Key Concepts of Hinduism

Eastern Religions

Mutual understanding is key for dialogue. Without paying attention to someone else we cannot connect with them and find common ground. This often happens between people of different religions and worldviews. In this course, Rahil Patel explains some of the key ideas, beliefs and practices of people from the Hindu tradition. From this course, you will learn how Christians and Hindus can have richer conversations.

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Lesson Overview

Course overview

Meet Your Lecturer

Cost & Payment Options

Introduction

History of the Peoples of India

To gain a deeper understanding of the key concepts of Hinduism it is prudent to briefly explore the history of the peoples of India. Knowledge about India’s civilisational history helps us to see how it has played out and manifested into the forms of Hinduism we see today.

Key Concept 1

Parabrahma

The session explores the concept of Parabrahma, which means ‘the Supreme Godhead’ and will cover some misconceptions many of us may have about the Hindu worldview when it comes to the idea of one God. We will also look at how that one God is worshipped by Hindus and the important distinctions we ought to be aware of so that we do not superimpose our understanding of how only one God is to be worshipped and as a result misunderstand our Hindu friends. As we navigate through these ideas, you will be introduced to certain Indian cultural sensitivities to be aware of so that we maintain respect and honour towards the people we are engaging with.

Key Concept 2

Avatarvad Part 1

This lesson explores the Hindu concept of Avatarvad, where God incarnates on Earth to aid humanity. It delves into 3 out of 10 key avatars: Matsya (the Fish), Kurma (the Tortoise), and Varaha (the Boar). Each incarnation serves a specific purpose, from saving the world from floods to sustaining the earth. Hindus feel that the Christian faith is so ‘distant’ not only theologically but culturally and geographically as well, and that is not entirely true. You’ll learn how the parallels with Christian narratives, like the story of the flood, help build bridges and initiate conversation with our Hindu friends and family.

Key Concept 2

Avatarvad Part 2

This lesson continues exploring Avatarvad with incarnations 4 to 6: Narasimha (the man lion), Vamana (the Dwarf), and Parshuram (the Warrior). Each incarnation serves a specific purpose, showcasing the Hindu god’s intervention in human affairs and include themes of suffering, generosity, and equality. In the case of suffering, for example, in Hinduism, hiding pain and suffering is seen as a significant spiritual quality. It is called ‘sahan shakti’, which literally means the strength to tolerate. Along with many other insights, you’ll gain an understanding of how carefully explaining the importance of grief and being able to express pain to God in a raw and authentic way, can really help (and almost unburden) our Hindu friends. It can point them to an understanding of the loving and compassionate nature of Jesus Christ in a way that they have never experienced before.

Key Concept 2

Avatarvad Part 3

Part 3 of Avatarvad looks at the final 4 incarnations: Lord Rama (The Righteous King), Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. You’ll learn about the themes behind the stories of the lives of each incarnation which will help you be better placed in noticing how these ideas play out in popular Hindu culture either in thought or in festivity. You will see how themes around divine birth, miracles and the defeat of the demonic are paralleled between Hinduism and Christianity, and how the Gospel accounts are not something our Hindu friends would find difficult to grasp. Through this lesson, we will delicately uncover the deeper search and suffering our Hindu friends face and how Jesus Christ can fulfil that search and heal their pain.

Key Concept 3

Punarajanma

This session explores Punarajama, the Hindu concept of birth and rebirth of the Self (Atma) which is what transmigrates into another body after death if there is still bad karama attached to it. You’ll learn the contrasts between the Hindu belief and Christian faith in the area of what it means to be born again. This understanding can open the door for you share with your Hindu friends and family that a life in Christ offers and the opportunity to live in the hope of a defeated death and rebirth, where the tears of pain and suffering will be wiped away for eternity. No more dependency on good karma, or on our own practices and rituals. An eternal life won once and for all on the Cross.

Key Concept 4 & 5

Moksha & Karma

In this lesson, you will gain insights into a Hindus desire for Moksha which is the ultimate liberation of the Atma (the Self) from birth and rebirth. As you go deeper in this lesson, you will learn how the ideas of forgiveness of sin are peripheral to the Hindu so it can end up being a fruitless discussion. So, then what are your Hindu friends seeking? Learn how the themes of sacrifice, purity, karma being paid for on a cross, and more, can create space from meaningful, rich and respectful conversation.

Key Concept 6

Murti Puja Part 1

This lesson delicately explores a very sensitive aspect of a Hindu’s life called Murti Puja, or image worship. These images take various materials like brass, clay, gold or a framed photograph, and are seen as actually coming before God. We will address misconceptions surrounding the practice of Murti Puja and provide insights into its history. You will learn the differences between how Christians and Hindus relate to God giving you resources to ask relevant questions to your Hindu friends and family. This lesson offers guidance for respectful dialogue on the topic of Murti Puja that will move conversations forward in a meaningful way.

Key Concept 6

Murti Puja Part 2

Part 2 of the discussion on Murti Puja delves into the types and postures of Hindu images, called Mudras or ‘signs’, and explores how they connect with Hindu beliefs. The signs communicate ideas like ‘to fear not’ or show gestures that signal a deep innermost reverence for God. Going deeper, this session covers rituals like Arti (complete love) and Darshan (to see the images and behold them deeply in the heart with reverence and adoration). Understanding these different aspects of Hindu worship and rituals will shed light on their significance, offering an understanding that will allow for respectful conversations with Hindu friends as opportunities arise.

Key Concept 7

Veda Praman

This session delves into the scriptural connections of Hinduism, focusing on the Vedas, Upanishads, and key epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It highlights the significance of these texts in shaping Hindu beliefs, rituals, and philosophical outlooks. This session is less about offering apologetic tools to engage with and more about the ideas and stories of the Hindu scriptures to development our knowledge and understanding of them. This is an important topic as building a foundation of knowledge of Hindu scriptures helps us see how certain scriptural themes play out in popular Hindu culture.

Coming soon...

Key Concepts 8 – 12

Lesson descriptions of the remaining four Key Concepts of Hinduism will be released soon.

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Bhagvad Dharma

Key Concept 8

Artha & Kama

Key Concept 9

Kala & Char Anadhi Bheda

Key Concepts 10 & 11

Guru Shishya

Key Concept 12

This course consists of fifteen videos that cover the key concepts of Hinduism, and how to approach and respond to them as a Christian.

You can sign up at any time and watch the videos at your convenience; videos will be released weekly to you dependent on your sign-up date. Please be aware that depending on when you sign up, the live Q&A sessions may not be immediately available.

When you sign up, you will have immediate access to the introduction and first two concepts in the series:

History of the Peoples of India
Key Concept 1: Parabrahma
Key Concept 2: Avatarvad (parts 1-3)

Alongside these, you will find Key Terms sheets and space to submit your questions for the live sessions with Rahil. The remaining videos and resources will be released to you through the learning platform on a weekly basis.

In addition to the pre-recorded content there will be three live Q&A sessions with Rahil. Each one will focus on a group of Key Concepts, and these will be scheduled across the span of a term (loosely one per month) dependent on when you sign up. These are opportunities to bring your questions and share a discussion on the concepts that have been introduced, with Rahil leading you to dig into the key concepts further and in thinking how we can kindly and respectfully respond to these issues in conversation.

If you are unable to join the sessions live, please do not worry! – the sessions will be recorded and available to you to watch back.

Meet your lecturer

Rahil Patel

Rahil is a Speaker and tutor at OCCA the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. His work revolves around Hinduism (a group of multiple religions) and how the Christian faith can build bridges into that eastern worldview and offer the beauty of the Gospels.

Prior to his work for the Christian faith, Rahil was a Hindu monk for 20 years with one of the world’s most influential Hindu traditions and was Head of Europe and Russia before he had a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ.

Rahil’s biography, Found by Love, is published in 5 different languages.

Payment Options

Course Fees

Course price: £295

Or pay in three monthly instalments of £98.33

You can sign up at any time – there is no set course start date. However, please note that depending on when you sign up, the live Q&A sessions may not be immediately available.

Sign-up today