NIRVANA
Light in Hinduism represents knowledge but in particular the gnostic knowledge of Nirvana. Portrayed as the Hindu heaven, Nirvana is anything but. The word actually refers to a snuffing out as of a candle. The restored fellowship of man with God in heaven through Jesus Christ is alien to Hindu thought. Instead, the personality of man is snuffed out and subsumed into an impersonal godhead. This is the ‘lighted path of thousands to attain the ultimate good and complete ecstasy’ as Malini Bisen puts it, writing on the Diwali festival. It is at odds with the Christian doctrine of a resurrection body, in which the identity of every man and woman is maintained (1 Cor 15:35-44).
Nirvana fits into belief in reincarnation in that man is doomed to be reborn again and again until he achieves the gnostic ‘enlightenment’ that life is an illusion. Then he can be absorbed and his existence snuffed out. Enlightenment and Nirvana are what a Hindu believer is aiming for. In plain words, he will keep being reborn until he smartens up. The idea of ‘eternal life’ without explanation of what that means to a Christian terrifies him. Eternal life is precisely what he is trying to escape.
According to Hindu mythology, Yam, the god of Death, explained during Diwali that by passing through the darkness of death, man sees the light of highest wisdom and then only can his soul escape from the bondage of his mortal frame to mingle with the ‘supreme power’ without whose will not an atom moves in the world. The lamps of Diwali are a symbol of this ‘illuminated mind’ which recognises the futility of mortal life and the goal of Nirvana. How sad to be trapped in a religion which teaches such a bleak and hopeless philosophy of life.
Rather than an impersonal deity, Jesus is the embodiment of God as a living, personal saviour: He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt 16:15-6) And in the Gospel of John, we read: Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-9)
CONCLUSION
The Hindu religion is not of God but is a manifestation of Satan. Hinduism exalts created things and debases man to the level of a sacrificial victim. The social system based upon its teachings is oppressive and murderous. Its treatment of women and children, endorsed by its scriptures and accepted by Hindu society, is barbaric and wicked. Hinduism enslaves all but an elite caste, and teaches fatalism with no hope of social improvement. Its ‘gods’, portrayed as ‘loving’, are never satisfied with their sacrifices. Far from teaching peace and understanding, it teaches perversion and violence, which find a logical expression in human sacrifice. Hinduism is a superstitious, intolerant and evil force, and Christianity, the worship of a living Saviour who demands justice not sacrifice, stands opposed to every central Hindu belief. Christians should pray for all those caught up in the deceptions of Hinduism, as well as praying for Christian evangelists and pastors oppressed by Hindu violence in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Teaching about Diwali is a deceitful promotion of Hinduism. Participation in Diwali is not just a sanitised gateway to destructive Hindu mysticism but a doorway to the demonic. Diwali and other Hindu festivals should have no place in any school in Britain.
Armed with the information in this booklet, parents will be better equipped to object to the celebration of Diwali in their child’s school and supported in any decision to remove their child from classes in which it is being taught or practised. This might even involve taking a child out of a classroom in which Hindu gods have been set up, but Christian Voice is ready to support and advise parents of children in Diwali-celebrating schools.
Pro. 14:27: The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
John 8:12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Note: The authors of this paper are always happy to address meetings and debates or offer advice on Christian witness in our time.
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