Hinduism Moral

Decisions

Learning Objectives
To understand how Hindus make
moral decisions.
To understand the key Hindu
concepts of dharma and ahimsa.

How do Hindus make moral

decisions?
Hindus use the word dharma to
mean beliefs, teachings, actions and
behaviours that keep the world
running smoothly.
It refers to the duty a person has to
do the right thing.

How do Hindus make moral

decisions?
If you believe something, then it
influences your decisions and your
actions.
In Hinduism, there are some key
beliefs and teachings that affect the
ways that Hindus make decisions.
Put them all together, and you have
a jigsaw for moral behaviour:
dharma.

Dharma
Hindus can follow the examples set by
the deities in some of the stories built up
around them, and by seeking guidance
from Hindu teachers.
Hindus believe that all our thoughts,
words and actions generate positive and
negative energies. This karma builds up
to shape our next lifetime. Harming
other beings creates bad karma.

Dharma
To create good karma, it is not enough
just to do good: a person should try to
be good. This means that, when you do
a good deed, you should do it from a
real desire to make life better.
Dharmasastras are Hindu texts that
provide guidance on putting the dharma
into practice. They provide teachings on
how to live properly in the world.

Dharma
Hindus believe all life is sacred human,
animal and plant. All are created from
God, and each is part of God.
Souls seek moksha an end to rebirth
and spiritual union with God. The creation
of good karma leads a soul to moksha.
Hindus are prepared to learn from the
wisdoms of their elders and put their
advice into action.

Dharma
Hindus believe that prayer helps
make wise decisions.
Hindus believe that everything is
interlinked and interdependent.
Because all beings are interlinked
and are part of God, Hinduism
teaches ahimsa (non-violence) the
idea that harming any form of life
harms life itself.

Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian leader
during the time Indians were trying to
free themselves from British rule. He
taught ahimsa to his followers.
He said, There are many causes that I
am prepared to die for, but no causes
that I am prepared to kill for.

Task
Watch these clips on Gandhi
following ahimsa:
Gandhi's first protest (in South Africa)
(4 mins)
Gandhi's salt march (History Channel)
(4 mins)
Gandhi's salt march (Gandhi the film)
(5 mins)

Task
Gandhi - There are many causes that I am
prepared to die for, but no causes that I am
prepared to kill for.
1. Do you agree with the idea of ahimsa? (in a
general sense) Why?
2. Do you agree with Gandhis view on ahimsa?
Give reasons to support your answer. Refer to
the identification protest in South Africa and
the Salt March in India