It is not hard to find common theistic concepts between the Baha’i Faith and Hinduism. As you may recall I grew up Christian and become a Baha’i in my mid 20s. I live in a country where Christianity is the main religion. So I was a Christian first and Baha’i second. I’ve never been a Hindu nor grown up in a Hindu culture. That being said like most people living in a multicultural community I’ve had significant contact with Hindus. Besides it easy to find some basic information to get us started.
As we know the concept of God in Hinduism varies to include a wide range of beliefs including henotheism, monotheism, polytheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, and atheism.
The Bhagavad Gita is a particularly important book for many Hindus and Baha’is. The Gita refers to loving devotion to a primary God such as Avatars of Vishnu, Krishna being a key example. Alongside Vishnu we have Shiva and Brahman.
There are a few Hindus on this site who identify with Advaita Vedanta where atman within every living being as being the same as Vishnu, Shiva or Brahman. Such a view probably wouldn’t be supported by the Baha’i Writings. However in describing theistic concepts it becomes a complex matter. Baha’is are encouraged to let deeds not words be our adorning and be distinguished by good character and works. If Theism facilitates a moral life then it is praiseworthy. If it becomes words that ends in words then we become a tree without fruit. So merit is seen with an atheist or one with an incorrect Theism provided they live a moral life.
Hindus following Dvaita Vedanta consider that the individual souls and the eternal metaphysical Absolute (Brahman) exist as independent realities that these are distinct. Such a philosophical system of dualism especially as set out in the Vedas was popularised by
Madhvacharya in the 13th century has been influential on Hinduism. Especially the influence of Madhva's philosophy has been most prominent and pronounced on the Chaitanya school of Bengal Vaishnavism. Madhva taught that in the beginning there was only one God and that was
Narayana or Vishnu and refused to accept any claims that other Hindu deities, such as
Brahma or
Shiva, might be equally the highest.
It has been claimed by some scholars that the
Dvaita tradition founded by
Madhvacharya in 13th century is based on a concept similar to God in other major world religions. Their writings also led some early colonial-era
Indologists to suggest Madhvacharya was influenced by Christianity, but later scholarship has rejected this theory. Madhva's historical influence in Hinduism, has been salutary, but not extensive.
Adapted from:
God in Hinduism - Wikipedia