I'd like to discuss is the way Hinduism and Christianity view our duties to do good work during our lives. All my information is taken from Oxtoby's World Religions, either Volume 1 or 2, on Eastern and Western traditions, respectively.
In Hinduism it is believed that the 3 ways to liberation from the cycles of samsara (rebirths/reincarnations) are the way of action, the way of knowledge, and the way of devotion.
The way of action is called karma yoga, and it entails "the path of unselfish action; one must do one's duty, but it should not be done either for fear of punishment or hope of reward. We must do good works because it is "correct to do so", and because "acting with the expectation of future reward leads to bondage and unhappiness."
In Christianity however, more emphasis is put on doing good works so that we may liberate our souls and enter the kingdom of God. In that sense, this opposes the Hindu view, because Christians are promised salvation in exchange for living pious lives and for performing charitable acts on behalf of the less fortunate. Certainly, some mendicant orders, like the Carmelites believe they must "surmount worldly and physical desires," but to ordinary Christians, the performance of good works and proper moral upbringing is more strongly emphasized.
Though I am Christian (RC), I actually prefer the Hindu view. I believe it is a much stroger supporter of altruism, of selfless acts. In a way, I think that maybe this is what true liberation is - the ability to act in the right way because it is right to do so, not because we must do so in order not to live out a fiery hell with Lucifer. In the Hindu tradition, you are not acting in hope of reward, but out of a sense of duty to fellow human beings. I think there is a good lesson to be learned about unity and brotherhood, emphasized in Hinduism.
Any thoughts, opinions, opposing views are quite welcome, though I'd like to keep it to just this topic, as the 2 religions mentioned are so vast that if we stray, we could be here forever.
------------------
o lijepa
o draga
o slatka
slobodo
In Hinduism it is believed that the 3 ways to liberation from the cycles of samsara (rebirths/reincarnations) are the way of action, the way of knowledge, and the way of devotion.
The way of action is called karma yoga, and it entails "the path of unselfish action; one must do one's duty, but it should not be done either for fear of punishment or hope of reward. We must do good works because it is "correct to do so", and because "acting with the expectation of future reward leads to bondage and unhappiness."
In Christianity however, more emphasis is put on doing good works so that we may liberate our souls and enter the kingdom of God. In that sense, this opposes the Hindu view, because Christians are promised salvation in exchange for living pious lives and for performing charitable acts on behalf of the less fortunate. Certainly, some mendicant orders, like the Carmelites believe they must "surmount worldly and physical desires," but to ordinary Christians, the performance of good works and proper moral upbringing is more strongly emphasized.
Though I am Christian (RC), I actually prefer the Hindu view. I believe it is a much stroger supporter of altruism, of selfless acts. In a way, I think that maybe this is what true liberation is - the ability to act in the right way because it is right to do so, not because we must do so in order not to live out a fiery hell with Lucifer. In the Hindu tradition, you are not acting in hope of reward, but out of a sense of duty to fellow human beings. I think there is a good lesson to be learned about unity and brotherhood, emphasized in Hinduism.
Any thoughts, opinions, opposing views are quite welcome, though I'd like to keep it to just this topic, as the 2 religions mentioned are so vast that if we stray, we could be here forever.
------------------
o lijepa
o draga
o slatka
slobodo
