Hinduism

The Hindu Philosophy

Hinduism can’t be defined or slotted into any

particular belief system.

Unlike other religions it is more of a way of life and

centers largely around the law of Dharma, the law

that governs all action.

The origins of Hinduism are largely unknown and the

term Hindu was introduced by foreigners for people

living in india

There are no strict or generally universal rules

governing the beliefs of Hinduism but the

prominent ones include:

Dharma

Karma

Moksha

Life After Death?

It is said that all deeds and actions lead to the

accumulation of Karma.

The Karma is given depending on wether the

deed was good or bad.

After the allotted living time is completed, an

estimation of the final Karma is made for the

particular individual, and they are reborn.

What is the Ultimate Goal?

Moksha

Samsara

To break free from the cycle of life and death

and attain the final state of Moksha or liberation.

This stage occurs when only positive Karma

exists.

Karma is accumulated through all previous lives

and the cycle of life and death won’t stop unless

all of it is removed.

It is said that it takes thousands of births to go

from animals to conscious beings and

thousands more to perhaps reach a state when

you are able to attain Moksha.

Conclusion

There is definitely a life after death according to

Hinduism but life and death are a continuous

cycle that complement each other for as long as

it takes to attain salvation.

For every new birth is a new death and for every

death is a birth, therefore these individual

existences are near meaningless.

Euthanasia

Hinduism has had a colorful history with the

practice of suicide.

It is considered wrong to kill yourself for no valid

reason as it will add up negative Karma.

Yet the practice of Sati where a widow burns

herself after her husbands death was

encouraged until the dawn of the 20th century.

There is also the practice of Prayopavesa where

one fasts to death. This is not considered as

suicide as it is natural and non violent

The idea of euthanasia conflicts with with the

principle of Ahimsa which means to do no harm

to others.

But on the other hand you will help end a painful

life and reduce suffering which can be

considered a good deed.

Bibliography

http://www.religionfacts.com/euthanasia/hinduis

m.htm

http://www.chakranews.com/picture-of-the-

week-wheel-of-dharma/2008

http://www.onlyhinduism.com/2012/03/life-after-

death-explained.html

http://hgsrs.wordpress.com/about/immortality/rei

ncarnation-and-rebirth/