Hinduism extends beyond being a religion. It is a commitment to living in alignment with the set of truths and principles that are important to be followed for achieving a harmonious and meaningful life, and becoming a better person.
Core Principles of Hinduism
The following principles of Hinduism are of great significance and play an important role in shaping Hindu life and culture.
KARMA
Our lives are shaped by the law of karma. Karma, meaning ‘deed’ or ‘action’, can be explained as a powerful ‘cause and effect’ system. Every word, thought, or action triggers a corresponding reaction—there are always consequences.
The Vedas explain,
“According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action”
Hindu sacred scriptures, Vedas, tell us that we harvest the results of what we sow—good or bad. If we plant goodness that is be kind, helpful and act ethically, then we will attract positive experiences in future. If our actions are hurtful and mean, then we attract similar, negative reactions in life. Hence, our actions, good or bad, come back to us in future. However, not all karmas have immediate effects; some accumulate from past lives and the present life, perhaps returning in the next life and shaping our future.
REINCARNATION
“Like the prancing steed that leaps forward, the jiva also traverses near and far. Like those who doff and don one garment and another, the jiva, too, moves from one body to another.”
Hinduism teaches the concept of reincarnation, which is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The Hindu knows that we are more than just a physical body; we are an immortal soul that never dies. Instead, it repeatedly takes on a new physical body to be born again and again until all its desires are fulfilled and karmas resolved. The soul is freed from reincarnation after following dharma (righteous duty) for many lifetimes, attaining full maturity in wisdom and deep understanding of the real purpose of life, which is love, devotion, and the realization of God. Ultimately, when all karma is fulfilled, the soul merges with God, leading to enlightenment and liberation.
DHARMA
“Let there be no neglect of Truth. Let there be no neglect of dharma. Let there be no neglect of welfare. Let there be no neglect of prosperity. Let there be no neglect of study and teaching. Let there be no neglect of the duties to the Gods and the ancestors.”
One of the greatest learning of Hindu religion is dharma. In Hinduism, Dharma broadly refers to one’s duty. It means living ethically and fulfilling responsibility with truth and righteousness towards family, those around us and the world we live in. It is the duty and the obligation to be fulfilled in order to live harmoniously and peacefully in this world. When dharma is neglected, karma is created and there will be negative consequences to be dealt with. An enlightened master Yogaswami of Sri Lanka compared dharma to train tracks and we must stay on tracks just like a train to reach our destination.