Religion is a system that guides one to live in balance with the self and what surrounds one—the universe. This week, I will start the series on 13 religions in 100 words each to be followed by 500 words. Here is Hinduism in 100 words. Oddly, when I started my Radio show a decade ago on Wisdom of Religions, it started with Hinduism with Late Dr. Shah, a heart surgeon and a teacher at the Ekta Mandir in Irving (Dallas), Texas.
Hinduism remains a myth to many people, including Hindus. Its purpose was rarely explained, and its role vis-à-vis humanity is seldom understood.
The purpose of life is four-fold in the Hindu tradition; to achieve Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma means living righteously and acting morally and ethically throughout one’s life. Artha means honest work to live a good life, and the Kama is about fulfilling desires and passion in one’s life. Finally, it is Moksha – freedom from the cycle of life, and to me, it means living freely without tensions and conflicts – that is what paradise is all about.
Compiled by the Mike Ghouse at the Center for Pluralism www.CenterforPluralism.com
When we live as neighbors, fellow workers, students, players, activists, passengers in buses or planes, and inhabitants of the same city, it behooves us to learn about one another’s beliefs, motivations, moments of celebrations, devotions, or commemorations. The more we know about the other, the less biased we will become, creating a friendly environment for all of us to function efficiently in whatever we do. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of the otherness of the others, freeing us from the phobias, bias, prejudices, hate, and ill-will and giving us a joyful life.
Dr. Mike Ghouse is Social Scientist, Public Speaker, thinker, author, newsmaker, and Interfaith Wedding Officiant. He is deeply committed to Pluralism in Religion, Politics, Societies, Human rights, and religious freedom. He is the founder and president of the Center for Pluralism, Director at the World Muslim Congress, a think tank, and a wedding officiant at Interfaith Marriages. His new book American Muslim Agenda is available on Amazon, and “Standing up for others” and “Madame President” are coming soon. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to issues of the day. His mission is to open people’s hearts and minds toward fellow humans. More about him at TheGhouseDiary.com