Comparative Study Of World Religions

Comparative Study Of World Religions

Dr. Jaswant Singh Dhillon

ISBN 978-1-68517-434-7 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68517-435-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Jaswant Singh Dhillon

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Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

A Comparative Study of World Religions

All Religions Teach Love for All

Theory of Epicurus

My Humble Submission

Domination of Religion

Promoting Harmony and Love

History, Religion, and Philosophy

Dharma

Religion, Politics, and Terrorism

Understanding of God

Philosophical Characteristics of God

Supreme and Soul

Transmigration

Other Universe

Prehistoric Religions

Salvation

Regeneration

Hinduism

Short History of Hinduism

Immortality of the Soul

Karma

Meditation

Yuga (Mighty Ages)

Ramayana

Mahabharata, Krishna, Avatar of Vishnu

Shrimad Bhagwat Gita

Rama the Avatar of Vishnu

Trinity—Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma

The Caste System

The Ashramas

Belief of Hindus

Vedas and Prayers

Upanishads

Puranas

Buddhism, History of Nirvana

Teaching of Buddhism

Eightfold Ways of Nirvana

Four Holy Truths

Panchsheel Principles

Buddha Established More Rules

Ashoka the Great

Buddhist Holy Book

Why Buddhism Collapsed in India

Buddha Laid Down 10 Ways to Gain Strength

Make Following Promises

Four Virtues to Practice

Buddhism in Modern Times

Jainism

History of Jainism

Tirthankaras

Four Pillars of Jainism

Five Vows

Main Principles

Judaism

Story of Moses and Exodus

Moses Is Declared a Fugitive by the Pharaoh

Strange Contact with Family

Miracles and Exodus

Ten Commandments

Original Settlement

Genocide

Jewish Holy Book

Jewish Festivals

Christianity and Bible History

New Testament

Feeding the Multitudes

Jesus Healed Sick People

Jesus and Demon Spirits

Jesus and Man Lazarus

Royal Entry

Judas Iscariot (Betrayal)

Crucifixion of Jesus

Jesus Rises as Son of God

Church History

John Wesley

Divisions of Christianity

Latter-day Saints (LDS)

Jehovah's Witness

Seventh-day Adventist

American Presbyterian Church

Other Explanation of Christianity

Principles of Christianity

Worshiping True Christianity

Islam

History of Islam

The Quran Does Not Preach Forceful Conversion

The Prophet Mohammad

Marriage with Khadija

Revelations

Islam on Expansion and Division

Wars with Quraishies

Battle at Mecca and Bade

Principles of Islam

The Holy Book of Islam

Division of Islam

Five Prayers

Power Struggle among the Caliphs

Battle of Karbala

Mystic Principles of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

Islamic Style of Life

Modern Islam

Characteristics to Support Islam

Festivals of Islam

Beliefs

Sikhism

History of Sikhism

The Founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Schooling

Spiritual Miracles

Servant Cobra

Spiritual Awakening

True Bargain

Marriage

Revelations from God

Condition of Punjab

Message of Guru Nanak

Preaching Journeys of Guru Nanak

Preaching in Punjab

First Preaching Journey (AD 1497–1508)

Second Preaching Journey (1510–1515)

Third Preaching Journey (AD 1516–1518)

Forth Preaching Journey (AD 1518–1522)

Final Time at Kartarpur

Miracle Disposal of Guru Nanak's Body

Transfers of Gurugadhi

Origin of the Khalsa

Battle of Chamkaur

Battle of Khadrana

Meeting with Bahadur Shaw

Meeting with Madho Das

Baptism of Banda Singh Bahadur

Attack on Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Guru Gobind Singh Ji Passes Away

Messages of Sikhism

Five Golden Rules of Sikhism

Other Religions of the World

Basic Prayers of World Religions

Traditions, Customs, and Conventions of World Religions

Rights of Women

Important Women of the Modern World

Prominent Women in the World of Politics

Difference between a Cult and Religion

Sources

Bibliography

About the Author

Preface

Any study or understanding of any human being would be incomplete without knowing something about his inward beliefs and values. The relevance of the study of the religion is ever greater in a country where multireligious society and with greater diversity of social structure and ways of living do exist. The sequential submission of the ideas on religious philosophy and history is tremendously valuable. For example, first comes history, then religion, and last stage is that of philosophy for implementation to live life. When any writer shines his ideas with mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect for the faith of others, naturally he promotes harmony, love, and integrity of human race. This kind of religious character open the door to honor and ultimately to salvation.

The religious philosophy is the vast subject showing how to go through guidelines and assure the ways and means to understand the limit of boundaries of the subject you choose. The religion shares in the most significant times and experiences of life. It celebrates birth, marks out the transition to adulthood, sets the cap on the marriage and family life, and eases the passage from one life to another. Religion is the attachment for millions of people of the world. The most frightening sense in human life pertains to the existing of supernatural power responsible for death and life. With emergence of life, man is happy, while at nearing of death is very scary and fearful.

It also answers to those questions which perplex us. Is there any supreme power to which we are answerable? What is it all about? How did life begin? Why do people suffer? What happens to us when we die? In view of this, the religion provides us inspiration, encouragement, and efforts to explore the reality with the help of art, music, education, literature, and teacher (Tirthankara) or guru.

The guide describes the main features of seven religions of the world and other faiths. The religion is concerned with meaning of doctrines derived from scriptures and traditions. It is simple to understand when any prophet is different from ordinary persons and his representation is different from materialistic world. The functions of his life pertain to establish divine history. After generating some distinguished historic events and spiritual display, the prophet establishes the religion and show the guidelines to practice it, and it becomes the faith of the people. After the religion being established, he or his followers create philosophy to lead lawful life.

In general, prophets have pure soul and are superhuman beings of highest moral and character. They are free of lust, greed, anger, attachment, and pride. On their preaching on religion, mostly listen carefully and act accordingly, whereas some people criticize and do not accept their teaching and philosophy. Usually after their heavenly abode, their succession comes in dispute, and their organization becomes controversial and is divided in two groups called factions. For example, in Christianity, there are two factions, Catholics and Protestants. They are existing. In the same way, Islam has two groups called Shies and Sunnis. In the same way, Hinduism has four main branches called Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smarties. It also wonders that Buddhism has three main branches called (1) Theravada Buddhism, (2) Mahayana Buddhism, and (3) Vajrayana Buddhism. When we read Jainism, people ask what the two main branches of Jainism are. Answer is (1) Digambara, who believe in nudity and sky-clad, and (2) Svetambaras, who believe in white-clad.

In the same direction, there are two main groups in Sikhism. One known as simply Sikhs, mostly non-baptized, and secondly are known as baptized; they have addition and great responsibility of Sikhism.

Sikhism, dress code, and Sikh Maryada was for the purpose to bring justice for everybody.

Generally the Sikh who wears the turban is known as Sikh, and he is recognized everywhere as Sikh.

What are main branches in Judaism? Before Exodus from Egypt, followers were Jewish or Hebrews, and after leaving, they were settled in state of Palestine. One section who settled in northern part were called Israelites, and the other section who settled in southern part were called Judah, but both sections unite together and are called Jewish people.

Acknowledgments

Author wants to recognize those personalities who helped and supported him to accomplish the aim to complete every phase of the book Comparative Study of World Religions. It is admirable contribution to any phase of completion and ultimately to achieve the mission.

The names of important contributors are here acknowledged and mentioned as below.

Prof. Arjinder Pal Singh (APSingh) has master's degree from Punjab University, Patiala, and job assigned as professor in the teaching department. After a while, he moved to Nigeria, teaching English and having appropriate experience. He further migrated to USA and is well established with his family. He offered his help to complete the book on (CSWR), and I accepted it. With mutual understanding among the both of us, he retyped my thesis of PhD, and he corrected sentences.

Naresh Kamboj, by profession, is a civil engineer and immigrated to USA early in the seventies. He has set up a very good library, having over five hundred books mostly on religions, Yoga, and dharma-related books and magazines. Naresh helped me by offering so many religious books, and sometimes we have open and deep discussions on the religious subjects.

Sukhbir Dhillon is my youngest son and worked for Los Angeles Unified School District as a science teacher and administator. He assisted with editing and computer assistance.

Ranbir Dhillon is my grandson, recently graduated in bachelor of aviation engineering from Syracuse University and now doing his masters in Illinois University. He is very dedicated to help me set up pages and modify the sentences, to insert pictures on appropriate pages, and ultimately to transfer the data to email, messages, and other Internet file for saving and storage.

Jaswant Singh Purewal is my close relative as well as friend. He settled in England since late 1950s and have four children who are well settled in America as well as in Canada. Sardar Purewal helped me by sending pictures of divine personalities and spiritual shrines located in Pakistan, UK, and India. Those pictures generate good historical knowledge and events.

A Comparative Study of World Religions

A Greek philosopher once remarked, Even if there is no God, we will have to invent h im.

Human beings always find solace in some sort of higher or supreme being. Study after study goes to prove that persons with some sort of church affiliation lead more peaceful life and die a serene death. The basic principles of love, hope, faith, and charity are the guiding principles of all religions of the world. There is no hope without hope. All of us know we may not get up the next day, but we still set our alarms. These days, many people have no faith, but even the faithless have some faith in human altruism. As we drive on our roads, fundamentally we have the belief, or faith, that other drivers are not there to make an accident or kill us. The original, elementary, and basic urge of all human beings is to love and be loved. There are various types and degrees of love, but agape is the highest form of love. There is love between mother and child, brother and sister, boyfriend and girlfriend, husband and wife, and so on and so forth. Agape is one's love for God. All religions preach love, honesty, truth, respect, responsibility, pardon, and be merciful.

All Religions Teach Love for All

In fact, man's history is a record of his achievements and failures. Right from the days of Adam and Eve, man has always been a curious creature. He has sacrificed his comforts and undergone unbearable trials and tribulations in order to find the truth. In the ancient times, when a great philosopher or a teacher or a rabbi would find some truth (or a part of it), then he would preach that his findings were the ultimate truth. Jesus is recorded by John, saying, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me (John 14:6).

Theory of Epicurus

Greek philosopher tells us that pain must merge in happiness It is the same with Buddha who preached in 625 BC that the world is full of troubles. In order to find Nirvana, one should follow the Middle Path. It took him years and a lot of meditation, fasting, and renunciation (of his kingdom and worldly wealth) to find the fact that this world is full of troubles. His basic teaching and preaching revolves around the theory of Epicurus. One has to get immune to the pangs and the valleys of this world in order to get on the other side of the hedge (E. M. Foster).

It is an undeniable truth that we are all living to die (Professor Nitche).

It took almost 1,500 years for the human beings to realize that truth is relative. The ultimate truth is still unknown to human beings. It was in the fifteenth century that Guru Nanak preached that there is no need of conversion. A Muslim should strive to be a good Muslim, and Hindu's moral obligation is to act upon, Action is thy duty; reward is not thy concern (Lord Krishna in Shrimad Bhagwat Gita).

There are several religions in this world today, including atheism. It is like choosing your subjects in school. Some go for arts, and others go for science. There are subdivisions under both the categories. Same is true with religion. One should be free to choose whichever he/she likes or leads him/her to wherever he wants to be. In the words of Dalai Lama, leader of Buddhists, That religion is the best which makes you a better person (in an interview with Dalai Lama on CNN).

My Humble Submission

My humble approach in writing this book is to try to study and understand and analyze various religions of the world. There is no doubt in my mind that all religions make an endeavor to make an individual a better person. We shall try to study Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It's not the intention of the writer to convert or to paint one religion better than the other. On the other hand, it's a humble attempt to study and learn the various beliefs and find similarities and the uniqueness of different religions. Religion teaches you to adopt such a way of life to help others, pardon the persons who first time make mistake, and be exemplary to love children and respect elders. You must establish example to be a good citizen. For example, you are traveling in a bus and you are sitting on a seat and the lady having child in lap is standing close to you, you must stand up and give seat to the lady, and it will be a sign of good citizenship.

Domination of Religion

Promoting Harmony and Love

Any study of understanding of any human being would be incomplete unless we try to understand the basics of his inward beliefs and values. The relevance of the study of religion is even more important in any country where multireligious people with greater diversity of social structure and ways of living exist. The sequential submission of the ideas on religious philosophy and history is of utmost importance; for example on the top, there is history; then religion; and last but not least the philosophy for implementation. When any writer demonstrates his ideas with mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect for the faith of others, then obviously he would be promoting harmony and love and integration of the human race. This kind of religious character leads to honor, humility, and ultimately salvation.

History, Religion, and Philosophy

The religious philosophy is an unfathomable subject—showing how to go through the guidelines and assure the ways and means to understand the limits of the boundaries of the subject one chooses. The religion one chooses shares the most significant times and experiences of life. It celebrates birth, marks out the transition to adulthood, sets the cap on the marriage and family life, and eases the passage from one life to another. Religion is then special attachment for millions of people in this world. The most frightening sense in human life pertains to the existence of supernatural power responsible for death and life. With emergence of life, man is not happy while at nearing of death and is very scared and fearful. It also offers answers to those questions which mystify us. Is there a supreme power to which we are accountable? What is it all about? How did life begin? Why do we suffer? What happens to us when we die? In view of this, religion has provided the inspiration and consolation through the art, music, and literature of the world.

Dharma

This guide describes the main features of seven religions of the world in addition to other key faiths. The religion is concerned with meaning of doctrines derived from scriptures and traditions. It's easy to understand that when any prophet is different from any other ordinary persons and his representation is also different from the world, the functions of his life do prevail and establish history. After generating some distinguished historic events and spiritual display, the prophet establishes the religion and portrays lines to practice it, and it becomes faith of the people. Once the religion is established, he and/or his followers create philosophy to lead gleeful and lawful life. This kind of divine adoption leads the path to dharma.

In general, prophets have pure soul and are superhuman beings of the highest moral and character. They are free from lust, greed, anger, attachment, gluttony, and pride. Generally, their preaching is paid noble heed, whereas some people criticize them and don't accept their preaching or teaching. It is not uncommon that after they leave for their heavenly aboard, their succession is disputed, and their organization has become controversial and is divided into two factions. Outstanding example: Islam having two groups such as Sunnis and Shias. Sometimes, with the passage of time, corruption creeps in, and the reformation leads to a new group. Emergence of Protestantism breaking away from Catholicism is a good example. Same is true in case of Hinduism when Swami Vivekananda broke away from Sanatan Dharma and founded Arya Semaj against idol worship.

Religion, Politics, and Terrorism

It is imperative to concentrate and study which of the three appeared first at the human race—religion, politics, or terrorism. These three subjects are so vast and so much in expansion in our everyday life that their importance cannot be overemphasized. We read every day in newspapers and magazines and watch over the TV that there is restlessness and immeasurable misery, accidents, drugs, injustice, disgrace, evil, greed, looting, fraud, and whatnot. Our life, instead of being full of joy and peace, has become miserable and uncomfortable. Every day and at every step, we encounter innumerable evil factors and hardships which deviate our track of smooth living toward disarray, disappointment, and disgust. That's the reason we face nemesis individually and collectively.

Oppression of law and order due to uncompromising movements and corrupt ways and means of government grow more suppression on economic and social life of the people of a country wherever they live. Politicians in political chambers and priestly class in temples and churches mislead the people in the name of God. Religious architects design such measurements to befool and mislead the innocent people with their inappropriate teachings for their personal monetary gain.

Generally, we find in this world that people are divided into low and high classical groups; on the bases of religion, one is labeled as moderate, while the others are hard-liners. Both politicians and believers of the false faith are involved in respective groups who are moved to fight against one another. This kind of destructive mindset of the youth leads to hatred and sows the seeds of disgust. This type of attitude and setup hold back the economic group and progress of the country. All religions basically teach in all factions of society that the entire human race is one and equal. Everyone ought to be respected equally, and no one should be discriminated on the base of religion, language, creed, cost, and color. All human beings are the emanation from the supernatural power named God. All human beings have the same soul; hence, all should be treated equal. Means of modern communication, the TV and the radio, sometimes exaggerate or minimize the reality and make the masses to see what they want them to see.

War is never the answer. Humanity has witnessed a great destruction of men and money in the two world wars. God forbid if there is any third world war, maybe humanity will get a fresh start, and the fourth war will be fought with sticks and stones. In recent times, America had to fight a war against Iraq in which more than four thousand soldiers were killed and many more thousands were injured and disabled. Billions of dollars were wasted and are still being wasted in Afghan war. No one has been able to understand, after all, what are we fighting for?

To begin any history of terrorism without defining what the term means, it is just to know as the cart be putting before the horse. In definition, sometimes it looks confusing. A group of revolutionary persons like Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Raj Guru, Dutt and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose who sacrificed their lives to get freedom from the British were called terrorists by the British government and hanged to death, and on the other side, the people of India call them freedom fighter (Desh Bhagat). It is simple to understand any group of people, sponsored by the state or any organization, take the law in hand and kill innocent people to create fear and terror to gain their objective are called terrorists. On one hand, the same group of people are called criminals, and on the other hand, they are called lawful citizens. There are some characters we need to know and understand before any religious philosophy can be discussed. In order to understand any religious philosophy, we have to be familiar with the following characters.

Understanding of God

It is an admission of mind to believe in a supernatural power that controls the whole universe is God. Faith and practice in anything on God is called religion. God is one and only one, and nothing can be seen and realized by him. He is the creator and is not scared of anybody; he is not an enemy to anybody. He is omnipresent, just, honest, and almost impossible to enumerate the attributes of God, and more characters are needed to be mentioned as and like this. He is self-created and self-existent, has no birth and death, is all prevailing, is infinite, is all knowing, is true, is all adorable, is just and love, is omniscient, is omnipotent, is formless, is spotless, and was Nirgun with zero existence before creation.

Creator. God is mentioned as formless in most oriental religious scriptures. All it is before creation; nothing was here except for zero and vacuum, nothing else but Nam (God) or Word in condition of (Nirgun). Because of his willingness and decision, universe was created and became part and parcel of him, and he appeared as (Sargun) and mixed with evolved creation.

Declaration of Mother Nature spread all over that God is everywhere, and worldly matter appeared, and God commanded on it and still is commanding the world. In other words, Sikhism preaches that he is Nirgun as well as Sargun. Nirgun is before universe and nature; Sargun is after creation of the world and nature but even then in worldly affairs. He is unseen, outweighing, unmeasurable, unbreakable, without beginning, without ending, and not pictorial. His perception and existence can be realized. No one can see him with the mortal two eyes; neither can he be touched with mortal two hands. One can realize him by dint of third eye (mind and wisdom). God resides in nature and other phenomena. He is everywhere and prevails in all directions in the form of love and truth, and he commands homage from all living creatures.

Right at the outset of creation, especially at that of our planet Earth, worship of the Supreme came in human mind and became the tradition of concentrating on him day in and day out. This type of faith and practice and under the fear of death and life is called religion, and religious philosophy started prevailing. Religious philosophy created principles and traditions for the worship of the divine power. The Creator pervades the universe. And universe is part of the Almighty. The Supreme is perfect, and his creation (world) is not true because the choice setup is unaccounted for. Human beings are dissatisfied and unhappy because the system is corrupt and does not serve the higher inspirations of human beings. Democratic system of government does not satisfy men and women and particularly the common man. It took a number of years and a lot of agony, renunciation, and concentration for Siddhartha or Gautama the Buddha to realize that this world is full of problems and troubles. (Do we really need a Buddha to tell us that this world is full of troubles?)

Our day-to-day experiences go to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that this world is full of troubles. Under the banyan tree, Buddha realized that the troubles originate in expectations. When our expectations are not met, we are troubled. He realized that the solution to the problem or troubles is not to have any expectations. He gave his Middle Path to Nirvana.

Buddha was born in 625 BC at Kapilvastu in Nepal. He was a prince born in the royal family. Mystics and fortune-tellers predicted that he would be a chakravatin or a great saint. His father kept him within the four walls of the palace so that he never goes out to see the troubles of this world. His parents arranged his marriage to a beautiful princess named Yashodhara. After about a year, he had a son who he named Rahul. The very night of his birth, Siddhartha believed here is another shackle to be broken. He left the palace in the dead of night along with his guide, friend, and philosopher Channa.

It took him years of