All Eastern Religions are based in
monism or ........... one-ism
Monism is the view that reality consists of one
fundamental, ultimate essence. It comes from the Greek mono, which means one. All is one
thing, one essential substance; hence, the term substance monism. Therefore, in monism, God,
if he exists, and the universe are the same thing. This would mean that
energy, motion, matter, thought, consciousness, etc., are all of one substance.
However, they are perceived differently.
They appear as different things though in reality they are ultimately the
same essence. Therefore, monism is a fundamental part of the philosophy of
pantheism which teaches that all existence is part of the nature of God.
The basic idea, which is the core of all
Eastern religions and the entire New Age movement, is that everything is one.
This idea is very powerful and attractive, because if everything is one, then
everyone is god. Within this worldview seems to be perfect peace and perfect
unity. There is no conflict or disagreement – I cannot hate you when I am a
part of you.
In Monism, when everything is one,
hatred is evil. This sounds fine to us as Christians! However, love
is equally evil.
Why is this the case? Because one is the only good. Two is bad. Three is worse.
Only one is good.
In order to be enlightened, one has to stop hating – but he or she also has to
stop loving, as well. You have to stop relating. Monism will never speak of the love because love is a recognition of who you
are as an individual, thus it is not tolerated.
•Monism:
Defined as the view that reality is a unified whole and that all existing
things can be ascribed to, or described by, a single concept or system. It is
the doctrine that mind and matter are reducible to the same ultimate substance
or principle of being.
•Pantheistic
Monism: Identifies God with the universe and all that is in it. It is handily
summarized by the line: "All is One, One is All, All is God.
•Monism
and Pantheistic Monism both have historical roots in the religious and
worldviews of the East.
Eastern religion teaches that the world will be
restored to a state of perfection through perfect unity, thus the foundation of
Eastern religion is the concept 'all is one'.
Monism is unbiblical because it denies
the distinction between God and creation. God is, by definition,
completely different than the creation which he brought into existence by the
exercise of his own will (Gen. 1:1-3; Eph. 1:1). In Christian theology, God is
"wholly other" and that the only way he can be known is through his
self revelation whether it be through the Bible or to the person of Christ who
is God incarnate (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9).
Monism requires me to deny my experience of myself and to transcend. The Bible, however, says that I can come to Jesus just as I am. Totally: I bring my body, my mind, my emotions, my work, my creativity, and my
uniqueness. I begin with the whole of who I am, and every aspect of my being is saved in Christ Jesus.
In Monism, I am required to abandon my body, my mind, my individuality, and my relationships.
•The
religion of Hinduism developed and evolved over a long time in India, giving
rise to a variety of beliefs and practices and to other religions, including
Buddhism.
•One of the oldest religions of humanity, founded in 1500 BCE or earlier.
•It
is the 3rd largest religion in the world.
•No particular founder
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that started in India.
Sacred Texts: Vedas, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita
–Hindu beliefs are a combination of the beliefs of the early Indus Valley peoples and the Aryans.
Hinduism is an ancient religion with no founder or known date of origin.
The term "Hinduism" simply derives from the word "India" and refers to a
wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed in
India over thousands of years. Most Hindus worship one or more deities
believe in reincarnation, value the practice of meditation, and observe
festive holidays like Diwali and Holi.
Origins & History
•Indigenous religion of India as developed to present day
Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 900 million
In Hinduism God is an impersonal force or principle that does not transcend
nature, in other words the Hindus, and many other Easterners, are
pantheists who believe that God is part of the natural world. This is entirely
antithetical to Christian theism in the way that the Christian God totally
transcends his creation. The Christian God is also personal as he is manifest
in his creation, in our rationality, in our moral compass, and perhaps most
notably in the historical person of Jesus. The Christian concept of God is an
eternal, living, spirit being (John 4:24), who is the creator and sustainer of
his universe (Acts 17:24; Colossians 1:16-17), and not part of it, as Hindus
believe.
What do Hindus believe?
•1. Brahman -the eternal being - created and preserves the world. Everything in the world is an aspect of Brahman.
•2. Atman - the soul – each person has one that is an aspect of Brahman. Can’t ever be destroyed.
•3. Devas – manifestations of Brahman that are active in the world and who help to maintain order. –3 of the most common—Brahma, Vishnu, & Siva
•4. Reincarnation – being reborn into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)
•5. Karma – the sum effect of a person’s actions, good and bad, which helps shape future experiences
•6. Moksha - goal of human existence, escape from the cycle of reincarnation to join with the Brahman.
•7. Dharma – set of spiritual duties and obligations that must be fulfilled to achieve moksha.
All these deities are but Aspects of the impersonal Brahman.
Over 300,000 gods
•No particular founder
Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that started in India.
Sacred Texts: Vedas, Ramayana, Bhagavad-Gita
–Hindu beliefs are a combination of the beliefs of the early Indus Valley peoples and the Aryans.
Hinduism is an ancient religion with no founder or known date of origin.
The term "Hinduism" simply derives from the word "India" and refers to a
wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed in
India over thousands of years. Most Hindus worship one or more deities
believe in reincarnation, value the practice of meditation, and observe
festive holidays like Diwali and Holi.
Origins & History
•Indigenous religion of India as developed to present day
Adherents Worldwide (approx.) 900 million
In Hinduism God is an impersonal force or principle that does not transcend
nature, in other words the Hindus, and many other Easterners, are
pantheists who believe that God is part of the natural world. This is entirely
antithetical to Christian theism in the way that the Christian God totally
transcends his creation. The Christian God is also personal as he is manifest
in his creation, in our rationality, in our moral compass, and perhaps most
notably in the historical person of Jesus. The Christian concept of God is an
eternal, living, spirit being (John 4:24), who is the creator and sustainer of
his universe (Acts 17:24; Colossians 1:16-17), and not part of it, as Hindus
believe.
What do Hindus believe?
•1. Brahman -the eternal being - created and preserves the world. Everything in the world is an aspect of Brahman.
•2. Atman - the soul – each person has one that is an aspect of Brahman. Can’t ever be destroyed.
•3. Devas – manifestations of Brahman that are active in the world and who help to maintain order. –3 of the most common—Brahma, Vishnu, & Siva
•4. Reincarnation – being reborn into this world lifetime after lifetime (Samsara)
•5. Karma – the sum effect of a person’s actions, good and bad, which helps shape future experiences
•6. Moksha - goal of human existence, escape from the cycle of reincarnation to join with the Brahman.
•7. Dharma – set of spiritual duties and obligations that must be fulfilled to achieve moksha.
All these deities are but Aspects of the impersonal Brahman.
Over 300,000 gods
3 Most Important Devas
Main Beliefs of Hinduism
Reincarnation: after death, souls are reborn into
another form; reincarnation is determined by karma and dharma;
Ahimsa: moral principle of nonviolence; Hindus
believe that all things are aspects of brahman, therefore they should be respected;
•Karma: all the actions of a person's
life that affects his or her fate in the next life;
People who earn a good karma are reborn at a higher level of existence;
•Dharma: the religious and moral duties of
an individual; duties vary according to class, occupation, gender or age;
– by obeying one's dharma, a person
acquires merit for the next life
If you obey your dharma and have
good karma you will be reincarnated to achieve moksha.
What
are the religious practices of Hinduism?
Sacred
Animals / Sacred Rivers:
Cows, elephants and other animals
are
viewed as sacred; the Ganges
River is the most sacred river to Hindus
Yoga, meditation, worship (puja), devotion
to a god or goddess
pilgrimage to holy cities, live according to one's dharma (purpose/role).
How does the caste system influence
Hindu beliefs?
Caste
System
= social classes into which you are born and cannot
change;–after death, Hindus hope to be
reincarnated into a higher
caste;–each caste has its own dharma;
Don’t help them
They are remain that way because they are
punished for their past life
No charity for them
What
are the Sacred Texts?
Oldest, most authoritative:
–1.
Four Vedas
(“truth”) – sacred hymns of praise
•Contain
knowledge revealed by Brahman
–2.
Upanishads – philosophical reflections on the
Vedas
•Also
revealed to, not written by, people
the Great Indian Epics (composed by
sages)
–Ramayana
–Mahabharata (includes Bhagavad-Gita)
•Both
tell stories that reflect on what it means to live according to Vedic teachings
Buddhism started in India by the “Buddha,” or Siddartha Gautama
Founder: Siddartha Gautama = an Indian prince who sought to
eliminate suffering and devoted his life to achieving nirvana;
How
did Buddha become Buddha?
Siddhartha Guatama
is born as a Hindu prince.
He leaves home to find reason for
suffering in life.
He meditated under a Bodi tree.
He found the answer.
He became the Buddha, which means
“Enlightened One".
”
Main Beliefs of Buddhism
Four
Noble Truths
=
1. Life is full of suffering
2. Suffering is caused by desire
3. Eliminate suffering by
eliminating desire
4. Eliminate desire by following
the Eightfold Path / Middle Way
Buddhists do not believe in the
caste system; Buddhists believe that
anyone, at any time, can achieve nirvana;
Believe in reincarnation
Nirvana = the goal of every
Buddhist; spiritual enlightenment; (release
from the cycle of death
and rebirth)
Ahimsa = NON-VIOLENCE
No God, savior, prayers or
eternal life after death
Eightfold Path
(How to achieve nirvana)
(How to achieve nirvana)
1. Right
Views
2.
“ “ Speech
3.“ “
Livelihood
4.“ “
Mindfulness
5. “ “
Intentions
6. “ “
Conduct
7. “ “
Effort
8. “ “
Meditation
The
solution is to eliminate desire and attachments.
(Nirvana = “extinction”)
What is the fundamental cause of
all suffering?
Desire!
Therefore,
“extinguish the self”: don’t obsess over yourself and
STUFF.
Mahayana Buddhism
The
“Great Vehicle.”
Founded
in northern Asia (China, Japan).
Buddhism
“for the masses.”
Seek
guidance from Boddhisatvas, wise beings.
Goal:
Not just individual escape from the cycle of reincarnation,
but helping
all humans escape the cycle through the self-sacrifice of
those enlightened
few.
Theravada Buddhism
The
oldest school of Buddhism.
The
“Way of the Elders” or the “Small Vehicle.”
Found
in southern Asia.
The
monastic life is the best way to achieve nirvana.
Focus
on wisdom and meditation.
Goal
is to become a “Buddha,”
or “Enlightened
One.”
Over
100,000,000 followers today.
Tibetan Buddhism
]The
“Diamond Vehicle.”
]Developed
in Tibet
in
the 7c CE.
]A
mix of Theravada and Mahayana.
]Boddhisatvas include Lamas, like the Dalai Lama.
]The
Tibetan Book of the Dead [Bardo Thodol].
zen Buddhism
]The
“Meditation School.”
]Seeks
sudden enlightenment through meditation, arriving at emptiness.
]Use
of meditation masters [Roshi].
]Beauty,
art, and aesthetics:
§Gardens.
§Archery.
§Tea ceremony.
Calligraphy
Shinto
Japan’s Earliest religion
•Means, “Way of the Gods”
•Worship Kami – divine
spirits
•Spirits live in beautiful places
•Live in some mountains and streams
•Stress virtue of cleanliness
How has eastern religion influenced the west?
The
Beatles made Eastern Religion cool.
The animal rights movement
“A rat is
a pig is a dog is a boy”
Ingrid Newkirk, Save the Animals,
President PETA
Ancient
Earth Worship 2.0
The Hyper-Environmental Movement
“Ultimately, no problem may be more
threatening to the Earth’s environment than the proliferation of the human
species.”
— Anastasia Toufexis, “Overpopulation: Too Many Mouths,”
— Anastasia Toufexis, “Overpopulation: Too Many Mouths,”
“ I have more sympathy for endangered
insects species than for children dying
of hunger in Africa.” Green Party activist Pentti
Linkola
“While the death of young men in war
is unfortunate, it is no more serious than the touching of mountains and
wilderness areas by humankind”
David Brown Sierra Club Head
New Age Religion
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