A Hindu friend of mine finds a similarity between his Hindu belief in Sat, the ultimate union of all true Reality in the Ultimate Eternal Constant Infinite, and Atman, that all of us have a divine and eternal core, with Mormon views of Eternal progression and” What Man is God once was and what God is Man may become.” Do you see a parallel?Thank you
2 Responses to “A Hindu friend of mine finds a similarity between his Hindu …”
Ricardo Duarte
2007-12-24 00:18:07
I'm happy you asked this question, as I have been pondering the similarities between Mormonism and Hinduism a lot lately. Before discussing these similarities, intellectual honesty demands that I point out that the theological differences between these two religions far outnumber the similarities. Mormonism is a branch of Christianity that focuses on Jesus Christ. Hinduism is a fascinating polytheistic religion that focuses on the process needed to achieve oneness with the divine, or "nirvana."
Despite these theological differences, I think it is true that of all Christian denominations, Mormonism is by far the most similar to Hinduism. From a secular standpoint, the source of these similarities is mysterious. Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet who first elucidated those few Mormon doctrines that are "Hindu-like," was a largely self-taught farm boy living on the frontier of early 19th-century America. It is almost certain that he was never exposed to Hindu philosophy or theology.
From a religious perspective, these similarities are faith-affirming for Mormons. In a statement made by the first presidency in 1978, the Church proclaimed: "The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals." Because God reveals His truth to all peoples, many Mormons believe the similarities between Mormonism and Hinduism exist because both religions were initially derived from a single divine source. These similarities are evidence of God's divine intervention and instruction in the lives of His mortal children.
I am no expert on Hindu theology, and so I don't feel qualified to comment on "Sat" and "Atman" specifically. Let me instead comment on the similarities I have noticed as I have superficially studied Hindu theology.
Hindus have a well-developed concept of "eternal progression." Hindus believe in a cycle of death and reincarnation. One's state in this life is determined by his behavior in his previous life, though his identify as an individual is "reset" with each new birth so that he remembers nothing of his previous existence. Ideally, humans continuously improve their state in life with each reincarnation until they eventually achieve oneness with the divine, or "nirvana." Once nirvana is achieved, the cycle of death and rebirth is broken, and the individual identity is lost as the soul is caught up in oneness with the divine.
"Eternal progression" is also a central doctrine of Mormon Christianity, though it takes on a different form in Mormon theology. Mormons do not believe in an endless cycle of birth and death, but we do believe in a finite, step-wise progression that leads to oneness with God. Each of these "steps" is called an "estate" or even a "life" in Mormon thought.
According to Mormonism, in the beginning God organized our spirits from crude, unorganized "intelligence." (No Mormon would claim to understand the details of this process.) Thus, in our first "life," which Mormons call the "pre-mortal existence," we lived as spirits in the presence of God. God wanted us to become more like He ishe wanted us to eventually achieve oneness of purpose with Him, similar to the Hindu concept of "nirvana"and so He sent us to earth in order to grow spiritually. Just as Hindus cannot remember their previous lives, Mormons believe a "veil of forgetfulness" prevents us from remembering our previous life with God.
The purpose of earth life in Mormonism is similar to the purpose of life in Hindu thought. Far from God's immediate influence, we must develop God-like qualities such as charity, self control, justice, and mercy, in order to prepare for future oneness in purpose with God.
After death, Mormons believe our souls are sent to the "spirit world," a third "life" or "estate" in the step-wise progression towards oneness with God. Unlike Hindus, Mormons do not believe the individuality of the soul is "reset" with each life. In the spirit world, the "veil of forgetfulness" will be lifted and we will recall both our pre-mortal life with God and our life on earth. Thus in the Mormon system there is continuity of individuality.
In the "spirit world," human souls will continue to progress towards oneness with God. Those who did not have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and/or make the covenants needful for eternal progression while on earth will be taught in the spirit world.
Finally, at the last judgment Christ will judge human souls. It is at this stage that one of the greatest differences between Hindu and Mormon "eternal progression" is manifest. Hindus believe that progression from one life to the next is determined by works-based "karma." Mormons believe that good works are important but, in the end, insufficient for progression towards oneness with God. According to Mormons, our many sins make eternal progression impossible, despite our good works. Progression is only possible if one is made clean through the expiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In the Mormon view, Christ will judge those who have made a good-faith effort to follow Him to be worthy of continued progression towards eventual oneness in purpose with God. This concept, which is similar to the Hindu "nirvana," is called "theosis" in general Christian theology and "exaltation" in Mormon terminology. In the "Mormon nirvana," however, there is again continuity of personal identity. Hindus believe that individual identity ceases to exist once nirvana is achieved, and that the individual human soul is caught up in the divine. Mormons believe that we retain our identity even after "exaltation." We are one in purpose with God, but not one in identity.
I hope I have described Hindu beliefs accurately! If anyone is more knowledgeable than I, feel free to post corrections.
If you would like to know how the Bible supports the Mormon view of eternal progression, please send me an email!
Buddhist
2011-03-01 17:19:37
"After death, Mormons believe our souls are sent to the "spirit world," a third "life" or "estate" in the step-wise progression towards oneness with God. Unlike Hindus, Mormons do not believe the individuality of the soul is "reset" with each life. In the spirit world, the "veil of forgetfulness" will be lifted and we will recall both our pre-mortal life with God and our life on earth. Thus in the Mormon system there is continuity of individuality. "
I'm pretty sure the Buddhist concept of reincarnation is similar enough to (if not the same as) Hinduism's that I can make one minor correction here: there IS continuity of individuality OF THE SOUL in Hinduism.
The "Veil of forgetfulness" Is lifted between each reincarnation into a new life (recall of pre-mortal life and all previous lives), however brief that may be, but then the soul passes back through the veil (individuality is reset) when being reborn.
Ricardo Duarte: Thanks for the clarification, Lawrence!
Despite these theological differences, I think it is true that of all Christian denominations, Mormonism is by far the most similar to Hinduism. From a secular standpoint, the source of these similarities is mysterious. Joseph Smith, the Mormon prophet who first elucidated those few Mormon doctrines that are "Hindu-like," was a largely self-taught farm boy living on the frontier of early 19th-century America. It is almost certain that he was never exposed to Hindu philosophy or theology.
From a religious perspective, these similarities are faith-affirming for Mormons. In a statement made by the first presidency in 1978, the Church proclaimed: "The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God's light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals." Because God reveals His truth to all peoples, many Mormons believe the similarities between Mormonism and Hinduism exist because both religions were initially derived from a single divine source. These similarities are evidence of God's divine intervention and instruction in the lives of His mortal children.
I am no expert on Hindu theology, and so I don't feel qualified to comment on "Sat" and "Atman" specifically. Let me instead comment on the similarities I have noticed as I have superficially studied Hindu theology.
Hindus have a well-developed concept of "eternal progression." Hindus believe in a cycle of death and reincarnation. One's state in this life is determined by his behavior in his previous life, though his identify as an individual is "reset" with each new birth so that he remembers nothing of his previous existence. Ideally, humans continuously improve their state in life with each reincarnation until they eventually achieve oneness with the divine, or "nirvana." Once nirvana is achieved, the cycle of death and rebirth is broken, and the individual identity is lost as the soul is caught up in oneness with the divine.
"Eternal progression" is also a central doctrine of Mormon Christianity, though it takes on a different form in Mormon theology. Mormons do not believe in an endless cycle of birth and death, but we do believe in a finite, step-wise progression that leads to oneness with God. Each of these "steps" is called an "estate" or even a "life" in Mormon thought.
According to Mormonism, in the beginning God organized our spirits from crude, unorganized "intelligence." (No Mormon would claim to understand the details of this process.) Thus, in our first "life," which Mormons call the "pre-mortal existence," we lived as spirits in the presence of God. God wanted us to become more like He ishe wanted us to eventually achieve oneness of purpose with Him, similar to the Hindu concept of "nirvana"and so He sent us to earth in order to grow spiritually. Just as Hindus cannot remember their previous lives, Mormons believe a "veil of forgetfulness" prevents us from remembering our previous life with God.
The purpose of earth life in Mormonism is similar to the purpose of life in Hindu thought. Far from God's immediate influence, we must develop God-like qualities such as charity, self control, justice, and mercy, in order to prepare for future oneness in purpose with God.
After death, Mormons believe our souls are sent to the "spirit world," a third "life" or "estate" in the step-wise progression towards oneness with God. Unlike Hindus, Mormons do not believe the individuality of the soul is "reset" with each life. In the spirit world, the "veil of forgetfulness" will be lifted and we will recall both our pre-mortal life with God and our life on earth. Thus in the Mormon system there is continuity of individuality.
In the "spirit world," human souls will continue to progress towards oneness with God. Those who did not have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and/or make the covenants needful for eternal progression while on earth will be taught in the spirit world.
Finally, at the last judgment Christ will judge human souls. It is at this stage that one of the greatest differences between Hindu and Mormon "eternal progression" is manifest. Hindus believe that progression from one life to the next is determined by works-based "karma." Mormons believe that good works are important but, in the end, insufficient for progression towards oneness with God. According to Mormons, our many sins make eternal progression impossible, despite our good works. Progression is only possible if one is made clean through the expiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In the Mormon view, Christ will judge those who have made a good-faith effort to follow Him to be worthy of continued progression towards eventual oneness in purpose with God. This concept, which is similar to the Hindu "nirvana," is called "theosis" in general Christian theology and "exaltation" in Mormon terminology. In the "Mormon nirvana," however, there is again continuity of personal identity. Hindus believe that individual identity ceases to exist once nirvana is achieved, and that the individual human soul is caught up in the divine. Mormons believe that we retain our identity even after "exaltation." We are one in purpose with God, but not one in identity.
I hope I have described Hindu beliefs accurately! If anyone is more knowledgeable than I, feel free to post corrections.
If you would like to know how the Bible supports the Mormon view of eternal progression, please send me an email!
I'm pretty sure the Buddhist concept of reincarnation is similar enough to (if not the same as) Hinduism's that I can make one minor correction here: there IS continuity of individuality OF THE SOUL in Hinduism.
The "Veil of forgetfulness" Is lifted between each reincarnation into a new life (recall of pre-mortal life and all previous lives), however brief that may be, but then the soul passes back through the veil (individuality is reset) when being reborn.
Ricardo Duarte: Thanks for the clarification, Lawrence!