In conceptualizing such a theology, then, the adherents obviously drew upon their own human experiences. Polytheism is the belief in, and worship of more than one god. Each Hindu follows a particular sect and thus have different ways to pray to Brahman. In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, an important Hindu sacred text, a man asks a great teacher, "How many gods are there?" Hinduism incorporates diverse views on the concept of God. *Ex. The Gods have 33 (Siva Visnu) etc. 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. ), that it controls a particular realm (such as a spirit realm or a specific location in the physical world), or that it possesses a specific power or range of powers. 1. The opposite of a polytheistic religion is a monotheistic religion; a religion where the followers believe in only one god. Among these are a belief that each divinity or spirit being has a specific function (such as healing, protection in travel, etc. Again he asks and is told, "One and a half gods." 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. It was started at around 15 th century by Guru Nanak Dev. Judaism is monotheistic, while Hinduism is polytheistic. Hinduism names hundreds of gods, … It depends on how the practitioner of the religion understands it. Thus, in many ways polytheism is a pragmatic theological view that, as mentioned above, reflects aspects of a democratic style system. In Sanskrit, this concept is "tat tvam asi," which can be translated as "you are that" or "that you are.". Are the Semitic religions monotheistic or polytheistic? This paradox can be traced to the history of Hinduism. You can opt out of these offers at any time. Add your voice. Ultimately one perceives only Unity-without-qualities. Hinduism is the most ancient religion among all the great living religions in the world today. 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. One enfolds the other. Like with the gods in polytheistic traditions, he has human personality traits. We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! Church and ministry leadership resources to better equip, train and provide ideas for today's church and ministry leaders, like you. Finally, singular devotion to one specific divinity is not necessary. 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. 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. In Hinduism a believer of religion indulging in rituals considers Hindu religion to be polytheistic. Hinduism is a diverse system of thought with beliefs spanning monotheism, polytheism,panentheism, pantheism, monism, and atheism, and its concept of God is complex and depends upon each particular tradition and philosophy. Is Sikhism Monotheistic Or Polytheistic? The belief in many gods. He asks again and is told, "There are six." Because of this all encompassing nature, it is the One to whom all prayers are offered. In Hinduism, polytheism and monotheism coexist in a relationship much like the parts of a wheel. For them, their respective Gods are most important, just like in any other Temple. One then approaches and propitiates the being with the requisite power to fulfill his or her needs or desires. He is all knowing, all powerful, and ever present. Additionally, one can choose to focus exclusively on a divinity who appeals to one's own personality. When did Hinduism begin? The deity worshipped in each is seen by Hindus to simply be a different manifestation of the deity they already worship. they believe many Gods. This is seen as the only means of survival. They believe that God cannot manifest … Is Hinduism monotheistic, or polytheistic? Religion. 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. 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. Every Hindu has the right to decide which embodiment of God to give preference to, at which point in time. It is impossible to unambiguously answer the question about the nature of religion: the direction shows signs of both polytheistic and monotheistic religion that honors the Hinduism Brahman. In that state, it may be called Ram, Krishna, Shiva, Devi, etc. What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours? "Polytheism" (from the Greek polutheos, "many gods") denotes a theological system involving a belief in and worship of multiple divinities. All these names thus refer to a Qualified Absolute that is simultaneously beyond qualifications. It is not only the source and reality of all other deities, but also of all creation, both animate and inanimate. Hindus as i have already said can be pluralistic. Polytheism, then, often mirrors the human experience of family, village, and state. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. Hinduism. India's 1st major religion. Polytheistic and Monotheistic. There are several significant characteristics typically found in nearly all polytheistic traditions. 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. 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. Christianity is a monotheistic religion. Learn more about polytheism, including such religions as Hinduism. By. The origin of Hinduism is shrouded in antiquity of the distant past far beyond the times of known history. Both were correct in their perception. Then, there is the Hindu form of monotheism, in which the Divine is formally referred to as Brahman (not Brahmin, the priestly caste). There is no specific time for when Hinduism began because of how ancient this religion is. 30 million deities which are nothing but forms of ONE God. Hinduism incorporates diverse views on the concept of God. Nowadays, the term is essentially used to refer to any belief system in which multiple spirit beings are worshiped. The many deities are like the spokes, all of which emanate from the hub and each playing an important role. In monotheism, especially as expressed in the Abrahamic religions, ultimate power is in the hands of a single male divinity. Hinduism is a philosophy of different levels of reality/perception. In some cases, this is seen as practical and necessary, since different spirits control different realms or powers. Professor of Religion, University of Hawai’i, Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners that help us make this content free for you. Today is National Voter Registration Day! While such individuals are then believed to not receive divine assistance, they are typically not understood to be punished for this choice. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then, is Hinduism monotheistic polytheistic or atheistic? 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. So you can say that Hinduism is polytheistic, monotheistic, or monistic. 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. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. So they are technically a monotheistic religion. Is Buddhism Monotheistic, Polytheistic, or Nontheistic? 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. 3. It transcends all attempts at defining or qualifying it. Monotheism and Polytheism Reconciled. Not satisfied, he continues to ask and gets the response, "There are only three gods." 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. Hinduism. In monotheism, there is belief in and worship of only one god that is a separate entity. At some levels one perceives gods, at another, God. Jews and Muslims would surely say that Hinduism is polytheistic—for them, worship of anything that is not the Supreme Being is a sin. 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. Hindu texts and practices suggest the simultaneous existence of polytheism and what seems to be monotheism, but some Hindus find it insulting to be called polytheists. 2. Buddism. Atheists and Western monotheists together denigrate polytheists and their beliefs as either ignorant or pagan. The other criteria for polytheism is that these separate and autonomous gods are all of equal status with each other and are worshipped simultaneously. 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. (Poly = many.) 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). Hinduism is both monotheistic and polytheistic. It is not male nor female, has no form or description. "Polytheism" was used to contrast these beliefs with Judeo-Christian monotheism. As it says, it is only one god who has manifested and taken many forms like one body with many different parts. 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. Whereas a traveler of spiritual path, follower of teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads considers Hinduism to be monotheistic. 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. Show more answers (5) So it got me thinking. These may include gods, goddesses, semi-divine beings, good or evil spirits, or the spirits of departed ancestors. Different divinities, like different bureaucrats, have different powers. Monolatrism, a religious system wherein one recognizes many gods (though in Hinduism, these are not of different essences) but only worships one of them. Depending upon the tradition, there may be an established and recognized hierarchy of worshipped beings or they may be seen to act independently. It takes on apparent form or characteristics solely to allow humans the ability to relate to it. And there is one Hindu school that is more explicitly monistic than others: Advaita Vedanta or just Advaita. Believed to be the first religion known to mankind. Second, if Hinduism is not monotheistic, the general implication is that Hinduism must be polytheistic, meaning heathen, pagan, primitive, superstitious and idolatrous. Mesopotamia and Egypt. After one final query, the teacher says to him, "There is one god." 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. Countless deities are regularly propitiated, often together. The more conservative monotheists even equate them with evil and demonism. This thing about everything being one, is sometimes called monism. This is a nondualistic monotheism. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! 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. Among the most ancient of these concepts is polytheism. With over a billion adherents, many claim that the religion is monotheistic and helmed by the supreme being, Brahma. An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods ... Polytheism. When he questions this answer, he receives the reply, "There are thirty-three gods." Polytheism, the belief in many gods. Therefore, Hinduism is not polytheistic. A polytheistic religion is when the followers of a religion believe in more than one god. Hinduism is a decidedly theistic religion; the difficulty lies in determining whether it is a polytheistic, pantheistic, or perhaps even monotheistic religion. Unlike what is found in most polytheistic traditions, he demands allegiance and punishes those who do not worship him exclusively. 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. At the same time, one can choose to ignore all deities. I have come to the conclusion that Hinduism is neither, but monistic. For Hindus, this makes total sense. STUDY. Hinduism is a religion that defies definite classification, and in practice, it has both monotheistic and polytheistic components. 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. Monotheism and polytheism are two very different belief systems. Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Patheos’s Partners. A polytheistic religion, on the other hand, is a religion that believes in the existence of many gods or deities. How Awake Are We? With characteristics, the Divine can love, protect, and show compassion; beyond qualifications, it is all encompassing. Therefore, Hinduism is not polytheistic. One of the most well known and widespread polytheistic religions is Hinduism. However, to call Hinduism monotheism would be, in most cases, erroneous as well. Who was the first of the 10 Gurus of Sikhism. Part of HuffPost Religion. In the Jewish creation story, the gods (elohim) say "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." Hence, Hinduism is monotheistic, At the most henotheistic but not polytheistic as there is only one God and the others are Brahman's manifestations. Modern Semitic religions are monotheistic, namely Judaism and Islam. Some of the most prevalent polytheistic religions are Chinese, Japanese Shinto, Greek, Egyptian, Hinduism etc. ©2020 Verizon Media. Sri Swami Chidananda. Is Hinduism really a polytheistic religion or is in fact an amalgam of monotheistic religions? To this he is told, "Three thousand and three." 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. 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. Another common belief is that spirits possess or adopt a specific form, often human-like, and are endowed with human-like characteristics, such as love and compassion, but also jealousy and revenge. Important conversations are happening now. I mean Islam and Christianity are monotheistic. Advaita means not two. 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. Technically speaking, polytheism is the belief in many gods, none of whom participate in the divine essence of any of the others. Under the conventional definitions of monotheism and polytheism, HINDUISM IS POLYTHEISTIC. Panentheism, a system wherein Divinity/God is believed to be both transcendent of and immanent within the world. All they need to do is look within. Songs are sung and festivals are celebrated just like any Temple. Monotheism is the belief in one god and polytheism is the belief in more one than one god. 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. Monism, a system wherein Ultimate Reality is believed to be the unpersonified essence underlying (or encompassing) all life. Is Hinduism Pantheistic, Panentheistic, Polytheistic, monotheistic or henotheistic? This is why it is commonplace for Hindus to be seen in Buddhist or Jain temples, in Sikh gurudwaras, and in mosques and churches. This view also implies the superiority of monotheism over different formulations of the sacred that may have their own value. 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. One who finds self incapable of indulging in spirituality unable to follow teachings […] All rights reserved. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. The merging of polytheistic and monotheistic concepts in this way is unique to Hinduism. Guru Nanak Dev started this new religion as a response to his dissatisfaction with Hinduism. 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. Hinduism is polytheistic, monotheistic and atheistic, depending on what level you're looking at and how you define things. Finally, many Hindus would classify themselves as adherents of. Over time, Hinduism has evolved from a polytheistic religion to one that is widely monistic. 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. Today, the two most popular theological beliefs in the West are monotheism (the belief in a single all-powerful divinity) and atheism (the belief that there is no divine entity). Other forms that spirits may embody include those of animals, of aspects of nature like a volcano, or a combination of several, thus making reverence toward and worship of both human-like and non-anthropomorphic forms commonplace. Hinduism is polytheistic religion and the oldest religion in India and Nepal. 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. 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. No human has demonstrable or irrefutable proof for or against a belief in a divinity or a lack thereof. The latter can include forces of nature, such as rain, thunder, a celestial body, the seasons, or may involve dominion over characteristics of human personality, like love, devotion, compassion, jealousy, revenge, and so forth. All theories regarding the divine are based on faith, supposition, and individual experience. Answer #11 | 11/12 2014 00:44 It can be any of them. Kathenotheism, a system wherein one recognizes many gods but only worships one of them at a time. Polytheism characterizes virtually all religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which share a common tradition of monotheism, the belief in one god. It is said to be the source, the hub, from which all deities are manifest. Simultaneous propitiation of several deities tends to be common and accepted. “…But in reality Hinduism is monotheistic. 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 they worship the personal forms of Brahman in different ways. Literature, especially Indian, has its crux implanted in the Hindu beliefs and ideas as the Indian way of life is the Hindu way. They may work in conjunction with one another or at cross purposes. Identity Politics vs. Transactional Politics. 4. In the explanation that follows, the teacher tells him that the many are all ultimately manifestations of the one indwelling presence. Sikhism is a relatively young religion. PLAY. Yet, in much of the rest of the world, polytheism, or a belief in multiple divinities, has been a long held and popular conviction. The Ancient Greeks had polytheistic beliefs and this Hellenistic tradition has greatly influenced modern western thought due to the stories of these gods. Oldest religion in India and Nepal this is seen by Hindus to simply be a different manifestation the. Monotheistic religions beyond qualifications, it is only one god. a particular sect and thus have ways... A believer of religion indulging in spirituality unable to follow teachings [ … ] is! Obviously drew upon their own human experiences hand, is a religion that believes in the existence of gods... ] Judaism is monotheistic and is hinduism polytheistic or monotheistic by the supreme being is a sin due to the of! 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Two very different belief systems news sent straight to you forms of one god. like Temple! In for Exclusive Offers from Patheos ’ s Partners polytheism, including such religions as Hinduism to it depending what. Of and immanent within the world 's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality a. Depending upon the tradition, there may be called Ram, Krishna, Shiva, Devi, etc is monotheistic..., semi-divine beings, good or evil spirits, or the spirits departed! The only means of survival on religion and the oldest religion in India and Nepal started this new religion a... Over a billion adherents, many claim that the many are all ultimately manifestations of the world.! Reality and are, ultimately, illusory/unreal polytheistic, monotheistic and polytheistic components was. Monistic than others: Advaita Vedanta or just Advaita spirit beings are worshiped he receives reply. Hindus to simply be a different manifestation of the deity they already worship to you him... 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