It is often said that Hinduism and Christianity are two faiths that are poles apart. But a closer inspection reveals that they have more commonalities than differences. Both religions espouse the ideals of love, compassion and trying to lead a good life. They also encourage their members to be mindful of their actions and consequences.
The core teaching of Christianity is that Jesus is the son of God who came to earth to die for our sins, whereas Hindus recognize that the inner divinity within each individual is the source of all wisdom and goodness. However, they both acknowledge the idea of reincarnation and the importance of understanding Karma and Dharma in travelling the path to enlightenment.
Christianity and Hinduism also value personal transformation and self discovery as part of their spiritual practice. While there are different paths to take, the end goal of achieving inner peace is the same. For example, meditation is practiced in both religions as a way of looking inward and ‘connecting with God’, as it is viewed in Christianity, or ‘connecting with the inner self’, as it is viewed in Hinduism.
A key teaching in both religions is that of service to others. This can be seen in Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan and in the Hindu practice of Karma yoga, which encourages its practitioners to serve others with no self-interest. This act of selfless service helps to purify the heart and consciousness, leading to greater spiritual development.
Moreover, both religions emphasize the importance of charity and giving to those who are in need. This is seen in the story of Abraham giving a tithe to Melchizedek – a figure found in both Hinduism and Christianity. Christianity also recounts the parable of the widow’s mite, showing how even the smallest gifts of generosity are rewarded.
The two religions also share a deep respect for nature and the environment. In Christianity, this is expressed through the creation story in which God gives humans dominion over the earth. In Hinduism, this respect is expressed through an interpretation of the Hindu scriptures that promotes reverence of nature. Thus, people from both religions understand their responsibility to protect the environment.
Finally, the practice of mindfulness is common to both religions. In Christianity, mindfulness is about being attentive to the presence of God, while for Hindus it is about being aware of the inner self. By living with a mindful attitude, both religions hope to lead more peaceful, meaningful lives.
Morality
A common feature between Christianity and Hinduism is morality. The Bible and the Upanishads emphasize that living a moral life is essential for achieving ultimate bliss. In Christianity, this is expressed by the Ten Commandments – a set of laws that guide our moral behaviour. Similarly, Hindus have the yamas and niyamas – a set of ethical guidelines based on ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-greed).
Both religions also teach that our behaviour should be determined by love, compassion and selflessness. In Christianity, this is encapsulated by Jesus’ teaching to ‘love thy neighbour’. Likewise, in Hinduism, it is seen in the Bhagavad Gita’s teaching to ‘serve all beings with love’.
Moreover, social justice is valued by both religions. Jesus taught a message of liberation from oppression and bondage, while Hindu Vedic texts speak of the importance of looking after the weakest members of society. Therefore, the ideal of love and justice unites both religions in a common purpose.
Finally, Christianity and Hinduism also emphasize the importance of forgiveness and redemption. Jesus taught that even those who have committed great sins can be forgiven and redeemed by God. This teaching is also found in the Bhagavad Gita, wherein Arjuna learns that he must forgive those who have wronged him in order to free himself from the cycle of suffering.
Scripture
Scripture is another area of agreement between Christianity and Hinduism. The Bible is considered the divine word of God and Hindus consider the Vedas, Upanishads and other texts to be revelations from the divine. Both religions also have different types of inspired writings, including the Gospels of Christianity and the Puranas of Hinduism.
Similar to Christianity, Hinduism also has ancient writings that are considered sacred and authoritative. One example is the Bhagavad Gita – a spiritual scripture that speaks of the duties of a human being and how to find lasting peace. It also explains the path to Ram Rajya – a divine kingdom on earth where righteousness is upheld.
Both religions also place emphasis on learning and engaging with scripture. Christians are encouraged to read the Bible, while Hindu devotees are encouraged to study the Vedas, or at least understand the teachings from them. These sacred writings serve as a guide for devotees to live a life of integrity, purity and devotion to God.
Additionally, the teachings of each religion often overlap and are seen as complementary to each other. For example, the New Testament and the Bhagavad Gita share a similar message about leading a life of sacrificial service for the greater good of society. Thus, through scripture, both religions have come to learn and understand the importance of ethical living.
Religious Practices
Religious practices are another area of agreement between Christianity and Hinduism. A key practice in both religions is prayer. Christians pray and give thanks to God, while Hindus use prayers to transcend the physical world and connect to the divine. Additionally, both religions engage in other spiritual practices such as chanting and meditation.
The two religions also share similar concepts and symbolic gestures. The sign of the cross represents Jesus’ death and resurrection to Christians, while the same gesture is used in Hindu temples to bless the deities. Similarly, holy water is used in both religions as a symbol of purification. They also share certain religious festivals such as Easter and Diwali, which celebrate the victory of a God over evil.
Finally, in both religions, the same belief is placed in the power of divine grace to transform one’s life. For Christians, grace is seen as an act of God’s unconditional love and for Hindus grace is the divine energy that descends from God and helps to transform one’s consciousness. Thus, Christianity and Hinduism share an understanding of the power of divine grace in spiritual transformation.
Worship
Lastly, Christianity and Hinduism share similar ways of worshipping God. In Christianity, worship is expressed through hymns, liturgies and rituals. Hinduism has its own form of worship which includes chanting mantras, attending religious festivals, making offerings to the gods and pilgrimage to holy sites. Likewise, in Christianity, worshippers attend mass, receive the Eucharist, participate in various liturgical ceremonies and visit holy sites.
Furthermore, prayer is an integral part of both religions. For Christians, prayer is a way of expressing their relationship with God, while for Hindus it is a way of making a connection to the divine. Moreover, both religions place importance on fasting, which is seen as a spiritual act of humility and devotion to God. Therefore, it is clear that Christianity and Hinduism have similar ways of worshipping God.
Community
Lastly, Christianity and Hinduism share the same values when it comes to the understanding of community. In Christianity, Jesus spoke of the importance of loving one’s neighbours and caring for the least of these. This same teaching is echoed in the Hindu Upanishads, wherein the importance of attachment to God and charity to others is stressed. Therefore, both religions teach similar values when it comes to building community.
Moreover, in both religions, the individual’s spiritual path should be accompanied by an active effort to help others. Christians are encouraged to be part of a church community and involve themselves in charitable works, while Hindus teach that we should strive to reduce the suffering of all beings. This understanding of the importance of community is a common belief shared by Christians and Hindus alike.
Additionally, both religions emphasize the importance of service to others, as seen in Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan and in the Hindu practice of seva or voluntary service. This act of selflessly serving others helps to build strong relationships, bring joy to others and transcend the cycles of suffering.
Hence, it is evident that both Christianity and Hinduism understand the importance of community and the power of coming together to create a better world. In fact, it is this idea that unites both religions and provides a shared foundation for spiritual development.
