Hindu Beliefs On Purpose Of Life
In Hinduism, the purpose in life is spiritual. Hindus believe in reincarnation, governed by the law of karma. Each individual is responsible for their own life and the choices that they make. Through the cycle of birth, life and death, the soul is striving to reach the ultimate state of spiritual liberation. To reach this state, Hindus believe that individuals should strive to attain knowledge, peace and understanding in their current lifetime, which will help them evolve spiritually. The ultimate goal of a Hindu is to leave behind the cycle of birth and death and attain liberation in the form of oneness with the divine.
The Four Purusharthas Of Life
Hindus seek to achieve the four Purusharthas, or the four main goals of life. This is often referred to as the Dharma, or moral law, of Hinduism. The four main objectives are: Dharma (right conduct and morality), Artha (freedom from wants and material well-being), Kama (fulfillment of physical and mental desires) and Moksha (liberation from the cycle of reincarnation). All four of these goals must be achieved for an individual to be spiritually liberated.
Living A Virtuous Life
Living a virtuous life is a Hindu’s essential purpose as it helps to lead them closer to reaching their spiritual liberation. Hindus believe in remaining clean and pure, as well as being honest, kind and generous with fellow human beings. Respecting elders, following core Hindu teachings and developing inner peace are all ways of living a virtuous life, which is essential for a Hindu in their quest for spiritual liberation.
Yoga And Meditation For Spiritual Liberation
Hindus must strive to work through the cycle of birth and death, which can only be done by adhering to their core beliefs and practicing the disciplines of yoga and meditation. Through these disciplines, one can gain control of their conscious and unconscious states and connect with the divine. Through this connection, an individual can experience realization, oneness and unity with the divine, which is the goal of all spiritual Hindus.
Fame, Success and Wealth
In today’s society, fame, success and wealth are seen as the key objectives in life, but this is in stark contrast to the Hindu belief. The purpose of life is not seen in terms of material gains but instead in terms of spiritual enlightenment. Hindus believe that fame, success and wealth are simply a small part of life, and will not bring an individual closer to their ultimate spiritual liberation.
Honour And Respect
Hindus honour and respect those that have gone before them, as well as their own lineage. They also recognise that life is precious, and is a unique opportunity for spiritual liberation. Hindus seek to use their lives to acquire wisdom, understanding and knowledge, and to embody moral values and righteousness. Through honour and respect, Hindus are able to draw closer to their purpose in life: spiritual liberation.
Worship And Devotion
Devotion and worship are essential components of Hinduism. By engaging in regular prayer, meditation and yoga, Hindus are able to draw closer to the divine, and come closer to achieving spiritual liberation. Through regular worship and devotion to the divine, an individual can realise a deeper understanding and meaning of life, and ultimately begin to experience a state of oneness and liberation.
Conclusion
In Hinduism, the purpose of life is not to seek fame, success, wealth or material possessions. Instead, it is to strive and work through the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation in order to eventually achieve spiritual liberation and oneness with the divine. Hindus are encouraged to live a virtuous life, honour and respect their lineage, practice yoga and meditation and engage in regular worship and devotion in order to reach their ultimate goal.
Hinduism and Karma
Karma is an integral part of Hinduism and is closely linked to the purpose of life. Karma is the law that governs the cycle of birth and death and determines the nature and quality of our current lives. According to Hinduism, an individual’s karma in this life will affect their next birth, and how their next life will be will be determined by their past karma. The ultimate goal is to reach a point of no-karma where an individual can become liberated from the cycle of birth, death and reincarnation.
Service To Others
Service to others is a central tenet of Hinduism and is seen as a pathway to spiritual liberation and enlightenment. By helping, guiding and looking after other another individuals, even if they are not necessarily part of your family or culture, Hindus can experience a greater sense of peace and connection to the divine, and move closer to a state of oneness and spiritual liberation.
Self-realisation As Spiritual Goal
The ultimate goal of any Hindu is spiritual liberation, and this is achieved through self-realisation. An individual must recognise and understand the true nature of their soul and the divine purpose of their life before they can be liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth. By engaging in spiritual practices and striving to reach a state of inner peace and understanding, Hindus are able to realise the true purpose of their lives, which is ultimately to become one with the divine.
The Selfless Act of Dharma
In Hinduism, Dharma is seen as the selfless act of following moral and ethical codes. Every individual is responsible for their own dharma, and failure to adhere to this code can lead to negative consequences in an individual’s life. By showing kindness, compassion and understanding through their actions, Hindus can come closer to their ultimate spiritual goal of liberation and oneness with the divine.
Religion and Duty
Religion and duty are a large part of the Hindu pursuit of spiritual liberation. Hindus seek to lead righteous and honourable lives, so that their karma and spiritual progress can be positive. Duty, in particular, is a strong motivator for Hindus, as it is believed to be an individual’s responsibility to act in accordance with their core beliefs, and use their life to benefit others and move closer to achieving spiritual liberation.
