Hinduism identifies four stages to the human life cycle. Define and explain the cycle.
In Hinduism, there are four stages of human life. The Hindus refer to the four stages as the ashramas. The Hindus believe that in the life cycle, every man has to pass through each of the stages. These stages include; “Brahmachrya”, “Grihastha”, “Vanaprastha”, and “Sannyasa”. The first Ashrama is also referred to as the student stage. The second stage is the householder stage; the third is the Hermit stage whereas the fourth stage is also referred to as the Wandering Ascetic stage.
Brahmacharya is the first stage of human life according to Hinduism. The word Brahmacharya means student. This stage lies between the age of twelve and twenty four years. This is the period after the initiation ceremony, which is referred to as the Upanayana. The period lasts until the end of the studentship. In the recent days, the period began after the children moved to the house belonging to the teacher. This happened after the upanayanam ceremony. In Hindu, upanayana means bringing near. The child is brought nearer to the Guru in order to receive the initiation. The Hindu children were expected to enter the gurukula, where they were under the guru. The guru was a learned master who took care of the children until they became educated in the Vedas and related scriptures. The students were not supposed to abandon the education offered to them under any circumstances. During the stage of education, only death could separate the children from the learned masters. The children were supposed to obey their teachers and to remain inside the houses of their teachers. It was rare for students to be allowed out of the houses of their teacher. This for example, could happen in case the teachers committed actions that made them lose their caste. The students were required to practice complete celibacy during this period. The students were neither allowed to take bath using hot water, nor use of perfumes and ornaments. During this period, the students were taught the academic aspects of dharma. In the Hindu community, this was the first aim of human life. The rules that were given to the students in the gurukulas were different, depending on the teacher. The Brahmana students who were under Ksatriya teachers were given some liberties. This is because contrary to other students, they did not serve their masters directly. They were not supposed to fetch water, perform menial services, or arrange birth for their teacher.
The second stage of human life according to Hinduism is Grihastha ashrama stage. During this stage, a man gets married and is capable of being responsible for his family. This stage happens after the return of the man from the gurukula to his home. The student has completed the education. He has learnt the Vedic knowledge and has developed both the mind and body. The man is ready to maintain his house. Actually, this stage is marked by marriage. According to the Hindu, a man was supposed to marry a wife who was younger than him and the one who was not married before. The wife was supposed to be from an equal castle as the husband. In this stage, the man was supposed to be diligent, to make the family rich and pay the debts he owed to his ancestors, father, and the rishis. Among the duties of the man included honoring the guests in the house, preservation of varna and dharma, and assisting the needy and the poor. As a householder, in this stage the man was supposed to make sacrificial offerings and perform ceremonies that are inclined to religion. The obligations in the second stage included avoiding food from outcastes, reciting the Vedas, wearing the sacrificial thread, feeding the hungry people and animals, and observing the austerities. Hinduism in this stage supports wealth gain, which they refer to as artha, and sexual pleasure, referred to as karma, by the Hindus. The ashrama in this stage lasts up to around fifty years. The laws of manu depict that when the hair of a person turns grey and the skin wrinkles, the person should go out to the forest. In the real life situation of the Hindus, this is the stage that they love the most. This makes the Grihastha stage remain forever.
Vanaprastha is the third stage in the life cycle of human beings according to the Hindus. This stage is marked by the appearance of wrinkles on the face of the householder. Wrinkles depict that the householder is old enough to be a grandfather. At this stage, a person is expected to abandon himself from the hustles in the world, to prepare for a spiritual journey. It is in this stage that the householder is expected to delegate his possession and duties to the family members. In this stage, the man leaves his family and goes to live in a secluded place in the forest. While in the forest, the man practices austerities most of his time. He takes time to recite metaphysical treatises and the Vedas. The man offers obligations and acquires knowledge on oneself. While in the forest, the man is supposed to cover his naked body using a garment that has been made of bark, skin, or cloth. During that time, the man is supposed to undertake certain obligations, which include bathing three times in a day, sleeping on the ground, feeding on wild growing roots, fruits, and vegetables, and honoring guests who visit the hermitage through awarding them with gifts and not receiving any in return.
The last stage in the development of human beings according to Hinduism is the Sannyasa stage. In this stage, man is merged with God. This means that all his ties in the world have been broken, leaving his aim as attaining moksha. This means the release of the article that is from birth to death. The man has devoted his life.
Comparison to the typical pattern of Canadian life, differences and similarities
Sikhism religion originated from the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. Guru Nanak summarizes the teachings of the Sikh religion by words, which he puts that nothing is higher than realizing the truth and it is higher if the truth is lived. Sikhism rejects discrimination and emphasizes on the principle of equality to all human beings. According to Sikhism, discrimination of creed, gender, and that based on caste is discouraged. The principle of living as a householder is encouraged by the Sikh. According to the Sikh, vahiguru who is their God is considered timeless, sightless, and shapeless. The Sikh believes that before creation occurred, the only thing that existed was God’s hukam and God himself. The teachings of Guru Nakak are based on a spiritual union with God, leads to Jivanmukta or salvation. It also leads the devotee to liberate in the current life before liberating in the life afterwards. According to the Sikh religion, human birth is considered a fortune. This is evident in the Khalsa Code of Conduct that was explained by the tenth guru. Guru Gobind Singh explained the importance of human life. The Sikh believes in being free, which they refer to as Chakar Vati. The Sikh does believe in neither oppression nor slavery. In order to get closer to God, the Sikh meditates on Naam, practice truth, serve humanity, and practice Shabad Kirtan.
Gandhi had a great influence on Martin Luther King Jr. Both believed in the principles of non-violence, and both died at the hands of assassins. Can lessons be learned from this?
Gandhi is one of the most celebrated legends in history, who believed in a strong weapon of non-violence. Martin Luther King Jr. was greatly influenced by Gandhi, and his philosophy too was founded on the principles of non-violence. Unfortunately, the two leaders succumbed to the wrath of assassins, which turned them as some of the most painful incidences in the history of leadership. The philosophies advocated by the two leaders aimed to provide equality between two different races. Martin Luther King Jr. grew up believing that there was no difference between blacks and the white men. Martin Luther King Jr. strongly developed strategies, plans, and approaches that were based on Mahatma Gandhi principles of non-violence to advance his resistance against discrimination in America. Despite their good will, resilience and a clear vision for their country, the two iconic leaders died in the hands of assassins. This incidence invokes a myriad of lessons and sentiments, which can be radically used to develop an inference based on governance with a cause and principles of virtue.
Good people may not last long, but their virtues and principles will last forever. Despite their premature death, the great leaders developed principles and insights that are effective in the fight against racial discrimination to date. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. provoked millions of the people to protest against human suppression. Their efforts paid off many years after the death of their King. Similarly, their principles had a message of sacrifice. In his last days, Martin Luther King was not afraid of death despite the threats and the intensity of his fight against racial discrimination. Most importantly, their death was not the end of their fight against inequality within the society. Implicitly, their fight was a price that they had to pay with their life.
The approach used by the two iconic leaders is a clear indication that the essence of their battle was to send a message across the nations on the importance of freedom. In addition, it is clear that a cause cannot be achieved through violence. The world went through a series of wars, which did not bear fruit until nations came together and agreed on a need on peace. The leadership portrayed by Gandhi and Martin Luther King was one that cost their own life rather than their subjects. Using the scriptural principles of love and sacrifice, Jesus Christ was also crucified for the sake of human kind. Comparing other protests that have been made so far, the impact of the battle was determined by the personal sacrifices that were made by the leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.
Why would each Hindu path attract followers?
Different processes are carried out in Hindu religious practices with the aim of attaining a common goal. The different processes that are outlined in the Hindu religion are termed as paths, which must be followed in order to achieve the common goal. Some scholars interpret these paths as a stepping-stone to a common spiritual path.
According to Hindu religion, spiritually strengthens one’s bond with God. Spirituality creates a subtle mental union with God, which in turn develops and effective relationship with one’s soul. Believers communicate with God through prayers and to enhance this form of communication, one must suppress human feelings, desires, for instance through fasting, and devotion to the religious practice. For a good relationship with God, faith is practiced both by a union of believers and as individual. All people need to follow the faith that will lead gives them a strong basis for a good relationship with God. Additionally, any religious doctrine teaches the essence of a good relationship with God.
Believers target a good relationship with God so that during the afterlife, they can enjoy the fruits of eternity. Followers work together to cultivate a common doctrine in which they believe will link them to their Almighty God. Believers inclined to a certain religion such as Hinduism will tend to stick to the given doctrines. These attributes promote unity and focus to the common goals of religion. Any doctrine commands followers, who are either curious to understand the doctrines and attain a significant level of sanctity.
Identify each path and whether or not it favors religion as a social event or an individual concern?
Karma-yoga or the yoga of selfless action creates an understanding of selfish actions and their effects on the soul and faith of a believer. One is supposed to give up the fruits of action so that they relieved from the reactions of self-centered activities. All the activities are linked to a greater cause. By definition, karma-yoga comprises of a list of sacrifices that believers offer to various deities to attain various life’s requirements without accruing to any reaction. The essence of this path is to ensure a good life on earth with an aim of reaching heavenly planets during the afterlife. Karma-yoga involves enjoying the pleasures of this world without compromising the faith and the good deeds of faith. This path favors religion as an individual concern because it emphasizes on an individual relationship with God and the degree of freedom on earth.
Jnana-yoga implies the philosophical research and wisdom. This yoga promotes sufficiency in knowledge through intensive study, a sense of abnegation, and utter seclusion. However, this yoga limits earthly activities and pleasures. Jnana-yoga emphatically advocates for freedom from sensual desires that are delusive to the soul. This path also favors religion as an individual concern because only passion and devotion can lead to a commitment to philosophical research and wisdom building for the purpose of godly service.
Astanga/RajaYoga, is the yoga of physical exercises and meditation, which is defined by a combination of 8 stages, based on Yoga Sutras of the sage, Patanjali. Despite the popularity of Yoga in various modern day practices, Patanjali system emphasizes on standards that are difficult for most contemporary practitioners. The sutras discuss various super states of consciousness and the manner in which the specialized practices provide mystic power. The essence Astanga Yoga is to ensure that Yogi remained armored with such mystic powers in order to keep their minds focused on leaving the earthly realm. According to Patanjali system, theYogi must ensure the highest degree of perfection order to concentrate on God. This path favors religion as a social event especially because it is a social obligation to understand all the stages.
Bhakti-Yoga refers to the path of devotional service, which a path recommended in the Gita. This Yoga combines all forms of Yoga and the practitioner starts simply and then advances with maturity. Bhakti-Yoga remains predominant even in modern day Hinduism because it provides and sustains spiritual fulfillment. This path favors religion as an individual concern because the level of devotion is attained by passion and personal decision.
The above four paths provides a balance between the human nature and the spiritual endowment with an aim of having a good life on earth in preparation for an eternal life in heaven. The paths are designed to direct and coordinate the life of an individual in their life on earth. Different paths have different spiritual weights and orientations. For instance, the goals of most bhakti schools transcend liberation (mukti) and enjoyment (Bhukti). They aim at accomplishing purity, selflessness service to a ‘personal’ God.
Works cited:
Martin Guha, (2012) "Historical Dictionary of Hinduism (new edition)", Reference Reviews, Vol. 26 Iss.: 5, pp.17 - 18
