God Concepts
Christianity and Hinduism have the same fundamental belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing God. Christianity teaches that God is a Trinity, with three co-equal parts; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hindus believe in a single, all-encompassing, formless God or divine absolute known by many names. Both religions believe that God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and eternal. Hindus regard the God-concept as infinite, indivisible and beyond understanding, while Christianity teaches God to be personal and active in the world.
Scriptures
Hinduism is based on numerous holy scriptures and worship of several divine beings and avatars of Vishnu, while Christianity has one main holy book – the Bible. Many Hindu scriptures similarly tell stories of Gods and their avatars. Christianity is monotheistic, believing in the one true God, whereas Hinduism is multifaceted, with multiple Gods and lower-level spiritual beings. Most Hindus and Christians believe in the afterlife, reincarnation and separation from God due to sin.
Holiness
The idea of holiness is shared by both religions. Holiness is viewed as a form of wholeness or perfection that one can attain through fellowship with God. Hindus, who call it moksha, view holiness as the path to achieving the ultimate in spiritual fulfilment. While all humans have an innate holiness, it needs to be awakened and cultivated. Christianity teaches that holiness is attained when an individual has an intimate, personal relationship with God and seeks to follow his will.
Renunciation
Christianity and Hinduism both teach that a life of renunciation is necessary in order to experience spiritual fulfilment. Hindus believe that renunciation is a process of detachment from the material world, while Christians believe that renunciation is the act of willingly giving up worldly pleasures in order to become closer to God. Renunciation requires the individual to accept a life of sacrifice, but it promises liberation from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Devotion
Devotion to God is an important element of both religions. Hindus express devotion to a particular deity in the form of puja (worship) which involves rituals, offerings, recitation of mantras and chanting. Christianity teaches that devotion consists of selfless love for God expressed through prayer, meditation, Bible study and acts of charity.
Prayer
Prayer is an important part of both Christianity and Hinduism. They both believe that by engaging in prayer, the individual can reach out to God and experience His presence. Hindus use prayer to please their deities and ask for divine blessings, while Christians use prayer to seek forgiveness, guidance and strength.
Morality
Both Hinduism and Christianity have similar moral codes based on love, respect, and compassion. Christianity’s Ten Commandments serve as a guide to right and wrong behaviour, while Hinduism’s ‘Dharma Shastras’ focus on cultivating virtuous qualities and leading a life of responsibility. The ultimate aim of both moral codes is to bring about harmony and balance in the cosmos, and to create an environment where all living beings can live in peace and harmony.
Philosophy
Both Christianity and Hinduism are steeped in religious philosophy. Hinduism’s shared philosophy is known as Vedanta, which draws from the scriptures known as Upanishads. Core teachings of Vedanta include understanding the nature of the self (atman) and the divine (brahman). Christianity has its own philosophical tradition, which revolves around understanding the nature of God, sin and salvation.
Conclusion
Though Christianity and Hinduism have different histories, there are many similarities in their overall beliefs and practices. Both religions emphasise the importance of faith, selfless love, devotion, prayer and morality. They both have rich philosophies which serve as a foundation for moral and spiritual development. While there are some differences in their respective belief systems, ultimately they are united in their shared understanding of a higher power and the pursuit of spiritual fulfilment.
