On-Line Pundits

Dayal V.
Wyatt Robertson
Weda Charya
Jnana Brumha
Gerhard Wohlberg
Ren Shengli
Robin Nelson

Q: Please discuss the formation of Jainism and why did it never become as successful as Hinduism or Buddhism?
A: Jainism came about during the sixth century B.C., a time when many new religions and newer versions of older religions were forming. In many cases, it was a matter of taking a stand against a rigid an...Full Answer

Q: Do you have any information about the god Shiva? Is Shiva still important in modern Hinduism?
A: Shiva’s roots reach back to the earliest forms of Vedic Hinduism, in which he was known as Rudra, the mountain god-- often vengeful, always mischievous, and sometimes just plain malevolent. As the Hi...Full Answer

Q: What is the relationship between Atman and Brahman?
A: As with many parts of Hindu belief, there is broad variety in the way this point has been construed. However, it may be generally said that the relationship of Atman to Brahman is most significant in...Full Answer

Q: I have been researching the origins of the reincarnation theory in the Vedas, particularly the Rig Veda (the oldest) and found little or nothing thus far. How is this possible when reincarnation seems such a corner stone in the faith today?
A: It is no wonder that you have been searching for some time. Your search results so far are correct. There are indeed no references to reincarnation in the Rig Veda. Or for that matter in the other ...Full Answer

Q: I have heard that the Veda's are older than the Old Testament of the Bible and include stories similar to Noah and the flood, Abraham offering Isaac and being stopped by God among others and that the Hebrews had incorporated these stories into their scriptures. Is it true that the Veda’s teach that there is one God, who is the creator of the world?
A: The questions you have asked contain several things that are very often asked of Karma to Grace. For this reason we are taking extra time to give you an answer and also to post this on the FAQ page....Full Answer

Q: I am wondering what is the difference or similarity between Hinduism and Sikhism in understanding of god.
A: Let’s face something important right from the start: Talking about God is always a precarious exercise. After all, in trying to do so, we finite humans are attempting to express some truths concernin...Full Answer

Q: Question: Is it true that the Vedas do not have animal sacrifices and are vegetarian?
A: No. Animal sacrifice is very clear in the Vedas as a part of the rituals. The Rig Veda has several very clear references to animal sacrifices. In a reference to the sacrifice of a goat it says (1....Full Answer

Q: What do Sikhs and Muslims have in Common?
A: Sikhism was begun 300 years ago in Punjab, now a state in northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, by Nanak, a man whose father was a Hindu. The conflict between their faiths led him to seek another, ...Full Answer

Q: What is the Hindu concept of time?
A: There are two distinct yet inseparable parts of any belief system’s “concept of time.”
The first is “time” and the second is “history.” The difference is subtle and a little tricky, b...Full Answer

Q: Is there a concept of salvation by grace in Hinduism. Specifically I've heard of some thing akin to the Christian faith's concept of grace. Is there anything to this?
A: I have heard of assertions that there is a concept of grace in Hinduism. Some translations of the Vedas even use the word “grace” (e.g. Griffith). The idea of grace must first be carefully explain...Full Answer

Q: Is there really a God? Isn’t the idea of God something people invented so they could use it to dominate other people?
A: Let there be no doubt about it: Religion has always been used by the powerful to oppress the weak, and it will probably continue to do so in the future. It is just too efficient a tool that someone w...Full Answer

Q: I am confused if I should see an ayurvedic practitioner. Specifically I am also wondering about reflexology--can you help me understand what reflexology is?
A: This is a common issue that many people want to understand as it involves the very important aspect of our health and comfort. And there is lot of confusion that can bring some frustration. Ayurved...Full Answer

Q: (Summarized) I seem to see Jesus as a young Rabbi obsessed with the Temple's corruption in Jerusalem, and the iniquity of neighboring tribes , i.e. "The Dogs of Canaan", or the wicked Jezebel. There are passages that describe Jesus as displaying anger towards queen Jezebel and condemning her children to hell or commanding his disciples to bring those from another tribe before him and to slay them. Is this really the true inflamed young man Jesus? I would find the title of ‘Savior’ or ‘Christ’ being bestowed upon such a willful passionate Hebrew youth, somewhat too lofty. I think the idea of Jesus as a savior was written in later on and that Jesus was simply a passionate young philosopher who was against the corruption of the day. What do you think?
A: This is a fascinating question! Jesus was indeed very upset with the practices of the temple in Jerusalem. He was very passionate about the corruption and sins of the day. In the New Testament, rec...Full Answer

Q: What do you call the mark or gem on the foreheads of Indian women and how are they related to Hinduism?
A: The bindi is a type of beauty mark that Indian women wear on their foreheads. It has somewhat evolved from the colored marking that is put on the forehead called a tilak that can proclaim one’s spiri...Full Answer

Q: Question: Does the theory of evolution support reincarnation? Are the Hindu creation myths consistent with evolution? Is evolution true?
A: Introduction
This question evokes the need for a brief overview of the status of the theory of evolution in the present times. The broadest contrast between evolution and the Hindu view of creati...Full Answer

Q: I recite the Gayatri mantra. Recently I found an article which says for meditation the Gaytari is too long of a mantra and one should choose a simple one. If Gaytari is a powerful mantra why should not it be recited during meditation?
A: Let me explain briefly about the Gayatri mantra before answering this specific question. The Gayatri Mantra is part of the typical initiation of an upper caste boy. In this initiation rite he will rec...Full Answer

Q: What is the difference between Hinduism and Sikhism?
A: Sikhism and Hinduism have a lot of traits in common, not the least of which is the fact that Sikhism, like Hinduism, is a religion firmly at home in an Indian cultural setting. Sikhism arose in the P...Full Answer

Q: What is the Difference in the Idea of Karma between Hinduism and Buddhism?
A: As is usually the case in identifying differences, we have to begin with similarities. First of all, there is no question that karma is a crucial idea for both religions. In Buddhism as well as in ...Full Answer

Q: Question: How the concept of Heaven and Hell compares in Hinduism v/s Christianity?
A:
This is an interesting question because a lot of Westerners do not realize that there even is such a thing as heaven and hell in South Asian religions. In the so-called Western religions (Judaism...Full Answer

Q: Question: What are the causes that led to the formation of Jainism? What are the major practices and beliefs?
A: This is a pretty broad question, one that could easily take a whole book to answer, so I'm afraid I will have to give you a somewhat limited answer. Jainism was a part of a widespread movement in the...Full Answer

Q: I would like to know in detail about the great Hindu flood account.
A: The myth of the flood in Hinduism goes as follows:

“When Manu was washing his hands one morning, a small fish came into his hands along with the water. The fish begged protection from Many s...Full Answer

Q: Hindus believe that Buddhan is one of the Avatars of Vishnu. Do you know what story or place this is at in the sacred writings?
A: The avatars of Vishnu are varied in their descriptions and numbers. It is traditional now to number the Avatars at 10, with Buddha being one of these. However, the Puranas puts different numbers at ...Full Answer

Q: Is the belief of Sikhs that Guru Nanak has had contact with God, who then gave him instructions, or guidelines of the Granth sahib? If so, and he did meet with or communicated with god, then shouldn't Sikhism be stated as God’s true religion? And as such all other religions are false. But if Sikhism allows for practicing other religion, then it must be that the books or scriptures of the other religion are also from god. But this is clearly not true, since the books do not say the same thing or describe the relationship with god in the same way. Please clarify this for me.
A: Guru Nanak was born to a Hindu father. He was reared as a Sant Hindu —someone who was a unique brand of Hindu who disparaged the caste system and believed in looking beyond religious differences to ...Full Answer

Q: Why do Christians believe that their religion is the only true faith of the living God? Aren't there other ways to God other than Christianity? Did Jesus Christ claim that he is the only way to God?
A: Christians believe that Jesus is the only way foremost because this is what Jesus taught. It is not something they came up with as an idea. It is not that Christians belief their own ideas about Go...Full Answer

Q: Is it right or wrong to worship an image of God?
A: The answer to this will depend on which world view you are asking the question of. In Hinduism, the use of an idol is ‘put up with’ as needed by some people in order to visualize God. Most intellec...Full Answer

Q: Hinduism is a religion where there is no encouragement for religious conversions as does Christianity and Islam. Why it so with the other two religions? Isn't Abraham the same as Lord Brahma and Sarah as Devi Sarawati? Isn't it that it seems a copyright with tailormade changes for Chritianity?
A: You are right in that Hinduism does not encourage conversion. Yet, this is not because Hinduism does not believe that being a Hindu is important. In fact, Hinduism makes the same basic assumption a...Full Answer

Q: Is casteism or untouchability a logical outworking of reincarnation? Where did this idea of reincarnation in Hinduism first come up from?
A: A very good question! The answer is a clear and definite “Yes!” Reincarnation is not an original Vedic idea, yet the idea of caste is somewhat present. This basic concept is in the Rig Veda (X, 190...Full Answer

Q: What is Samkhya-Yoga and does it agree with Hinduism?
A: This is an excellent question that gets into the Metaphysical concepts of Hinduism and some of its varying schools (six major schools). It can be difficult to discuss these things in a simple way as...Full Answer

Q: Are Krishna and Christ the same?
A: This is a good question. It is one that is often assumed by many—that Krishna and Christ are the same. It is also a question that is asked by many people, so I will give a lengthier answer to try t...Full Answer

Q: Could you give me the reference to the statement, "The kingdom of heaven is within you" in the Gospel?
A: The reference for this verse is found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verse 21. In the context of this verse, the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) are asking Jesus when the kingdom of God wou...Full Answer

Q: Many teachers of the Advaita Vedanta branch of Hinduism teach that all human beings have the capacity to realize their true nature, which is oneness with God and feel that Christ's teachings reflect his identity and oneness with God. As a Hindu for the past 17 years, I am currently struggling with trying to break free from the concept of pantheistic monism and the Eastern goal of attaining "oneness with God" (similar to Christian "Quietism"). The passage, "Be still and know that I am God" has also been used by many Hindus to advocate meditation techniques for the purpose of realizing one's inner Divinity. In this view, Christ died on the cross simply to show His obedience to God, not for any other reason. And Christ rose from the dead because all Avatars have power over death and over the elements, not just Christ. I am wondering if you can provide scriptural references which clarify this issue, as I long to understand the true meaning of Christ's life and teachings.
A: The key to correctly understanding the teachings of Jesus is to look up the passages that are cited. I have often heard New Age and Vedantic teachers cite the Bible with a completely different meanin...Full Answer

Q: Is the Trinity of Christianity and Hinduism the same? Or is the Trinity of Christianity and the Trimurti of Hinduism just a conicidence?
A: You are right to observe that there is an apparent similarity in the number three being related to both Christianity in the Trinity and to Hinduism in the Trimurti. Your question is a fine one and o...Full Answer

Q: Does Hindu Scriptures allow to make images of Bhagwan or God? If yes then please give some references from Hindu Scriptures.
A: This is a truly amazing question. On the surface it seems so easy to answer. Yes, of course, Hinduism is a religion replete with many images, both in temples and in homes, and so, obviously, Hindu s...Full Answer

Q: I have heard that one must be born a Hindu, and that one may not "convert" to Hinduism in the same way that one may convert to Christianity. Raja yoga and hatha yoga, which are both Hindu traditions that point to liberation are contemporarily practiced by Westerners. Is it, according to Hindu philosophy, futile for a Westerner to practice yoga in the hopes of attaining samadhi? Can samadhi only be reached by Hindus?
A: Let’s put it this way: Hinduism is not a “membership” kind of religion. In other words, in contrast to other religious organizations, one cannot simply point to a universal initiation ceremon...Full Answer

Q: Is there any born again concept ( to get the eternal life ) in Vedas ( Hinduism ) as it mentioned in the Bible?
A: Your question is an example of how both Hinduism and Christ have the same words with some overlap and yet differences. Both Christians and Hindus claim to be born again. The meaning of what it is to...Full Answer

Q: Are Prajapati in the Vedas and God the Father in the Old Testament the same?
A: This is a really interesting question, and not one that can be answered easily. In rough, general terms, they are definitely alike: both are designated as the creator of the universe. Prajap...Full Answer

Q: What are the similarities between karma in the Gita and Christianity?
A: In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna is instructing Arjuna about his concern whether he should go to war or not and possibly end up killing Bhishma and Drona and others of his own relatives. Krishna says Ar...Full Answer

Q: What I am wondering is ... what is the Hindu equivalent of the 10 commandments? I mean, what code, book or document do Hindus refer to, when they are deciding that such and such is a wrong or right moral action? Thanks
A: There is no equivalent set of laws for Hindus (e.g. the 10 absolutes for all Hindus). Though there are many codes and obligations, indeed thousands of them in Hinduism, there is not one clear deli...Full Answer

Q: Is Hindusim and Islam the same?
A: In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 by a radical Islamic group, many Americans have become suspicious of both Islam as a religion and of the ethnic people f...Full Answer

Q: Aren’t all religions the same?
A: No question about it: it is very popular today to assert that all religions are really the same at heart. They seem to put us in touch with a higher power (usually called “God”) and they provide us w...Full Answer

Q: I have a friend who claims to be a Christian, but practices Yoga. What is it about Yoga that might be contrary to Christian principles and teaching?
A: ‘Yoga’ means “union” from the Sanskrit root word yuj meaning to join or combine. In the West, it is often proclaimed as merely a health benefit or an exercise regimen. This is often advertised as a...Full Answer

Q: Will the experience of being at one with God be totally impersonal ? What I'm trying to ask is if there is any trace of my soul that will forever belong to me which will allow me to experience my oneness with God, or will I just be God?
A: You have put your finger on a very important question! The answer to it is a part of the nature of God and the nature of man--so it reaches deep within the world view of a person. Hinduism and Chris...Full Answer

Q: “What is the Hindu concept of God's judgment to mankind?”
A: This is a really interesting question because in a way it asks about a concept in Hinduism that is not really at home in Hinduism. Usually when we think of God’s judgment on humankind, we picture a ...Full Answer

Q: Is there a Devil in Hinduism and what is the devil in Hinduism?
A: Once again we have a question here that highlights the difference between Hinduism and Christianity. Or, actually, the difference is more generally between Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Bu...Full Answer

Q: How does the Hindu concept of the Trinity differ from that of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity ?
A: Hinduism has a trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—and Christianity has a trinity— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Different names, same idea, right? Well, not quite. Though we should be aware of the ...Full Answer

Q: Why are people converting to christianity in India? Why can't they instead accept two faiths at a time? The theory of George Harrison converting to Hinduism and Mahatma Gandhi's love for christianity confuses me.
A: Surely every religion has some positive things to offer. We find the principle of ahimsa, or not harming any living being in Indian religions, Christianity teaches love for one’s neighbor, from Isla...Full Answer

Q: How many Hindus are there in the world?
A: Patrick Johnston is one of the best sources on statistics. He has written a book and updated it for some time on the countries of the world, their politics, their religions, and many other aspects of...Full Answer

Q: How are Buddhism and Hinduism the same, and how do they differ--specifically in relationship to the four noble truths of Buddhism?
A: The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and Vedantic Hinduism

Let me begin by defining the terms before expanding on the concepts and addressing this very intriguing question. The four noble truths...Full Answer

Q: Is there historical evidence for Hinduism?
A: Let me begin to respond to that question by raising a counter-question. Is there historical evidence for the claim that 2+2=4, or for the idea that it is better to tell the truth than to lie? For t...Full Answer

Q: Is it possible for a person (particularly a Christian) to convert to Hinduism and if so, how do they go about doing it?
A: Is this possible? From the teachings of Jesus and the Bible it is definitely a possibility! An interesting question is, “Is it possible for someone who does not believe in Jesus or who does not want ...Full Answer

Q: What is the Difference between Hinduism and Buddhism?
A: To the outsider, it may often appear that there is no real difference between Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly if one takes into account only the more philosophical, monistic form of Hinduism. Bot...Full Answer

Q: WHAT IS THE HINDU CONCEPT OF CREATION?
A: From the Hindu body of literature there are several accounts which allude to creation 1) Rg Veda alludes to immortal Purusa who is divided and parts of him becomes the physical universe, living and n...Full Answer

Q: Is there a savior in Hinduism? If so, how did he get to be such?
A: My first reaction to this question is to say, sure, there is not just one savior in Hinduism, but there are more saviors than one might ever imagine. Of course, the question is, what might the word ...Full Answer