Free will and suffering
Hindus believe that they have free willThe idea that humans are free to make their own moral choices.. This is the idea that they can act and behave how they wish and are free to make their own choices in life. However, Hinduism has guidelines in the form of gurus, holy scriptures and key concepts. These guidelines show Hindus the morally correct ways to act and behave.
An example of these guidelines is the concept of karma/kammaActions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.. A Hindu鈥檚 actions will result in either good or bad karma, depending on the action. Hindus believe they should use their free will to act in the best possible way in order to receive good karma.
Hindus are encouraged to follow the four aims of life, which are arthaA term used in Hinduism to mean wealth acquired by honest means. One of the four aims in life described in scripture. (The others are Dharma, Kama and Moksha.) , kamaThe Hindu concept of desire, longing or sensual pleasure., mokshaEscape from the cycle of reincarnation. Term used in the Hindu religion. and dharmaThe duties a Hindu should follow in life.. These aims help a Hindu to act in the right way and to use their free will to follow the rules of Hinduism.
Some Hindus believe that suffering exists due to the karma from people鈥檚 lives. This could be from moral evil, where humans cause bad things through their own actions, for example by hurting or killing someone else. This causes suffering to others but also bad karma for the person who commits the evil act. As a result, the person might suffer in their next life.
A Hindu鈥檚 ultimate goal is to be free from suffering, which they can only achieve after death and after they have had many lifetimes of good karma. This freedom from suffering is known as mokshaEscape from the cycle of reincarnation. Term used in the Hindu religion. , which is also one of the four aims of life. Hindus believe life is a cycle in which they are born, live, die and are reborn. The cycle is called samsaraIn Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, this is the cycle of life, death and rebirth.. They can only escape this cycle through gaining good karma achieved through many lifetimes of developing knowledge, wisdom and not causing suffering to others. Hindus believe that at some point they will not be reborn into another living being, but escape the life cycle and achieve moksha. At that point, their atman will join up with BrahmanThe one ultimate God in Hinduism..
Hindus believe in the idea of ahimsaThe Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh principle of total non-violence, in thoughts, words and actions. , which means non-violence or harmlessness. This means they believe that hurting any living being is wrong. This guides Hindus to always try not to cause suffering to others.