The film, Hinduism 330 Million Gods, provides a basic overview of Hinduism, focusing on the concept of the divine, religious practices, and the stages of life. The information is primarily derived from ordinary Hindus, with some commentary from educated Hindus. Hinduism holds a belief in multiple gods and goddesses, but also embraces a monist perspective. This apparent contradiction is reconciled by viewing all the gods as different manifestations of Ultimate reality or “Brahman,” using the analogy of a powerhouse and light bulbs. The Ganges River holds great significance in Hinduism, as it is not only considered sacred but also revered as a goddess. Hindus believe that bathing in the river can cleanse their sins and grant them immortality.
In the film, we observed individuals purifying themselves by bathing in the river while simultaneously using it for their laundry. Hinduism, often seen as a lifestyle rather than just a religion, embraces the practice of idol worship unlike other religions like Islam, which completely rejects religious images. For Hindus, idols are considered aids for concentration and are compared to “pointers” in the film. The purpose of using idols is to represent the unperceivable ultimate reality. In a rural Indian school during a religious festival depicted in the film, prayers were offered to an idol and offerings were made. After the festival concluded, the idol was destroyed, underscoring Hindus’ understanding that idols are not gods. The film also features a holy individual known as a Mahatma, who had abandoned his previous life…
