HINDUISM AND SANATANA DHARMA

What is Hindu Theism?

As a universal tradition Hinduism naturally includes theism or a recognition of the One Creator of the universe. However it does not regard theism as the only approach to the spiritual life, nor does it have only one formulation of theism that everyone must follow. Hindu theism may be formulated from the standpoint of any number of names and forms, like those of Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva, who stand for the Divine in its roles of creating, preserving and destroying the universe. It may emphasize the Divine as female rather than male in attributes, like Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Durga.

Hindu theism is an experiential system, not a mere code of belief. It says that it is not enough merely to believe in God; we must come experience God through yogic practices. It emphasizes our inner relationship to God, not any mere outer formal identity.

Hindu theism includes monism or the idea that there is only One Reality. It recognizes that God as a personal reality rests upon God as the principle of existence or the Absolute. Like other systems of Hindu thought, Hindu theism recognizes karma and rebirth, and the practice of Yoga as the way to experience God. According to Hindu theism God has created us not to reward or punish us, but to know Him/Her and to become part of His/Her eternal and infinite delight, which is the ultimate destiny of all souls.

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