What is the nature of ultimate reality?

HINDUISM

Brahman is beyond all reason, beyond all rational understanding. One cannot define Brahman: One can only say what Brahman is not, never what Brahman is ... Brahman is not only the ultimate reality, Brahman is the only reality. There is nothing else but Brahman; all else is "Maya" (illusion). Brahman has always been, and will always be; Brahman never changes, Brahman is Reality!

BUDDHISM: Hinayana

Whatever is the nature of ultimate Reality, that Reality is beyond all human thought; it is therefore futile and misleading to concern oneself with such matter. Seek Nirvana only; the extinction of the illusion of self.

BUDDHISM: Mahayana

The ultimate reality is Nirvana, but Nirvana is not negative but positive: It is a joyful experience that is beyond rational description.

TAOISM

The Tao is the ultimate Reality: but, here again, the Tao is beyond any ability of humankind to grasp it intellectually: The Tao is the way the Universe operates, the ultimate Truth which keeps all nature in balance.

CONFUCIANISM

No real attempt to define "ultimate Reality": an acceptance of the Chinese belief that there are heavenly powers greater than humankind.

JUDAISM

JHWY (Yahweh): one eternal God, the Creator of all that exists, but not Himself part of that creation. He exists outside the physical dimensions of the universe He has created. He reveals himself through creation and , in our own selves, He gives us the closest picture we can have of him: humankind is made "in his image". He reveals Himself in the events of history and especially in His dealings with his chosen people, the Jews.

ISLAM

Allah (the God) is almost identical with YHWH: He too, is seen as the Creator of all, yet standing apart from His creation. He reveals Himself as personal, all-knowing and all-powerful. He reveals His will to mankind through a series of message given to prophets: He is both loving and severe. He will have the final word on all history.

CHRISTIANITY: Orthodoxy

CHRISTIANITY: Roman Catholic

God reveals Himself in Creation, in History, in Experience and supremely in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus through whose life He has personally entered our human existence. He, in loving humility, has limited Himself, choosing to appeal to humankind through love rather that to force men and women to obey Him against their wills. He is seen as one God, but "operates" on three levels within the human experience. He is a "Father" creator who calls all creation into existence and who reveals Himself in  His creation. He is a Redeemer-Saviour who speaks his truths to mankind through the Jewish prophets and who then sums up all that he has said, not in words, but in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. He is a Sanctifier-Strengthener who lives within the lives of those who will allow Him to do so, giving them the strength to follow His will for them and to do what he commands and so, in effect, making them into His sons and daughter. All three branches of Christianity have much the same understanding of God.

CHRISTIANITY: Protestantism