Explanation of paradigm differences

Senthil said:
I've always found it ridiculously difficult to explain the massive difference between Sanatana Dharma and western faiths to anyone coming from the west. Maybe this article does it better than I ever could. Then again, maybe not.
Click to expand...

I think the article does a fine job of providing a more modern context of thinking about the differences in the belief systems. I'm not sure I agree fully with the closed system of the western faiths as described in the article, but I see the point the author is making. I wonder, however, if western religions might go through a similar, albeit narrower, 'open sourcing' as time progresses. When you consider that, as the article says "Hinduism basically refers to the sum total of spiritual and religious thought and practice that has taken place on the Indian subcontinent over the past 5,000 years," what will Christianity and Islam look like in another 3000 and 3500 years, respectively, as they respond to a global world and its challenges?
 
I don't think it's a matter of not understanding the difference in paradigm. It's just that some people don't put as much emphasis on it as do others.
 
Aussie Thoughts said:
I don't think it's a matter of not understanding the difference in paradigm. It's just that some people don't put as much emphasis on it as do others.
Click to expand...

I think it's true that most people are blissfully unaware, or rarely think about it. The only time I think about it at all is when I discuss it on forums. In regular life, I live in the Hindu world, even though the physical space is in the west. But a ton of people don't understand the difference. We are all products of our experience, and that's the lens we see through, whether we like it or not. With globalisation and the global media, that is changing somewhat. When I was a kid, if someone asked "What religion are you?" it meant, "What denomination of Christianity are you?" But these days that has changed. Take your trip through India as an example. I'm sure it expanded your awareness.

Still there is a lot of ignorance, hence difficulty explaining it, because of the preconceived notions. Try explaining kavadi or a spiritual need to bathe in the Ganga, for instance. But it goes both ways too. Hindus often simply don't get the western paradigm either, and I'll certainly confess to that. Take the need to proseltyse, for instance. that very idea is way outside my box.
 
Aussie Thoughts said:
I don't think it's a matter of not understanding the difference in paradigm. It's just that some people don't put as much emphasis on it as do others.
Click to expand...
That's more or less how I see it too. I understand the difference in paradigm. I acknowledge it, but don't put much emphasis on it beyond that.
 
I was referring to the difference in paradigm. Not the paradigm itself. In other words I don't put much emphasis on the differences between 1 paradigm and another.
 
I think the minority within any culture just naturally notices it more. There is more to look dumbfounded about.

But many, if they haven't traveled, or don't live in a larger multicultural city aren't really aware there are different paradigms. It reminds me of the comment I read on an India Travel Forum from a ________ tourist there. "Overall, I liked the place, but there were just too many Indians."
 
Last edited:
That reminds me of a teenage experience. I was hitchhiking, and was picked up by a Jehovah Witness man. We got to discussing religion, (naturally) and that question came up. I said, "God is this road." implying God is everything. (This was well before I knew about Hinduism.) He got quite upset and said that it was blasphemy. For a minute, I figured he was going stop the car and kick me out. But we continued in silence for awhile.

Bottom line is he gave me a ride. Maybe that is what interfaith is all about ... helping people out despite the differences. After all, he was God too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wil
So what you put faith in is everything?
Is God the sum of everything, no more no less?
 
Senthil said:
That reminds me of a teenage experience. I was hitchhiking, and was picked up by a Jehovah Witness man. We got to discussing religion, (naturally) and that question came up. I said, "God is this road." implying God is everything. (This was well before I knew about Hinduism.) He got quite upset and said that it was blasphemy. For a minute, I figured he was going stop the car and kick me out. But we continued in silence for awhile.

Bottom line is he gave me a ride. Maybe that is what interfaith is all about ... helping people out despite the differences. After all, he was God too.
Click to expand...
Tis a beautiful realization....

the enormity.... he gave a ride for you to continue down your path, on your path... bliss...
 
Senthil said:
I think the minority within any culture just naturally notices it more. There is more to look dumbfounded about.

But many, if they haven't traveled, or don't live in a larger multicultural city aren't really aware there are different paradigms. It reminds me of the comment I read on an India Travel Forum from a ________ tourist there. "Overall, I liked the place, but there were just too many Indians."
Click to expand...
travel and living in a multicultural environment and being a minority if you haven't experienced one of them...when you do you will be in for a paradigm shift....

all those that think they have no paradigm have just explained and acknowledged one of theirs.
 
A Cup Of Tea said:
So what you put faith in is everything?
Is God the sum of everything, no more no less?
Click to expand...

It was an example of the stark difference in paradigm, nothing more nothing less. In Hinduism God is both immanent and transcendent, inside and outside. The universe is an extension of Himself, (Herself) not separate. But it does vary too, depending on sect. We have dual monotheists, monistic theists, polythiests, henotheists, and more.

After that event, I realised there were stark differences in views. Raised nothing, before that I had no sense of how others thought about it. But it was a lesson on that.
 
Last edited:
Senthil said:
It was an example of the stark difference in paradigm, nothing more nothing less. In Hinduism God is both immanent and transcendent, inside and outside.
Click to expand...
Yes I see, but I'm simply curious. What constitutes 'everything'? I myself see the physical world and the...let's call it the psychological world. 'Everything' to me is simply this 'stuff'. What is everything to you? Or is that the right question?
 
Paradigm.....belief in G!d requires one to have faith in said G!d....

not my paradigm

I believe that would release anxiety about others thinking everything is G!d.

G!d created everthing
G!d's essence is in everything
G!d is in everthing
G!d is everything
G!d is...
 
A Cup Of Tea said:
Yes I see, but I'm simply curious. What constitutes 'everything'? I myself see the physical world and the...let's call it the psychological world. 'Everything' to me is simply this 'stuff'. What is everything to you? Or is that the right question?
Click to expand...

Everything ... all thoughts, things, ... God permeates ALL of it. Called Brahman in Sanskrit, it is so essentially different from some other concepts of God that there are some who claim they are atheist, yet believe in Brahman. "I don't believe in THAT God."they'll say. But to me that's just semantics.

But God is also the Causal Principle, unmanifest reality beyond all time, form, space, not conceptual at all, the only Absolute Reality. The other part is manifestation/emanation from That beyond words.
 
Senthil said:
Everything ... all thoughts, things, ... God permeates ALL of it. Called Brahman in Sanskrit, it is so essentially different from some other concepts of God that there are some who claim they are atheist, yet believe in Brahman. "I don't believe in THAT God."they'll say. But to me that's just semantics.

But God is also the Causal Principle, unmanifest reality beyond all time, form, space, not conceptual at all, the only Absolute Reality. The other part is manifestation/emanation from That beyond words.
Click to expand...
Ah, Brahman, now I'm with you. From your point of view, does Brahman have a will? I have more had it described as...reality...that which from all comes and shall return to?
I think both descriptions are present in Christianity for example, but the active, the will, is more touched on in the public space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top