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Understanding Hinduism: Dharma, Karma, and the Pursuit of Moksha

This overview of Hinduism explores its fundamental concepts, including the significance of dharma and the ultimate pursuit of moksha, or liberation from the cyclical process of samsara. It delves into the caste system's implications for social order and morality, and how responsibilities vary across castes. The discussion also addresses the four stages of life and different paths to salvation (yogas), emphasizing how earthly goals of kama and artha relate to spiritual fulfillment. Ultimately, it guides individuals on identifying their dharma to harness good karma and achieve moksha.

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Understanding Hinduism: Dharma, Karma, and the Pursuit of Moksha

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  1. Major Concepts in Hinduism

  2. Hindu Worldview and Purpose • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTBE2NQnG5A – the meaning and significance of dharma in Hindu tradition • In Hinduism the goal is to reach moksha, or release from samsara. • Moksha is also the reunion of the atman withBrahman. • In Hindu society, social order is significant in determining dharma (or righteous duty), and morality. • Traditionally, society is divided into castes.

  3. The caste system Traditionally, Aryans were in the “twice born” castes and could read the Vedas. Non-Aryans were low caste.

  4. Issues related to caste • Equality exists within castes but not between them. • Justice (responsibility and consequences) is dependent on caste: • High caste people have higher penalties (sometimes 4x higher) for breaking the law. • Lower castes have fewer rules regarding eating meat, remarriage. • Caste is rejected by the Buddha and reformed by Gandhi.

  5. How does a person know their dharma? • Hindus believe caste comes from karma of past lives. • Determined by gender, stage of life, path and caste. • The 4 traditional stages of life: • Student • Householder • Forest Dweller/Retirement • Ascetic/Wanderer

  6. Paths to Salvation • The ultimate goal of Hindu life is moksha. • The way the goal is reached is flexible. • Paths are called either yoga (union, yoking) or marga (path) • Path of action/work (karma yoga) • Path of knowledge/theory (jnanayoga) • Path of devotion/emotion (bhakti yoga) • The Royal Path (rajah yoga) – controlling the mind

  7. Determine the Dharma! Know your DHARMA To get good KARMA To escape SAMSARA To achieve MOKSHA

  8. Determine the Dharma • In your small group: • Determine the dharma, good and bad karma for each person. • A married mother of 3 who works part time. • A retired man whose wife has died. • A male high school student with a younger brother. • A high caste Hindu man.

  9. Moksha vs Earthly Goals • Hinduism accepts that moksha may be a distant goal. • Goals for earthly life: • Sensual pleasure (kama) – within appropriate context • Material success (artha) – honest earning • Right conduct (dharma) – practicing compassion, purity, goodness

  10. Hindu righteous living • People can get good karma by living a life of kama, artha and dharma • eventually people need to give these up - karmic system keeps people bound to samsara • Hindus will need to devote their entire life to God to be released from samsara.

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