DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0513
Modern Theism. Rammohicn Roy's successors. 503
Hindu theology which permeated his mind only operated
beneficially. The introduction of faith (bhakti), emotional
religion, and devotional fervour into the Brahma system was
a real advantage. It infused warmth and light into a cold
inanimate Theology, and brought the latest development of
Indian Theism into closer harmony with Christian ideas.
It remains to describe more fully the nature of that de-
velopment. No sooner was Brahmanism finally discarded than
it became necessary to formulate more definite articles of
faith. Briefly the new creed might have been described as
'the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man/ Its
most essential points are as follow:—
God is the first cause of the Universe. By His will He created all
objects out of nothing and continually upholds them. He is spirit, not
matter. He is perfect, infinite, all-powerful, all-merciful, all-holy. He is
our Father, Preserver, Master, King, and Saviour.
The soul is immortal. Death is only the dissolution of the body.
There is no new birth after death ; the future life is a continuation and
development of the present life. The men that now live are the embryos
of the men that are to be.
The true scriptures are two,—the volume of nature, and the natural
ideas implanted in the mind. The wisdom, power, and mercy of the
Creator are written on the Universe. All ideas about immortality and
morality are primitive convictions rooted in the constitution of man.
God Himself never becomes man by putting on a human body. His
divinity dwells in every man, and is displayed more vividly in some.
Moses, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Nanak, Caitanya, and other great
Teachers, appeared at special times, and conferred vast benefits on the
world. They are entitled to universal gratitude and love.
The Brahma religion is distinct from all other systems of religion ; yet
it is the essence of all. It is not hostile to other creeds. What is true
in them it accepts. It is based on the constitution of man, and is, there-
fore, eternal and universal. It is not confined to age or country.
All mankind are of one brotherhood. The Brahma religion recognizes
no distinction between high and low caste. It is the aim of this religion
to bind all mankind into one family.
Duties are of four kinds: (i) Duties towards God—such, as belief in
Him, love, worship, and service ; (2) Duties towards self— such as pre-
servation of bodily health, acquisition of knowledge, sanctification of
soul ; (3) Duties towards others—such as veracity, justice, gratitude, the
promotion of the welfare of all mankind ; (4) Duties towards animals
and inferior creatures—such as kind treatment.
Hindu theology which permeated his mind only operated
beneficially. The introduction of faith (bhakti), emotional
religion, and devotional fervour into the Brahma system was
a real advantage. It infused warmth and light into a cold
inanimate Theology, and brought the latest development of
Indian Theism into closer harmony with Christian ideas.
It remains to describe more fully the nature of that de-
velopment. No sooner was Brahmanism finally discarded than
it became necessary to formulate more definite articles of
faith. Briefly the new creed might have been described as
'the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man/ Its
most essential points are as follow:—
God is the first cause of the Universe. By His will He created all
objects out of nothing and continually upholds them. He is spirit, not
matter. He is perfect, infinite, all-powerful, all-merciful, all-holy. He is
our Father, Preserver, Master, King, and Saviour.
The soul is immortal. Death is only the dissolution of the body.
There is no new birth after death ; the future life is a continuation and
development of the present life. The men that now live are the embryos
of the men that are to be.
The true scriptures are two,—the volume of nature, and the natural
ideas implanted in the mind. The wisdom, power, and mercy of the
Creator are written on the Universe. All ideas about immortality and
morality are primitive convictions rooted in the constitution of man.
God Himself never becomes man by putting on a human body. His
divinity dwells in every man, and is displayed more vividly in some.
Moses, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Nanak, Caitanya, and other great
Teachers, appeared at special times, and conferred vast benefits on the
world. They are entitled to universal gratitude and love.
The Brahma religion is distinct from all other systems of religion ; yet
it is the essence of all. It is not hostile to other creeds. What is true
in them it accepts. It is based on the constitution of man, and is, there-
fore, eternal and universal. It is not confined to age or country.
All mankind are of one brotherhood. The Brahma religion recognizes
no distinction between high and low caste. It is the aim of this religion
to bind all mankind into one family.
Duties are of four kinds: (i) Duties towards God—such, as belief in
Him, love, worship, and service ; (2) Duties towards self— such as pre-
servation of bodily health, acquisition of knowledge, sanctification of
soul ; (3) Duties towards others—such as veracity, justice, gratitude, the
promotion of the welfare of all mankind ; (4) Duties towards animals
and inferior creatures—such as kind treatment.