Over the course we have seen how the Absolute has been linked to every concept or idea we covered. The one that holds the most weight however is within the gods and goddesses of the Hinduism religion. Three deities in particular have appeared to reference the Absolute the most; Vishnu, Siva, and the Devi. These references to the Absolute have become recognizable through the readings of Kinsely’s, Flood’s, and Clooney’s books. In their works they talk about how each deity has thought to be the Absolute throughout the ancient times. However, in each of the readings there is some overlap in who is thought to be the Absolute. Most of these examples occur between Vishnu and Siva. There is evidence within the Hindu tradition that labels both of the gods as the Absolute, and makes use of the same ideas to prove their title. One example would be the notion of Vishnu being the sustainer of the cosmos, and Siva being the “Lord of Dance” who creates, destroys, and sustains the cosmos. We must ask ourselves if this is simply a coincidence, or if there is an underlying body of knowledge that helps us to understand the similarities between the two.
First, we begin with Vishnu. He is often described as “the one who gives rise to all,” specifically all the other gods and goddesses. Vishnu is also one of the three forms depicted in the Trimurti; which creates, sustains, and destroys the cosmos as we know it. Vishnu is often portrayed as the sustainer of the Trimurti; he maintains the world. Within the northern Sanskrit tradition of Pancaratra, Vishnu is noted to be “the Lord of transcendent cause and sustaining power of the cosmos”. If this Sri Vaisnava is held to be true, Vishnu would ultimately have to be seen as the most Absolute since he is t...
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... task with ease. This gives to her super-enthronement of the Trimurti, becoming the supreme object of meditation; ones focus shifts from being one within Brahman to becoming one within her.
In conclusion, it is obvious that the Absolute is recognized to be within more than one god or goddess. The question that then arises is “who is truly the Absolute?” It could be Vishnu, Siva, or any of the forms of the Devi (Durga). The simple fact is that whether the Absolute be Vishnu, Siva, or the Devi, they all encompass the same qualities that the Absolute is understood to exhibit in their respected branches of Hinduism. Since certain people of the Hindu religion believe that their god or goddess is the Absolute, it is possible that the Absolute is simply all of the gods and goddesses in one body working together to be most supreme and powerful creator within the religion.
It looks as if this spiritual relationship intends to be more complete and sacred; aspiring to an awakening, and cooperation of one’s heavenly, higher self. One’s union with the Divine comes forth as an earthly reality; illuminating a freedom, and calmness within one’s spirit.
...thout the enlightenment of the soul to become a part of the life divine, the higher powers pertaining to God.
They have been called "gods." These almighty, powerful beings that are far too superior for us to understand; or so most of us have been made to believe. Some may say he is a Great Examiner, others could say he is the Creator. Some could even say he doesn't exist. Frankly, what I want to emphasize is how such beliefs could reduce even the bravest and strongest of us all to a whimpering child. Something that we ar...
The Role of the Three Gunas in the Hindu Vision of the Cosmos To tackle this question we need to look at the way in which the Gunas
Absolute monarchy or absolutism meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right. But what did sovereignty mean? Late sixteenth century political theorists believed that sovereign power consisted of the authority to make laws, tax, administer justice, control the state's administrative system, and determine foreign policy. These powers made a ruler sovereign.
Hindus believe that when a soul expires, it acquires rebirth in a new body. This cycle is called samsara. To be set free from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth one must discover their true nature in order to be with the Brahman in Nirvana. In figure G a picture of a Cambodian statue of the A.D. 900 of Brahma meditating is presented. Nirvana is a state where pain, worry and the outer world do not exist. When a person in Hindu religion has bad Karma, they must take rebirth multiple times. The sacred source of all existence is divided among three gods. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver, and Shiva is the destroyer. All three contribute to a person’s life and death and afterlife. In figure H a picture of a Vishnu sculpture is shown, and in figure I a picture of a sculpture of Shiva is
As one can see, meditation is a sacred act that can have endless benefits. As well as being a physical act, activities such as transcendental meditation can also be fulfilling spiritually and mentally. Through deep concentration and relaxation, meditation becomes an altered state of consciousness. This essay has shown many ways as to why this is so. Through the simple acts of letting one’s mind go, there are endless possibilities that can happen. Without meditation and altered states of consciousness, the world as we know it would be completely different.
This God is the sole origin of reality, creating what is good, and a world of order
... goal was to become "such a help to John" (392). She has discovered the one place where she can have supreme control, and nothing will challenge her, apart from her own mind. But she has zero capability left to even interact normally with the outer physical world, and so it is although she isn’t even there.
There are several attributes used to describe the transcendence of God, such as eternal—having no beginning or end; omnipresent—present everywhere; omnipotent—all powerful; and omniscient—all knowing. However, some theologians add the attributes of God being immutable and impassible, which are sources of debate today within Christianity. God’s immutability means he is unchanging and God’s impassibility means he is incapable of suffering or being affected by anything.1 Furthermore, two theologians, Jürgen Moltmann and Hans Kung have written on this subject in order to define and bring further clarity to God’s immutability and whether or not God is impassible. Moltmann focuses on the suffering of God, and Kung zeros in on the unchangeableness
forward to death and she feels that when she dies she will be a peace.
• Vishnu, (Krishna) the Preserver, who preserves these new creations. Whenever Dharma (eternal order, righteousness, religion, law, and duty) is threatened, Vishnu travels from heaven to earth in one of ten incarnations;
The philosophical presuppositions on the ultimate reality are most clearly seen in the Advaita Vedanta. Even though there are differences of opinions among the philosophers regarding the absolute reality, most of them remain in conformation with a one without a second, which is infinite and all- pervasives. The differant philosophical system in India came up with their of an understanding of pure subjective essence which is beyond our sense-perception, and to which all divisions of existence owe their origin. The Rig Veda revels the most ancient findings of the absolute. In a portion of Rig Veda the possibility of an absolute Being is elaborated. The Vedic scholars, out of their intensive thrust to
Most of the religions have a general view that God is not only omnipotent (capable of doing anything) and omniscient (all-knowing), but also, supremely benevolent (all-good). These religions would mainly include Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
In Hinduism some of the things I found most fascinating is that the idea of God in Hindu is compounded and how they worship. There is one Supreme God and his form is unlimited. The Supreme God’s qualities and forms are represented by the numerous deities that stem from him. The deities God can form can be either male or female, allowing Hindus to pray to a god or goddess.