God's judgement?

[truthseeker]

Ancient Lore and Mythology Board, Dondi.

Sorry I'm not versed on how to post a link.

[juantoo3]

As requested:

http://www.comparative-religion.com/...race-2728.html

The Nephilim race thread, page one

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, all!

Why couldn't they've been spared?

I remember BB posting something to back up what I am about to add, but for the life of me I don't recall where.

The nations that G-d ordered destroyed were not at all nice people. They sacrificed human babies, and then ate them.

This is reinforced by passages that speak of "passing the children through the fires of Molech." Hyslop, in the Two Babylons, notes that the word transliterated as cannibal in English, derives from the priests of Baal. Kahna-Bal.

China Cat made a very astute point, in that idol worship does factor in, heavily. Between Nimrod and his parents, idol worship entered the scene post flood, and that includes Molech and Baal. Semiramis (the first "mother of heaven") and Cush (who Hyslop claims influenced the Egyptians), Nimrod's parents, were also key in the introduction of idol worship.

So the Israelites were not descending upon some rag-tag bunch of impoverished souls who were just trying to get along. They had a specific mission they were given, to rid the Holy Land of interlopers. I might add, they were far from successful in accomplishing this mission.

[taijasi]

Do folks here on Christianity all realize that in Hinduism, there is a Trimurti, which is - for all intents and purposes - the same as the Trinity? And if so, and if you happen to be someone who wants to rush and tell me, "oh yes, taijasi, we know that, but this isn't the same as the Christian Trinity!" ... I would ask that you think again. HOW many Gods was it you said you believed in? One, was it?

Well, so do the Hindus. And so did the Egyptians. And so do those of darn near every religion. Man made religions, only God made the Heavens and the Earth.

Hinduism usually identifies the Trinity (Trimurti) with Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Brahma represents the Creative aspect, Vishnu is the Preserver - having to do with Krishna (corresponding to Christ), and Lord Siva ... well, He's called `the Destroyer.' That's really my point. You make of it what you like. You'll either see it's relevance, or you'll get lost in the differences - failing to see the forest for the trees.

In order for new life to arise, the old forms must be destroyed. Not even God could just keep creating more and more and more ... I mean, where's He gonna put it???

Nations are just like individuals, they have their birth, their rise to glory (or that potential, realized or unrealized), their height & decadence, and finally their fall - and destruction. You think you have an example where this doesn't apply? Just wait. Time is the only thing that keeps back the inevitable.

Of course, I myself do not believe in a vengeful, angry, tryannical god (no matter what "the Bible says") ... because I don't have one shred of actual evidence that such exists - except in our fearful imaginations. I choose to understand the historical events being discussed here, as well as the relationship between Humanity (individuals and collectively) and our Loving God, in another light entirely. And all that wrath & anger, I'm gonna punish you because you didn't worship me, and the lightning bolts shooting out of his - uhhh, head - yeah ... imo, that's just stuff to frighten small children with. I guess it works.

taijasi

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by taijasi

Do folks here on Christianity all realize that in Hinduism, there is a Trimurti, which is - for all intents and purposes - the same as the Trinity? And if so, and if you happen to be someone who wants to rush and tell me, "oh yes, taijasi, we know that, but this isn't the same as the Christian Trinity!" ... I would ask that you think again. HOW many Gods was it you said you believed in? One, was it?

Well, so do the Hindus. And so did the Egyptians. And so do those of darn near every religion. Man made religions, only God made the Heavens and the Earth.

Hinduism usually identifies the Trinity (Trimurti) with Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Brahma represents the Creative aspect, Vishnu is the Preserver - having to do with Krishna (corresponding to Christ), and Lord Siva ... well, He's called `the Destroyer.' That's really my point. You make of it what you like. You'll either see it's relevance, or you'll get lost in the differences - failing to see the forest for the trees.

In order for new life to arise, the old forms must be destroyed. Not even God could just keep creating more and more and more ... I mean, where's He gonna put it???

Nations are just like individuals, they have their birth, their rise to glory (or that potential, realized or unrealized), their height & decadence, and finally their fall - and destruction. You think you have an example where this doesn't apply? Just wait. Time is the only thing that keeps back the inevitable.

Of course, I myself do not believe in a vengeful, angry, tryannical god (no matter what "the Bible says") ... because I don't have one shred of actual evidence that such exists - except in our fearful imaginations. I choose to understand the historical events being discussed here, as well as the relationship between Humanity (individuals and collectively) and our Loving God, in another light entirely. And all that wrath & anger, I'm gonna punish you because you didn't worship me, and the lightning bolts shooting out of his - uhhh, head - yeah ... imo, that's just stuff to frighten small children with. I guess it works.

taijasi

Perhaps a trinity of sorts, but not the same Taij. Not even close. And God is not a God of vengence against his people. But He is a God of Justice. Man can not be contemptuous of God, without reprecussions. That is the law of nature.

And if I'm not mistaken, Christ was quite specific about entering the Kingdom of heaven...(unless you are like these children, you can not enter the kingdom of heaven) (para).

Christianity has nothing to do with Hinduism.

v/r

Q

[juantoo3]

Kindest Regards, Tai!

Of course, I myself do not believe in a vengeful, angry, tryannical god (no matter what "the Bible says") ... because I don't have one shred of actual evidence that such exists - except in our fearful imaginations.

I'm stretching my memory for a quote from Frank Herbert's "Dune." Herbert wrote something like "Do not trouble yourself looking for wolves far afield, and lose sight of the wolf at your gate." You are quite right, Tai, we should not place inordinate emphasis worrying about what Herbert called "wolves far afield." However, as Herbert pointed out in the same passage, we should not ignore the wolf in our presence.

I want all people to be good and kind and descent, just like everybody else does. Without evidence otherwise, I must give all people the benefit of the doubt. But to presume such good intent when the people of the world clearly can, at any given moment, suddenly not be good, is not rational or realistic.

How many parents, trusting the goodness of others, have their children kidnapped or violated? How many young women, trusting the goodness of the young men in their company, have been taken advantage of at an inoppurtune moment? Some even murdered for their misplaced trust and faith in the goodness of humanity?

Everyday I encounter people who I have no doubt are well intended, yet are cause for caution on my part. People who drive down the road with their concentration on a cell phone conversation, not realizing that a moment of indiscretion can take the life of either themself or another. People in too much of a hurry to have courtesy and consideration for others. People consumed with a moment of greed making sure they get for themself and theirs, no matter the cost to another. These people are not "evil," yet a moment's action can be.

I choose to understand the historical events being discussed here, as well as the relationship between Humanity (individuals and collectively) and our Loving God, in another light entirely. And all that wrath & anger, I'm gonna punish you because you didn't worship me, and the lightning bolts shooting out of his - uhhh, head - yeah ... imo, that's just stuff to frighten small children with. I guess it works.

I am confused. You would equate the Almighty with the Hindu trinity, on the one hand admitting a "Destroyer" aspect, yet denying that aspect in the Monotheist G-d on the other hand? While I might see difference in your analogy, I am not the one who raised it.

This also shows confusion about the underlying theme. G-d was *not* ordering the destruction of various peoples with no reason. He was not ordering the wholesale genocide of thousands of poor souls in Bangladesh. He ordered the destruction of specific peoples, for a specific reason. That those people ordered destroyed are affiliated with Hermes Trimesgistus is a lesson for me to absorb, and cause for alarm to you. Nevertheless, I will not concern myself with the wolves far afield, I am concerned about the wolf at my gate.

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Christianity has nothing to do with Hinduism.

I believe I know more than a few religious scholars who would get a real kick outta that statement. I sure did!

juantoo3, I do agree with your sentiment regarding our tendency to slip up in the moment. It happens to us all. Few of us really mean it, deep down. Even those who do, the "wolves" of whom you speak, are in my book - people just like you and me. DEEPER DOWN than their errors, even if/when repeated, they are GOOD AT HEART. Either that, or St. Paul was dead wrong when he spoke of Christ in (them), the Hope of Glory.

The thing is, it doesn't take God, or even Christ, to recognize that potential. And how we respond to those around us, or in our midst, is up to us. It is not ours to judge them; that responsibility rests only with God. Amazing how we sometimes forget ...

As for Siva ... God the Destroyer ... you are correct, I did raise this - and I attempted to show a parallel with God the Father. But neither lens for understanding/interpreting the Divine has anything to do with vengeance and wrath. Justice that resorts to these human conceptions has nothing to do with Divine Balance, with the inexorable, perfect LAW of which Christ spoke.

Only if we conceive of God Almighty with the pettinesses of an overgrown, stubborn, willful human personality (pure EGO) - would me make the mistake of casting Him as a tyrant. Destruction IS Love, to Love is to Destroy. That statement is not unequivocal, or absolute - it does not represent the only way to Love, nor does it mean that ALL destruction is right, or an expression of Love. Again, we tend to apply HUMAN conceptions and understandings to Deity ...

And one further note. That wolf at the gate - does he dwell within your heart, or outside of it? If you say - outside, and that Christ abides within, then I agree ... this I was saying above. Yet at what point does our own perfection (necessary, after all, in order for Christ to abide within us eternally and without fail) break down? At what point are we willing to admit - that the wolf is part of us too? WHEN are we willing and able to accept that All Humanity is ONE?

True, we must each fight the fight, face the fears, confront the dweller - within our own lives ... and yes, in this regard, it is a personal battle, and is nobody's business except our own. THAT'S why it's not our business to go 'round judging others, much less entire nations of people. Ours is to love and to forgive, and until we have perfected this practice, we call upon God & Christ to show us again - how to go about it.

Peace,

taijasi

[Thomas]

Do folks here on Christianity all realize that in Hinduism, there is a Trimurti, which is - for all intents and purposes - the same as the Trinity?

To echo Quahom - not at all.

In Hindu doctrine the Trimurti are three modes of God, or rather three activities within the Godhead.

It is a form of modalism, which was rejected in the third century under the heresy of Sabellianism, although we only know what Sabellius taught from the testimony of his opponents.

The essential difference is in the idea of "person", an idea which the Asiatic religions reject, and as the Trinity are Three Persons, in which the fullness of God dwells absolutely - there can never be any meaningful correspondence beyond the superficial between the two doctrines.

An extended meditation upon the fullness of the Trinity can be found in Vol II of the Philocalia, in the Centuries on Knowledge of St Maximus the Confessor.

Likewise, I have just seen (on Wikipedia) a philosophical interpretation of Trimurti presented in very Trinitarian terms - Creator, Logos, Spirit, but I would have to read the precise sources before accepting such a generalism - and again, these are still modes of one being, not Three Persons - and the phraseology does rather suggest an 'enlightened' view of Trimurti according to Christian Revelation.

Thomas

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Do folks here on Christianity all realize that in Hinduism, there is a Trimurti, which is - for all intents and purposes - the same as the Trinity?

To echo Quahom - not at all.

In Hindu doctrine the Trimurti are three modes of God, or rather three activities within the Godhead.

It is a form of modalism, which was rejected in the third century under the heresy of Sabellianism, although we only know what Sabellius taught from the testimony of his opponents.

The essential difference is in the idea of "person", an idea which the Asiatic religions reject, and as the Trinity are Three Persons, in which the fullness of God dwells absolutely - there can never be any meaningful correspondence beyond the superficial between the two doctrines.

I believe you have this backwards. The "Asiatic religions" do not reject the idea of "person" - any more so than does modern psychology. It is a question, rather, of the significance (read interpretation) of the word. We may safely say that the average Hindu affords his own conception and understanding of Lord Siva every bit as much grandeur, magnificence, and Power-for-Good as you do the Christian Father God. Likewise, most Hindus recognize in Lord Vishnu ALL of what you will ascribe to the second "Person," Christ ... yet in this case, it is Sri Krishna whom he actually visualizes, rather than Jesus of Nazareth. And once again, Lord Brahma may be understood as a "Person" in exactly the same way the Holy Spirit is, equally revered, and equally sought in prayer & meditation.

The Hindu differs from the Christian in that his monotheism allows for a recognition of Divinity (literally, Deity in form) in more than just these "three Persons," while never losing sight of the fact that God is non-dual (a recognition not belonging solely to Buddhists). The Trimurti exists, just as the Trinity, but the statement that "the fullness of God dwells absolutely " within each "Person" is - preposterous. A bit of simple logic shows that. If that were the case, they would be identical. Ahhh, wiggle time.

We either posit and admit (of the absurdity of) THREE "Absolutes" - thus, three `Gods' ... a true polytheism ... OR we admit that in some sense each Person of the Trinity/Trimurti differs from the other two.

Originally Posted by Thomas

An extended meditation upon the fullness of the Trinity can be found in Vol II of the Philocalia, in the Centuries on Knowledge of St Maximus the Confessor.

Perhaps a short summary would suffice.

Originally Posted by Thomas

Likewise, I have just seen (on Wikipedia) a philosophical interpretation of Trimurti presented in very Trinitarian terms - Creator, Logos, Spirit, but I would have to read the precise sources before accepting such a generalism - and again, these are still modes of one being, not Three Persons - and the phraseology does rather suggest an 'enlightened' view of Trimurti according to Christian Revelation.

Thomas

The correspondence is Siva-God the Father, Liberator ... Vishnu-Cosmic Christ, thus also Christ focused in man (any man) ... and Brahma-The Creative Powers of Spiritus Sancti.

I believe it is Light that recognizes Light, Love that recognizes Love, and Will that recognizes Will. And we must trust that even when we ourselves fail to fully answer to any one or more of these within us (and Transcendent), more than likely things are well in hand ... God "has the situation under control," to be quaint (and invoke the personal conception). Thus, my point was - we need not judge, or puzzle ourselves over who, why, how, how long, how much or how little suffering, far let alone the precise goings-on after death ... past the reassurances of "we move into the Light" (and toward greater Love). To quote from Iron Butterfly (`In the Time of Our Lives'):

"How you doing people that passed on yesterday?
Did you meet with justice on your judgment day?

These are the things that we hear in our world,
And these are the things that we hear in the time of our lives,
In the time of our lives.

And to us they are real,
And for us they're ideal.

Yes, to us,
Without a doubt they're real.
Without a doubt they're real.
Without a doubt they're real!"

And theirs is an "us" I can relate to ...

Cheers!

taijasi

[AletheiaRivers]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Likewise, I have just seen (on Wikipedia) a philosophical interpretation of Trimurti presented in very Trinitarian terms - Creator, Logos, Spirit, but I would have to read the precise sources before accepting such a generalism - and again, these are still modes of one being, not Three Persons - and the phraseology does rather suggest an 'enlightened' view of Trimurti according to Christian Revelation.

This is gonna be controversial, but ... perhaps that (what you said above) is 'the point?'

What I mean is, perhaps Hinduism glimpsed the truth about the Godhead being triune, even though they conceive of it in modalistic terms. The trinity shows up everywhere. The yin/yang is triune. Paganism has many trinities.

The following is mostly me thinking out loud ...

There are so many instances of Christian ideas and symbols being around prior to Christianity. We have a couple of choices. We can believe that Christianity stole or incorporated these ideas in order to mollify the pagans. Or we believe that God revealed certain truths to various cultures to hint at and prepare the world for the incarnation.

Would that be synchretism? Perennial philosophy?

[Thomas]

Perhaps a short summary would suffice.

No, I'm afraid it wouldn't, as is evident from your well-informed response to my post. Full as it may be, it still misses the essential point. The Trimurti is a relation of God to the world - it speaks of the Divine Energies, as our Orthodox bretheren might say, not the Divine Essence, and as such is accessible to the light of human reason. The Trinity is utterly other, a disclosure of the Selfhood of God.

but the statement that "the fullness of God dwells absolutely" within each "Person" is - preposterous.

It may seem so, but then it is a Mystery:
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." [1Cr 3:19].

Thomas

[taijasi]

Oh phoey! I think I got off on the wrong track entirely. My point was really that I think that over the course of human history, entire nations have brought about their own necessary destruction, just as have individuals. This is the LAW of Cause and Effect, which Christ taught, emphasizing its inexorable operation as have other Teachers before and since.

Now sometimes, we may precipitate our own untimely end ... before its set or intended time. Death comes to all, individuals, nations, planets. And God's Judgment is something that is carried out every minute, of every day, throughout Eternity. It is not some kind of one-time deal, as if this moment doesn't count ... this moment doesn't count .... this moment doesn't count - and then SUDDENLY, this moment COUNTS!

Sometimes, destruction occurs when and as it should. Everyone dies. Nations die. History is full of examples, greater & lesser, known & forgotten, of aborted evolutions. As we look around, we may well wonder if we are not still somewhat dangerously close to precipitating one on this planet! But I do not personally believe that that will be necessary. We may yet learn our lessons ... and pass the crisis. It is us to us, however, whether we cause additional human (and other) suffering, seek to alleviate that suffering, or waste the day entirely. The choice remains.

Nations can and do choose each of these paths, but as the cycles unfold, a trend begins to make itself felt & known. Crises come about, and sometimes there are lesser failures, yet there can also be major breakthroughs or examples of leaping ahead, where unforseen progress occurs - and tends to balance these earlier failures.

It is mistake, however, to think only dualistically, in terms of succeed or fail, which often occurs when considering the subject of "Divine Judgment" ... as if God knew only one right course of action in any given situation. We must also remember that where one individual is concerned, we are looking at a span of perhaps 100 years, while in the case of Nations, this span is certain many 1000s, if not 10s of thousands in terms of gradual changes & transformations.

Additionally ... we know that from Destruction, can arise the greatest of Beauty. The butterfly emerges from the cocoon only after the caterpillar dies to its former self. No nation is meant to rule the stage for the entire history of a planet ... or at least, not in the current stage of our planetary evolution. Only after the so-called "Final Judgment" might this come to pass.

But as for baby-killin' and plunder, rape & pillage ... yeah, war is a bloody mess. Carnage is no fun, usually, even for those with the upper hand - because every cause ... meets with an effect, and one cannot cheat the Law! Fortunately, God doesn't run the Universe like a poker game.

Seems to me like the OP is really about the familiar problem of "why do bad things happen to good people - or, in this case, the `innocents'?" And for me, that brings us squarely to John 9:2! The Law applies to groups and nations, just as to individuals. So long as we don't forget that this is a God of Love we're talkin' about ... I think we're on the right track.

taijasi

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Thomas

The Trimurti is a relation of God to the world - it speaks of the Divine Energies, as our Orthodox bretheren might say, not the Divine Essence, and as such is accessible to the light of human reason. The Trinity is utterly other, a disclosure of the Selfhood of God.

With all due respect, this is nothing more than wordplay, imho. It amounts to me saying, Only MY way of thinking about God's TRIUNE Manifestation is valid ... and yours isn't! I am saying they both are. Just two different ways for conceiving one reality.

My understanding of what allows us to relate to the 2nd Aspect of the Trinity (or Trimurti) is the very presence of that 2nd Aspect within ourselves. Same with the 1st Aspect, and same with the 3rd. While some would deny the God Immanent, Christ specifically taught it, in all three Persons. He showed us our true relationship to it - that which is already present, or innate, that which is gradually developing - through various degrees or Epiphanies (becoming through the increased manifestation of the Christ within), and finally, that which can be (because it already is, the Covenant, the GLORY of which Christ within us is the HOPE). A Mystery, yes - that Christ could at one & the same time represent two, even all three Aspects of this Trinity, Trimurti, whatever you wanna call it.

Originally Posted by Thomas

but the statement that "the fullness of God dwells absolutely" within each "Person" is - preposterous.

I do not think that God defies logic. He may transcend it, inform it, be it ... but He will never defy it. Nor is Love ... illogical. Star-Trek wise, Mr. Spock always came across to me as Loving. So did Commander Data, an android!!!

taijasi

[Thomas]

Hello AletheiaRivers -

What I mean is, perhaps Hinduism glimpsed the truth about the Godhead being triune, even though they conceive of it in modalistic terms. The trinity shows up everywhere. The yin/yang is triune. Paganism has many trinities.

One of the things that usually annoys others is the Christian view that God 'always and everywhere' tries to communicate His being to humanity, and so 'vestiges' (to quote Bonaventure) or traces of the Divine are discernable in all genuine religion aspiration.

St Clement spoke of 'Christians before Christ' in this regard.

It is also a fact that in the Catholic view such aspirations are valid and sufficient as a means of salvation, in the absence of Revelation.

It is also a fact that in the Catholic view nothing quite matches the totality of Revelation as manifest in the Incarnation and the Trinity - and each implies the other implicitly and explicitly.

Swami Sivananda, in his book, All about Hinduism, noted that "Brahma represents the creative aspect; Vishnu, the preservative aspect; and Shiva, the destructive aspect of Paramatman. These functions are akin to wearing different garbs on different occasions. Even so, the Lord does the function of creation when He is associated with Rajas Guna, and He is called Brahma. He preserves the world when He is associated with Sattva Guna, and He is called Vishnu. He destroys the world when He is associated with Tamas Guna, and He is called Shiva or Rudra."

Thus we have not a Trinitarian Godhead, but a triune modality of three aspects of the one deity Paramatman - moreover a pantheistic doctrine, and a purely cosmological representation.

+++

Nothing, in my mind, matches the idea of God's solidarity with His creation as does the actuality of the Incarnation, of a God choosing to empty Himself of His divinity to partake of our humanity; and nothing, in my mind, quite matches the idea of God's limitless love for creation as does the Sacrifice of the Cross.

Having for many years followed Hermeticism and Perennialism, the point remains, that it is the fullness of disclosure within the Christian Revelation, that man's groping towards the Divine is revealed as a kind of primitive, or perhaps better, nascent recognition of the Divinity ... and no religion, except Catholicism, preserves and accords man the dignity of recognising humanity's efforts to get to come to know and understand God ...

+++

There are so many instances of Christian ideas and symbols being around prior to Christianity. We have a couple of choices. We can believe that Christianity stole or incorporated these ideas in order to mollify the pagans. Or we believe that God revealed certain truths to various cultures to hint at and prepare the world for the incarnation.

You have it. Our deiform nature is written in our souls - man could not seek for God, a God utterly unknowable, utterly beyond our puny comprehensions, if not for the seed of God implanted within us - if not for the call of that 'still, small voice,' that says 'come unto me...' and such knowledge would be impossible, were not God to make Himself known in us.

"Triads of divinities, no doubt, occur in nearly all polytheistic religions, formed under very various influences. Sometimes as in the Egyptian triad of Osiris, Isis and Horus, it is the analogy of the human family with its father, mother and son which lies at their basis. Sometimes they are the effect of mere syncretism, three deities worshipped in different localities being brought together in the common worship of all. Sometimes, as in the Hindu triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, they represent the cyclic movement of a pantheistic evolution, and symbolize the three stages of Being, Becoming and Dissolution. Sometimes they are the result apparently of nothing more than an odd human tendency to think in threes, which has given the number three widespread standing as a sacred number (so H. Usener). It is no more than was to be anticipated, that one or another of these triads should now and again be pointed to as the replica (or even the original) of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Gladstone found the Trinity in the Homeric mythology, the trident of Poseidon being its symbol. Hegel very naturally found it in the Hindu Trimurti, which indeed is very like his pantheizing notion of what the Trinity is. Others have perceived it in the Buddhist Triratna (Soderblom); or (despite their crass dualism) in some speculations of Parseeism; or, more frequently, in the notional triad of Platonism (e. g., Knapp); while Jules Martin is quite sure that it is present in Philo's neo-Stoical doctrine of the "powers," especially when applied to the explanation of Abraham's three visitors. Of late years, eyes have been turned rather to Babylonia; and H. Zimmern finds a possible forerunner of the Trinity in a Father, Son, and Intercessor, which he discovers in its mythology. It should be needless to say that none of these triads has the slightest resemblance to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity embodies much more than the notion of "threeness," and beyond their "threeness" these triads have nothing in common with it.
http://www.semper-reformanda.org/warfield.html

Would that be synchretism? Perennial philosophy?

It becomes syncretism when human minds bend them all to fit into a single schema, necessarily ignoring fundamental differences, and interpreting texts freely to suit.

Perennialism as espoused by Guénon, Schuon, Pallis, Coomarrasawamy et al, insists that such truths can only be attained under the cover of a revealed tradition. As such it acknowledges and explores doctrinal difference, rather than glossing over them.

If I were pushed to provide a Hindu near-equivalence, I would rather the triune 'sit-chat-ananda' - 'being - consciousness - bliss' - but such is a personal opinion only, and 'a long mile' short of the Trinity.

Thomas

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Perennialism as espoused by Guénon, Schuon, Pallis, Coomarrasawamy et al, insists that such truths can only be attained under the cover of a revealed tradition. As such it acknowledges and explores doctrinal difference, rather than glossing over them.

This is certainly an important part of the discussion, but at the end of the day, which note receives the focus - the commonalities, or the differences? Indeed, does the God-in-us tend toward greater Unity, or toward greater division?

Originally Posted by Thomas

If I were pushed to provide a Hindu near-equivalence, I would rather the triune 'sit-chat-ananda' - 'being - consciousness - bliss' - but such is a personal opinion only, and 'a long mile' short of the Trinity.

This deviates slightly from the OP, but still ... I am curious, how would you fit the untimely destruction of nations into this framework? Or more to the point, the death of women and babies, as Dondi put it.

taijasi