Brahma, the Absolute, other than which there is nothing else is without qualities, unknowable, impersonal, beyond all appearances, changes, differences.

God is all there is. "All visible objects are but modifications of self-existence, of an unconscious and impersonal essence which is called God" (Walter R. Martin, Kingdom of the Cults, p. 239).

God is omnipresent and almighty, and is in the heart of everyone (Transcendental Meditafions, p. 61).

In his real nature man is divine. The inner man is fully Divine. Vedanta teaches no other dogma but the divinity inherent in man, and his capacity for infinite evolution (TM, p. 58).

All religions from times immemorial are just different branches of the main trunk of the eternal religion represented by the Vedas (TM, p. 19).

"I don't think Christ ever suffered or Christ could suffer" (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, p. 123).

Christ is considered to be one of a long line of "Masters" who had themselves realized divinity. They are recognized as "divine," and addressed as such. Through such individuals at various times in history, the "divine truth" was transmitted to men. His picture is frequently to be seen beside that of Buddha, or of Shankaracharya, or Yogananda, or other recognized "Divine Leaders."

The "Masters" are considered to be realized expressions of divinity and, as such, are worshiped.

Bahaism: This emanated from Persian Islam but is essentially eclectic. All ways are of God, but Baha has the truth for this age.

Divine Light Mission: Guru Maharaj ji is presented as the Perfect Master, the Lord of the Universe, who has come to uncover the light of knowledge which is within the disciple himself.

Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon): Devotion centers on the god Krishna.

Transcendental Meditation: Deceitfully propagated as nonreligious, this is undoubtedly Hindu. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the leader. Mandatory initiatory rites in Sanskrit address the Lord Narayana, Brahma the Creator. Daily meditation focuses on the Source of Creative Intelligence within the individual himself.

Vedanta Society (Rama Krishna Mission): This group also teaches the Perennial Philosophy, that god is the essence of all that is, and salvation is to "realize" the god (reality) that is within you.

Yoga: This is one of the six major Hindu philosophical systems to be followed in order to obtain union (yoga) with the Ultimate, the Great All-pervading Soul. Self-realization Fellowship advocates practice of disciplined Kriya Yoga as the path to realization of the good within, the true self.

Zen Buddhism: The major Buddhist activity solves eternity's problems by illogical Koan to produce enlightenment--similar to T.M.

The subject per se is given little attention, and forgiveness of sin is unrealistic. By the Law of Karma--"sowing and reaping"--wrong actions inevitably produce punishment, good actions their reward. Salvation consists of doing good in excess of evil in order to evolve to the highest state through successive incarnations. This highest state is Enlightenment--the realization of oneness with the World-Soul, Reality.

Sin is not defined. It consists of actions which are contrary to one's "dharma" or "duty."

"Sin means wrongdoing or wrong thinking due to discontentment. Suffering is the result of some wrongdoing in the past."

"Past sins might induce an action in the present; some tendency of the past may come to us" (Meditations of Maharishi, p. 121).

"Be still and know that you are God, and when you know that you are God you will begin to live Godhood..." (Ibid., p. 178).

Go within and experience the Divine Nature!

A mystical experience reached by various methods which blanks out all sense impressions and releases one into a sense of identity with the great All, the only Reality!

There is no supernatural intervention. We bear the whole responsibility for our actions. If we attain the clear vision of what we are, "the Divine or Inner Light, and the god within," we need not go elsewhere. "All may say, at the moment of Awakening, 'I am the Way' " (KC, p. 237).

Salvation comes through the realization that there is no duality. God is all-in-all, is all there is, and "that are Thou" (Upanishads).

God-realization, or Self-realization, the highest of all states of being, is a here and now possibility by any of the suggested methods. 1) The Way of Knowledge, usually involving meditation focused within. This may be aided by silent repetition of a designated, personal mantra, which is a group of sounds without meaning. Or by "Knowledge" imparted by a "master" by which "inner light" is given and the "current of real life" (the source of life) is turned on within us. Meditation is upon this "light experience." 2) The Way of Works, following prescribed rules of conduct without desire. This is the more common way of India, much less emphasized in the West. 3) The Way of Devotion to a deity, involving continuous chanting of the chosen name, as exemplified by the vocal Krishna-Consciousness cult.

Transcendental Meditation is a path to God (MM, p. 59).

The way of Yoga (meaning union) is that of concentration aided by body control, with the aim being "Union with the Divine."

Self-realization is entry into the Kingdom of Heaven within, entry into the field of the Creator. "It is the gradual movement from Matter to Mind, and then to Super Mind. Once we reach the Super Mind, we reach union with the Divine."

Heaven and hell are not accepted concepts.

Karma, the "law of the deed," of sowing and reaping, is allied with Transmigration (Reincarnation) in defining the results of sin and rewards of good.

Suffering (on earth) is the result of some wrongdoing in the past, one's own repayment of deeds.

One who has attained union with God, or "God-consciousness," has reached the end of reincarnation. As the Buddha is reported to have said, "There is no rebirth for me."

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