Introduction
Christianity and Hinduism are the two oldest world religions with diverse beliefs and practices. However, many Christians and Hindus have been brought together by the changing social circumstances. Hinduism involves many deities that possess powers, protecting the Hindus in their routine activities. The Trimurti, the triple form, explains the basic beliefs about Hindu deities’ functions in the karmic cycle of life. St. Thomas Church of South India is one of the Christian communities operating in the Hindu context. Although Christians and Hindus have conflicting religious practices, they share some beliefs that allow them to live together in harmony and understand each other.
Hindu Deities in the Trimurti
While Hindus have many gods who serve different functions in their lives, three gods are considered the most important. The Trimurti represents the three gods that are most significant among Hindus: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (Corduan, 2012, p. 377). The three forms of deities allow Hindus to understand the nature of God and the universe. The deities represent the three basic forces in the universe: creation, sustenance, and destruction (Donder, 2022). Hindus believe that Tridevi is the trinity of goddess consorts for the Trimurti. The Hindu deities in Trimurti have different historical developments and functions in the kalpic cycle of life.
Brahma
Although Brahma is considered the first God of the Hindus, he is not the most important. The god is believed to have been born from a golden egg. After that, Brahma created the earth and all things on it (Asmariani, 2022). Between 500 BCE and 500 CE, the god was eclipsed by Vishnu and Shiva (Donder, 2022). Some myths describe him as having come from a lotus that was issued from Vishnu’s navel. Brahma’s function in the kalpic cycle of life is creating life in the initial life and reincarnation. Additionally, Brahma created the second God, Vishnu. Therefore, Brahma is the god the creator who gives Hindus life.
Vishnu
Vishnu, sometimes referred to as Narayana, is the second God of the Hindus. The god is associated with light, especially the sun, but is not included as one of the original seven solar gods. Vishnu is believed to have been married to Lakshmi, Ganga, and Sarawati (Donder, 2022). He is believed to have originated from the city of Vaikuntha on Mt. Meru where shining gold and jewels existed. The main function of Vishnu in the kalpic cycle of life is to preserve and guard men (Asmariani, 2022). Vishnu appears on earth in various incarnations to maintain harmony and fight demons that are destructive to human life.
Shiva
Shiva is the third god of the Hindus in Trimurti whose name means the “auspicious one”. god is believed to have originated from Rudra, who was worshipped in the Indus valley during the Vedic period (Corduan, 2012, p. 380). A common iconic attribute of Shiva is the third eye in the middle of the forehead (Chamoli et al., 2021). Shiva’s function in the kalpic cycle of life is to terminate the human soul, allowing its entry into the next successive life. Therefore, Shiva uses his powers to destroy the world’s illusions and imperfections.
The Caste System of Hinduism
Social stratification helps in defining an individual’s position in society. The Hindu caste system is one of the oldest forms of surviving social stratification. The system divides Hindus into rigid hierarchical groups based on their karma and dharma. While karma refers to an individual’s work, dharma is their duty. The system is believed to have existed for more than 3, 000 years (Leo & Panigrahi, 2021). The system has divided the Hindus into six different groups each occupying a specific hierarchal position in society: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits (Leo & Panigrahi, 2021). Brahmins include priests and teachers, while Kshatriyas include warriors and rulers. Vaishyas consist of farmers, traders, and merchants, while Shudras are laborers. Meanwhile, the Dalits are the outcasts such as the street sweepers and latrine cleaners (Corduan, 2012, p. 389). The caste system dictates every aspect of a Hindu religious and social life.
Dalits’ Application in a Hindu Life
Dalits represent Hindus in the lowest echelon of Indian society. The social and religious life of a Hindu in the Dalit group is different from others. The person lives in a colony that is segregated from people in the upper positions. Additionally, the person can only marry an individual within the Dalit caste (Corduan, 2012, p. 389). Furthermore, those in the Brahmin caste cannot accept food and drinks from the individual in the Dalit caste. Therefore, the Hindu within the Dalit caste is repressed by those in the upper castes. The caste system has led to discrimination and social stratification among Hindus.
Christians Living in the Hindus Society
St. Thomas Church of South India
Christians’ social and religious life is centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ as provided by the Holy Bible. Saint Thomas Christians in India believed that the true teachings of Jesus have only survived in India (Leo & Panigrahi, 2021). The Christians believe that Jesus studied His beliefs in India before returning to Israel. The Saint Thomas Christians in South India emphasize spiritual practice and experience gained from such practice. Consequently, they are not focused on the intellectual concepts of theology and dogma. Although some St. Thomas Christians’ beliefs conflict with Hinduism, some of their beliefs are similar.
All pervasive divinity, karma, reincarnation, and dharma are key Hindu beliefs and practices. Hindus believe in the existence of one all-pervasive God who energizes the entire universe (Leo & Panigrahi, 2021). Consequently, the Hindus worship one God without denying the existence of others. Meanwhile, the Saint Thomas Christians only believe in the existence of only one God who is pure in consciousness (Geevarghese, 2022). The two religions believe in karma: people’s actions ultimately determine what they receive. The Thomas church holds that human actions are flawed by sins, and are destined to hell. However, the Hindus believe that karma is manifested in three basic forms: prarabdha, sanchita, and kriyamana (Geevarghese, 2022). While the prarabdha is experienced through the body as sanchita karma’s part, kriyamana is caused by decisions and actions.
The Hindus believe that life goes through birth, life, and rebirth in the cycle of samsara. Therefore, reincarnation among Hindus involves the living things having an atman or soul. Like the Hindus, the Saint Thomas Christians believe in reincarnation. According to the church, reincarnation enables them to grow and evolve spiritually. Dharma among the Hindus involves observance of religious and moral conduct to guide one’s conduct. Similarly, the Saint Thomas church believes that dharma guides their moral behaviors when interacting with others and natural things. The belief is of universal application and eternal. Although Hindus and Saint Thomas church have some common beliefs, their interpretations are different.
Problems A Hindu Faces When Understanding Gospel
The different views on the common beliefs of the Hindus and Saint Thomas Christians present various problems when a Hindu seeks to understand the gospel. The Christian belief that there is only one God, may cause a Hindu to doubt Christianity since they believe in the existence of many Gods. Although reincarnation and karma are common among Hindus and Christians, it may be difficult for a Hindu to understand since the Biblical origin of sin is used. Therefore, using the Bible in explaining the common beliefs may make the Hindu doubt Christianity.
Engaging a Hindu with Gospel
Christians can engage Hindus with the gospel of Jesus Christ in understanding God, the fall of Adam, and Jesus Christ’s forgiveness and salvation. The Christian can utilize the Hindu’s belief in the all-pervasive God. Informing the Hindus that God is eternal and above all other spirits, will enable the Hindus easily understand God’s existence since they believe that there is one God above all other Gods. In explaining the fall of Adam, the Christian should utilize the concept of karma that the Hindus understand. Furthermore, the concept of reincarnation, life after death, would be used in explaining who is Jesus. Since both religions believe that God is merciful, the Christian can explain how the death of Jesus and shedding of His blood led to the forgiveness and salvation of human beings. The Hindu should be informed that Jesus was sent by God as a sacrifice for human sins who wage is death. Therefore, it is through Jesus Christ that Christians reincarnate into pure beings.
Conclusion
Hinduism and Christianity are common religious beliefs that dictate social life. Although the Hindu believe in the existence of many gods, Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu are the three most important. Hinduism as a way of life stratifies its believers in various castes that define their social life and religious practices. The Saint Thomas church includes Christians who live among the Hindu community. The church believes in all-pervasive divinity, karma, reincarnation, and dharma, but from different perspectives. Therefore, a Christian can use the common beliefs in engaging a Hindu to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Reference
Asmariani, A. A. R. (2022). The process of creation and dissolution of the universe in Bhuwana Sangksepa’s text. Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu, 6(2), pp. 16–27. Web.
Chamoli, A., Gupta, P., &, Uniyal, A. (2021). Aghora: The unflinching soul.Webology, 18(1), pp. 1318–1323. Web.
Corduan, W. (2012). Neighboring faiths: A Christian introduction to world religions. IVP Academic.
Donder, I. K. (2022). Exploring human divinity for solving of social disharmonies: A perennial study concept of humanity in Hindu theology perspective.Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(3).
Geevarghese, A.R. (2022). Negotiating dual belonging: A study of the sociocultural history of the St. Thomas Christians of India1 (1st ed.). Routledge. Web.
Leo, I., & Panigrahi, Dr. D. (2021). Caste discrimination and social change in India. Journal of Social Responsibility, Tourism and Hospitality, 1(2).