for karma and rebirth. if it is one life and eternal punishment then we should ve all been clones.


No revelation from God has ever taught reincarnation; this is a man-made conception.

We as Bahá'ís are not influenced by the categorical assertions of scholars. We believe that what Bahá'u'lláh has revealed and Abdu'l-Bahá has written is from God, and divinely inspired; that Bahá'u'lláh is a Manifestation of God, and has access to a knowledge denied to ordinary human beings.'" (Letter written to an individual believer, April 22, 1954 on behalf of the Guardian)

We know from His Teachings that reincarnation does not exist. We come on to this planet once only..(Shoghi Effendi)

..modern psychology has taught that the capacity of the human mind for believing what it imagines is almost infinite. Because people think they have a certain type of experience, they think they remember something of a previous life, does not mean they actually had the experience, or existed previously. The power of their mind would be quite sufficient to make them believe firmly such a thing had happened." (Shoghi Effendi)
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
No revelation from God has ever taught reincarnation; this is a man-made conception.

We as Bahá'ís are not influenced by the categorical assertions of scholars. We believe that what Bahá'u'lláh has revealed and Abdu'l-Bahá has written is from God, and divinely inspired; that Bahá'u'lláh is a Manifestation of God, and has access to a knowledge denied to ordinary human beings.'" (Letter written to an individual believer, April 22, 1954 on behalf of the Guardian)

We know from His Teachings that reincarnation does not exist. We come on to this planet once only..(Shoghi Effendi)

..modern psychology has taught that the capacity of the human mind for believing what it imagines is almost infinite. Because people think they have a certain type of experience, they think they remember something of a previous life, does not mean they actually had the experience, or existed previously. The power of their mind would be quite sufficient to make them believe firmly such a thing had happened." (Shoghi Effendi)
I dont want to start an agrument about reincarnamtion, But can it be that He did not know about reincarnation, or did not understand the concept so he did not teach it? I know that most western religions do not teach reincarnation while most asian religions actually do teach it.
Does a thing not exist because you can not see it or explain it?
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Although the Hindu, Budhism and other Non-Abrahamic Religions seem to be different than the Abrahamics ones, Can they be from the same God, but were revealed or manifested in different ways, based on cultural differences
Could God have spoke dharma, the way He did to Hindus, but in other cultures, He manifested Prophets as seen in Abrahamics.

Would this verse of Quran, explain it?

"To every People have We appointed [different] rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way. 2:67

Comment in bracket is by myself.
You do understand that everyone and everything could be from the same God(s) and yet all of our beliefs about this God(s) may be false at the same time.
Thus the only question of any relevance is that whether, among the N number of diverse and often contradictory beliefs about God(s) which (if any) are true in even an appx. manner.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
No revelation from God has ever taught reincarnation; this is a man-made conception.

We as Bahá'ís are not influenced by the categorical assertions of scholars. We believe that what Bahá'u'lláh has revealed and Abdu'l-Bahá has written is from God, and divinely inspired; that Bahá'u'lláh is a Manifestation of God, and has access to a knowledge denied to ordinary human beings.'" (Letter written to an individual believer, April 22, 1954 on behalf of the Guardian)

We know from His Teachings that reincarnation does not exist. We come on to this planet once only..(Shoghi Effendi)

..modern psychology has taught that the capacity of the human mind for believing what it imagines is almost infinite. Because people think they have a certain type of experience, they think they remember something of a previous life, does not mean they actually had the experience, or existed previously. The power of their mind would be quite sufficient to make them believe firmly such a thing had happened." (Shoghi Effendi)
Since both Gita and Buddha teaches reincarnation/rebirth explicitly they are therefore non-revealed and hence wrong...correct?
 
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