Understanding Diwali and Its Cultural Context
For those who aren’t familiar, Diwali is a significant Hindu festival known as the festival of lights. It represents the triumph of light over darkness, goodness over evil, and enlightenment over ignorance. Activities typically include decorating homes, shopping, setting off fireworks, exchanging gifts, enjoying feasts, and celebrating with family. This year, it’s observed on Monday, October 20th.
Interestingly, many Hindus are now inviting friends from other backgrounds to join in the Diwali festivities. But the question arises: should Christians participate? When it comes to Diwali, the general consensus tends to lean towards no. The core argument against participation is rooted in concerns about engaging with elements tied to the occult and worshiping false idols. Diwali embodies these themes and more.
As I observe this phenomenon from a cultural standpoint in America, it’s fascinating to see how Diwali has shifted in perception. Instead of being viewed solely as a religious or Hindu occasion, it’s increasingly recognized more as a cultural celebration—akin to some Greek Orthodox festivals. For instance, last year, Mattel launched its first Diwali Barbie doll, framing it as part of their efforts to promote cultural traditions. Their announcement emphasized that the “Barbie Diwali dolls celebrate the richness of Indian culture.” However, one could argue that, specifically, it celebrates Hinduism, which is where the distinction lies.
To clarify, Hinduism doesn’t have a clear founder or a definitive starting point. It lacks a structured institution and universally accepted beliefs. Despite this, it carries significant philosophical influence, with only about 13% of the global population identifying as Hindu, most of whom reside in India. Interestingly, the term “Hinduism” actually means “Indian” in Persian.
Within Hinduism, there are spiritual leaders, known as masters or Swamis, and revered texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. However, three core ideas often encapsulate Hindu thought. When you hear these concepts, you might find them relatable, perhaps without realizing their origin in Hindu philosophy.
The first idea is “power.” In Hinduism, there isn’t one singular, all-powerful God like in many other faiths. Instead, the ultimate reality is understood as Brahman, which is more of an impersonal universal essence. This force can express itself in countless forms, with some estimates suggesting there are around 330 million deities associated with Hinduism.
The primary gods are Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). The mantra “Om,” which is often spelled as “AUM,” symbolizes these three deities. When reciting “Om,” one is essentially engaging in a form of reverence towards them.
However, overarching all these gods is that singular, impersonal reality—Brahman. To draw a pop culture reference, think of Brahman as the Force in “Star Wars,” while the gods serve a role similar to the Jedi.
While there are myriad manifestations of Brahman, the ultimate reality itself isn’t personal. In Hindu belief, the true essence of ourselves, or our atman, is intrinsically connected to Brahman. The idea is that everything and everyone is interconnected. This has parallels to sentiments often found in New Age thinking, suggesting that divine existence permeates all.
The second major concept in Hinduism is karma, which encompasses the totality of one’s actions throughout life. The belief is that failing to acknowledge one’s divine essence can bind one to this earthly existence, leading to successive cycles of life, death, and rebirth—not a straightforward linear progression.
This aligns with the notion of reincarnation, the third pillar of Hindu thought. Your present life is shaped by the karma accumulated in previous lives. If one had good karma before, they’d lead a favorable life now. Conversely, if one’s karma is less than ideal, it could negatively impact their current or future incarnations as a human, animal, or other beings.
This reverence for life is one reason why cows are seen as sacred in Hinduism, representing the sanctity of existence, particularly that of Mother Earth. The ultimate goal, according to Hindu beliefs, is to escape this cycle of existence by recognizing the illusory nature of our reality—much like the pivotal moments in “The Matrix,” where the character Neo learns to see beyond illusions.
In terms of achieving spiritual enlightenment, various practices like yoga, rituals, and meditation are recommended. The term yoga itself translates to joining or uniting, and for Hindus, it signifies the connection with Brahman.
Returning to Diwali, it’s worth noting that it isn’t merely an Indian cultural festivity. It is deeply spiritual, honoring specific deities, particularly Goddess Lakshmi and God Ganesha, along with others like Vishnu.
This context is vital. Diwali celebrates Hindu deities, and it’s crucial, especially from a Christian viewpoint, to recognize the significant contrast. Participation in such a celebration might imply an acknowledgment or glorification of a god that is not aligned with Christian faith.
So, when faced with an invitation to join in the festivities, I typically choose to politely decline.
