Barry Emanuel Zeve discusses Hinduism in various ways, often comparing and contrasting it with the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and other Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Taoism. He has also written a book specifically on the topic titled “Playing god with God: Hinduism, Health and Healing: How to believe in God by believing in yourself”
Here are some key points about what Barry Zeve says regarding Hinduism:
Hinduism as a Foundation: Zeve positions Hinduism as the religious foundation or the “basement” of the entire Abrahamic edifice
He suggests that Hinduism and Judaism are the two oldest world religions, with Hinduism being the foundation and Judaism the ground floor
Chronological and Spiritual Order: According to a chronological list of faiths and philosophies presented, Indigenism is listed around -1800 BCE, followed by Hinduism also around 1800 BCE, then Judaism (1400 BCE), Buddhism (500 BCE), Taoism (200 BCE), Christianity (0 CE), and Islam (610 CE)
Zeve notes that the Hindu path was created by God at about the same time as Judaism, but 180 degrees apart on opposite sides of the inner mountain
Concept of God and Gods: Hinduism holds to the concept of One God, Brahma, who is the cause and foundation of all existence, while also not denying the existence of other gods
Hindus believe in 33 million gods but also in One God. Zeve states that the Hindu godhead is another name for ADONAI, and that Krishna is another name for Y.H.V.H., God the Father, and Allah. He explicitly states that Hinduism is a monotheistic religion that believes in One God, no different in that respect from Christianity. However, he also notes that only Hindus know that there are billions of ways for God to present Himselves
Inner World and Subjectivity: Zeve contrasts Judaism and Hinduism by stating that Judaism focuses mainly on the world around us (objectivity), while Hinduism focuses mainly on the world within us (subjectivity)
Hindus understand the spiritual meaning of being born of woman and accessing God through the contemplation of their navel. Contemplation of the navel is a key concept in Hinduism, though Zeve suggests people aren’t taught to contemplate others’ navels or their own sufficiently to understand their inner struggles
Detachment: Hinduism is given the path of Detachment, particularly detachment from materialism, as an end in itself
Krishna, according to Zeve’s interpretation, suggests detaching from the external world to achieve righteousness. Detachment from the external world allows one to reside happily in Jerusalem metaphorically, making peace with one’s thinking process
Scriptures and Stories: Zeve refers to Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas and specifically the Bhagavad Gita, which he sees as an allegory about God. He describes the Bhagavad Gita as a recording of a conversation between a student (Arjuna) and the Teacher (Krishna/God). He notes that he has modified or paraphrased parts of Krishna’s words in his book to simplify them. He also mentions the Kama Sutra as a holy text on sexual relations that promotes Self-realization and the study of the “fire in the loins”
Hindu Gods and Concepts:
He mentions the Hindu Trinity of Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Sustainer), and Shiva (The Destroyer), who are manifested as Brahman (The Highest Universal Principle)
Brahma is the least worshipped God in Hinduism today
He discusses Vishnu and his avatars, particularly Lord Rama (7th avatar, the perfect man) and Lord Krishna (8th avatar, the divine statesman or Supreme God)
The material world was created by Vishnu. Krishna is presented as The Lord of the senses. Krishna speaking to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita is likened to God talking to his disciple
He describes Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings, as looking like a “comic rendition of a Jew”
He touches on Karma (Action in Krishna Consciousness) and the concept of reincarnation, which he describes as an awakening or an effort to get closer to God over multiple lifetimes
Samadhi is mentioned as the final stage in Hindu yoga where union with the divine is reached
Nirvana is mentioned in relation to Buddhism but is also linked to Hinduism, meaning “without wind”
Comparisons and Contrasts:
He contrasts the Jewish concept that no one can see God’s face and live, with the Hindu idea that facing God (like Arjuna facing Krishna) is possible and virtuous
Hinduism, along with Buddhism, is mentioned as a world faith or philosophy that speculates on the transference of the soul into another container after death
He contrasts the Jewish struggle with God externally with the Hindu struggle with oneself internally before God
The Hindu story of the Blind Men and the Elephant is used as a metaphor for different religions holding pieces of the truth but needing to come together
Each blind man (representing Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) is right, but all are wrong individually
Hinduism and Self-Knowledge: Hinduism is linked to the idea of Self-realization
Knowing yourself requires overcoming a prohibition mentioned in the creation story (picking from the tree of knowledge)
Hinduism in the Modern World: Zeve sees Hinduism, along with Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam, as being “lost at sea without a sail or a rudder” if they cannot perceive the “beacon and tower” of God’s power related to Israel
He suggests that as the world becomes more Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Taoist, and Muslim chronologically, it will also have to become more Jewish
Personal Experience: Zeve describes coming to Hinduism feeling like he’s coming home after traveling the mountain of faith from the valley of indigenism through the Jewish path
He notes he hasn’t literally visited India but has explored Hinduism internally. He uses his personal background as a gay-Jew to offer a perspective on Hinduism
