Hinduism: Do Hindus worship idols?

By Gurudeva Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Hinduism: Do Hindus worship idols?

Introduction

The question is about graven images, like the Christian cross with Jesus hanging on it, or statues of Mother Mary and Saint Theresa, or the holy Kabaa in Mecca, or the Adigranth enshrined in the Golden Temple in Amritsar, or the Arc and the Torah of the Jews, the image of a meditating Buddha, the totems of the indigenous faiths (the so-called primitive faiths throughout the world), the artifacts of the many holy men of all religions. All these graven images are stood before in awe by the followers of these religions. The tooth of the Buddha in Sri Lankan town of Kandy is another loved and respected image. All religions have their symbols of holiness. The question is, Does this make all the above religions idol-worshippers? The answer is, No.

Answer #1: No, Hindus are not idol worshippers in the sense implied. They are intelligent people, and intelligent people do not worship stones or statues. Hindus invoke the presence of great souls living in higher consciousness into stone images so that we can feel the presence of God. Though we may have a stone image of a God, we are invoking the physical presence of the God into the stone image to bless us. Invocations of this nature can be performed by invoking God's presence in a fire, or in a tree, or in the enlightened person of a Sat Guru.

Answer #2: The human mind releases itself from suffering, as shown by all the religions, through the use of forms and symbols that awaken reverence and evoke sanctity. Even a fundamentalist Christian who rejects all forms of idol worship, including those of the Catholic Church and Episcopal Church, would resent someone who threw his Bible on the floor. This is because he considers it sacred. In Hinduism one of the ultimate attainments is that the seeker transcends the need of all form and symbol. This is the yogi's goal. In this way Hinduism is the least idol-oriented of all the religions of the world. There is no religion that is more aware of the transcendent, timeless, formless, causeless Truth. Nor is there any religion which uses more symbols to represent Truth in preparation for that realization.

Answer #3: No, no. Ten thousand times no. We do not worship idols. We invoke God within our temple through our highly trained priests into the sanctum. We invoke God within us through or highly trained Sat Gurus who teach us yoga. Yoga means to yoke oneself to God within.

Summary

If after all that the questioner is still interested, invite him or her to the Lemont temple and explain the process of the puja and the experiences to be had. Tell him or her that you don't have to be born a Hindu to be a Hindu. This is ridiculous Christian propaganda. You are a Hindu if you believe in karma, reincarnation, the existence of God everywhere in all things, and the existence of beings that are on a greater evolutionary path than ourselves. As a Hindu you are the converter, the one who can never be converted. Could anyone ever convince you that the law of gravity is an untrue law or that heat from a stove would not burn your hand? These are pragmatic laws we all know. Karma, reincarnation, invocation of the Deity are equally pragmatic laws known to Hindus who believe in these eternal Truths. Smile, have confidence as you give these answers. Don't be shy. There is no question that can be put to you in your karma that you cannot rise up to and fully satisfy the seeker.

Prepared for the July 4th, 1990 meeting of the youth of the Hindu Temple of greater Chicago, by Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami