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What would you do

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
So do Hindus do not believe Brahman a cosmic intellect created the universe itself and created self-governing laws, actions, reactions, thereof? If your answer is yes then surely there is acosmic mind behind such concepts as karma whether they manage it or not.

No, Brahman is not God nor did it create the universe or anything in it, nor was Brahman created. It is the universe and everything that exists. Nothing created or manages the laws of karma. You have to divorce yourself from any analogy or comparison with the Abrahamic God and concept of existence, and justice.
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
No, Brahman is not God nor did it create the universe or anything in it, nor was Brahman created. It is the universe and everything that exists. Nothing created or manages the laws of karma. You have to divorce yourself from any analogy or comparison with the Abrahamic God and concept of existence, and justice.


You’re the first Hindu I know that says that cause there are Hindus with theistic beliefs that refer to Brahman as God. Considering that even the Sikhs would consider Brahman the highest reality THE GOD. According to Sikhism, the concept of Brahman is “one without a second.” Similar to the Muslim and Jewish concept of oneness.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
So do Hindus do not believe Brahman a cosmic intellect created the universe itself and created self-governing laws, actions, reactions, thereof? If your answer is yes then surely there is acosmic mind behind such concepts as karma whether they manage it or not.
Eh, don't make categorical statements about Hinduism. It never works. Many people believe that Brahman is the Cosmic Intellect (Consciousness). Some people (like me) do not accept Brahman as Supreme Soul, Supreme Being or Cosmic Intellect. For me there is no birth, no death, no rebirth in the normal sense (for me it is chemical cycle), no transference of karma to another life (since there is none). People who are under ignorance will see it that way. For me, a bubble in the ocean. Seemingly arose and dissipated, an illusion.
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
Eh, don't make categorical statements about Hinduism. It never works. Many people believe that Brahman is the Cosmic Intellect (Consciousness). Some people (like me) do not accept Brahman as Supreme Soul, Supreme Being or Cosmic Intellect. For me there is no birth, no death, no rebirth in the normal sense (for me it is chemical cycle), no transference of karma to another life (since there is none). People who are under ignorance will see it that way. For me, a bubble in the ocean. Seemingly arose and dissipated, an illusion.

Well as was told to me here Hinduism is diverse in belief so yes there are Hindus that believe in a deity, there are some that don’t. I’m referring to the Hindus that do believe. Either there are Hindus that don’t know much about their faith, or are trying to cause confusion cause there are many text that refer to “One Supreme Consciousness.”
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Considering that even the Sikhs would consider Brahman the highest reality THE GOD. According to Sikhism, the concept of Brahman is “one without a second.” Similar to the Muslim and Jewish concept of oneness.
In Sikhism, 'one without a second' does not mean a God separate from the world. It is not a Christian or a Muslim God. Those who understand the message of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Saheb will not say that. :D
Non-duality in Sikhism
 
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Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
In Sikhism, 'one without a second' does not mean a God separate from the world. It is not a Christian or a Muslim God. :D
Non-duality in Sikhism


The metaphysical concept of Brahman, particularly as nirguni Brahman—attributeless, formless, eternal Highest Reality—is at the foundation of Sikhism.[136]This belief is observed through nirguni Bhakti by the Sikhs.[137][138]

In Gauri, which is part of the Guru Granth Sahib, Brahman is declared as "One without a second", in Sri Rag "everything is born of Him, and is finally absorbed in Him", in Var Asa "whatever we see or hear is the manifestation of Brahman".[139] Nesbitt states that the first two words, Ik Onkar, in the twelve-word Mul Mantar at the opening of the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, has been translated in three different ways by scholars: "There is one god", "This being is one", and as "One reality is".[131]

Similar emphasis on "One without a second" for metaphysical concept of Brahman, is found in ancient texts of Hinduism, such as the Chandogya Upanishad's chapter 6.2.[140][141] The ideas about God and Highest Reality in Sikhism share themes found in the Saguna and Nirguna concepts of Brahman in Hinduism.[136][142]

Brahman - Wikipedia
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Either there are Hindus that don’t know much about their faith, or are trying to cause confusion cause there are many text that refer to “One Supreme Consciousness.”
No confusion. That is what they believe. If my views or anyone else's views differ, how does it matter? Just as theist views do not bother me. Every one in my family is a theist.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
The metaphysical concept of Brahman, particularly as nirguni Brahman—attributeless, formless, eternal Highest Reality—is at the foundation of Sikhism.[136]This belief is observed through nirguni Bhakti by the Sikhs.

In Gauri, which is part of the Guru Granth Sahib, Brahman is declared as "One without a second", in Sri Rag "everything is born of Him, and is finally absorbed in Him", in Var Asa "whatever we see or hear is the manifestation of Brahman". Nesbitt states that the first two words, Ik Onkar, in the twelve-word Mul Mantar at the opening of the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, has been translated in three different ways by scholars: "There is one god", "This being is one", and as "One reality is".

Similar emphasis on "One without a second" for metaphysical concept of Brahman, is found in ancient texts of Hinduism, such as the Chandogya Upanishad's chapter 6.2. The ideas about God and Highest Reality in Sikhism share themes found in the Saguna and Nirguna concepts of Brahman in Hinduism.
If Brahman is 'nirguni' (attributeless, Nirguna in Hinduism), it would not have a desire to create, destroy, control or alter what is happening in the world in any way. It would be uninvolved. It would also not require any 'bhakti' (devotion). Here, what 'bhakti' means is understanding. One develops the understanding in a step-by-step way, gradually. But no problem, if not all people get through the mystery. The secret cannot be understood by all. So, if any one takes 'Ek Onkar' as the Supreme Being, that too is OK, just like in Hinduism. We go easy with beliefs.
 

atanu

Member
Premium Member
If there was no deity (or deities) of a higher plane of existence or no authority to judge your behavior after you die, what would you do? Would you do anything different than what you’re doing now?

I think for me I’d be a bank robber and steal from people. With so many people on the planet I have nothing divine to fear so why not steal from people? Sure I know right from wrong, but considering there is no moral judgment of face after my mortal life I would rob people.

If all I have to fear is a prison or dying from disease, or by natural causes I see no point in being a moral person.

Thoughts?

I understand that posers in your thread are hypothetical.

Notwithstanding assertions of empathy etc. from many posters, I agree that under desperation or greed humans do commit mistake. In absence of the idea of karma or a mechanism of the reactions coming back to haunt oneself, there is no check on what ego may want to possess. I do not believe that humans are all born with goodness and empathy. It is ego that is born and ego is inherently ignorant.

Suppose, I hold a notion that I am an individual body-mind-intellect who has to survive against odds, which include other humans. And contrast that with the situation when a person knows "I am an expression of the non dual awareness as all other humans are. Any negative act that I throw up is going to affect me and me alone". Actions in these two situations will likely be different.

In this regard, story of Valmiki, the dacoit, who finally wrote Ramayana or of Angulimaal, who wanted to kill Buddha are instructive.
...
 
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Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
No confusion. That is what they believe. If my views or anyone else's views differ, how does it matter? Just as theist views do not bother me. Every one in my family is a theist.

Ok you're giving an atheist perspective but I'm referring to Hindus that believe in an autonomous metaphysical being case closed.
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
I understand that posers in your thread are hypothetical.

Notwithstanding assertions of empathy etc. from many posters, I agree that under desperation or greed humans do commit mistake. In absence of the idea of karma or a mechanism of the reactions coming back to haunt oneself, there is no check on what ego may want to possess. I do not believe that humans are all born with goodness and empathy. It is ego that is born and ego is inherently ignorant.

Suppose, I hold a notion that I am an individual body-mind-intellect who has to survive against odds, which include other humans. And contrast that with the situation when a person knows "I am an expression of the non dual awareness as all other humans are. Any negative act that I throw up is going to affect me and me alone". Actions in these two situations will likely be different.

In this regard, story of Valmiki, the dacoit, who finally wrote Ramayana or of Angulimaal, who wanted to kill Buddha are instructive.
...

Thank you for your interesting perspective which provides another avenue for the discussion at hand quite informative.
 

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
Well as was told to me here Hinduism is diverse in belief so yes there are Hindus that believe in a deity, there are some that don’t. I’m referring to the Hindus that do believe. Either there are Hindus that don’t know much about their faith, or are trying to cause confusion cause there are many text that refer to “One Supreme Consciousness.”
Neither is accurate. There are those who are theists and those who are not. And that's just the way things are. No nefarious sowing of confusion, no ignorance. Just different people having different conclusions in life.
:shrug:

But even these labels are shaky and rely on a purely Abrahamic understanding. Which is again inaccurate. With the open and pluralistic stance a lot of Christian concepts are simply absorbed into the pantheon, so to speak. Like the Hare Krishna movement or the Sai Baba org. So you find the concept of a God or the supreme conciousness as you put it being equated to Brahma as either a short hand translation to explain to curious Abrahamic influenced people or simply a merging of flavours.

Ok you're giving an atheist perspective but I'm referring to Hindus that believe in an autonomous metaphysical being case closed.
Theistic Hindus (for lack of a better term) don't generally believe in a creator God in the sense of a Genisis like story. It simply exists, it creates, destroys, lives and dies all at once. Similarly I've not known many Hindus to take a creation story as particularly literal like some sects of Christians. Unless they were raised in a specifically Christian/Catholic environment. And even then, at least with my encounters, the idea of being literally created by God seems to be treated with bemusement rather than serious thought.
Education is particularly valued as an honourable thing for a person and scientific knowledge is usually proudly accepted.
Though superstitions indeed die hard.:neutral:

Again if you want to accurately translate another religion like Hinduism or I dunno Greeco-Roman paganism (again for a lack of a better term) you have to let go of your Abrahamic limitations.
 
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paarsurrey

Veteran Member
If there was no deity (or deities) of a higher plane of existence or no authority to judge your behavior after you die, what would you do? Would you do anything different than what you’re doing now?

I think for me I’d be a bank robber and steal from people. With so many people on the planet I have nothing divine to fear so why not steal from people? Sure I know right from wrong, but considering there is no moral judgment of face after my mortal life I would rob people.

If all I have to fear is a prison or dying from disease, or by natural causes I see no point in being a moral person.

Thoughts?
"your behavior after you die, what would you do?" Unquote.

In the realm after death there will be no Banks so one can't steal or rob others.
Regards
 
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