re. ganesha chaturthi

[Guest guest]

, jenpolan@i... wrote:

> Bill

> Hi I tried to reply to your mail before but looks as though it did

> not go thru

> I thought it was nice of you to celebrate GC in your bookstore. I

> would also love to work in a bookstore, I used to work in a library.

> I wanted to tell a few things I found in common between

christianity

> and hinduism I read in books.

> One is the AMEN. I read that AMEN is derived from AUM, the same

> sounds are there.

> The second was that as Jesus is a path to his father Lord, Ganesha

> (as a son) is the path to his father Siva.

> I read these from two different books written by Indian authors.

> Has anyone read a Hindu Christian comparison written by a Christian

> or non-Hindu? Just curious.

> Jennifer

>

>

> Enjoy being an Indyan at http://www.indya.com

 

 

Jennifer, I loved your kind words. I too find many comparisons

between Ganesh and Christ. Both of them are sons of God, and both of

them are gods themsleves. There are necessary differences in how

those relationships are seen, but that is not my point here. My point

is to stress the similarities. Also, both of these gods suffered at

the hands of their father or in what what their father viewed as

justice. Here again the differences are not my point. Also, each of

them had his body permanently disfugured. Ganesh ofcourse has a new

head and Christ of course bears the literal wounds in his side and

hands and feet. Whether you believe they are actual entities or

simply believe in them as myths, they still are wounded. Also, each

is considered to embody or contain the universe. Christ is called the

one in which everything has it's being and is held together. Ganesh,

if I recall is said to contain the entire universe in his belly.

Also, each of these gods says something about transformation and

doorways or gates. Also, both of them has a name Lord of hosts. There

are many more comparisons I'm sure. My point here is not to say that

Hinduism and Catholicism are exactly the same. Instead my point is to

show how God looks like himself. That is all.

 

There are a few books I have found on comparative religions but I am

still looking for the best ones. Here's some that I have:

 

Hindu-Christian Dialogue by Harold Coward

Responses to 101 Questions on Hinduism by John Renard

The Crucified Guru by M. Thomas Thangaraj

 

It is always hard to find the real gems as they don't stay in print

long. I still have yet to find out if the books above are fair in

their portrayal of both religions. I am hopeful that they will be.

 

One day I might want to write some on the topic of Hindusim and

Christianity. But, until then, I would rather just soak up whatever I

can and chew on it thoughtfully.

 

I have a Buddhist book by Thich Nhat Hanh which compares Jesus and

the Buddha quite nicely although Thich Nhat Hanh misunderstands alot

of Christian concepts he shares in his book. But that is to be

expected. That would be like me writing about Buddhism or hinduism

without having the context of having lived in it. I cannot fairly

report on it to others. But, he does do well in finding the

similarites. I would like to find more comparisons of Christianity

and Hinduism by Hindu writers.

 

Well Jennifer, thanks again for your kind note.

 

Walk in Peace, Bill

[Guest guest]

Bill

Hi I tried to reply to your mail before but looks as though it did

not go thru

I thought it was nice of you to celebrate GC in your bookstore. I

would also love to work in a bookstore, I used to work in a library.

I wanted to tell a few things I found in common between christianity

and hinduism I read in books.

One is the AMEN. I read that AMEN is derived from AUM, the same

sounds are there.

The second was that as Jesus is a path to his father Lord, Ganesha

(as a son) is the path to his father Siva.

I read these from two different books written by Indian authors.

Has anyone read a Hindu Christian comparison written by a Christian

or non-Hindu? Just curious.

Jennifer

 

 

Enjoy being an Indyan at http://www.indya.com