m

Hinduism & Sikhism Hinduism and Sikhism

1 points | Post submitted by suyash9561 days ago |1 comments | viewed93 times

Notes


  • suyash9561 days ago | +0 points
    • What is similarity between Hinduism and Sikhism?

    • I will answer this question from the reverse proposition using and refuting a list of 11 differences 


      Firstly - when critiquing Hinduism one needs to know that Hinduism is not a single monolithic religious system. It is geographical term cover dozens of different religions and hundreds of sects. So one should be very circumspect when making broad generalised allegations.

      # 1. Idol-worship is not “integral” to any sect of Hinduism - it is a free choice - individuals can use whatever tools and toys they wish to use to connect with and feel closer to God. In place of the idol in a temple the Sikhs use the GGS on an altar - same thing.

      # 2. Human worship. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are NOT humans and only Vishnu has avatāras - so the statement itself is misleading. Again no form of worship is “integral” to Hinduism - it is a free choice.

      # 3. Belief in Avatāra. Again not “integral” at all - only Vaishnavas believe in the avatāras of Vishnu and not Shaivites. The only two avatāras of any significance are Rama and Krishna and the name Rama is mentioned over 1000 times in the GGS.

      Avatār means descent from the spiritual planes into the material plane - so how can an ascended soul be called as avatār?

      # 4. Karma. Another nonsense objection. All Karma originates from thought. One thinks, then desires, then acts and recaps the result of that action. The Soul doesn’t think - the mind does.

      # 5. Bathing Ritual. Every religion has a bathing ritual - another frivolous and illogical objection. Whenever one bathes it has an effect on the mind and the body.

      # 6. Caste System. CS is not “integral” to many sects of Hinduism. I am not an expert but I am led to believe there is some caste-discrimination among Sikhs as well - but I am open to having my mind changed on this topic.

      # 7 Status of Women. Subordination to men again is not “integral” at all and the whole system of Tantra affirms not only equality but superiority as well. According to Tantra women are the superior gurus.

      Certainly the Sikhs did a lot for women’s rights in the 15th century but how are they doing now? Are women and daughters freer than their Hindu counterparts? There are many female saints in the Hindu guru pantheon. How many Sikh gurus or teachers are there?

      There is no question of the soul having gender - and in every sect of Hinduism women have equal access to spiritual study, practice and growth - and it is also acknowledge that women are superior in Bhakti than men.

      # 8. Human Guru Tradition. This is the only point that is indeed integral to Hinduism as it was in Sikhi until Guru Govind Singh passed the guru-ship to the Granth Saheb. The Sikh guru tradition is still alive and well in the Radha Soami Satsang movement.

      # 9. Paramātma. This objection is really weird and befuddling since the term simply means the “Supreme Being” - in whom the Sikhs claim to believe under various local pronunciations - aatam, param-atam. It is exactly the same no difference.

      # 10. Trinity. Another frivolous objection - the Trimurti is a descriptor of the functions of the Supreme Being. Sikhs strives for a merger with the ONE - so what do the various Hindu sects strive for? Heaven of delightful virgins?

      # 11. Char padarth. ??????? the difference between the four goals of life according to Hinduism are not clearly contrasted with the four goals of Sikhi - Gyan, mukut, naam, Janam.

      So basically there is very little doctrinal difference between Sikhi and Hinduism.


    [reply]

Please Login or Signup to leaveAnswer