Hinduism and Salvation Essay Example

their altar.

The individual will subsequently offer prayers to the rock, regarding it as their own deity that they are obligated to venerate. Karma represents another crucial element in Hinduism. While the Western perspective of karma revolves around the notion of retribution, Eastern beliefs incorporate a more intricate interpretation of this concept.

According to Hinduism, Karma is just one part of the moral code alongside dharma and artha. The moral code emphasizes the importance of focusing on one's work rather than its reward, and consists of three key elements: righteous living (dharma), pursuit of wealth or prosperity (artha), and karma.

Karma is the satisfaction we get from experiences, according to Carruthera's definition in 2008. Achieving moksha requires living by a moral code, as does Christianity with the Ten Commandments. Despite similar ideas, Christianity and Hinduism have different views of the afterlife.

Moksha, referred to as the Hindu version of nirvana, is the ultimate objective for Hindus as it signifies spiritual liberation. One must abide by a moral code throughout life to attain moksha.

Brahmans are those who have attained inner peace and lived righteously. They are named after Brahman, the universal soul that forms the essence of the world and is rooted in the Sanskrit word for "growth." Brahmans represent the central force in religion and sacrifice, as well as the inner principle of both humans and the world (Carruthera, 2008). In contrast, Christians believe that reaching Heaven is the ultimate objective after death.

When we live a virtuous life and seek forgiveness for our transgressions, we can gain access to Heaven where we can celebrate with God forever. Contrastingly, Hindus who do not attain moksha at the

time of their death are reborn into a new existence to acquire the knowledge that they failed to acquire in their previous life/lives. This principle is rooted in how we comport ourselves in our current life/lives and how we apply principles such as action, knowledge, and devotion on the path to rebirth.

According to Carruthera (2008), Hinduism states that one's class can be improved through reincarnation by living virtuously. Failure to live properly can lead to downgrading to a lower life form, such as an animal. Unlike Hinduism, Christianity rejects reincarnation and instructs followers that following the teachings of Jesus Christ and leading a morally righteous life leads to entrance into Heaven. On the other hand, immoral behavior results in eternal damnation in Hell. I personally find the Hindu belief in reincarnation to be more hopeful.

It is my belief that individuals may not necessarily comprehend the intended teachings throughout their lifetime. It is reasonable to assume that one may have the opportunity to achieve liberation more than once. I am inclined to agree with Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's perspective that there is no existence of Hell. This is due to the fact that acknowledging its existence suggests a place without God. Despite unfavorable outcomes and malevolent individuals, I remain steadfast in my conviction that God is omnipresent and has an overarching purpose for everything. Overcoming hardships provides valuable lessons that one would not learn if their life was solely comprised of positive experiences.

To conclude, even though I was not brought up in the Hindu faith, I find it to be a credible way of practicing religion. The words spoken by Klaus L. Klostermeier, an ex-professor of

Religious Studies at the University of Manitoba, sum up Hinduism perfectly. Hinduism is much more open than other religions when it comes to embracing fresh ideas, scientific thinking and experimentation with society. Numerous principles such as meditation, yoga and reincarnation have been accepted worldwide. Therefore, it would not be illogical to assume that Hinduism will become the primary religion in the 21st century. It is a faith that is not as dogmatic as mainstream Christianity, politically less dedicated than Islam, ethically less heroic than Buddhism. However, it offers something for everyone.

According to Hinduism (2008), the religion is versatile and adaptable, catering to different types of people's needs. It appeals to idealists as well as pragmatists by providing both spiritual fulfillment and practicality. Unlike religions with fixed dogmas, Hinduism relies on intuition, making it more credible. Additionally, Hinduism stands out with its belief in personal gods that allow followers to appreciate the beauty in the world and establish a unique connection with God.

Although I do not align with the Christian view of Heaven and Hell, I have a strong belief in karma. This means that our actions have consequences and living morally will result in positive outcomes. Instead, I find reincarnation to be more optimistic as it provides multiple opportunities for individuals to achieve liberation or salvation. The concept of moksha is comparable to entering Heaven where we can celebrate alongside our god without experiencing the struggles of human existence for eternity.

The television series "Eastern Philosophy: Part 2" was produced by Carruthera and Russell on August 8, 2008, according to the reference. The information is presented within a paragraph with .

New York: History Channel International.

Living Religions authored by M. Fisher was published in New Jersey by Prentice Hall in 2003.

The website http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hinduism was the source of the information on Hinduism retrieved on August 30, 2008.