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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.