Why are Eastern Religions (seemingly) Polythestic?

[kinetic being]

If I am correct in that most Eastern religions are influenced heavily by Hinduism, of which the core texts are the Vedas, how could they worship many Gods(polytheism)? Is not the meaning of the Vedas one of unity? If so, how could one worship these many Gods? Vedantic (meaning, literally, "end [or purport] of the Vedas) writings have always spoke of the One Without a Second, therefore, how could there be multiple Gods, if there is only One thing in existence?

This baffles me, as it seems that these religions are contradicting themselves. Unless, these "Gods" are merely storybook figures, made as a moral guide, and to help further the understanding of the Truth in individuals?

For those who do not know what Vedanta teaches, http://www.prosperityplace.com/vedanta.html is a very simplified version of what it teaches, although it does not come close to conveying the beauty of it.

[tea.mochi]

Vedas mean "Knowledge", so they're basically the bible of Hinduism.
I'm searching and I find nothing so far on them meaning they only worship one god, so I honestly don't know.

[kinetic being]

I just found this on google:

Despite these polytheistic elements, however, many Hindus explain that the gods are various forms of a single Supreme Being (see quotes below). Similarly, the philosophical Hindu texts advocate a pantheistic view of ultimate reality. These texts, most notably the Upanishads, explain that there exists a single Supreme Reality, called Brahman. Brahman is often personified and presented as the One that must be sought, and can begin to sound like monotheism. Yet the ultimate revelation of the Upanishads is that the self (atman) is identical with Brahman. Life is therefore best spent not in rituals and offerings to the gods, but in deep meditation on the self until this truth is experienced firsthand.

So is Hinduism polytheistic, pantheistic, or monotheistic? Contributing to the difficulty of answering this question is the fact that Hindus are not nearly as concerned as are western thinkers with such labels and categories. After all, it is a favorite Hindu saying that "The Truth is One, but different sages call it by different names." {1} But when Hindus do define their religion in these terms, usually for the benefit of curious westerners, they tend to do so in terms of monotheism and pantheism:

"Hinduism worships multiple forms of the one God." (OM, an American Hindu organization)

"According to the tenets of Hinduism, God is one as well as many." (HinduWebsite.com)

"Hindus believe in monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism." (The Hindu Universe)

"Even though Hinduism is mistakenly regarded by many as a religion having many gods namely, polytheism, yet truly speaking Hinduism is a monotheistic religion." (Sri Swami Chidanda)

Taking all of the above into consideration, our Fast Facts on Hinduism page classifies Hinduism as "pantheism with polytheistic elements." Why not monotheism? Although "monotheism" literally means belief in the existence of one God, the term has come to denote belief in a God who created and is distinct from the universe. Pantheism is the view that God is essentially identical with the universe and totally immanent in the world: God is the universe and the universe is God. Thus pantheism seems to be the most accurate label for Hinduism. The "with polytheistic elements" qualifier is added because the Supreme Being of Hinduism is most often worshipped in the form of multiple deities.

But could anyone tell me why they worship many Gods, when the Truth is One?

[tea.mochi]

LOL so its just like Christianity.

[kinetic being]

What do you mean "its just like Christianity"?

[tea.mochi]

The holy trinity.
You know, 3 beings in one entity?

[kinetic being]

Triples are a common theme in many things, such as knower-known-knowledge, Father-Son-(holy)Spirit, etc. And, 3=1 is also a common theme. But furthering this, everything=1.

[wtfEver]

your answer is right here: they are different, or often mistaken.

***Hinduism worships multiple forms of the one God." (OM, an American Hindu organization)

"According to the tenets of Hinduism, God is one as well as many." (HinduWebsite.com)

"Hindus believe in monotheistic polytheism, rather than polytheism." (The Hindu Universe)

"Even though Hinduism is mistakenly regarded by many as a religion having many gods namely, polytheism, yet truly speaking Hinduism is a monotheistic religion." (Sri Swami Chidanda)



Taking all of the above into consideration, our Fast Facts on Hinduism page classifies Hinduism as "pantheism with polytheistic elements." Why not monotheism? Although "monotheism" literally means belief in the existence of one God, the term has come to denote belief in a God who created and is distinct from the universe.

Pantheism is the view that God is essentially identical with the universe and totally immanent in the world: God is the universe and the universe is God. Thus pantheism seems to be the most accurate label for Hinduism. The "with polytheistic elements" qualifier is added because the Supreme Being of Hinduism is most often worshipped in the form of multiple deities. ***


Buddhism is another strong religious practice in eastern culture... but if you compare a buddah statue you find in Tailand to one in China.. they look different.

Id' say yes, it' just about like having different branches in Xtianity... same god/gods...different takes on worship.