The Aspect of Human Life and World Religions

The life of a human being on the earth, the purpose for his birth and death and the universe have always been intriguing factors to human mind. Human being is the only living being on the earth that has the power of judgment, reasoning and analytical mind. Therefore, these aspects always tormented the minds of prophets, philosophers and saints in all parts of the world belonging to all religions. All religions have put forward their own interpretation regarding the human life on the earth. These are deliberated up on.

Hinduism.

Hindu philosophy is very clear on these aspects and Upanishads (Jnana i.e knowledge sections of all Vedas) have answered these questions very clearly and precisely. This is called Self-knowledge. Upanishads state that Brahman is the origin of the creation and is also our true nature. Brahman is defined as that source form from which all beings are created, sustained and to which all return. Science also agrees that for every creation there must be a source and it is Brahman from which the entire universe has been created. The scientific law of conservation of energy states that energy neither can be created nor destroyed and it can only be changed from one form to another form. The word Brahman (Atman ) is refered as God by other religions including Hindu philosophy. It is defined in Kena Upanishad as:

“That which is not seen, but because of which the eyes are able to see ; that which can not be described by words, but because of which our speech is able to describe other things; that which is not heard by the ears, but because of which our ears are able to hear; that is Brahman”(I;4-7)

An example can be quoted to clarify. When a electric bulb glows in a room; the room is filled with light and we see various objects. But we can not see the electricity that is the energy causing the effect of light. In case of a magnet, we see only a iron piece of some shape. It attracts other iron bodies when brought close. The magnetic pull can not be seen, but can be experienced. Similarly, the life that is within us is caused by Brahman known as Self. This is seated in the hearts of all and is called consciousness. If one realizes that this consciousness is Me, it is the highest form of self realization and is called Brahmagnana (Ultimate knowledge). The human body which every one sees in the materialistic world undergoing worldly pleasures and pains is not the Self.

The Atman is indicated as something other than the gross, subtle and casual bodies, beyond the five sheaths of matter: a witness to the waking, dream and deep states of consciousness and the perceiver in the sense organs, feeler in the mind and the thinker in the intellect.(1)

Once this state is achieved, the entire perception of a person changes and entire world is seen as Self and he attains the state of bliss. All the rituals, religious practices, worships, prayers to Gods, Demi Gods are aimed at achieving this State (2). The teachings of eminent teachers of all times in Hinduism, Adi Sankaracharya (677-907AD), Ramanujacharya (1017-1137AD) and Madhwacharya (1239-1319AD) explaining the philosophy as Adwaita (Impersonalism or Monism), Visishtadwaita (Qualified monism and Dwaita (Pure Dualism) respectively are aimed at realization of Brahman. The respectful word Acharya is used for eminent, accomplished and distinguished teachers in India. Sankaracharya denied the distinction between God and the living entity and considered world as an illusion and not real. Ramanujacharya acknowledged distinction between God and the living entity. He said we are same as God, but different as well. Madhwacharya preached that God and living entity were entirely distinct rigid and took uncompromising position. (3) All though other religions are critical of Hinduism as an idol worshipping cult, it is not true and critics are ill informed about the concepts of Hindu philosophy. As a matter of fact, the idols which Hindus worship represent only ideals. As explained by Vedas that are the most ancient and revelations of God, the God is formless, infinite, omnipresent and omnipotent.Chandogya Upanishad clarifies that in the beginning, there was nothing but Sat (Existence) alone and it is one without a second and that is Brahman. It can not be defined because only finite things can be defined. Brahman is nameless, infinite, formless, and has no taste, color, or a touch. Brahman has infinite power to express itself.

The use of symbols for worship is meant for making the mind concentrated where- by we intend to gain same qualities that are attributed to the symbol in which we see the God. As God is supreme and infinite, he can be represented in infinite ways, models and shapes. One can choose the form he likes and worship. This has been misunderstood by the other religions which condemn Hindus as idol worshippers. It is also like tuning a television to the channel we like from where we receive the program we like to see. The proverb “The man is known by the company he keeps” is most appropriate in this sense. A person who stays in the company of friends with low virtue would soon acquire the same qualities. A gang of drunkards is not expected to have a teetotaler among them. A gang of rapists is not expected to harbor a person who can see a mother or sister in other woman. Similarly, the person worshipping an idol seeing his deity in it is likely to acquire the same qualities after his devotional worship and continuous association with it. The Upasana (Worship) portion of Vedas that describe the procedure for worship is intended for achieving the concentration of mind and the Bhakti Marga (Devotional path) recommended by the Acharyas (Great teachers) like Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa are meant for achieving the same. They have recommended worship of Lord Shiva and Vishnu and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533) glorified the tradition by devotional singing and dance to achieve oneness with the God. In the present age, Swami Prabhupada of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) has done yeomen service to Hinduism by spreading the message and Bhakti Cult to the Western shores of the world (4). The Sufi tradition in Islam aims at similar thing in which devotional songs are sung in congregation praising the God Allah, the supreme. The display of Photographs of Kabah in Mecca, the sacred place of Muslims at the congregations and at homes is a symbol for concentration of mind although Islam denounces all types of icons and image glorification.

Hinduism preaches that the soul of a human being undergoes various forms of life before it enters a human body which is the most coveted form of life. Depending upon his deeds in the present life, he gets benefited in the next birth. Similarly, he suffers pleasures and pains in the present life as per his deeds he performed in his previous birth. Thus Hinduism firmly subscribes to the philosophy of transmigration of souls and rebirth. This theory is in contrast to the Semetic religions and is a major deviation from them. The scientific research that is being conducted in West in particular conclusively gave evidence of transmigration of souls from the investigation of various cases in which young children remembered their past lives. However research is still being conducted further on this aspect to establish the entire theory scientifically. The theory would be established if science can find a way and method by which every person can be made to remember and forget his past and the revelations are duly verified. There is a lot of way to go on this front. If this succeeds, some of the fundamental theories of Semetic religions stand liquidated (5) (6) (7).

Buddhism. Buddhism denounces idol worship as propagated by Lord Buddha. However Buddhism split into various sects and sub sects after the death of Lord Buddha and have been influenced by local traditions and thoughts in various regions where it spread. Images of Buddha and Bodhisatwa have been built in various parts of the world particularly in South East Asia such as Japan, Korea. Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Tibet, SriLanka and China and are being worshipped. Some of these images of Buddha are magnificent and awe inspiring. Although Buddha never claimed himself to be a deity or a divine being, he is being worshipped as a deity. Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism are the fundamental divisions of Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism claims to be the original form of the religion. Buddhism has split into innumerable sects in whom the original teachings have been lost and it is propagated that just by repeating certain verse and rotating a gadget in the hand containing the verse OM MANI PADME HUM(Tibet) or NAMU MYOHO RENGE KYO(Japan), the person would attain Nirvana. Something very difficult to digest for critics indeed. It is some thing similar to “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” cult practiced by ISCON popularized by Srila Prabhupada in West. Buddhism is silent on the aspect of God and Buddha refused to comment on this aspect. Buddha argued that arguments and efforts to seek answers on the origin of Universe, existence of soul and transcendental Ultimate Reality leads one nowhere and would engulf all in countless futile arguments and divert attention away from the aspects of Dukkha (suffering) and overcoming it. He discouraged speculative thinking and asked to concentrate on Nirvana, a State at which all these questions become irrelevant not that answers have been found for the perpetual and perplexing questions troubling human mind. Till date, no proper definition of Nirvana has been found.

Lord Gautama Buddha has concentrated completely on the human suffering in this world. Human life has been seen to be engulfed in Dukkha i.e. suffering. He has pronounced the four noble truths. These are (i) Suffering is universal,(ii) Suffering is caused by desire or craving, (iii)Suffering can be prevented or overcome, and (iv)The principles of Buddhism show the path to remove the suffering. These principles are summarized as eight fold path: right conduct, right motive, right resolve, right speech, right livelihood, right attention, right effort, and right meditation.

Buddhism teaches the law of impermanence that states that nothing is permanent in the world and undergoes transformation. It does not agree with existence of Atman. It states that human beings are under great illusion due to(a) Possession of body that comprise of materialistic senses, (b) Experiences, (c) The ability to perceive i.e. cognition (d)Mental ability to analyse and initiate actions, (e)Consciousness and by possession of these abilities, Human beings are self conscious about them and feel that they exist as self. But as per Buddha, nothing is permanent and under goes continuous transformation. Therefore, identifying oneself as permanent is not correct. He also promulgated the law of causation, i.e. nothing happens by chance. Buddha has recommended middle path that recommends a harmonious view of life without the extremes of overindulgence or severe asceticism. Buddhism believes in the Law of Karma and the cycle of birth and death. Although Buddha stressed on attaining Nirvana, the State of Nirvana could not be defined. Mahayana Sect believes in the theory of Bodhisatwa where in taking births again and again are highlighted in order to help others attain salvation .i.e. Nirvana. Thus Bodhisatwa is a person who although has satisfied all the conditions of attaining Self-Nirvana, does not accept it and remains in transcendental form to help the living beings to attain Nirvana. Theravada Buddhism concentrates on individual’s attaining of Nirvana (8).

Sikhism. Sikhism believes in the law of Karma (Action) and cycle of birth and death. It also believes in unity of God. A man gets the life depending upon his deeds in previous birth. The entire universe is created by the God at his will. He is analogous to Brahman and human beings are enveloped by Maya (Delusion) and ignorance. The God has been addressed by all names of Hindu Gods and Allah of Muslims. However the word Wahe Guru (wonderful Lord) is predominant and more the sense of wonder is awakened in us at the thought of such a wondrous being than any other emotion. He is to be realized because it is our destiny to become like him. The Guru’s word shows the way to the God and hence Gurus word has to be uttered, sung and heard accepting it’s validity dwelt upon and contemplated. Only mechanical uttering of the word without the essence being realized has no meaning. It is like a parrot repeating and uttering the words. Such actions are futile and lead us nowhere. Following verse of Guru clarifies:

“Every one utters the Name of the Lord, but by mere utterance one realizes Him not:

Yea, when, through the Gurus grace the Lord is enshrined in the mind, one gathereth the Fruit”. (Gujri, M.3)

Yogic way of concentrating on some concrete object without or within oneself in order to ultimately to merge in one’s own self is rejected by the Guru. The Lord being formless, it is out of tune, with the religious spirit to identify him with a specific figure or form. Thus idol worship has been denounced. However all religions in some way or other resort to some type of worship of some signs while in Hinduism it has taken the shape of idols with weird figures as claimed by some. In Sikh Gurudwara and at homes, Adi Granth (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) is kept covered under a canopy and is given a special place and people bow in great respect. Although there are no rituals such as in Hinduism, the worship in some form goes on and this may be called a devotional respect. A symbolic worship is still there.

One has to dwell upon the meaning of Guru’s word if the meaning has to be realized. All kinds of renunciation and donning the dress and outward demonstration of ascetic (Sanyasi or Baba) way of life are futile and are a taboo. In India, one finds scores of Swamis and Babas donning the robes of ascetics and go about attracting devotees and of course although some are engaged in social service and other spiritual activities , many have been found to be tricksters, criminals and cheats duping the innocent people and making money. The tragedy is that enlightened persons such as lawyers, doctors. Senior civil servants, political leaders, ministers and film stars fall a prey to these pseudo saints expecting some divine blessings and favors. Some of these mischief makers in the garb of Babas have been arrested and exposed by the police for sexually exploiting and molesting the female devotees. Unfortunately, Hindu society is plagued by the cult of Babas, Swamis, Gurus or magic men and women. In the land of Hinduism there is no dearth for such God men and women. Some of such men also amassed wealth and lead five star lives. Where is the simple living or renunciation? Sikhism vehemently opposes such outwardly display of asceticism and renunciation. Realization comes only through balance and Sahaja (poise) and not by perverted actions. Human mind has fascination for music and also helps in concentration of mind when sung or heard. Therefore, the Gurus have recommended singing of the Hymns and verses in laid down musical form (9). However mere singing of the verses does not lead to the spiritual realization of one’s God- nature so long as one’s physical activity is not controlled by God awakened mind. A Sikh never believes that he has attained supreme and identifies with God. He does not become a saint. He plunges himself in to activity believing that he is acting by the will of the God. A true Sikh controls his passions and his mind that is always facing ‘Self’ and is turned towards God and when this is done, enters into a Bliss i.e. a state in which he overcomes the limitations of worldly feelings of self and for him life and death appear to be of no meaning. He realizes that merging into the source from which he came and this is not death .This happens in most spontaneous way (Sahaja).This is cited as a reason for the succession of distinguished Gurus who attained Guruship although in their initial years spanning great portions of their lives, they did not practice the faith. In the path of the Guru, no one is eternally condemned or eternally saved, neither low nor high, but in accordance with one’s deeds each is rewarded or punished in the world of God.

“The virtuous and the vicious are not mere echoes.

For, one carries along all that pone does” (Japu)

The deeds that the persons have done in the past have become their Karma which can not be erased and would lead to pleasure and pain, deliverance or transmigration, except when one turns away from one’s self with a conscious effort, led by Gurus word with faith in Gods grace, when the old writ is washed off and one merges ones will in God. Sikhism preaches that in the present life itself it is possible to realize the God by conducting himself truly on the path shown by the Guru and going through the cycle of births is not essential.

Christianity. God is seen as separate entity. It is believed that the man was created by the God due to over abundance of love. He has been rated above all the creatures on the earth. God has created the world out of nothing and not out of his own substance. He has created the world first and then man was created. The man was created out of dust from earth and God breathed life into him (Genesis 2.7). Man has a physical body and a spiritual soul and both have been created at the same time. It is not believed that a pre -existent celestial soul has fallen into a body on the earth taking the form of a living human being. Christianity differs from the Hindu dualistic philosophy on this account. Man has been created to rule over the world (Genesis, 1.27).God has created man not for his sake, but for mans sake so that he has eternal communion with the God. The God also is believed to have created man as an image of God.

The God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness and let them rule over the fish in the sea, birds in the air, over the livestock over all earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, he created him male and female he created them (Genesis1, 26-27)

It does not mean that God has an image of his own and man is exact replica of him. The church leaders of 1 St Century opined that image of a man represented personal characteristics of the God. Man’s personality is determined by his ability to talk, think, will power, self consciousness and ability of communion with others and the God and others. A member of Holy trinity in Christianity is determined with relation to each other and similarly, a human being is also determined in relation with God and others. Hindu philosophy believes in dualism where soul and body are treated separately. But Christianity believes them to be one. The feeling of “I” is a factor that generates ego (Ahankar) and Hinduism dwells at length in eliminating it. In Hinduism, Ultimate reality is purely impersonal and all that belongs to personal hood is required to be annihilated. A person suffers illusion owing to the aspect of ego and self pride. But Christianity opines that wrong usage of “I” causes sufferings and altogether this factor can not be annihilated and a body without soul has no meaning (10). It is the quality “I” that differentiates one from others and if this quality is to be annihilated, the existence of a man on earth becomes irrelevant.

Christianity believes that man was created by the God to enjoy the world. He is free to obey or disobey his creator. But he has only one life to make a final decision. The effects are eternal and not reversible. Man’s sin objectively affects his relations with God. Ultimately, man’s sin is a violation of God’s clearly stated law and is therefore an act of rebellion which separates man from the God. It is own disobedience to God and his own selfishness and desire for lust and not the world that hold him in bondage. It is only the faith and belief in Jesus that would save him eternally. Jesus lived and preached in the areas in and around Israel and there are many countries far away from these places where millions of people lived and they had no knowledge of Jesus and his teachings. Is it a must that all these people who had no belief in Jesus by virtue of being ignorant about his existence had to be condemned eternally because they did not believe Jesus by default? This could not be answered. This aspect has been questioned. This has been widely rejected by eastern religions being a negative attribute to God and a God is not expected to have a negative attribute God always would have all best attributes.

Islam. It believes in Allah who is the only God in the universe and in the confession of a Muslim, this is the first portion followed by acceptance of Mohammed (Peace be on him) as the Prophet and the last one. Islam claims that Holy Quran is undisputable and is the divine revelation to the Prophet and is eternally valid. The God is most merciful, benevolent, omnipresent and omnipotent and he has created the universe. Islam has laid down strict code of conduct for Muslims and they have to abide by(1) Shahdah (Confession), (2) Salat(Worship),(3) Zakat(Sharing of wealth), (4) Siyam ( Ritual of fasting) and (5) Haj( Pilgrimage). Islam does not believe in ascetism and preaches the followers to live and enjoy the life that has been given by the Allah and not to waste it in fruitless ascetic pursuits. However Islam does not sanction over indulgence and exhorts Muslims to control their desires and lead a truthful and pious life in devotion to God.

Islam believes that men and Angels were created to worship Allah. Although origin of the world is similar in Biblical and Islamic thoughts, Islam slightly differs in the views in that evil was originally not present at the time of creation. Allah created Man and angels together and directed Angels to bow to him. But Iblis (Satan) did not obey and therefore he was banished from the heavens by Allah. Holy Quran reveals:

“And surely, we created you (You refers to Adam) and gave you shape (the noble shape of human being). Then we told the angels “Prostrate to Adam “and they prostrated except Iblis. He refused to be of those who prostrated. Allah said “What prevented you Iblis that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you, Iblis said I am better than him. (Adam). You created me from fire and you created him from clay. Allah said: Get down from this (Paradise). It is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.”(Holy Quran 7, 11-13).

Although the Satan was banished, he induced Adam to commit sin. However they were forgiven by Allah for the sin once they realized the folly and confessed the sin. Thus there is no original sin unlike in Christianity. However Satan is always on the look out for inducing people to commit sins. Allah warns the followers against this. It is stated:

“Behold two guardians angels appointed to learn( man’s doings) and note them one sitting on the right and one on the left, not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready to note it and the stupor of death will bring truth before his eyes. This was the thing which you were trying to escape”. (Holy Quran 50, 17-19).

On the Day of Judgment, Allah would preside and decide the fate of the subjects. Those who enter paradise eternally would enjoy the pleasures and all comforts while those condemned into hell eternally suffer and there is no escape. There is no concept of transmigration in Islam unlike Eastern religious philosophies (11).

Conclusion. All religions subscribe to the view of existence of God which is considered to be formless, omnipresent and omni potent and that all life has been created by him. Buddhism refused to talk on the issue of God and opined that it has no relevance. The fact of God was indirectly accepted. Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism believe in cycle of death and birth and transmigration. The law of Karma is believed and souls take rebirth after death and undergo various pains and pleasures depending up on the deeds done in the previous births. However, Semetic religions do not accept the theory of transmigration and cycle of birth and death. At the time of judgment, the God decides based on his deeds whether a person is condemned eternally to suffer in hell or enjoy the pleasures in paradise. There is no rebirth. Islam and Christianity believe in these philosophies. The aspect of paradise and hell are accepted by other religions too. Human beings have only one chance in their life to make a decision to lead truthful lives (as ordained by Semetic religions) and reach paradise or eternally suffer in hell. There is a fundamental disagreement between Eastern and Semetic religions on the aspect of cycle of birth and re birth and transmigration. If the aspect of transmigration is proved scientifically owing to the ongoing research, the basic philosophy of Semetic religions would be seriously questioned and challenged. Eastern religions believe that God being eternally forgiving and of great compassion, would give his subjects repeated chances in the form of many lives to improve and reach him finally. Islam and Christianity however are of the opinion that either the man goes to paradise or hell on the Day of Judgment. There is no escape from the hell. Can the God who is a marvel of love and compassion be so ruthless with his own creation? The followers of Eastern religions question. Christianity believes in the Holy trinity and is firm that those who believe and have faith in Jesus would be saved from the past, present and future sins. What happens to those men who never heard about Jesus or died before the arrival of Jesus? By default are these beings condemned eternally into hell? A real debatable question indeed! On the other extreme end, we find Islam that accepts only Allah as the universal God and as the only God and does not accept any other God and are very rigid on these aspects. It is a never ending conflict indeed (12).

Bibliography

1. Swami Chinmayananda, Kindle Life, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai, 400072 K0004, 2002, PP 79

2. Swami Tejomayananda, Hindu Culture, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Saki Vihar Marg, Mumbai-400072, India, 2004, PP 45.

3. Steven J Rosen, The Hidden Glory of India(Acharyas), The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International , Inc, Los Angels, CA, 90034, USA, ISBN 0-89213-351-1, 2004, PP 38-39

4. Steven J Rosen, The Hidden Glory of India(Shrila Prabhupada), The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International , Inc, Los Angels, CA, 90034, USA, ISBN 0-89213-351-1, 2004, PP 142,143

5. Some thoughts on western research on transmigration, www.pureinsight,org/pi/pdf_version.php?id

6. Research on Samsara(World) and reincarnation, www.pureinsight.org/pi/index.php?news

7. Dr Ayas Stevenson, Transmigration, as cited in Ph D Thesis(Religious studies) by Dr K Prabhakar Rao, Critical studies into philosophy of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism with respect to Human values, Self realization, welfare of human beings and Global peace, Almeda University, 2006, PP 101

8. H Wolfgang Schumann, Buddhism, Translated by George Feuerstein, Theosophical Publishing House, Wheaton, iii, USA, 1974, 1974

9.Dr Gopal Singh, Sikhs, Cultural and Religious Patterns in India, Published jointly by Seshachalam and Co and Popular Prakashan, Bombay, India, Edition 1, 1970, PP 64

10. William Lame Craig, No other name, A middle knowledge perspective on the exclusive of salvation through Christ. Faith and Philosophy, PP 173-83 www.wri,leaderu.com

11. Dr Ismail R Al Faruqi, Islam, Major World Religions, Argus Communications, Niles, Illionois, 60648, USA, 1979

12. Dr K Prabhakar Rao, Critical studies into philosophy of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism with respect to Human values, Self realization, welfare of human beings and Global peace, Ph D Thesis(Religious studies), Almeda University, 2006, PP 302-307

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