16. #Thatthreeletterword.

"For all have sinned...

and fallen short of the Glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

Sin.

Not a popular word. Most definitely not a popular word today. I daresay that we would be hard pressed to point out anything as sin anymore... unless Trump did it.

We can appoint sin to the likes of Hitler, Serial Killers and perhaps to Isis rebels, but can you look at your neighbor or yourself in the mirror and recognize sin?

You may see things you don't like or approve of, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about the very real idea that sin is inside each and every one of us. Including your toddler. Yes, even Mother Teresa.

Is sin just an idea brought to us by the Bible? No. Almost every single religion in the world has a list of "deadly" sins and ways in which the "sinner" can atone for or "try" to suppress sin. There is only one of the main religions in the world that does not recognize sin in man and it was to their detriment.

Hinduism is based on principles written in the Vedas. This is a body of text of which some date back to the 1300's BC. Their main god is named Braham, however, there are a pantheon of other gods and demons. In order for Hindus to prove their love and devotion to any of the gods is to pilgramage to a Bhakti. A Bhakti is a statue of their various gods in various temples or shrines. Hindu's believe that this "image" or statue of their god, can at any time, be inhabited by the actual god. So your devotion had better be pure and abundant because you just never know when that god may decide to reside momentarily inside his idol - the gods are so fickle! Part of your worship (and in order to achieve good karma) you must sacrifice to this image of god - not only your pure devotion, but also your earthy goods. This worship and sacrifice will help you add to your karma credits that you need in order to be born into a higher "caste" in your next life. (1)

There are 5 castes in Hinduism.

Untouchables - Street sweepers, Latrine Cleaners

Sudra - Commoners, Peasants, Servants

Vaishya - Merchants, Landowners

Kshatriyas - Warriors, Kings

Brahmins - Priests, Academics

Before we continue, ask yourself - how many generations has there been since 1300 BC? I am horrible at math but it is a lot! Now, how many Hindus should be, at this very moment a Priest or Academic? I would think after all this time, that there would be way more Hindu's at the top of the"caste" than at the bottom. Just a thought.

Perhaps the problem is sin.

Sin according to Hinduism is thus: Adultery, premarital sex - fornication, killing innocent people, promiscuity, disrespecting elders, stealing, lying, bribery and killing a cow! (Their most sacred animal)

If you transgress these divine laws or "Commandments"you must go through seven stages to atone for your sin. Admission, remorse, repentance, confession, showing shame, penance, and reconciliation - at which point all is forgiven and forgotten. However, for those who act or even think wrongfully they will be subject to "tormenting conditions and woeful births" ( think - back to square one on the "caste"ladder.) And although many Hindus will tell you they do not believe in Satan or hell, you may end up in Nakara, a place that they describe as sunless and demonic because you are surrounded by demons called Asuras. (2)

Buddhism is an offshoot of Hinduism. Their list of Tens Sins are; Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slander, coarse language, empty chatter, covetousness, angry speech and wrong views! (3)

Gautama Buddha, lived between 410 and 370 BC. The Hindus believe he was a reincarnation of Vishnu, one of their more important "spirits" - Buddhists, insist he is not god - yet they do worship his image much in the same way the Hindus do.

According to Buddhists, the world was not created and will never end. Also, Buddhists are atheists. They do not believe in a god or gods, however, they do believe in demons called Titans or Asuras as the Hindu's do. These demons can disturb the mind and cause disease and death. (4)

In order to experience a "Great Awakening" you must adhere to meditation and recitation. In order to attain Supreme Enlightenment you must rid yourself completely of "your afflictions" (greed, anger, delusion etc...). "You must at all times keep a close watch on your mind and thoughts like a cat stalking a mouse, ready to pounce on evil thoughts as soon as they arise - or you will suffer certain failure." And this means - another reincarnation.

There are even sects of Buddhism that believe that only a select few have the potential to either come back as a Buddha or go on to the final goal. The rest? Continual returns to this never ending planet. For time...forever...

It is difficult to study Buddhism because there are so many offshoots of the religion. But the glue that holds them all together is the belief that after many - many reincarnations, (it is hard to be perfect!) you will finally reach your ultimate destination...Nirvana. After all the lives, doing your very best to keep yourself from committing any of the "Ten Sins", sacrificing to your Buddha Idol, and hopefully steering clear of Asuras....You finally make it... It was so looooong and it was so haaaaard, but you made it! - No more life, no more hardships, no more dealing with demons, no family, no heaven, no afterlife, no God, your reward? ...Nirvana... Nothingness. (4)

Taoist's negate any reality of sin, however, there are consequences for your "misdeeds" (sin is such a negative word). When you commit a "misdeed" you may be reported to the "heavenly officials" by your "po soul"or "corpse worm" (these are worms that reside in every body). These worms can cause the body harm and encourage demons to enter the body. These demons can cause illness to punish the person for their "misdeeds".

"Physical health is considered evidence of [a persons] purity and illness is believed to be caused by one's "misdeeds". "The cure for illness is to confess and be purged of ones sins." Yes, here the Taoist finally labels "misdeeds"as sin. Taoist priests will sometimes undergo self mortification to try and atone for the sin(s) or hardships of the entire community. Taoists also believe that sin is punished after death in a hellish afterlife existence and good behavior is rewarded by a type of Paradise. Often a talisman will be prescribed by a priest (think rabbits foot, crystal, idol or 4 leaf clover) or other "magical cures" to drive away your "po" worm and any manifested evil. All in all a Taoist must have humility, live a simple life, be charitable and must "shun sin or misdeeds". Techniques such as breathing, "directing sexual energy", alchemy and praying to the many spirits of immortality (although they do not believe these spirits to be eternal?) are demanded of the Taoist in order to release the soul from the body and to protect oneself from eternal damnation. (5,6)

Confucius was a philosopher who lived between 551 - 479 BC. He unfortunately - and without any supporting data - believed man to be innately good. He taught his adherents that man would naturally follow acceptable norms and only take proper action when shown what they are. He assumed men in power would be benevolent rulers, thereby, requiring all to unquestioningly obey authority. This very unfortunate belief allowed the Chinese government to exploit the adherents of Confucianism and when the Chinese corruptly came into power, chairman Mao started an anti-Confucianism campaign. (7)

For the most part, the Eastern Religions do deal with the reality of sin and its consequences here on Earth and in the afterlife if not properly dealt with. The pure disciple of the various religions have a plethora of rites, rituals, observances and difficult, self sacrificing and sometimes self abasing customs in which one must purge themselves of sin in order to attain immortality and/or a better afterlife. The basic list of sins is found in almost every religion in the world. The difference in the various religions are the methods in which one must undertake to alleviate the effects of their sins here and in the afterlife. In Part 2, we will look into the beliefs of Islam, Judaism and finally Christianity.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John1:18)

1. smarthistory.org Hinduism and Buddhism an Introduction by Dr. Melody Rod-Ari

2. hinduismtoday.com Sin and Suffering

3. chinesebuddhistsencyclopedia.com Ten Evil Acts (Ten Evil Deeds, Ten Sins)

4. ymba.org

5. patheos.com Taoism: Suffering the Problem of Evil

6. factsanddtails.com Taoists beliefs, practices and Deities

7. sciencedirect.com Confucianism