Ask a Hindu

[Ashoka]

When I was reading the Mahabharata, there were some pages full of philosophy. Like saying there were 20 senses or things like that. Do Hindus understand those philosophies very well?

It depends on the person, I think, and if they have a guru to better explain it to them. I would say that there are Hindus who do understand it, and some who don't. I haven't read the Mahabharata through, so I don't know for sure. But Hinduism is chock full of philosophy and different ways of looking at the world and the human condition (the Upanishads teach a lot about the Self and Brahman).

 

[Ashoka]

The internet tells me there are different "sub-traditions" of Shaivism. What is yours and what about it attracted you more than other choices?

Monistic Shaiva Siddhanta. It had more info available, and it fit with my worldview.

 

[Ashoka]

I assume you are a vedantist. Dvaitha. If I am wrong, you can correct me. In the Upanishads the idea of Agre and the creator exists right? According to Aithareya Upanishad, "In the beginning this world was the self (atman), one alone, and there was no other being at all that blinked an eye. He thought to himself: "Let me create the worlds." And elsewhere like the Kena Upanisad, the creator is called Brahman. The question is, is the creator outside the universe or inside the universe? The reason I am asking this is because if he existed prior to creation, he made it happen which means he cannot be creation itself, or is creation part of him which means he is inside and outside both? Or is it as traditionally said that he is creation itself which means the creator and creation is immersed in themselves.

Thanks.

Hi! I follow Advaita Vedanta.

God, to me, and in my tradition, is the Creator, but He is also within his creation. It's a panentheistic outlook on the world, where God is both immanent and transcendent.

Of course, you will meet Hindus who disagree. There are Vaishnavas who believe that God is separate from His creation (Dvaita) but there are other schools of Vedanta that view things differently.

 

[Ashoka]

I've long had the thought that if I had to choose a god, it would be the toss of a coin between Ganesha and Athena.

My understanding is that Ganesha is cheerful, positive, tolerant, intelligent, learned and pro-learning, and likes a good party.

Do I have that right?

Ganesha is very friendly. He is close to the earth realm, and is a big help to people in need. He enjoys sweets as offerings as well, and his festival is Ganesha Chaturthi. It's a lot of fun

 

[SalixIncendium]

Hi! I follow Advaita Vedanta.

God, to me, and in my tradition, is the Creator, but He is also within his creation. It's a panentheistic outlook on the world, where God is both immanent and transcendent.

Of course, you will meet Hindus who disagree. There are Vaishnavas who believe that God is separate from His creation (Dvaita) but there are other schools of Vedanta that view things differently.

Do you draw a distinction between what you call "God" and deities such as Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva?

I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer. Just trying to put my finger on what you are calling "God" here.

 

[RestlessSoul]

How do you understand the concept of duality/non duality?

 

[firedragon]

Hi! I follow Advaita Vedanta.

God, to me, and in my tradition, is the Creator, but He is also within his creation. It's a panentheistic outlook on the world, where God is both immanent and transcendent.

Of course, you will meet Hindus who disagree. There are Vaishnavas who believe that God is separate from His creation (Dvaita) but there are other schools of Vedanta that view things differently.

Oh you are advaita vedanta. Great. The question I asked was in relation to creation. The creator, if part of creation itself, created himself? Do you understand the question brother?

 

[Vinayaka]

How do you think you'll manage in Korea? There are few Hindu temples there, although you may find some Buddhist ones. Do you plan on exploring?

 

[Ashoka]

Oh you are advaita vedanta. Great. The question I asked was in relation to creation. The creator, if part of creation itself, created himself? Do you understand the question brother?

Actually, I am a girl.

I think I do? You are asking if God created himself? No, God has always been, in my view.

 

[Ashoka]

Do you draw a distinction between what you call "God" and deities such as Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva?

I'm not saying there is a right or wrong answer. Just trying to put my finger on what you are calling "God" here.

Sometimes? I see them all as faces of God. When I refer to God, I mean Shiva usually, but Brahma and Vishnu are also Shiva.

 

[Ashoka]

How do you think you'll manage in Korea? There are few Hindu temples there, although you may find some Buddhist ones. Do you plan on exploring?

Actually, I live in the U.S. The closest temple here is an hour and a half away. Which isn't bad, really. I keep meaning to visit.

 

[Ashoka]

How do you understand the concept of duality/non duality?

To me, there is no such thing as duality. I believe God is one with His creation. My sampradaya (sect) teaches that God is both immanent and transcendant.

 

[sun rise]

God, to me, and in my tradition, is the Creator, but He is also within his creation. It's a panentheistic outlook on the world, where God is both immanent and transcendent.

That sounds very close if not identical to part of Avatar Meher Baba's Masters Prayer

You are everywhere; You are in everything;
and You are also beyond everywhere and beyond everything.
...
You are manifest and unmanifest on all planes and beyond all planes;
You are in the three worlds and also beyond the three worlds.

 

[Vinayaka]

Actually, I live in the U.S. The closest temple here is an hour and a half away. Which isn't bad, really. I keep meaning to visit.

Now I feel like an idiot. I got you mixed up with mangalavara. She's going to Korea. I'm such a fool. I'm so incredible lucky to have the temple I prefer at 12 minutes away. and another 5 even closer.

 

[Ashoka]

Now I feel like an idiot. I got you mixed up with mangalavara. She's going to Korea. I'm such a fool. I'm so incredible lucky to have the temple I prefer at 12 minutes away. and another 5 even closer.

It's okay! I definitely want to go one day.

 

[Aupmanyav]

How long are your weeks and are they all the same length?

Yeah, the week is of seven days. Why seven? A theory says that the Indo-European original home was in Arctic Circle. And they had continuous day-light for seven months. The rest five inluded a two to three month Arctic night and month-long dawns and dusks. That is why seven is a popular number in Hinduism. Then there are seven starts in Ursa Major. Hindus take them as seven primordial sages.

Do Hindus understand those philosophies very well?

Do all Christians understand Bible well. Among Hindus too, there are people who understand and people who don't. And each Hindu understands things in his/her own way. We do not brand people as heretics and blasphemers if they have different views.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Yeah, the week is of seven days. Why seven? A theory says that the Indo-European original home was in Arctic Circle. And they had continuous day-light for seven months. The rest five inluded a two-month night and month-long dawns and dusks. That is why seven is a popular number in Hinduism. Then ther are seven starts in Ursa Major. Hindus take them as seven primordial sages.

Oh, so seven months of light plus the 7 primordial sages in the sky. That would make anyone think of seven as a significant number wouldn't it. So I guess then 5 has an association of another kind, perhaps with darkness or some other unit of time.

What about other time divisions? Are there months? Years? Seconds, minutes, seasons? Thanks if you know, and I'm only asking idly so don't stress yourself if you don't know. We're just having fun I hope.

 

[Aupmanyav]

The question is, is the creator outside the universe or inside the universe? The reason I am asking this is because if he existed prior to creation, he made it happen which means he cannot be creation itself, or is creation part of him which means he is inside and outside both? Or is it as traditionally said that he is creation itself which means the creator and creation is immersed in themselves.

The question really is whether there is a creator and a creation? Dvaita would agree to it, Advaita would deny it. Rest tomorrow.

 

[firedragon]

The question really is whether there is a creator and a creation? Dvaita would agree to it, Advaita would deny it. Rest tomorrow.

I am not interested brother. I am not going to challenge Hinduism in this thread because the OP has been designed to ask him questions about his faith, not to ask him "IF creator exists or not". Hope you understand.

 

[Ashoka]

I am not interested brother. I am not going to challenge Hinduism in this thread because the OP has been designed to ask him questions about his faith, not to ask him "IF creator exists or not". Hope you understand.

Actually I am a girl