Hinduism and Buddhism PDF

A person whose acts, devotion, and thoughts are pure accumulates good karma and can therefore be reborn at a higher level of creation; one guilty of evil thoughts and deeds will be reborn at a lower level of creation, even as an animal. A person who accumulates good karma throughout several lifetime...

A person whose acts, devotion, and thoughts are pure accumulates good karma and can therefore be reborn at a higher level of creation; one guilty of evil thoughts and deeds will be reborn at a lower level of creation, even as an animal. A person who accumulates good karma throughout several lifetimes can eventually escape samsara and achieve enlightenment. This is a state called nirvana (another word that has entered the Western vocabulary to indicate generally a blissful or happy state, though the word has a more specific meaning to Hindus similar to the Christian idea of heaven). Hindus believe that the world's inequalities of wealth, suffering, and prestige are the result of karma. They are the inevitable result of previous acts, both in one's current life and in previous lives. Four Aims of Hinduism Another key belief of Hindus has to do with how one's life should be organized, referred to as purusharthas. These activities are often called the "four aims of Hinduism" or sometimes "the doctrine of the fourfold end of life." The first three aims are dharma, referring to being righteous (obeying divine and moral laws) in religious and personal life; artha, or achieving prosperity (wealth) and success in material affairs, a sign of God's blessings; and kama, referring to gratification (rewards or pleasures) of the senses (that is, sexual, sensual, and mental enjoyment). These three aims are pursued by pravritti, or people who choose to live within the world. The fourth aim of Hinduism is that of the nivritti, or those who choose to renounce, or give up, the world. This aim is called moksha, sometimes spelled moksa, meaning liberation from samsara, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This is considered the highest goal of all of humankind. Dharma Dharma: Proper behaviors that are considered to be in accord with rta, the order that makes life and universe possible, and includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and “right way of living.” “playing one's role in cosmic concert” Artha Artha: “the virtuous pursuit of means, resources, assets, or livelihood, for the purpose of meeting obligations, economic prosperity, and to have a fulfilling life. It is inclusive of political life, diplomacy, and material well-being.” “the pursuit of the means necessary for a joyous, pleasurable and fulfilling life.”