Is Hinduism the eldest of Islam and Christianity and budism?

[SedesDomi]

Also there is a documentary on PBS about the history of India…

Archaeological evidence also points to the historical existence of Krishna, Krishna’s city Dwarka, and other elements found in the Mahabharata, dating back at least to 1500 BCE.

“The sea, which had been beating against the shores, suddenly broke the boundary that was imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. Even as they were all looking, Arjuna saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. He took a last look at the mansion of Krishna. It was soon covered by the sea. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the beautiful city that had been the favourite haunt of all the Pandavas. Dwaraka became just a name; just a memory”.

This is an account of the submergence of Dwarka taken from the Mahabharata. It is said that at about the time that Lord Krishna was killed by a hunter’s arrow near Somnath, Dwarka (Krishna’s capital) disappeared into the sea.

 And in memory it remained for more than 5,000 years-the facts growing into legends, the legends into myths, handed over orally through generations of bards and wandering mendicants. The whole coast of western India sank by nearly 40 feet around 1500 B.C. taking with it rich tradition and the magic of the legend of Krishna.

Now fresh archeological evidence has surfaced proving beyond reasonable doubt the existence of the historic city of Dwaraka, and throwing light on the lives of people who inhabited the "City of Gold. This is hallowed ground-the city over which Krishna ruled.

 

[Matariel]

With all respect to any Hindus who may be present, the gods worshipped by the Hindus are only so many devils, and perhaps in some cases, angels.

 

[Matariel]

With all respect to any Hindus who may be present, the gods worshipped by the Hindus are only so many devils, and perhaps in some cases, angels. Kali-Ma is basically an aspect of Lilith, the demon who challenged Moses. When Moses commanded her to give the names she goes by among humans, “Kali” was one of them.

 

[anon5216]

With all respect to any Hindus who may be present, the gods worshipped by the Hindus are only so many devils, and perhaps in some cases, angels. Kali-Ma is basically an aspect of Lilith, the demon who challenged Moses. When Moses commanded her to give the names she goes by among humans, “Kali” was one of them.

Similar claims can be made regarding the Jewish beliefs vs. the more ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, etc. beliefs.

Fortunately, Truth remains Truth, no matter what people believe (or religious leaders claim) about their own or other’s religions.

 

[SedesDomi]

When Moses commanded her to give the names she goes by among humans, “Kali” was one of them.

Is that in the Bible?

“Kali cuts down all impurities, consumes all iniquities, and purifies Her devotees with the sincerity of Her love.”

— [**Kali Puja**](http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/)

Kal means Darkness; Kali takes away that Darkness. She takes away the darkness from every individual who strives in the path of perfection by performing the spiritual disciplines of purifying austerities. Just as all the colors of the spectrum mix into black, yet still black remains black, so too, Kali, who is completely Dark, Unknowable, takes away all the darkness, yet She, Herself, remains unchanged.

Kala means Time and i means the Cause; Kali, the Cause of Time or She Who is Beyond Time. All existence has its perception in time, and therefore the Cause of Time, She Who is Beyond Time, activates Consciousness to perception, allows Consciousness to perceive.

 

[jblake]

excaliber;:

but what’s an example of an experience that Hinduism could address that Catholicism could not?

Hinduism is a conglomerate of four major, and several minor, theologically different religions. There are roughly twenty points that are the fundamentals of the overall Hindu theology. However, any two strands may have zero points in common.

I’d suggest that there is no specific experience within Hinduism that Catholicism can’t address. However, that diversity of non-binding fundamental points introduces a perspective that can radically alter one’s understanding of spirituality, and theological practice.

To take an example from Buddhism: Sin is that which gets in your way, when attaining enlightenment. Apply that definition to your practice as a Christian. Alternatively, consider that definition in conjunction with what is acceptable during Mass.

An example from ISKCON: Chant your 16 (32, 64,96) rounds per day. The point is to learn to learn to control your thoughts, so you don’t think impure thoughts.

jonathon

 

[Matariel]

Is that in the Bible?

No, it’s an extra-biblical Jewish tradition. Lilith appears in the Bible in Isaiah, though.

“Kali cuts down all impurities, consumes all iniquities, and purifies Her devotees with the sincerity of Her love.”

— [**Kali Puja**](http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/)

Here is an image of Kali; the bloodiness and destructive qualities of Kali are reminiscent of Lilith:

fatima.org/news/newsviews/images/kali.jpe

There are still religious truths in Hinduism, though.

 

[guedry7]

I know what a denomination is, I am from one.
And how do you know Hinduism canot deliver?

Its interesting that the denomination I am from dose not GIVE you anything but a belief. Many people with good jobs among Jehovahs witnesses Got them BEFORE joining the faith…the faith itself deliverd nothing. How do “I” know? I worked at there world headquarters one of the highest privledges they can give you. And all the faith could do is have people work for free LOL.

It will be easy to test the faith.
Can there God give there followers anything? Abraham was rich…abrahams son was second only to pharoh…David was king…solomon was given great wisdom!
Moses split the read sea. The Apostles performed miracles. Sacred scripture makes it clear that there is a huge distinction between a follower of the True God and a pagan.

I am guessing that in other holy books of different faiths, the Presence of God is just as evident.

God dose not change, so it is evident today.

It sounds like you are desiring power or to get something out of the faith you seek. Be careful you may become a slave to what you seek. Christianity is about giving of ones self. You only have to look at Christ to find that. In the end you, and we all, will reep our reward. Hopefully the words we hear will be " Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your Fathers rest"

 

[anon5216]

…
It will be easy to test the faith.
Can there God give there followers anything? Abraham was rich…abrahams son was second only to pharoh
…

Curious about the archeological evidence on this one.

Egyptian pharaohs left behind some of the largest monuments on earth and their wealth is quite objectively quantified. Their status as leading a genuine kingdom is not questionable.

A portion of a wall in Jerusalem and a lot of stories doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling about the actual truth behind the grandiose claims made in those stories.

 

[GodandMan]

Facinating discussion.

One of the oldest Vedas is Rig Veda.
It declares: Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti."
“Truth is one; sages call it various names”
[RV 1.164.46]

So my interpretation is:
Krishna knew and Spoke the Truth,
Vyas knew and spoke the Truth,
Mohemmed knew and spoke the Truth,
Christ knew and spoke the Truth.

Another Quote:
A no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishvatah (RV 1.89.i),
“Let noble thoughts come to us from every side.”

Peace.
May you attain Peace, in whatever Way you seek it in.

 

[excaliber]

Facinating discussion.

One of the oldest Vedas is Rig Veda.
It declares: Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti."
“Truth is one; sages call it various names”
[RV 1.164.46]

So my interpretation is:
Krishna knew and Spoke the Truth,
Vyas knew and spoke the Truth,
Mohemmed knew and spoke the Truth,
Christ knew and spoke the Truth.

Another Quote:
A no bhadrah kratavo yantu vishvatah (RV 1.89.i),
“Let noble thoughts come to us from every side.”

Peace.
May you attain Peace, in whatever Way you seek it in.

If only it were that easy.
Christ said if you don’t eat his flesh
and drink his blood you have no life in you.

He also said you canot approach the father exept through him.

Now lets talk about the TRUTH you speak of. It seems Hindu and Christian are devided about interpretation, so do you think there is one truth, or many different interpretations of truth?

 

[Detales]

As my Mentor said, “The Truth cannot be spoken, it can only be pointed to.” When christianists talk about truth, it is from a dualistic standpoint and in the case of English, in a dualistic language. This language and thiking does not admit of the most fundamental ideas of the teaching languages used in the East and Middle East, including at the time and place of Jesus. (See Maurice Nicol, The New Man: an interptretation of of some parables and miracles of Christ.) Most christainists have no clue about this save a hint at a couple of points in the gospels.

That means that when you ask questions like how many truths there are, you cannot be but comparing apples and oranges, even in the Christian gospels, because for one versed in the ideas of non-duality, the words of Jesus and their intent may have an entirely different meaning *in addition to *what has been preached to us in English. * This explains in part why many non-dualistic systems are inclusive of Christianity, while christianists are generaly blind to the profound dimensions they can’t see, even as a matter of consideration, due to language.

This is part of the great debate about the historicity of the Bible, and why to some that question is a red herring. It is not something you are likely to hear about from the Church, in any case. It is also why I keep recommending another book on here, the one with the unfotunate and misleading title, because it gives some intellectual leverage in understanding this and other concepts about how we aquire and practice religion. I mean most of our differences are in the explanation of things, whereas we seem to agree on Love. For my part, in the interest of being on a footing that will at least allow me to understand some ideas pertinent to the argument, I have applied the ideas in this book. That–at a minimum–found some differences diffused on a more equitable ground. At least I am aware that there is much in the matter I’m not aware of.

• I’m reminded again of the story of the woman who refused to learn a foreign language at a juncture where it would have served her well. When asked why she would not do it, she replied “God writ the Bible in English, and that’s good enough for me!”

 

[GodandMan]

If only it were that easy.
Christ said if you don’t eat his flesh
and drink his blood you have no life in you.

True. I wish I could answer that. I suppose there must be some sober interpretation to these statement, unless they were botched up in translation.
I for one, would let it be, till I think I am ready to interpret it.

He also said you canot approach the father exept through him.

A river has power only if accepts the bounds as defined by it’s banks. I know of numerous people(I was one of them), who move from one System to the other. One day they read Bible, a few years down the line, they are experimenting with Buddhism and then . I think the point is “Take one way and keep moving.” Perhaps the above claim helped many who would have otherwise chosen to drop Christianity in times of personal distress. This is the only Way, don’t go Window-Shopping for your way of life.

Now lets talk about the TRUTH you speak of. It seems Hindu and Christian are devided about interpretation, so do you think there is one truth, or many different interpretations of truth?

Yes. I do believe fundamentally, the Truth is but ONE.
Bhagwad Geeta 7.22]
yo yo yaam yaam tanum bhaktah sraddhayacitum icchati
tasya tasyachalam sraddham tam eva viddhymany aham!

Whoever, desires to faithfully worship a particular form(Way), whichever one it is, I grant him the neccassary conviction to do so.

So I think Christ offered One such Way to a group of people. Follow it faithfully, and you shall know the Truth too. As will a faithful Muslim or a Hindu. IHO, the potential is hidden in the the word “Faith” itself, the Object of ones Faith is just a Tool(and incidental one at that).

 

[excaliber]

Yes. I do believe fundamentally, the Truth is but ONE.
Bhagwad Geeta 7.22]
yo yo yaam yaam tanum bhaktah sraddhayacitum icchati
tasya tasyachalam sraddham tam eva viddhymany aham!

Whoever, desires to faithfully worship a particular form(Way), whichever one it is, I grant him the neccassary conviction to do so.

So I think Christ offered One such Way to a group of people. Follow it faithfully, and you shall know the Truth too. As will a faithful Muslim or a Hindu. IHO, the potential is hidden in the the word “Faith” itself, the Object of ones Faith is just a Tool(and incidental one at that).

This line of thought dose not seem to exist in Orthodox Judaism, Islam, Or Christianity.

The bible says, The path to life is narrow and cramped. But the road to destruction is wide.

Dosent sound like all paths lead the same way.

It seems that we can ignore parts of Christianity that are hard to follow and exept the parts that we are ok with.

The problem is sacred writings.
All faiths have them, and some times they say things that we don’t want to listen to.

 

[SedesDomi]

Dosent sound like all paths lead the same way.

You’re right. All paths don’t lead to the same way. Krishna, the Buddha, and the Jains would agree:

Bhagavad Gita 16:6-8:
Krishna: "O son of Pritha, in this world there are two kinds of created beings. One is called the divine and the other demoniac. I have already explained to you at length the divine qualities. Now hear from Me of the demoniac.

Those who are demoniac do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.

The demoniac say that this world is unreal, that there is no foundation and that there is no God in control, that it is produced solely by sex desire, and has no cause other than lust."

Dhammapada 274-275:
Buddha: "This is the only path; there is none other for the purification of insight.

Tread this path, and you will bewilder the demon Mara.

Walking upon this path you will make an end of suffering.

Having discovered how to pull out the thorn of lust, I make known the path."

SamanSuttam 245-246:
"After listening to scriptures, a person comes to know what is good and what is sinful, having thus known through listening one ought to perform what leads to welfare.

Again, under the influence of his (scriptural) knowledge, he becomes firm in his faith, meditation, observance of vows and self-restraint, and lives a life of purity throughout his lifetime without any wavering."

 

[excaliber]

You’re right. All paths don’t lead to the same way. Krishna, the Buddha, and the Jains would agree:

Just as I thought!!
Nice post.

No MAJOR religion can teach that all roads lead to heaven, because then it would be giving away its power over peoples lives.

 

[Detales]

That’s why I like Franklin Jones’ statement: “This is always already the ‘other world.’”

 

[Matariel]

Just as I thought!!
Nice post.

No MAJOR religion can teach that all roads lead to heaven, because then it would be giving away its power over peoples lives.

All religions have shards of truth in them.

One religion, however, is completely, 100% true, and that’s Catholic Christianity as safeguarded by the holy Catholic Church.

 

[Detales]

Yes. One of my favorite catholic statements is: “Obsessed with certainty, we see almost nothing.”

 

[BSHoop96]

I must investigate hinduism.
Just as I arived at The Catholic church because of its unbroken line back to peter.

Hinduims claims of being unbroken from even before then must be investigated.

It dose not matter that there are poor hindus…because there are poor Catholics. Coruption in hinduism dose not matter anymore
then coruption in The Catholic church.

What matters is the reality of the faith. Can it deliver what it promises. Is there power behind the rituals or is it powerless?

I have bounced around different Christian denominations…testing and searching for God…different denominations offer different things.

However I have never tested Islam
nor hinduism…nothing prevents me from doing so, however I am not sure where to get acurate information.

You sound like someone test-driving a car. I am surprised that your profile says you are Catholic.