What does Hinduism teach about wealth and poverty?
Key Hindu beliefs about wealth and poverty include the following.
- 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.) - gaining wealth by honest means is one of the four aims of life.
- dharmaThis word has various meanings which have to be understood from the context in which it is used. It can mean religious duty. In Buddhism it is most widely used to mean the Buddha鈥檚 teaching. It can also mean 鈥榯he truth鈥. encourages the lawful earning of money to provide for your family but some teachings also emphasise the need to share wealth and avoid becoming greedy. Charity is an essential feature of dharma.
- karma/kammaActions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. and mokshaUltimate goal for all atman (spirits/souls) as laid out in Hindu scripture; escape from the cycle of reincarnation. - many Hindus believe that by acting with compassion towards those less fortunate, they will gain good meritA beneficial influence built up through wholesome and skillful actions (karma), capable of affecting a person's future experience in this life and the next., which may help them to eventually attain moksha.
One may amass wealth with hundreds of hands but one should also distribute it with thousands of hands. If someone keeps all that he accumulates for himself and does not give it to others, the hoarded wealth will eventually prove to be the cause of ruin.
Hindus who view poverty as a result of negative action may believe that:
- it is important to improve their actions for a better future life
- people currently living in poverty should live their lives with respect and dignity
However, poverty is not of itself a negative thing. Many Hindus agree that a 'good' birth is not about wealth but about contentment and happiness.