WHY Is Rama Considered a God?

I found an interesting animated Documentary on YouTube (1.5 hours) called - Sita Sings The Blues, you can watch it below!



Firstly, the movie is definitely an interesting "DIRECTION" and creative, but way too long. It's too "Bollywood" with too many unnecessary "songs" and other unnecessary scenes. None the less, it was fun to watch.
I never knew the story of Rama, now I do. As a matter of fact, this movie was likely made for children, it's pretty easy to understand. However, it raises one BIG question - HUGE question.
Why In The World is Rama Considered a God?
I actually walked away from the movie UPSET with Rama. I was quite shocked. He seemed to exemplify the very type of person God would warn against! The way he treats his wife is absolutely horrendous. Let's examine...
1. Rama is exiled from the Kingdom that is rightfully his because of a conniving step-mother.
Ok fine, he leaves in peace and honors his Father - Godly behavior (checkmark)
2. Rama spends time in the Forest protecting people from Demons and taking care of his Wife.
Great, more heavenly behavior. He's protecting and caring and being righteous.
3. Rama's wife Sita is kidnapped by "Ravan" and Rama goes to kick some butt and save her. Here he even receives help from God (a form of Vishnu comes down).
Ok awesome! Like any man should, he protects his woman.
...But now is when the story takes a twist that brings many questions.
4. After rescuing Sita, he immediately "disowns" her - he questions her fidelity!  She spent the entire time praying to him, crying for him and being pure. He won't believe it.
Hmm...so, if he's God, he doesn't know his own wife? If he's God, he doesn't understand her position?Let's just say for a moment she WAS unfaithful (which she wasn't) - he's GOD, doesn't he FORGIVE knowing she was there fully against her will and captured?
Un-Godly Behavior #1: EGO, Pride...
Rama didn't rescue Sita because she's his wife or that was the right thing. He knew from the moment she was gone that he would question her fidelity and leave her. So then why? He rescued her because of EGO and PRIDE.  

"I'm Rama...how dare someone kidnap my wife?! What will people say about me?"

Un-Godly Behavior #2: Unforgiving

He proceeds to make Sita walk through FIRE to prove her purity. He's making her PROVE it by throwing his own wife into FIRE?

Are you kidding me?

....to be continue....

Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 is titled: Contemplating The Goal

The overall purpose of chapter 5 is to outline that we are to do what we do with almost no specific Goal. Humans are not to rejoice and not to grieve. Our actions are done purely for the Divine and only with God in mind.

We do everything we do as a part of our DUTY assigned to us by God. Hence, the results of it are of no importance to us.

Personally, I feel this Chapter almost made it seem like we should be some kind of ROBOTS. I can't remember the last thing I've ever done where the result of it didn't inspire atleast SOME personal emotion out of it.

This sounds so good to SAY but so hard to actually DO.

Here are some key quotes I grabbed:

"Knowing this, you come to the place where all paths meet, and you achieve lasting peace of mind."

Krisna means knowing that there are no results and you are working ONLY for the Divine at all times...

"Purity of action, mind and heart is absolutely essential for further spiritual growth. To a karma-yogi who has turned his or her whole life toward Divinity, the body, senses and intellect are just instruments for self-purification. Any work this Karma-yogi performs is done dispassionately and this enhances spiritual unfolding."

This particular verse really explains deeper the concept of our body and all sense just being an "illusion." They have nothing to do with our relationship with God. If anything, they get in the way.

We are to perform all actions without worrying about the Physical things we can see, feel.

 "They are neither elated by good fortune nor depressed by what is painful; they nether rejoice nor grieve. They know that the sensation called pleasure appears and disappears like a flash of lighting, and know that the cost of pleasure is inevitable misery and pain, which is indeed a dear price."

This is the best quote to summarize the entire chapter. It states what Krisna is saying pretty clearly.

Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4

This chapter was interesting. Krisna clarifies that karma is not equal to all. This means that something that may be good Karma for YOU is not necessarily for me. To each our own based on our responsibilities, talents, etc...

He starts by quoting:

"Whatever path a person travels to Me is My path...All paths lead to me."

He also quotes:

"I return like for like. If they treate Me as a father or mother, I treat them as my children. If they serve Me as master, I accept their services as their Lord. If they worship Me as a child, I approach them as a child. Those who pine for Me, I pine for. To those who see Me as friend, I am friend. Even for those who perceive Me as enemy, I approach as an enemy. All paths lead to Me, Divinity."

This was an interesting quote. It basically promotes the same thing Christianity promotes about a "personal relationship with God." Whatever you see him as, he accepts.  However, the last line of "see me as enemy, so you are my enemy" got me. I would relate this in Christianity to the concept of "if you don't embrace me, you are not saved."

"Expecting nothing, hoping for nothing, abandoning everything, they keep the mind and senses under control."

I found this an interesting line - it's very Buddhist in nature!

There is next a quote that spoke to me regarding finding Mentors and Gurus...

"Another good attitude that aids the development of spiritual knowledge is to wholeheartedly revere someone who has genuinely achieved it. When one sincerely strives for spiritual enlightenment Divinity in some way puts one in contact with an enlightened teacher. Sincerely question that teacher. As a burning candle can light many others, an illuminated soul can bring light to many a competent inquirer."

Again, he makes it a point to say that we humans are not the ones to decide how or what to act - it is not our job. Here's a quote where he calms Arjuna...

"O Prince, your ignorance of your Ture SelfWithin is the cause of your present reluctance to act, just as the opposite of ignorance, Self-knowledge, would bring fearless action. So with the sword of wisdom, sever the doubts in your heart. Arise,  best of men, take your stand. Be a warrior!"

I think I need to read closer though as so far the message I'm still hearing is much the same as prior chapters...

1 Fundamental of Hinduism Hindus MUST Accept

The more and more I study, I've learned the following. Many say that Hinduism is the most accepting and open religion. In many ways this is true, however, in a few ways this is also not true.

I recently wrote of an argument of could someone be a "Hindu Christian" - I'm now seeing that one cannot. As much freedom as Hinduism allows, there is one strict rule that has no room for negotiation - they are the CORE beliefs of Hinduism.

Re-Incarnation. I wrote a post about the definition of this here. Basically the cycle of being re-born based on the actions of your prior life. The better you are, the higher up in the "totem pole" you go. The worse you were, the lower you go.

This is all based on your "Karma" - your actions.

This is probably one of the most defining elements of Hinduism.

If you're wondering what my personal opinion on this is?

I'm not sure yet. But I never truly understood re-incarnation until now. I realize now that my entire life, since childhood I have firmly believed in Heaven and Hell. Im not sure if that was just "Western Influence" through the TV or what.


However, even as a child I knew - if you do bad, you go to hell. If you do good, you go to heaven. So, essentially, all my life I have NOT believed in re-incarnation (even though I called myself a Hindu).


Let's just put it this way, I have spent FAR more time wondering if I'm going to heaven or hell than I have wondering what animal I was in my past life or will be in my future life.


Hmm...

What Is Re-Incarnation?

It's the attempt to gain more and more wisdom with every life to have a day where you finally reach spiritual enlightenment to receive freedom from the re-birth cycle.

It's said that many egos can be so strong that they will just keep being re-born and could do this for a billion life-cycles.

As one scholar put it:

"It's almost as if you're going through Junior High School with every life you live. Over and over again."

"Ooof…sounds trying!"

Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1-3

I've begun reading a book called "The Bhagavad Gita - A Walkthrough for Westerners." This book is EXCELLENT and a total god-send because The Gita is actually hard to understand.

There are not near as many translations of it as there are for the Bible. More so, the translations I saw were still complicated. This book is simple and to the point - I'm enjoying it!

The overall summary is as follows:

Begins with Arjuna and Krisna awaiting the great battle to take place. It's a war between family - cousins. Arjuna and his brothers have been greatly wronged by their own kin and taken of their land. They've been persecuted, shamed, exiled and abused over and over.

Even after all the abuse, the brothers (of which Arjuna is one) are still willing to negotiate and walk away with a sour deal - they just want a small portion of the land. Their cousin who has betrayed them furthers the humiliation by offering them nothing.

It is now that the sides are split and war is among them. 

On both sides of the Battlefield are friends, family, teachers and esteemed leaders. Great blood will be shed and lives will be lost. A family will be torn - this is guaranteed as great warriors rest on both sides.

This is a battle of GOOD versus EVIL. Krisna is the almighty lord and he is the Chariot driver for Arjuna. It is clear that God has taken the side of Arjuna and the war will be won by them. However, not without the cost of great leaders and family members.

Right before the wear, Arjuna has second thoughts and falls weak and cries at the thought of having to massacre his own great teacher, his grandfather, his family and many other great men.

He refuses to fight and asks Krisna for guidance. It is here that Krisna goes into the great "poem" which describes the core beliefs of Hinduism between right and wrong. The Bhagavad Gita is essentially a conversation between the teacher and almighty (Krisna) and his disciple (Arjuna).

Here is a short summary of what is being said:

• It is not up to humans to FEEL for what is right or wrong - we are only to do our duty (in this case Arjuna's duty is to fight the war).
• Our service to God is determined not by what we do, but with the spirit in which we do it.
• Even if war is fought, it is never to be fought for personal gain - it is to be fought for what is right and to punish that which is wrong. The rewards should always be only that for God.
• If the above is believed, then your KARMA (your actions from which God will judge you) are clean and clear.
• Every human has a different responsibility and role in this World - based on their teachings.
• Arjuna is a trained, respected and strong warrior - his proper KARM (action to take) is to fight this war.
• We as humans are not to worry ourselves with what is right and wrong as long as we are always doing just our duty.
• Live your life for service to God and embrace the role in society God gives you.
• Krisna is the ultimate word and live to serve him and the almighty.

A recurring theme:

"Do your worldly duty, but without any attachment to it or desire for its fruit. Keep your mind always on the Divine...Make it as automatic as your breath or heartbeat."

My favorite quotes:

"To work without desire may seem impossible, but the way to do it is to substitute thoughts of Divinity for thoughts of desire. Do your work in the world with your heart fixed on the Divine instead of on outcomes. Do not worry about results. Be even tempered in success or failure. This mental evenness is what is meant by yoga (union with God). Indeed, equanimity is yoga!"

"Not doing the right thing when it is required is worse than doing the wrong thing."

"Arjuna the contact of bodily sense with objects and attractions in the world creates feelings like sorrow or happiness, and sensations like heat or cold. But these are impermanent, transitory, coming and going like passing clouds. Just endure them patiently and bravely; learn to be unaffected by them"  <-- Very Buddhist in nature, btw.

"People with an unsteady mind will inevitably end up failing; those with a unwavering mind achieve great success."

"Their idea of heaven is their own enjoyment. The main reason they do their activities is to achieve the pleasures and power that 'heaven' promises. Thus, even though their motive is common and positive; they are in truth filled with rather selfish desires"

"Work performed with the best of motives becomes a sacrifice."

That pretty much sums up so far. The recurring theme has been the same around the above concept so far.

SIMPLIFY - Are You Hindu Or Not? Easiest Way To Know...

I've read a lot of different articles and materials on Hinduism now and here's what I'm gambling it comes down to. Ready?

Answer this question:

Do you believe in RE-incarnation?  

Essentially, "hell" is being re-born on this earth as something of a lower caste/value than your prior life. Or, progressing upwards if you live well. FREEDOM from re-incarnation (essentially Heaven) is when you can be free from your material body and exit the material essence.

Do you believe that you live. You die. You go to an actual heaven or an actual hell? Or, do you find it possible to believe that you get re-incarnated?

From all my reading, it seems Hinduism is NOT "God-based." Hindus carry almost NOTHING in common (belief wise) except this one belief - re-incarnation.

Most other religions are very clear about who their GOD is - so they can distinguish based on that, however, Hinduism definitely is not. So, that's my 2 cents.

If you feel you can believe in re-incarnation, you may have a chance at being Hindu. If you think it's a crazy idea and "No, of course I go to Heaven or Hell" - then you're likely not a Hindu. :)

Can a Hindu Be DUAL Religion. Let's Say...a...Christian too?

About.com has some very interesting articles on Hinduism. They're very simple. Are they too simple? I want to know if someone can maybe embrace another religion alongside of Hinduism?

Here's a few quotes that caught me.

Quote: 

"It does not require its adherents to accept any one idea, and thus is cultural, not creedal."

So...can I say I believe in Alah or Jesus?

Quote:

"Hinduism can never be neatly slotted into any particular belief system — monism, theism, monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, panentheism — for all these systems are reflected in its many facets."

So, can I believe in the "monotheistic" part of it? That way I can CO-embrace another religion?

Quote:

"In conclusion, Hinduism, of all religions, makes it conducive for us to believe in the coexistence of multiple religions. Hinduism’s all-embracing quality not only makes its possible for its followers to accept a variety of beliefs and practices, but also creates the warmth that helps them welcome followers of other faiths and reap the benefits of its ancient heritage."

Umm...but what if I want to co-believe in something that directly doesn't believe in re-incarnation? (smacks forehead) - this is so confusing.

Arguments AGAINST it. Why a Hindu may NOT be any other religion...

Quote: 

"

characterized by the belief in reincarnation, one absolute being of multiple manifestations, the law of cause and effect, following the path of righteousness, and the desire for liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.

Religions like Islam and Christianity say "Poo on reincarnation." You live. You die. You get judged. You go to Heaven or Hell. (Badda bing, badda boom).

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Think About It...

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It seems to me that Hinduism may still "jive" with you accepting another faith, but most other faiths won't "jive" back. Also, there are certain KEY things about Hinduism that ARE different that would stop it.

Either way, I can see Hindus being much more ready to accept another faith than vice versa. Is that good or bad, who knows - that's a personal opinion I guess?

When Did Hinduism Start?

A bit of a Historian today.

There seems to be no argument that Hinduism is the oldest of religions (third largest today with 1 Billion followers). Some sources say as old as maybe 10,000 BC. There are archaeological findings 3,000-4,000 BC that have scriptures linking to Hinduism.

QUESTION then:  When does God say he created Earth (and Man/Woman) in Genesis?  Does science here directly argue back with evidence? Hmm...

Something I'm beginning to understand about Hinduism is that it got created over a certain time - thousands of years. It comes from the collections of many stories and beliefs (this explains why it's so vast and inclusive).

How "Hinduism" - The Name Came... 

Here's a quote I found:

"

According to historians, the origin of Hinduism dates back to 5,000 or more years. The word "Hindu" is derived from the name of River Indus, which flows through northern India. In ancient times the river was called the 'Sindhu', but the Persians who migrated to India called the river 'Hindu', the land 'Hindustan' and its inhabitants 'Hindus'. Thus the religion followed by the Hindus came to be known as 'Hinduism'."

Interesting. No?

My current readings are also HINTING at the influence Hinduism may have had on all the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Hinduism & Islam). Time to dig...

Hinduism Compared to Christianity - Simple Notes

If you want to watch the videos where I got these notes from, please check this blog post <-- Click Here.

Here's what these videos summarized as the MAJOR differences between the Religions. NOTE: These are just the NUTS and BOLTS of the differences, there are far many more. Let's start with the basics.

Comparison of Hinduism with Christianity:

1. What is God?  (Hindus - God is NOT a person, God is the Universe. God is the Ultimate state of being which you reach by living a life of the best Karma. Reincarnation is how you are punished for bad Karma. As long as you keep getting reincarnated, you are not allowed to reach the Ultimate state.  Christians - God is separate from the World. God CREATED the world and is not an Illusion. God is fixed, defined and definite. Sin is very real and is punished for on Judgement day unless you embrace Jesus Christ who can save you.)
2. Hindus tolerate ANY way to reach the "Ultimate" aka God. It is even said that Hindus accept Jesus Christ as "The God of The People Who Call Themselves Christians" (for example). Christianity does NOT accept any other faith as even a possibility and their writings state that believing in anything else is the greatest sin.
3. Hinduism can be seen as "all inclusive" and Christianity is considered "Highly exclusive."
4. Hinduism believes that all around sin is still an illusion, however, sin still creates your Karma.
5. The Caste System in Hinduism is a part of the "tracking devices" used to track your prior life Karma. Technically, one is not supposed to interfere with the Karma of another. Essentially, this gets translated to: "helping the poor is not right, you're messing up their Karmaic balance."

The summary here is that these two religions are HIGHLY HIGHLY different. Hinduism allows for room in the belief to be more open and accepting. However, that same openness complicates understanding the religion. 

Only interesting thing I want to note is that Hinduism seems to have roots that are older than even the Old Testament - so it's been around longer?

What is Hinduism?

I just watched the videos below and took notes. I've embedded Part 1 and links to the rest. You need about an hour but it's highly informative.

DISCLAIMER:  Hinduism is presented in a Christian show by a Christian. However, I felt they did a good job keeping it unbiased. They also include a great comparison to Christianity.

Here's Part 1:

Here are links to the rest:Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5

Here's part 1 of the notes. In part 2, I'll go over what they claim are differences between Hinduism and Christianity.

What Is Hinduism - Notes:

• Hinduism is very hard to define in a "nutshell"
• In Over 5,000 years, there is "no particular way" to practice being a Hindu
• Very Pantheistic view - God is everything. Everything around us is God. The material world is just an illusion.
• God is called "Brahman" which is the same as the "Absolute" - which is a state achieved when you're free from the "illusion."
• An analogy used to describe the nature of Hinduism is the "Force" in Star Wars. There is a very "force controls all" nature to this religion.
• There are potentially millions of Gods and Celestial beings.
• The main AIM for a Hindu is to "Escape your body, your body is actually eluding you from the truth, the absolute (the Brahman). Your body is part of this illusion you are stuck in due to your Karma."

Hinduism Practices:

• Worship Idols (that represent the God), Offer food to these Idols and get blessed.
• Astrology - Foretelling destiny based on stars and planets
• All aspects of life are related to your astrology
• Many Hindus seek council from Astrologers for life advice (career, relationships, etc...)
• Palm reading - similar to Astrology. Used to foretell future and also give council. 

Alright next I'll do a post soon about the COMPARISON. Short and simple. Will stick to the basics only.

QUESTION - Hinduism Wasn't a Religion Until The British?!

Today a close friend and very intelligent Religious scholar said the following through a text (and I quote him):

"Hinduism is a collection of 100's of religions, the word hinduism was created by the Brits. Never existed prior to British takeover of India. They created the word to pass National laws..."

Woh Woh Woh!  Is that True?  I never question him, but this is so shocking, I have to go read more about it!

Hinduism Accepts Jesus?

I've been studying Hinduism more, at least trying to - it's very confusing to me still. Apparently, I'm not alone - many say that initially it's a tough faith to understand.

For Example - Violating The Law of Contradiction

Did you know that Hinduism accepts Jesus (And the Gods of ANY faith)? Hinduism already has thousands of Gods. They say that all paths to the ultimate (God) are true. They'd simply say "Jesus is the God of those who call themselves Christian" much the same way they'd explain another deity.

However, this is not comforting to other faiths, such as Christians - rather it makes them (and me) scratch our heads.

Christianity clearly states that JESUS IS THE ONLY GOD (there are no other Gods). So, essentially, if you teach that "Christianity is the Truth as well and an acceptable path to God"...well...Christians say that Hinduism is NOT valid.

Any faith that believes in any other God(s) other than Jesus is not the truth.

Essentially, it's weird - but if Hinduism says that Christianity is true they're accepting that Christianity says that Hinduism is not true (they annihilate their own belief)?

Yes, my head is spinning too. Back to the books.