Is the New Age Movement a western version of Hindu?

Question

New Age Movement believes in Karma and that comes from Hinduism. Also New Age Movement believes that every religion is good and will lead to God, now isn't that the same thing as Hinduism? Is this the Western version of Hinduism?

Answer 1

The New Age movement does borrow some of its ideas from Hinduism, but that hardly gives us enough justification to state that New Age religion and Hinduism are synonymous. After all, Christianity borrows the doctrine of blood atonement, albeit with a different spin, from Judaism. Islam incorporates the prophets from the Old Testament and figures from the New Testament into its pantheon of esteemed religious figures, along side Muhammad. Buddhism makes some of the same metaphysical assumptions about the world that Hinduism, its parent religion, does.

The point is all religions and cult movements are derivative, in that each “new” religion reformulates the central precepts of older faiths, using, in some sense, the older faith tradition as an edifice to start a new religious movement. That does not imply that any of these religious movements are the same as their antecedent. The New Age movement is just as derivative as every other religion, but is not identical to Hinduism, and therefore cannot be called western Hinduism in any sense of the word, any more than Islam is Christianity or Christianity is Judaism.

New Age beliefs are an amalgam of a variety of traditions, some of which are culled from the big three monotheisms (i.e. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), some from eastern mystical traditions (i.e. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism), while also infusing into those beliefs prehistoric animism.

In short New Age religious concepts include the ethereal mystical elements from all faiths, while minimizing emphasis, or completely ignoring, the more dogmatic aspects of all the faith traditions it borrows from.

Though I maybe a bit presumptuous in claiming this, and though it might offend some New Agers, but I think the New Age movement is for people who want to be associated with the traditional religious experience, but don’t want to contend with tougher aspects of spirituality that those well established faiths require. To put it more bluntly, the New Age movement is for those who lack true commitment or fervor, but still yearn for the escapism that religious belief provides.

So far, I have not seen any concrete philosophical or theological work were New Age “scholars” defend why they retain certain doctrines from some faiths, and yet discard with others. Though I consider most of the fundamental precepts of religion to be bunk, at least apologists from the major world religions try to work up a systematic apologetic for why they adhere to one doctrine, shared by their parent faith, while rationalizing why they reject another. Muslims have articulated throughout the centuries why they believe Jesus should only be revered as a great prophet who did not die on the cross. Christians, will acknowledge wholeheartedly their agreement with the Jews concerning the existence of a messiah, but they will give elaborate reasons why they believe the Jews are wrong in thinking that he has not come yet.

To make a long story short the New Age movement is like many of the religious traditions it uses as its foundation, except it is bereft of sophistication. In other words it is the perfect religion for our modern world where the intellect is increasingly impoverished, and where the collective attention span is waning.

Answer 2

Which New Age movement? There have been several.

In the late 1800s there was a cultural miximg of Europe and Asia. British invade India sort of thing. Many ideas from Hinduism were accepted into Christian thought. And many other religions got started. A blending of many religions.

In the 1960, starting eariler in the late 40s (Beatniks, etc) there was a rebirth in freethinking, exploring, and a mixing of religious ideas. Again the British, and Beatles, went to India. And the ideas spread thru the masses. Not to mention the Hare Krishna movement invading airports.

Simply put the New Age Movement is not Hinduism, it is a blend of Hinduism, shamanism, Christianity, and materialism (or anti-materialism?).

Answer 3

" New Age Movement believes in Karma and that comes from Hinduism "

The new age movement and even many Hindus... don't know that Karma is one of three principles of a particular expression of truth.

Akarma... Karma... and Vikarma.

I have clearly elaborate on this in one or two other posts... research if you wish.

" Also New Age Movement believes that every religion is good and will lead to God, now isn't that the same thing as Hinduism? "

Not exactly... the new age community fails to recognize that the Gods and Goddess of the Hindu faith are personalities who are actually alive and have devotees and an ashram, a home.

Worshiping a particular Hindu deity... and even deity such as Jesus and Allah... Buddha... etc.

Deity (supream personality ) should not be mis understood to be the same as philosophy... there are many philosophies that have nothing to do with a name of God or even a form and or dwelling place of GOD... and some philosophies don't even include GOD. Thats a whole nother topic.

I am speaking about GOD... not philosophy.

People in all faiths pray to GOD for many reasons... or they just philosophize.

they pray for :

personal gain... healing of sickness... power ... money... or because they are afraid...

but also some believe GOD is a person with a dwelling place and they want to be with Him or Her to offer service...

So to answer the second part of you'r question.

" Also New Age Movement believes that every religion is good and will lead to God, now isn't that the same thing as Hinduism? "

The New age movement is a little off...

my understanding is that... every path leads to where and what that path leads to...

You can not get to Krsna by worshiping Jesus...unless thats why you are approaching Jesus asking to do... but in that case Jesus will send you to a personal associate of Krsna.

And the Hindus should ( if they don't ) understand that every path leads to its destination.

there is ONE GOD... but there are many individuals and each of us may require a different type of relation ship with GOD or even with out GOD.

In a way of discussion.

If I want to go to Africa... and I want to go specifically to Johannesburg... I will need to take some transportation to get there... I live in America.

So If I go to the Air port and get on any plane because I want to go to Africa... I may not get there... or even if I get on a plane I know is going to Africa unless I know that it is going to Johannesburg there is no guarantee you will reach you desired destination... Johannesburg.

So you must know where you want to go ... or else you may end up where you don't want to be.

" Is this the Western version of Hinduism? "

No

the new age is new... they have a lot to learn...

like seven chakra system.. is only half the story...

there are a total of Fourteen...

any way I have written more than most will want to read so I will stop here.

Peace be with you.

FE

Answer 4

I guess it would be similar, but I don't think that they are the same. I'm a Gnostic Christian, and I guess I fall under the "New Age" category, but I don't agree with all things that Hinduism is about. Unfortunately I don't know all that much about it, but I do believe in Karma (and from what I've read, so did Jesus). I'm sure that there are many more aspects of both that would differ significantly, though.

Answer 5

There is a lot of similarity between the new age movement and Hinduism. I suspect some of this may be due to the influence that gypsies have had on western occult ideas and spiritualism. The gypsies were apparently originally from central Asia and a lot of their spiritual ideas seem to have come from Hinduism.

Helena Blavatsky and her Theosophical movement also played a part in Hinduism influencing the western new age movement. Theosophy was one of the earliest forms of the new age movement. Blavatsky drew heavily on ideas taken from Hinduism. In fact, she claimed all of her teachings came from ancient secret teachings of Hindu brahmins and gurus.

A lot of the new age ideas are really a mixture of Hindu ideas, European pagan ideas, and Jewish Kabbalah. Sometimes one will find a dash of Native American spiritualism or African Vodou as well.

Answer 6

Because, finally the light is shining. New agers believe what Hindus have always believed ir every religion is good.

arma is a Law of Cause and effect. Even non Hinudus feel this daily. A bad Karma will be driving a nail with your fist, and result is immidiate. Good karma will be to use a hammer.

Answer 7

The Question is what is the significance/importance of upanayanam? In today's concept, what is the correct age for it? i am frank in this matter. The question was read correctly by haritaji. There is an unnecessary argument here by one member with the questioner. This will lead to misunderstood the motivation of the question. When a member come with a question in order to explain people about a celebration/function, it is the duty of the members to give good answers. This is a good question, and maximum co-opertion and good answer only needed. Though madam Revathy, as i know good knowledgeable member spoils her talents in wasting arguments. it is better for her to avoid arguments in her answers. it is not an advice, a suggestion. Radhakrishna sir said that Revathy madam told many doing upanayanam before a day of marriage. it is told by the respected Mathangirani and not Revathy madam. After seeing Radhakrishna sir's wrong observation, Revathy madam edited her answer and included this ''day before'' marriage just 10 minits before. A questioner is expecting good answers from the members and not arguments. The arguments in a question make the question weak and fully sideline the motivation. i am happy if members understood this simple matter.

Answer 8

No. "New Age" encompasses a very wide set of beliefs. Some New Agers believe in Karma, but Karma alone does not make you a Hindu. Many New Agers are also Christians, often with a strong interest in angelology. Many New Agers are interested in crystals, which aren't specifically a part of any religion. Many New Agers are also strongly influenced by native American Spirituality. The New Age movement was influenced by Hinduism, but it is one of many influences.

Answer 9

I think it copied some good principles from Hinduism which seems to be reasonable to them.
Hinduism is vast like Ocean, and any religious concept can fall in their principles. For eg. they accept God with form & at the same time without form., worship one God but accept many forms for God

Answer 10

New age followers would say NO, but most of their beleifs have been directly taken from Hinduism.