Hinduism and Peace

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Principal teachings about peace in Hinduism: guiding towards inner peace and contributing to world peace.

Peace is an essential part of Hinduism. By examining the core teachings of Hinduism, it is possible to demonstrate the way Hinduism guides individuals in accomplishing inner peace, and also the way in which this religious tradition contributes to world peace through individuals, and organisations working for peace.

The Bhagavad Gita is considered to be one of the most important of the Hindu sacred texts. This document contains sacred scriptures, and helps adherents to attain a peaceful and harmonious existence. It contains the core teachings, and serves to instruct a Hindu on the correct way to go about their life, taking into account the different castes. It advocates the concepts of Dharma, Karma, reincarnation, and Moksha, and the importance of these. Essentially, the Bhagavad Gita is the Hindu’s key to achieving peace.

A Hindu perspective on peace is firmly entrenched in the concept of Dharma or duty, which is considered to be one of the most important teachings within this faith tradition. The Upanishad states that “there is nothing greater than Dharma, righteousness, or justice.” Universal Dharma calls for all adherents to “practise right conduct” (Upanishad), but there is also specific Dharma which is based on the caste system. The Ten Commitments are also an important teaching, and Ahimsa, or non-violence is perhaps the greatest of these pertaining to the notion of peace.

In Hinduism, peace is not only important within oneself, but it is highly important to act peaceably toward others, because of the eschatological consequences. Karma and reincarnation are extremely important, as the individual constantly strives towards a better rebirth, and ultimately, Moksha: a permanent state of peace, or enlightenment. As the Bhagavad Gita says, “the way of peace is achieved through discipline.” This ties into the teaching of Ahimsa and correct Dharma, as actions towards others can determine the outcome of future rebirths. A Hindu must observe these core teachings to ensure that they can achieve complete peace.

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Inner peace is probably the most important and prevalent thing for a Hindu adherent to pursue. It is said that a person, by disassociating oneself from all earthly desires such as lust, greed and anger, is then able to achieve inner peace. The Bhagavad Gita states “One who abandons all desires, and becomes free from all longing and the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘my’ attains peace.” There are ways by which a Hindu can accomplish disconnection from earthly things through pilgrimage, participation in yoga, and meditation: “If you cannot meditate, how can you experience inner peace? And if you cannot experience inner peace, how can you know joy?” (Bhagavad Gita). Meditation can also help reduce stress, which is highly important for attaining inner peace, particularly for a contemporary adherent. Other ways in which to attain inner peace are through performing the ritual of Puja, or other such devotional acts toward the gods, as the Gita states: “Peace is knowing God.”

Hinduism has contributed to world peace in a great number of ways. But Hinduism advocates the importance of achieving inner peace before attempting to spread peace throughout the community. Senior Hindu monk, Swami Bhaskarananda is the highly regarded author of many Hindu books, and has stated: “But the wise say that ever-enduring peace can never be obtained through external means. Through spiritual discipline alone this inner peace can be acquired. Therefore, say the wise, may all try to create peace within, before trying to create any temporary or superficial peace in the world through external means.” Having said this, attaining world peace is also an extremely important pursuit in the lives of many Hindu adherents, but only possible once inner peace has been realised.

One of the greatest examples of an individual advocate for peace is that of Mahatma Gandhi. Throughout his life, he campaigned for world peace, displaying his convictions by setting an example. Gandhi brought the ancient concept of Ahimsa, or non-violence back into his society, and refused to act violently or retaliate in any way, despite his persecutions: “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” Gandhi campaigned against untouchability, and through his confrontations with hypocritical Hindus, challenged them to behave in a manner that was congruent with Hindu belief. Gandhi influenced many peace movements across the world, including Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Through Gandhi’s example, it can be seen one way in which Hinduism has contributed to world peace.

Other specific examples of Hindu organisations working for peace include the Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal, or HVP which works to promote word-peace, harmony, tolerance, and love. Through the HVP, other organisations have come about, such as the Youth Society for Peace, or YSP, which has assisted in establishing seminars, programmes and camps to do with peace, and “peace clubs.” Another such organisation is the Children’s Peace Home (CPH) which serves homeless orphans and victims of war, through providing food, shelter, and education. The Shanti Sewa Ashram also promotes peace through seminars and conferences, and has plans to establish nursing homes, orphanages and meditations centres. These organisations are not only working for world peace through actions, but are also providing an example for other Hindu adherents to follow, by practising Dharma through Ahimsa.

By gaining an understanding of the Hindu concepts of Dharma, Ahimsa and Moksha, shown through the sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishad, the Hindu stance on peace can be observed. The importance of inner peace cannot be highlighted enough, as world peace cannot be achieved until inner peace has been realised. This is shown through various sacred scripture, and the teachings of Hindu scholars and activists, such as Gandhi. Many Hindu organisations are practising their religious duty of Dharma through working for world peace and putting their faith into action. All of these examples, plus many more serve as evidence to demonstrate the principle Hindu teachings on peace, and the way that Hinduism guides and contributes to both inner peace, and world peace.

Bibliography:

(Website), “Bhagavad Gita,” (accessed: 22/6/09)

(Website), “Bhagavad Gita for Modern Times,” (accessed: 22/6/09)

(Website), “Hinduism: Many Paths to One God – Inner Peace,” (accessed: 22/6/09)

(Website), Arvind Sharma, “Does Hinduism Teach Peace or War?” (accessed: 26/6/09)

(Website), Kamal Morarka, “Peace on Earth: House Of Hinduism: Room For Everyone” (accessed: 26/6/09)

(Website), “Quotations by Author,” (accessed: 28/6/09)

(Website), “Mohandas Gandhi Quotes,” (accessed: 28/6/09)

(Website), Simran Khurana, “Gandhi Quotations,” (accessed: 28/6/09)

(Website), “List of Organisations,” (accessed: 28/6/09)

(Class handout – 24/6/09), Caroline Thompson, “Hinduism and Peace”