God’s essence and character are believed to be unique and fundamentally different from all other beings that can be considered more or less comparable—e.g., the gods of other religions. they believe many Gods. Polytheism is the belief in, and worship of more than one god. The merging of polytheistic and monotheistic concepts in this way is unique to Hinduism. The origin of Hinduism is shrouded in antiquity of the distant past far beyond the times of known history. The Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam preach the former, while those who base their world view exclusively on material or scientific rationality tend to adhere to the latter. I mean Islam and Christianity are monotheistic. Monolatrism, a religious system wherein one recognizes many gods (though in Hinduism, these are not of different essences) but only worships one of them. Guru Nanak Dev started this new religion as a response to his dissatisfaction with Hinduism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Believed to be the first religion known to mankind. 30 million deities which are nothing but forms of ONE God. Among these are a belief that each divinity or spirit being has a specific function (such as healing, protection in travel, etc. Today is National Voter Registration Day! One then approaches and propitiates the being with the requisite power to fulfill his or her needs or desires. Polytheism, then, often mirrors the human experience of family, village, and state. For them, their respective Gods are most important, just like in any other Temple. The many deities are like the spokes, all of which emanate from the hub and each playing an important role. In monotheism, there is belief in and worship of only one god that is a separate entity. When did Hinduism begin? Hinduism is a philosophy of different levels of reality/perception. Sri Swami Chidananda. Important conversations are happening now. And there is one Hindu school that is more explicitly monistic than others: Advaita Vedanta or just Advaita. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. *Ex. Among the myriad of others who receive attention and reverence are Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge and Learning), and Hanuman (Devotion Incarnate), to name just a few. Finally, singular devotion to one specific divinity is not necessary. Both were correct in their perception. It is frequently found in cultures with a clearly stratified social and/or political hierarchy, where power is held in the hands of different individuals based on their position within the hierarchy, and that these powers are there to benefit those who approach the various divinities seeking assistance. Are the Semitic religions monotheistic or polytheistic? Hinduism incorporates diverse views on the concept of God. 3. Monotheism and Polytheism Reconciled. Hinduism is polytheistic, monotheistic and atheistic, depending on what level you're looking at and how you define things. In conceptualizing such a theology, then, the adherents obviously drew upon their own human experiences. In Hinduism, polytheism and monotheism coexist in a relationship much like the parts of a wheel. One who finds self incapable of indulging in spirituality unable to follow teachings […] Professor of Religion, University of Hawai’i, Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. I have come to the conclusion that Hinduism is neither, but monistic. At the same time, one can choose to ignore all deities. Songs are sung and festivals are celebrated just like any Temple. In some cases, this is seen as practical and necessary, since different spirits control different realms or powers. The vast majority of individuals in such societies remain weak and powerless unless they observe strict adherence to the being in power and do whatever they are told. On the human level, one typically finds such a being in monarchies, dictatorships, and societies run by a ruling tribal leader or warlord like those currently found in many Middle Eastern countries. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, an important Hindu sacred text, a man asks a great teacher, "How many gods are there?" If one looks at the monotheistic concept, in which there is a solitary omnipotent divinity, on the other hand, we find a very different approach to the divine and also to the likely world experience of those who formulated it. Hinduism is both monotheistic and polytheistic. In the explanation that follows, the teacher tells him that the many are all ultimately manifestations of the one indwelling presence. Hence, Hinduism is monotheistic, At the most henotheistic but not polytheistic as there is only one God and the others are Brahman's manifestations. Hinduism is the most ancient religion among all the great living religions in the world today. With over a billion adherents, many claim that the religion is monotheistic and helmed by the supreme being, Brahma. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners that help us make this content free for you. Depending upon the tradition, there may be an established and recognized hierarchy of worshipped beings or they may be seen to act independently. Polytheism characterizes virtually all religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which share a common tradition of monotheism, the belief in one god. Sikhism is a relatively young religion. The more common of these deities to be propitiated by rural agriculturalists Bhudevi (Mother Earth), Surya (the Sun God), Ganesh (Lord of Auspiciousness and Success), regional deities, and various river goddesses. Then, there is the Hindu form of monotheism, in which the Divine is formally referred to as Brahman (not Brahmin, the priestly caste). While such individuals are then believed to not receive divine assistance, they are typically not understood to be punished for this choice. One of the most well known and widespread polytheistic religions is Hinduism. It takes on apparent form or characteristics solely to allow humans the ability to relate to it. Unlike what is found in most polytheistic traditions, he demands allegiance and punishes those who do not worship him exclusively. It is said to be the source, the hub, from which all deities are manifest. Show more answers (5) Hinduism names hundreds of gods, … What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours? The term was first popularized in the writings of eighteenth century European ethnographers as they encountered, then sought to identify and label the religious beliefs of "primitive" peoples they studied. Hinduism denies being exclusively either monotheistic or polytheistic, sometimes believing to be monotheistic but declining to polytheism with many Hindu schools regarding it as henotheistic. The purpose here, then is to make the case for the inclusion of polytheism as a legitimate belief system, for it has animated people throughout the world since ancient times and has often provided an understanding of divinity and reality that is more rational than Abrahamic monotheism and has been the cause of far less violence in the world. Monism, a system wherein Ultimate Reality is believed to be the unpersonified essence underlying (or encompassing) all life. Hinduism is a religion that defies definite classification, and in practice, it has both monotheistic and polytheistic components. Hinduism is a decidedly theistic religion; the difficulty lies in determining whether it is a polytheistic, pantheistic, or perhaps even monotheistic religion. Monotheism and polytheism are two very different belief systems. Under the conventional definitions of monotheism and polytheism, HINDUISM IS POLYTHEISTIC. Such narrow minded views and biases have hampered many who adhere to western thinking from understanding the value and validity of polytheistic beliefs for the people who hold them. With characteristics, the Divine can love, protect, and show compassion; beyond qualifications, it is all encompassing. Therefore, Hinduism is not polytheistic. Jews and Muslims would surely say that Hinduism is polytheistic—for them, worship of anything that is not the Supreme Being is a sin. While such systems may be comforting to those who "belong" to the right tribe or belief system, a solitary all-powerful ruler is a threat to those who do not. He is all knowing, all powerful, and ever present. A polytheistic religion is when the followers of a religion believe in more than one god. This is seen as the only means of survival. "Polytheism" was used to contrast these beliefs with Judeo-Christian monotheism. So they are technically a monotheistic religion. The merging of polytheistic and monotheistic concepts in this way is unique to Hinduism. Hindu monists, then, would argue that Hindu gods and goddesses have only a provisional reality and are, ultimately, illusory/unreal. However, to call Hinduism monotheism would be, in most cases, erroneous as well. In monotheism, especially as expressed in the Abrahamic religions, ultimate power is in the hands of a single male divinity. In Sanskrit, this concept is "tat tvam asi," which can be translated as "you are that" or "that you are.". Learn more about polytheism, including such religions as Hinduism. Yet, in much of the rest of the world, polytheism, or a belief in multiple divinities, has been a long held and popular conviction. Monotheism is the belief in one god and polytheism is the belief in more one than one god. Atheists and Western monotheists together denigrate polytheists and their beliefs as either ignorant or pagan. Second, if Hinduism is not monotheistic, the general implication is that Hinduism must be polytheistic, meaning heathen, pagan, primitive, superstitious and idolatrous. When he questions this answer, he receives the reply, "There are thirty-three gods." Additionally, one can choose to focus exclusively on a divinity who appeals to one's own personality. That being the case, we should focus instead on the ramifications and practical usefulness of the various theological conceptualizations on the people who hold them as well as on the rest of the world. A polytheistic religion. So you can say that Hinduism is polytheistic, monotheistic, or monistic. Among the most ancient of these concepts is polytheism. The Gods have 33 (Siva Visnu) etc. This view also implies the superiority of monotheism over different formulations of the sacred that may have their own value. But Hinduism is unique, at least in the scope of my own knowledge about religion, in the way it presents its "monotheistic" and "polytheistic" facets. Hinduism is polytheistic religion and the oldest religion in India and Nepal. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Nowadays, the term is essentially used to refer to any belief system in which multiple spirit beings are worshiped. Religion. When Waking Up is Falling Asleep, "The Church supports the use of vaccinations", The GOP's Double Standard on Christianity, The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire", Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism. However, Hindus rarely worship all of the gods and goddesses simultaneously; instead, Hindus generally worship only one God/Goddess as being higher than the others (although, in theory, they are all equally Brahman). At some levels one perceives gods, at another, God. Therefore, while there are many different types of Hinduism (and therefore many different types of "isms" with which these different traditions can be labeled), none of them is technically polytheistic. This is a nondualistic monotheism. The term “Hinduism” embraces a wide array of philosophies and practices, and while certain Hindus may think and worship in an essentially monotheistic way, the practices of others may be more readily labeled polytheistic or pantheistic. This is why it is commonplace for Hindus to be seen in Buddhist or Jain temples, in Sikh gurudwaras, and in mosques and churches. Hinduism. The more conservative monotheists even equate them with evil and demonism. Hinduism. The other criteria for polytheism is that these separate and autonomous gods are all of equal status with each other and are worshipped simultaneously. Buddism. They believe that God cannot manifest … Advaita means not two. To this he is told, "Three thousand and three." Who was the first of the 10 Gurus of Sikhism. Kathenotheism, a system wherein one recognizes many gods but only worships one of them at a time. Hinduism will be used as a primary example, since it offers a good example of polytheism and how it can be blended with the Hindu understanding of monotheism into a useful and practical theology. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. Countless deities are regularly propitiated, often together. Panentheism, a system wherein Divinity/God is believed to be both transcendent of and immanent within the world. Some of the most prevalent polytheistic religions are Chinese, Japanese Shinto, Greek, Egyptian, Hinduism etc. Not satisfied, he continues to ask and gets the response, "There are only three gods." A polytheistic religion, on the other hand, is a religion that believes in the existence of many gods or deities. Is Hinduism Pantheistic, Panentheistic, Polytheistic, monotheistic or henotheistic? “…But in reality Hinduism is monotheistic. We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! It is not male nor female, has no form or description. Different traditions of Hinduism have different theistic views, and these views have been described by scholars as polytheism, monotheism, henotheism, panentheism, pantheism, monism, agnostic, humanism, atheism or Nontheism. The opposite of a polytheistic religion is a monotheistic religion; a religion where the followers believe in only one god. 2. (Poly = many.) All these names thus refer to a Qualified Absolute that is simultaneously beyond qualifications. Especially in contemporary times, religious narrow-mindedness is a prevalent and major cause of much of the violence and hatred in the world, and both Western monotheistic and atheistic thinking have been major contributors. PLAY. In the Jewish creation story, the gods (elohim) say "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." The deity worshipped in each is seen by Hindus to simply be a different manifestation of the deity they already worship. What may be more accurate is that humans create the gods in their image and likeness, believing that what happens on earth must be a reflection of what happens in the heavens. Brahman is the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality which is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe. The belief in many gods. Is Hinduism monotheistic, or polytheistic? Part of HuffPost Religion. The Ancient Greeks had polytheistic beliefs and this Hellenistic tradition has greatly influenced modern western thought due to the stories of these gods. Like with the gods in polytheistic traditions, he has human personality traits. Monotheism - Monotheism - The spectrum of views: monotheisms and quasi-monotheisms: The God of monotheism is the one real god that is believed to exist or, in any case, that is acknowledged as such. In the process, he alludes to a concept found in various Upanishads that equates the unchanging reality that exists in each individual with the Supreme Changeless Divinity. It was started at around 15 th century by Guru Nanak Dev. Every Hindu has the right to decide which embodiment of God to give preference to, at which point in time. One enfolds the other. "Polytheism" (from the Greek polutheos, "many gods") denotes a theological system involving a belief in and worship of multiple divinities. Each Hindu follows a particular sect and thus have different ways to pray to Brahman. By. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. For Hindus, this makes total sense. So they worship the personal forms of Brahman in different ways. Reflecting on how this approach can be understood on a human level, it parallels in many ways the functioning of democratic society in which power exists in the hands of various individuals who can be approached in turn or simultaneously for assistance. Mesopotamia and Egypt. It allows people to believe in and pray to their own conceptualizations of the divine in whatever form they choose, while at the same time elevating all of them to their ultimate reality, which is the singular omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient divinity, who demands no allegiance, punishes no one for lack of belief, yet provides wisdom, comfort, compassion, and freedom to those who seek it. You can opt out of these offers at any time. Is Buddhism Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or Nontheistic? Therefore, Hinduism is not polytheistic. Simultaneous propitiation of several deities tends to be common and accepted. There are several significant characteristics typically found in nearly all polytheistic traditions. It should be noted at the outset, however, that this is chiefly a western difficulty: the Indian mind is much more inclined to regard divergent views as complementary rather than competing. So then technically, Hindus are not polytheists because most Hindus are nondualists and believe that all of the gods and goddesses are manifestations/embodiments of the one Ultimate Brahman/Bhagvan. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Patheos’s Partners. This paradox can be traced to the history of Hinduism. All they need to do is look within. Ultimately one perceives only Unity-without-qualities. 1. It depends on how the practitioner of the religion understands it. 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