Hinduism: Ask your Questions

[Surya Deva]

Besides, it seems to me that if the Buddha believed in the literal existence of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and their avatars he would probably teach some sort of Bhakti Yoga, which he apparently didn't.

That is very absurd, you continue to embarass yourself with your ignorant comments. Bhakti Yoga is just type of Yoga, it has nothing to do with a belief in the literal existence of deity. Jnana Yogis(of which Buddha is one) also accept the existence of Hindu deities, but this does not mean they do Bhakti Yoga. Adi Sankarcharya, one of the most famous Jnana Yogis famously declared, "Shivo aham" to refer to the same divine entity(Brahman) thus he beleived in the existence of Shiva, but not as a distinct entity, but as one with the divine being.

Besides, even Bhakti Yogis do not accept the literal existence of deities necessarily, many just consider them aspects of that same divine being. To glorify that one they will use many names.

 

[Surya Deva]

To add something to the Buddhism discussion. It is not known for certain what the original Buddhas teachings were, the only evidence available is that there was a historical figure named Buddha, but as his teachings were recorded centuries after his death and by that time several divisions and splits had taken place in Buddhism over differences in interpretations and doctrines of what he said, nothing for certain can be said to be authentic Buddhism. Rather, it is important to recognise each sect of Buddhism as a separate living tradition. By doing so it is no longer tenable to cling to this melodrama that Buddhism arose against Hinduism and rejected it, because for all we know perhaps the historical Buddha never intended such a thing. The Mahayana tradition in particular suggests no discord between Buddhism and Hinduism, and although there is debate that the Mahayana tradition is not the original teachings of Buddhism, this is an open debate.

What should suffice for this thread is the fact that has been relayed by many here that there is no fundamental conflict between Buddhism and Hinduism, and historically they have been together, as opposed to against each other. Even today in India, Hindus and Buddhists get on very well and participate in each others religion.

Those who want to breed attitudes of separatism where there is none deserve to be condemned. When Hindus and Buddhists are getting along so well, why does anybody feel the need to separate them. By suggesting such ridiculous and inane stories that Buddhism rose against Hinduism, separatist attitudes are being bred. Similar is the case for Sikhs suggesting the Sikh Gurus rejected Hinduism. I have seen the results of what separatist ideology does in my own family, please do not perpetuate this; perpetuate unity, not separatism.

 

[Breathe]

To add something to the Buddhism discussion. It is not known for certain what the original Buddhas teachings were, the only evidence available is that there was a historical figure named Buddha, but as his teachings were recorded centuries after his death and by that time several divisions and splits had taken place in Buddhism over differences in interpretations and doctrines of what he said, nothing for certain can be said to be authentic Buddhism.

I agree with you here. There are HUGE differences between Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism. Buddhism can seem to be more like a blanket term for three religions with one founder, though the practices, the rites, and everything else. Heck, Tibetan Buddhism basically has God: Adi-Buddha, the primordial Buddha, existing before anything else.

The majority of people will often say that Theravada (or Zen) Buddhism is the "true Buddhism" in response though, but I think that's rude against the Buddhists of the Mahayana and Vajrayana sects. Especially since Buddha's doctrines were not written down for 500 years, we have no real way of knowing what he said, and what are fabrications. Buddha could have even taught monotheism (though I doubt it), but nevertheless, we have no way of actually knowing what was actually taught, and what was taught by other people, deliberately or accidentally.

Rather, it is important to recognise each sect of Buddhism as a separate living tradition. By doing so it is no longer tenable to cling to this melodrama that Buddhism arose against Hinduism and rejected it, because for all we know perhaps the historical Buddha never intended such a thing.

I've heard that the Buddha was originally a reformer. What do you make of this?

The Mahayana tradition in particular suggests no discord between Buddhism and Hinduism, and although there is debate that the Mahayana tradition is not the original teachings of Buddhism, this is an open debate.

That is true. However as I've said before, I've got Theravada Buddhist friends who worship the Hindu gods. I've heard Ganesha is extremely popular with Theravada Buddhists in Sri Lanka, but my friend from Thailand worships him, also.

What should suffice for this thread is the fact that has been relayed by many here that there is no fundamental conflict between Buddhism and Hinduism, and historically they have been together, as opposed to against each other. Even today in India, Hindus and Buddhists get on very well and participate in each others religion.

:yes:Honestly it seems as though only in the West, that they quarrel. Sure there may be some arguments here and there, some historical, but the general population do not seem to be that bad. If we look at, say, Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism are very close there. :namaste:

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Ok... "Hinduism: Ask your Questions"

Let stick to the topic, please!

 

[LuisDantas]

Luis, a buddhist is suppose to keep their ego in check. You have clearly been proven wrong by several here, some of which are Buddhists themselves,

Only in your head, I fear.

Now stop embarrassing yourself, please.

 

[nawab]

my question is still not answer: How can Lord Shiva not recoignize his own son and chops his head off, and then why he cannot revive it so they take the head of an elephant as a transplant.

 

[LuisDantas]

Per Don Pengouini's request I will refrain for elaborating on my reply to Suraj.

It is QUITE direct, however. You may have it by MP if you want, just ask me.

 

[LuisDantas]

Odion, please join me:

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/1333770-post1.html

 

[want to be hindu]

my question is still not answer: How can Lord Shiva not recoignize his own son and chops his head off, and then why he cannot revive it so they take the head of an elephant as a transplant.

I do not know one Hindu believes that the Lord Shiva looks like a Man with a blue neck.
This is a myth to tell a story. Parvati made her son out of sandle paste to stop Shiva from interrupting her bath. The story is about how shivas son Ganesh is full of love and loyalty to his Mom. This myth shows a child who is not pushed around by anyone and will stand up to Shiva Himself for the love of his mom. It has a funny ending were Ganesh gets an Elephant head.Because shiva is in the dog house with his wife. Many family values become clear from storys like this.Theres a great book called How Ganesh Got his Head. Kids love it.

 

[want to be hindu]

@ Nawab
Hinduism has myths that teach timeless truth, deep philosophy,storys that work like a zen koan to break down thought so we can see the truth. The ways our texts teaches us has no end.

 

[nawab]

yes, kid love it but i tend to be a spiritualist, i am trying to learn lessons from it what i learned was,

1) Why did Pravati made a guardian to stop her husband from coming in since she was his wife and Shiva had right over her,i dont think any Hindu women ask their sons to stop thier fathers coming to them

2) If Shiva was God, he didnt even recoignize his own son, he did even had the ability to raise him up again even Jesus did that,

3) Shiva couldnt even bring back his head and had to put an elephant head on him,

I dont think I can learn any lessons from it, except how human Shiva was

 

[want to be hindu]

hindu, that sounds awesome! I would've loved to go, even just to watch. If you ever get the chance to go again, I hope you can watch it. Kali Ma, wow. I like Kali a lot. My favourite Hindu deities are: Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kali, and I also like Ganesha, Brahma and Hanuman. I'm interested in Shakti, but I don't know enough about her.

A question I'd like to know: how does one find out that a god[dess] exists? What they look like, what they are god of, etc?

I am taking my Son to the desert for a few days I will get back to you

 

[Breathe]

I am taking my Son to the desert for a few days I will get back to you

Have fun and keep me posted. PM me when you get back!

 

[want to be hindu]

yes, kid love it but i tend to be a spiritualist, i am trying to learn lessons from it what i learned was,

1) Why did Pravati made a guardian to stop her husband from coming in since she was his wife and Shiva had right over her,i dont think any Hindu women ask their sons to stop thier fathers coming to them

2) If Shiva was God, he didnt even recoignize his own son, he did even had the ability to raise him up again even Jesus did that,

3) Shiva couldnt even bring back his head and had to put an elephant head on him,

I dont think I can learn any lessons from it, except how human Shiva was

It seems to me that your earlier question was just a set up to insult my faith. I think you have a very low view of Hinduism and Hindus so you try to find trick questions and point it out in a way you wont get kicked off the forum. Well good luck with that. I will answer all after I get back.You will find that Hinduism is very hard to push down thats why we can trace it back to the neolithic. By the way I have respect for Islam Like Ramakrishna explained, 'Yata mat tato path" — as many souls, so many pathways to God.

 

[nawab]

well if you like to think it that way i cant help it, cant help you bro, anywell have fun on your trip

 

[Surya Deva]

By the way I have respect for Islam[/qoute]

I can comfortably say I don't. I don't see any reason why Hindus should be respectful to a religion which clearly has great intolerance for it. I have contributed to many discussions on this forum, discussed with people from all religions and philosophical backgrounds, and I can safely say the Muslims here have been the most intolerant, disrespectful and threatening. Nobody from any other religion has given me a death threat so openly before. I have never had one in my entire life. I think it spoke volumes about Islam. I am sorry but I am going to generalise to Islam. To have so many occurences of intolerance, disrespect and general intimidation(a few Muslims posted in the Idol worship thread condoning destroying the idols of idol worshippers) in a religion which has hisorically always been like that, makes such a generalization a valid one. The fact I have seen an interfaith dialogue between so-called liberal Muslims and Hindus, where the Hindu side is calling for peaceful co-existence and saying nice stuff about their religion, and the other side is openly ridiculing Hindus, with thousands of Muslims in the audience applauding it, it is difficult to muster any respect for a religion which clearly does not want any kind of peaceful co-existence.

Nawab and others are doing a horrible job for Islam and I have already noticed how many RF members are beginning to see Islam differently than before due to the posts they are making. We already hear all this stuff in the media, but to have it confirmed by so many. It seems like people like Nawab are hellbent on defaming their own religion, and I think they are doing a great job of it, because it certainly has me disgusted with it.

 

[Breathe]

I agree Suraj. Thankfully, though, they've helped me in my spiritual search. It will not be within Islam.

I must admit, if I hadn't had a friend of mine get the crap kicked out of him in my local area from some Muslims just for saying Muslims are brainwashed, then I'd probably put a photograph of me on here. I feel as though I've said stronger things, and I don't feel like getting the crap kicked out of me *grins*.

 

[nawab]

so, suraj is still alive

 

[Gharib]

Nawab and others are doing a horrible job for Islam and I have already noticed how many RF members are beginning to see Islam differently than before due to the posts they are making. We already hear all this stuff in the media, but to have it confirmed by so many. It seems like people like Nawab are hellbent on defaming their own religion, and I think they are doing a great job of it, because it certainly has me disgusted with it.

just aminute here suraj.
if a man who follows islam offends you then all those who follow islam have offended you. if a man who follows islam commits a crime then all muslims are criminals.
there are hindu criminals too so all you hindus are criminals, there are christian criminals too then all christians are criminals, aren't they? no they aren't because we can just see how much everyone hates this religion, i personally do not need anyone to say to me they respect islam because i know what a bull that is. one
muslim commits a crime then he gets called a muslim criminal, one christian/hindu commits a crime then he is a criminal, that just shows how much you and everyone else respects islam, and don't say this isn't true because then you will just be fooling your self.
i too hate the other religions for this, they call all muslims criminals why don't all the hindus get called criminals. i have been offended by hindus on RF and have i said to them you are doing a great dissrespect to your religion? no i haven't because one man isn't responsible for the rest of the world. he isn't responsible for the other hindus just as a muslim isn't responsible for other muslims actions. the smae thing has been said to me just as you have said to nawab, you are very quick to point that out, oh, i forgot thats because you and everyone else respects islam, you are only looking out for us, right? what a bull.

and i would appreciate it if you didn't hold all muslims accountable for the actions of one muslims. just as i had to do when you said the same things to me. but you know what? the hell with everyone who hates islam, if you have no respect for islam then i have 10 times more dissrespect for you, but if you respect islam then i have 100 times more respect for you.
remember this next time if you get offended by a man who follows islam, not all muslims are responsible for his actions. you do not respect islam and you made it clear so does that mean that i have to hate all hindus because of you. no it doesn't but if you ever say something like this then i will show no respect for any other hindu, i might as well commit the crime if i'm to be blamed. i hope thats clear.

 

[Surya Deva]

I do not hold all Muslims accountable, but I am starting to think that such intolerance that Nawab and others have exhibited is very common in Islam, and to be honest nothing I am learning about Islam is contradicting this. I am sorry at the end of the day a non-Muslim like me can only know Islam through his its followers present it, and it is safe to say and I am sure others would agree with me, that how it is being presented here does not do it any favours at all.

I think Sui has been the only respectable and sensible Muslim member who I've discussed with so far, so that does keep my hope that that there are more like Sui. I just hope they are not a minority. I think the sensible ones definitely need to assert their influence on the non sensible ones, because the non sensible ones are really representing their religion in the worst possible light, which is really irresponsible considering the stereotypes of Islam in the media and the world in general today. If anything, Muslims should be making a special effort to show that they are the opposite of how they are being portrayed. Sadly so far you guys are reinforcing the stereotypes.