Karma and Suffering in Hinduism
Karma and reincarnation are two major teachings that characterise Hinduism. Sometimes these doctrines are discredited as promoting a cold indifference to the suffering of others, by encouraging the view that people undergoing hardships are being punished for their own misdeeds; therefore do not deserve to be helped. In actual fact, the majority of Hindus do not subscribe to such a fatalistic view of karma.
January 29th, 2007 at 12:42 am
A very good exposition of karma can be found at:
http://www.atmajyoti.org/hi_gita_commentary_35.asp
This also contains a thoughtful explanation of caste, as distinguished from caste”ism” and the caste “system”, using the teachings of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.
January 29th, 2007 at 3:26 am
Is there such thing as suffering? Is there a state where there is no such thing as suffering? In order for a Karma to exist, there has to be either a suffering or blessing. Can a Karma exist in the absence of suffering or blessings?
January 29th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
One of the gifts of the guru accordign to many is to remove some of the “bad Karma” of the student so that the student is not crushed by the consequences of his acts and can continue in his spiritual growth.
When we see someone in dififculty our duty is to give a hand where possible (even if due to our limited from there can be no obbligation for there are many in need) and by giving aid we alleviate the mistakes of others allowing them once again to stand and walk ahead and learn more.. .. hopefully learn sufficient so that the will no longer fall. If a country falls in debt because of mismanagement . .the interests on that debt may not allow it to stand again (as happens in africa) so to give “africa” a chance a good idea is to cancel a debt. However . .not only must we aid with our contribution we must also aid with dharma for if someone in debt does not learn how to progress without falling in debt again all is for naught. If Africa asks money and mismanages the money again it will fall in debt again and the problem will not be solved.
The biggest ift of them all is Dharma for it teahes the man to grow his produce rather then simply fillling the stomach.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
karma is cause and effect ……
if i have a bowl of water and i shake it …the water will ripple !!!!!
if we sow good we reap good ….if we sow bad we reap bad!!!!!!
In our life on this earth we must must do good , devotion , service, support ot others and kindness to animals and humans …..
if kill animals (butcher) you will one day be reincarnated and be the animal that suffered at your hands !!!!! (ouch)
jai sri ram
ravi
February 15th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
karma is opportunity to act. Ahamkara adds the values and the choices thus suffers/benefits from the consequences. Without the opportunity to act (freedom) we would be inert. Being active we can love. Thus karma is the opportunity to love. For every bit of suffering we are given a chance to be greater than our own suffering and help our sibling’s suffering. In helping, we love. Without karma, we would not have this wonderful opportunity to love. The more we fail in loving, the more suffering increases until we are again compelled by prakriti to love. Karma is the gift from the gods to us so that we can perform works (yagya) to offer divine love in this worldly manifestation.
hariaum