Hinduism: What Really Happenned in India (PDF) - Oration

Hinduism: What Really Happened in India – M. M. Ninan
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his devotion and thought energies into it and bring it to life and
derive inspiration and guidance from it. This is exactly what
happens when someone worships a deity deeply and devotedly.
The idol, which is physically inert and unmoving, becomes alive
and active at least in his thoughts and dreams. In doing so the
worshipper is but repeating the act of creation. With the help of his
mental energies, he is trying to bring to life in his mind an image
that is outwardly inactive. Thus, deep in his inner world, he
becomes a creator, the very Hiranyagarbha, God Himself.
7. The statue reminds one of the ephemeral nature of our
existence..
8. It is the best means of silent communication.
9. It is an acknowledgement of ones ignorance and helplessness.
God is far and above, vastly unknown or known only through
glimpses and symbols. The ordinary individual who is a slave to
his senses and desires can never come face to face with Him. How
can He be known by him who is beyond the senses, the mind, the
words and even ones own intelligence (buddhi)? The ego can never
understand Him. No amount of logic can help us to unravel His
secrets. So the devotee creates an image of Him in his mental world
and worships him expressing his gratitude and his deep devotion.
10. Worship of God is worship of Self the fact that worship of deity
is also worship of the divinity that exists in oneself.
http://hinduwebsite.com/idols.htm
It is not difficult to see that the theology of iconography and the theology
of idol worship are very much identical. If we see the development of
idol worship in Indian Religions the parallel development is seen in all
Eastern Churches and the Roman Churches.