Questions and Answers
Hinduism is considered a polytheistic religion because it worships 330 million gods.
False
Hindus believe that the 330 million deities are separate and independent from each other.
False
The concept of Brahman is a recent development in Hinduism.
False
Hindus believe that reality is multiple and fragmented.
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The story of the 93-year-old man who documented 330 million deities is a myth.
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Brahman is described as changing and finite in Hindu scriptures.
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The concept of Trimurti in Hinduism involves three main deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
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Brahma and Brahman are the same entity in Hindu belief.
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Hindus believe in many gods but consider there to be one essence behind those deities.
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The Puranas claim that Vishnu was created by Shiva.
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Study Notes
Hindu Concept of the Sacred
- Hinduism is both theistic (believes in deities) and monistic (believes in one ultimate source)
- This concept is often misunderstood, leading to questions about whether Hinduism is monotheistic or polytheistic
- Hinduism can be considered monotheistic because it believes in one supreme God, Brahman
- However, Hindus worship multiple deities, which can be seen as polytheistic
Many Deities, One Essence
- There are approximately 330 million deities in Hinduism
- Despite this, Hindus believe in one supreme God, Brahman, who can be worshiped in many different forms and persons, called avatars
- These forms, known as devas or deities, are not the same as Brahman, but rather different aspects of the one God
- This concept is reflected in the Hindu view of reality, which believes that there is one reality with many different sides and forms
Brahman
- Brahman is the supreme God in Hinduism, considered unchanging and infinite
- Brahman is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and indescribable
- Brahman is the divine ground of all matter in the universe and beyond
- Brahman is genderless and cannot be seen by the eye
Creation and the Trimurti
- According to ancient Hindu tales, Brahman created Shiva, who then created Vishnu, and from Vishnu's navel, Brahma (not to be confused with Brahman) emerged
- These three deities form the Trimurti, the cosmic function of creation, maintenance, and destruction personified
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Description
Explore the complex concept of the sacred in Hinduism, where theistic and monistic beliefs coexist. Delve into the monotheistic aspects and the worshipping of different deities.
