Immanence and Transcendence in Various Religions

Christianity

Christianity contains elements that reflect both immanence and transcendence, particularly in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity:

• John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” This highlights the immanence of God through Jesus Christ.
• Jeremiah 23:24: “Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” This verse emphasizes God’s immanence.
• Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” This passage highlights God’s transcendence.

Islam

In Islamic thought, the balance between immanence and transcendence is reflected in Sufi mysticism and classical theology:

• Quran 50:16: “We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein.” This verse reflects God’s immanence.
• Quran 42:11: “There is nothing like unto Him.” This highlights God’s transcendence.
• Ibn Arabi’s concept of Wahdat al-Wujud (Unity of Being) suggests that all existence is a manifestation of the single reality of God.

Hinduism

Hinduism describes Brahman as both the immanent reality within the universe and the transcendent source beyond it:

• Bhagavad Gita 10:20: “I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.”
• Mundaka Upanishad 2.1.2: “That which cannot be seen nor seized, which has no origin and no attributes, which has neither eyes nor ears, neither hands nor feet, the Eternal, the All-pervading, infinitesimal, That which is imperishable, the wise regard as the source of all beings.”

Buddhism

Buddhism emphasizes the immanence of the ultimate truth in everyday life and its transcendence beyond ordinary perception:

• Heart Sutra: “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form.” This signifies that the ultimate nature of all forms is emptiness, which pervades all existence.
• Diamond Sutra: “All phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew or a flash of lightning.” This suggests a transcendent understanding of reality that goes beyond ordinary distinctions.

Sikhism

Sikh teachings highlight the immanence of God within all creation and His transcendence beyond it:

• Guru Granth Sahib, page 885: “There are countless paths, countless contemplations, countless forms, and countless purifications.”
• Guru Granth Sahib, page 12: “The Lord is in each of us, and we are all in the Lord.”

Judaism

Judaism maintains a balance between the immanence of God in creation and His transcendence beyond it:

• Psalms 139:7-10: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”
• Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.'” This name indicates God’s self-existence and eternal nature, reflecting His transcendence.

Baha’i Faith

The Baha’i teachings emphasize the unity of all religions and the idea that the divine permeates all aspects of existence while also transcending it:

• Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah: “The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife.”

Confucianism

Confucianism, while not theistic, emphasizes the immanence of moral virtues in human relationships and their transcendent aspiration towards a higher moral order:

• The Analects of Confucius, 12:1: “Yen Yuan asked about perfect virtue. The Master said, ‘To subdue one’s self and return to propriety, is perfect virtue. If a man can for one day subdue himself and return to propriety, all under heaven will ascribe perfect virtue to him.'”

Shinto

Shinto harmonizes immanence and transcendence through the worship of kami, which embody both tangible and intangible aspects:

• Nature Worship: Kami are believed to inhabit natural elements such as mountains, rivers, trees, and animals, making the natural world sacred and imbued with spiritual presence.
• Rituals: Rituals and ceremonies in Shinto are designed to honor the kami and invite their blessings, acknowledging their transcendent power and influence.
• Taoism

Taoism blends immanence and transcendence through the concept of the Tao:

• Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; The named is the mother of all things.”
• Tao Te Ching, Chapter 4: “The Tao is empty yet inexhaustible, like an abyss!” This passage suggests the ever-present and limitless nature of the Tao.
  
  

Conclusion

The identification of common underlying principles in major religious traditions provides strong support for the concept of Omnism. By acknowledging the universal truths that span across different faiths, Omnism offers a holistic and inclusive approach to spirituality, promoting harmony, understanding, and mutual respect among diverse religious communities. This perspective not only enriches individual spiritual experiences but also contributes to a more peaceful and interconnected world.

Silence is the language of god. All else is poor translation.

Rumi

Paths to God

The phrase “There are as many paths to God as there are souls on Earth” beautifully captures the inclusive nature of Omnism. This idea is echoed in various religious traditions, each highlighting the unique and personal journey of the individual soul toward the divine.

Sufi Mysticism

In Sufi mysticism, the inclusivity of spiritual paths is a central theme. The Sufi poet and mystic Rumi expressed this sentiment eloquently: “I belong to no religion. My religion is love. Every heart is my temple.” This reflects the Sufi belief that the divine is accessible through numerous ways, emphasizing a personal and intimate connection with God.

Christianity

Christianity also contains passages that suggest inclusivity in the path to God:

• John 14:2: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
• Romans 14:10-12: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Islam

The Quran supports the idea of multiple paths to God through various verses:

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:148): “For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgment] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
• Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:48): “To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.”

Hinduism

Hindu teachings also reflect the diversity of spiritual paths:

• Bhagavad Gita 4:11: “In whatever way men approach Me, even so do I reward them; My path do men tread in all ways, O son of Pritha.”
• Rigveda 1.164.46: “Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti.” (Translation: “Truth is one; the sages call it by different names.”)

Buddhism

Buddhism emphasizes personal exploration and finding one’s own path to truth:

• Kalama Sutta (Anguttara Nikaya 3.65): “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it… But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”

Sikhism

Sikh teachings highlight the multiplicity of spiritual practices:

• Guru Granth Sahib, page 885: “There are countless paths, countless contemplations, countless forms, and countless purifications.”
• Guru Granth Sahib, page 12: “The Lord is in each of us, and we are all in the Lord.”

Judaism

Judaism acknowledges the diversity of paths to the divine:

• Micah 4:5: “For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.”
• Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a: “Whoever saves one life, it is as if they have saved the entire world.”

Baha’i Faith

The Baha’i teachings emphasize unity and the common foundation of all religions:

• Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah: “The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife.”

Confucianism

Confucianism focuses on ethical principles and the cultivation of virtue:

• Analects 15:23: “The Master said, ‘Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.'”

Shinto

Shinto emphasizes the unique and personal connection with the divine through the concept of kami (spiritual beings or gods).

• Nature Worship: Kami are believed to inhabit natural elements such as mountains, rivers, trees, and animals, making the natural world sacred and imbued with spiritual presence.

Taoism

Taoism reflects the boundless nature of spiritual paths:

• Tao Te Ching, Chapter 1: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth; The named is the mother of all things.”

Conclusion

In our exploration of various religious traditions—including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Baha’i Faith, Shinto, Confucianism Taoism and Judaism—we identified passages that reveal a shared recognition of multiple paths to the divine. Each tradition, despite its unique doctrines and practices, acknowledges the presence of a universal truth that transcends individual belief systems. This common thread emphasizes that the divine can be approached and experienced through diverse spiritual journeys, underscoring the unity and inclusivity inherent in the human quest for meaning and connection with the ultimate reality. These insights highlight the fundamental harmony among the world’s religions, reflecting a collective understanding that there are as many paths to God as there are souls on Earth.

For a deeper exploration of these themes and detailed teachings from various religions, visit God & Omnism.

I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.

Rumi