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Article XL: Many Paths - One Goal

Hindus believe that there are infinitely many paths to the same ultimate Truth. In the Vedas proper, the Samhitas, it is often stated that, "Truth is one. Sages call It by various names... These various names manifest the different aspects and attributes of the same and one Reality." However, from a Christian standpoint, Christ is the only way to salvation. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) How can this be reconciled by Hindus as being a path to the same Truth when it is described so exclusively by Jesus, Himself?

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna repeatedly speaks of Himself as "I" or "Me" as the ultimate Truth. For example in Chapter 12, Verse 8, Krishna says, "Therefore, focus your mind on Me alone and let your intellect dwell upon Me through meditation and contemplation. Thereafter you shall certainly come to Me." Hindus believe that when Krishna, says "Me" or "I," He means Brahman, the ultimate Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss. There are limits to the language and the interpretation of any scripture, but Hindus believe that just as Krishna says "Me" and refers to any Divine manifestation of Brahman, Christ similarly says "Me" with the same connotation. However, most Christians will not interpret the Bible from this Hindu standpoint, which generally leads to Christian rejection of Hinduism. Nonetheless, Hindus view the Bible in a more liberal light, which views Christ as an incarnation of God - one of infinitely many paths to the same ultimate Truth.

East-West Counseling & Meditation -- Modern Psychiatry Integration -- Himalayan Philosophy -- Penn & Stanford Medicine
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