So the New Testament seems to teach a sort of panentheism. To equate it to whole of Dharma would be incorrect and an argument that should be defeated. Devotion to these deities is based primarily on one 's region and needs, even when devotion is given to only one or more, the existence of the others is known. fiercepam-ga rated this answer: and gave an additional tip of: $4.50 thank … A COVID-19 Prophecy: Did Nostradamus Have a Prediction About This Apocalyptic Year? 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. The individual Hindu may revere one god, a few, or many, or none at all. A polytheistic religion, on the other hand, is a religion that believes in the existence of many gods or deities. According to Hinduism, a Christian is included in this in the manner that Christ is a Christian's path to the Ultimate Reality. in psychology and a minor in religious studies. Google Search terms used: hinduism polytheism monotheism hinduism polytheistic hinduism monotheistic I hope this answer has you what you need. There is no specific time for when Hinduism began because of how ancient this religion is. Monotheistic or Polytheistic. (Poly = many.) 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. The Christian concept of the “trinity” conceptualizes the One God in a similar way, dividing Him into three different manifestations which each act within different capacities, but nonetheless share the same divine nature. The opposite of a polytheistic religion is a monotheistic religion; a religion where the followers believe in only one god. Even though Hinduism is mistakenly regarded by many as a religion having many gods namely, polytheism, yet truly speaking Hinduism is a monotheistic religion. Hinduism is all into one. I recently did a talk to the local school here in UK on this subject and mentioned that it is a collection of faiths, a way of life, a broad church with many philosophies and practices. 3. God Almighty is addressed as Brahman, Sanatana Purusha, Parmatman, Karta, Ishwar, Bhagwan and Prabhu in Hinduism! Answer Save. In the end, the question of "monotheistic or polytheistic" is somewhat unimportant. For them, their respective Gods are most important, just like in any other Temple. Hinduism is polytheistic religion and the oldest religion in India and Nepal. Hinduismhas the characteristics of both; meaning that it can no longer be classified as just a polytheisticreligion because there are many monotheistictraits as well. Brahma is the creator aspect of the supreme being, Shiva is the destroyer and Vishnu is the preserver. I have to share it. Whereas a traveler of spiritual path, follower of teachings contained in Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads considers Hinduism to be monotheistic. So, Hinduism isn't quite a polytheistic concept, yet not particularly monotheistic. The result has been a multitude of religious sects, each with its own rituals and customs, which share a unity of spirit. Hinduism is all into one. 1. And there is one Hindu school that is more explicitly monistic than others: Advaita Vedanta or just Advaita. The hymns of the Riga Veda demonstrate the gradual transition from polytheism to monotheism in the Vedic society . Well written and discussed, japtaker. The gods they worship bring them to the One Source, or the Ultimate Reality to finish their reincarnations. Ephesians 1:23 refers to Christ as he “who fills everything in every way”, and 1 Corinthians 15:28 states that even Christ “will be made subject to Him (God) who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all”. Second, if Hinduism is not monotheistic, the general implication is that Hinduism must be polytheistic, meaning heathen, pagan, primitive, superstitious and idolatrous. So they worship the personal forms of Brahman in different ways. 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. Owen, "Pantheists are ‘monists’...they believe that there is only one Being, and that all other forms of reality are either modes (or appearances) of it or identical with it." Way shape or form polytheistic, pantheistic, or something else entirely history of is! 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