| Time: |
linear |
cyclical |
| Ultimate Reality: |
Monotheistic (one
personal god) |
Poly- or non-theistic (many gods or
impersonal) |
| Afterlife: |
Disembodied (one
life) |
Embodied
(Reincarnation) |
| The human condition: |
Sin (separation from God due to bad
deeds) |
Ignorance & Karma (impurity
of soul caused by good and bad deeds) |
| Liberation: |
elimination of sin (=salvation) |
elimination of ignorance & karma (= moksha) |
| Encounter with God: |
God is heard (texts) |
God is seen (images) |
| Mediated through: |
Prophets
(messengers of God, bring God to people) |
Gurus (personal
spiritual guides, bring people to god) |
| Revelation: |
God revealed in the world through
historical & relational events |
Truth revealed in the mind through
wisdom & philosophical ideas |
| Relationship between
Self & God: |
Dualistic ("I
and Thou") |
Identity
("That art Thou") |