Tenets Of Hinduism Essay

Hinduism is regarded as the world’s oldest organized religion, but it’s also a way of life for much of India and Nepal. Unlike other religions, Hinduism allows and encourages multiple paths to the divine. There is no single founder and no single scripture, but is rather a conglomerate of diverse beliefs and traditions. They are often understood to be different means to reach a common end. But this acceptance of variety makes it difficult to identify religious tenets that are specifically Hindu. Still, there are some basic principles common to Hinduism that are essential to one's approach to life.

In Hinduism, human life requires pursuit of four goals called Purusarthas. The first goal is kama, or pleasure. It refers to the human desire for passion and emotion for both body and the mind. Happiness through the exercise of desire and passion is regarded as part of a well-rounded spiritual life. The second goal, Artha, or wealth and power. Hinduism allows the pursuit of both since a person needs them in order to support a family and maintain a household. In fact, the pursuit of them is considered noble and includes traditional work as well as civic service. But fulfillment of the third goal is the most significant. Dharma, or duty, is the standards by which one should live in cooperation with fellow human beings. Dharma includes a comprehensive set of rules for living

It can be entered at any time in one’s life and is the most difficult. At this stage, a man is supposed to be totally devoted to God, living life without shelter or possessions. He must never work. He eats only when food is given or found. All his worldly ties are broken. This is a rejection of life, renouncement of all duties and responsibilities, in exchange for a search to attain moksha, that is, release from the circle of birth and death. He is virtually merged with God, a holy man seeking spiritual enlightenment and