Hinduism and Non Violence
Posted on 03 July 2024; 11:50 PM IST. Last Updated 05 July 2024; 11:50 AM IST.Summary: This article attempts to explain how Sanatana Dharma (or righteousness) of Hinduism, laid the path of Non Violence.
Violence has no place in a decent society. All religions of the world, teach and preach this norm. The history of the World paints a different picture, which is far separated from religious teachings.
Jesus Christ taught people to love their neighbours like they love Jesus himself. Yet, the Christian nations fought two world wars, and killed no less than 10 million people.
Muslim nations invaded Europe and Asia (including India). The tally of the Islamists is no less than 10 million people.
Lord Buddha taught that “Violence/Cruelty is bad”, and Buddhism became the de facto religion of communists. The communists top the list of mass killings, and stand at 100 million people (and they are still in business).
Hinduism is not centered on the doctrine of Non-violence, but mysteriously produced less violence than other religions, which taught love and compassion.
Hinduism does not preach about singularity of God, and technically the notion of God, is left to the imagination of the believer. This paved the way for religious tolerance, and less violence.
The religion of Non-violence was invented by Mahatma Gandhi, who is a Hindu, for the purpose of acquiring freedom for India.
The founding father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, left us a piece of advice on violence, which reads as -
It is better to be violent, if there is violence in our hearts, than to put on the cloak of nonviolence, to cover impotence.
This antithetical advice from the founder of the largest non-violent movement may sound mysterious; but a deep analysis reveals that it is consistent with Hinduism, which is all about righteousness.
Righteousness in Hinduism is called “Sanatana Dharma”, and is a superset of the popular Ten commandments of Judaism. The author of the article is aware that Moses wrote hundreds of commandments, but commandments of Holy Bible are about a dozen.
The Hindu sages have taught almost hundred centuries ago, that only righteousness can erase enmity, and produce trust and prosperity; and when righteousness collapses, it does not take very long for the rest of the things to collapse.
In conclusion, the author states that although Hinduism does not directly preach love or compassion, it took the path towards Non Violence, by adhering to the core principles of righteousness or Sanatana Dharma.
Remarks:
What is righteousness and its relation to God?
Trust (or Faith) in God is only a thought, and its inner reflections constitute Knowledge and Wisdom;
Actions which affect and leave tangible effects on the world, must be in accordance with the finest thoughts of the mankind;
Righteousness is a synchronizing mechanism, which helps us walk the path prescribed by Knowledge and Wisdom, accrued from the finest thoughts of the mankind (i.e. from the saints or sages).
Trust in God is the core theme of Christianity, and Jesus prescribed it as the greatest commandment over commandments of Moses, without specifying any reason.
Hinduism does not preach "faith" over "commandments" or its converse, like in Christianity or Judaism; nor does it vacillate on the superiority of one over the other.
Hinduism unambiguously prescribes the correct solution, to the current problem on hand i.e. the goal.
If the end goal is Karma Phala (fruit of action), then the path is dictated by Righteousness or commandments.
If the end goal is Moksha (salvation), then the path is prescribed by Faith or Trust in God.
Author's Note:
All that was written in the Remarks section is a very rudimentary introduction to Hinduism. An interested reader could learn full details from Srimad Bhagavad Gita or from Vedas or from a Hindu spiritual teacher.