Introduction
Ninian Smart considers the doctrines of religious in deep context. Smart terms doctrines as attempts to provide a system with clarity, as well as intellectual power to elements revealed through symbolic and mythological languages of religious rituals and faith. Smart asserts that world religions owe a significant portion of their living capacity to their accomplishment in presenting a wholesome picture of reality via an intricate system of doctrines. In essence, religions cannot exist without doctrines, which is the perpetual glue that holds religion together. Different world religions harbor distinct doctrines that set them apart from other religions, allowing them to maintain dominance over massive populations. However, when considering the doctrines of religion, Smart split them into seven distinct dimensions, which all consider an individual aspect of the religion. This paper will examine the doctrines and philosophies of Christianity and Hinduism; discussing different views present in each religion. Christianity and Hinduism are some of the most popular world religions that entail distinctive philosophical features.
Dimensions
Smart is renowned for his definition of religion using a seven-part scheme of dimensions, which deters the issue of comprehensively defining a religion (Smart 26). Regardless of the religion, either non-theistic or theistic, all religions possess distinctive attributes, which are reviewable. Although these dimensions vary in degree of importance, they are almost present at all times. Smart categorized the dimensions of religion into historical and Para-historical. Para-historical dimensions take the investigation into the heart of the experiences, concepts and beliefs of the religious persons and require participation and dialogue. Historical dimensions, on the other hand, are studied empirically. Smart’s dimensions of religion include doctrinal, mythic, ethical, which are all Para-historical dimensions and ritual, experiential, institutional and material that encompass historical dimensions. This paper will consider the doctrinal or philosophical views of both Christianity and Hinduism, providing detailed descriptions of the main view in both religions.
According to Smart (89), religions are governed by doctrines that control all the perceptions, views and behaviors of people who profess the faith. The creation stories of different religions show that humans are insignificant compared to the creator and founder of their lives to whom they owe their existence.
Doctrinal/Philosophical Views
The most fundamental feature of religion lies in its association with the belief of the sacred, which entails something more spiritual than the rest it demands exceptional treatment, awe and respect. Religious views are the epitome of religiousness providing essential views to human existence. All religions focus on the philosophy of humility, which is characteristic of being respectful and modest. Since both religions require virtuousness, humility becomes paramount. Christianity views humility as essential to the virtue of temperance. Humility is an essential component of temperance since it encompasses virtues that restrain bodily desires. Humility as a virtue allows a person to consider his individual defects and willingness to submit fully to God and others. Francis of Assisi extols humility, which resulted in the artistic creation of the Madonna of humility. Under Christian doctrines, humility encapsulates maintaining oneself within individual bounds and not reaching for things above one’s capabilities. Humility is a fitting recipient of grace, according to St. James who asserts that God detests the proud by endows mercy and grace on the humble. True humility in Christianity encompasses complete submission to God’s ultimate authority, recognizing other people’s talents and virtues and giving honor where it is due (Knipe 549). Humility also entails recognizing one’s limits with regard to capabilities, authority and talents. All these aspects are illustrated in biblical characters like Abraham and Moses. Christianity frowns upon false humility that entails insulting one’s talents and accomplishments to receive praise, which Uriah avidly personifies.
Hinduism, on the other hand, preaches on the essence of the egoless state or humility as the epitome of all that is right. Hinduism preaches humility through various sacred sages and scripts that date back to 5500 to 2600 BCE. Hinduism influences many other emerging religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism with regard to egoless existence and mukti or nirvana. According to Hopfe and Woodward (77), lord Gita’s focal point is the innate war or the struggle for self-mastery that all humans require to emerge victorious. Despite one’s religious affiliation, whether Christianity or Hinduism, one needs to kill the ego in order to move closer to the professed deity or god. The Hindu Sankrit talks of the sound of I or the sense of self or one ego as the main deterrent of religiousness. Hinduism also appreciates the Trimurti concept that holds there is a cosmic function to maintenance, creation and destruction. These elements of the Hindu religion are personified through Brahma’s forms who Hinduism considers the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the god of destruction or transformation. All of these deities are regarded the Hindu triad otherwise called the Great Trinity addressed as Brahme-Vishnu-Mahershwara. The depictions of Trimurti vary with one showing three heads on a single neck looking is distinct directions.
Christianity too has a three tiered organ called the Trinity that defines God according to three distinct, divine individuals, i.e. the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. While all three persons are distinct, they exist in unity are deemed co-equal. In essence, Christianity holds that the three persons are one considered a great mystery to Christians. According to the Trinity doctrine, God is one person but exists as three persons; therefore, each person is the entire personification of God. However, the persons within the Trinity are different from one another with regard to the origin. The Father generates, the Son is essentially begotten and the Holy Spirit proceeds all else. This means that, in Christianity, grace and creation operate mutually to persons of the Trinity who function according to their distinctive characteristics; hence all things come from the Father within the Son and by means of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Religions of the world are fascinating as they entail distinct characteristics that bring believers together. Dimensions and doctrines of religions provide the distinct characteristics that identify all religions. This paper has examined the doctrine or philosophical view towards humility in both Christianity and Hinduism, describing the element of virtues in both religions. It is apparent that humility is the epitome of distinct religious virtues. In addition, various religions like Hinduism and Christianity believe is a three tiered system of creation.
Works Cited
Hopfe, L. M and Woodward, M. R. Religions of the World (12th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2011. Print.
Knipe, D. M. "Hinduism: Experiments in the Sacred" Religious Traditions of the World: A Journey Through Africa, Mesoamerica, North America, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, China, and Japan. New York: HarperCollins, 1993, Print.
Smart, N. Dimensions of the Sacred: An Anatomy of the World's Beliefs. California: University of California Press, 1999. Print.
