Indian Religions & Cultures

Unit 2: Religious Dimensions of India

12. Expressions of Theism
27 Sep 2021
Hinduism as way of life
§ Is Hinduism a religion? Yes and No. Some argue that Hinduism is not a religion, but a ‘way of life’.
§ Yes, it is a religion, if we understand religion as follows: a) belief in a supreme God which is the cause of
our existence, b) methods and rituals to worship this God, c) having some moral code, d) living the will
of that God.
§ No, it is not a religion for these reasons: a) it does not have a founder, b) the Supreme Being is not a
separate entity (as in Islam or Christianity), c) The truth of life has not been revealed to one person (as in
the case of Jesus or Mohammad, d) There are no ‘strict’ religious doctrines that would amount to
expulsion from that religion
§ The wide variety within Hinduism makes it hard for one strict uniform code to be used, though there are
some general observations that can be made.
Theism and kinds:
§ By and large, Hindus are theists- that they believe in a God. But are they strict monotheists? There are
varieties found in this ‘way of life’: polytheism, monotheism, henotheism, panentheism, pantheism,
monism. There are also agnostics, humanistic, atheistic or non-theism schools within Hinduism.
§ Pantheism: Usually understood as Everything is God or God is everything. But it could also be understood
as ‘God appears as everything’. This view would then uphold monotheism and emphasize on the
‘manifestation’ aspect of God.
§ Henotheism: the worship of one overarching God without denying the presence of other Gods is
henotheism.
§ Panentheism: God interpenetrates into everything and is also beyond it. Everything is IN God and God is
in everything.
§ Monism: there is only one reality. This is Advaita Vedanta. There are different kinds (which will be
introduced in Advaitic Vedanta.
God in nature:
§ Since the idea of pantheism, polytheism, and monism are widely prevalent, considering nature as sacred
is quite prominently seen. For outsiders, this might be ‘nature worship’, but for the believers, they are
God-in-nature worshippers.
§ It is common to find ‘temples’ everywhere: riverbeds, ponds and lakes, mountaintops, caves, rocks,
seashores, neem trees, peepul trees, anthills, stones (sometimes even bricks).
§ The idea of the in-dwelling of God in these natural things is common and hence many people gather in
these places to worship.
§ Animals: The cow is considered sacred in India. Even rats are considered sacred in some places. In some
places snakes, peacocks, monkeys, bears are all considered sacred.
God in humans:
§ Gurus: They are revered much here, since they are considered to be ‘avatars’ of God, or Gods themselves.
Though a few of these gurus turn out to be much politically motivated, economically unaccountable, and
morally irresponsible, many of the gurus live a holy life and hence are much revered.
§ Possessions: God possesses some people for some time and this is also considered as sacred tradition
here. In many festivals (in popular religion), a few of the devotees get ‘possessed’ by the Spirit of God
and they prophecy. Being blessed by them is considered important.

Celebrations:
§ Rites of passage: the important stages of human life are considered sacred and celebrated too. Even
death is celebrated.- birth, puberty, marriage, childbirth, death. There are elaborate rituals and these
rituals are performed faithfully, even if one does not know the meanings of these rituals.
§ Festivities associated with nature: harvest, change of season, fertility, etc.
§ Temple festivals: Almost all temples have an annual celebration in honour of Gods and Goddesses.