REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Cebu Normal University

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City,
6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

Group 4

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 2B

“Hinduism: Teaching and Notion of Good”

Members:

Baguio, Justine
Banciloy, Hecel Joy
Dagwayan, Angel Red
Mahilum, Khiezy
Pocong, Stacey
Rojas, Jereliza
Tulod,
Lady
Sunshine
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Cebu Normal University
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
 Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

The origins of Hinduism have been traced to the Indus River Valley in the Indian
sub-continent and the peoples who lived there. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions and
there is evidence of the existence of Hinduism dating back 4,000 years. By 1500 BCE,
Hinduism had already reached a high state of philosophical and religious development
which has been sustaining it to the present. With about 900 million followers, Hinduism is
the third-largest religion behind Christianity and Islam.

What has come to be called the Hindu faith, tradition, or religion is the result of a
rich blend of human civilization, including many different practices and expressions of
religious life. Many religious cultures, who spoke many languages and held many different
concepts about the nature of the Divine, have contributed to its development and evolution.

Within Hinduism, there are a vast array of practices and beliefs. As such, defining
Hinduism is challenging. The three other Indian religions—Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism
—have their roots in Hinduism and have close associations both historically and
conceptually.

Unlike many other religions, Hinduism cannot be traced to a single founder, single
scripture, or commonly agreed upon set of teachings. Throughout its long history, there
have been contributions by many important figures who had different teachings and
different philosophies, and who wrote many holy books. Therefore, some writers think of
Hinduism as being a way of life or a family of religions rather than a single religion.

The term Hindu was historically used to identify people with a geographical and
cultural connection to South Asia or who were indigenous to that region. It was only later
 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Cebu Normal University
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City,
6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

that it became a religious identifier. By the 16th century, the term began being used to refer
to the peoples who resided in the subcontinent who were not Turkic or Muslim. It is
thought that, at that time, the term may have simply indicated groups that shared certain
cultural practices such as the cremation of the dead and their styles of cuisine.

A more precise and widely used term for describing this belief system is Sanatan
Dharma or Hindu Dharma. Sanatan means eternal, ever-present, universal, and unceasing;
Dharma is harmony, compassion, truth, or natural law. Sanatan Dharma means eternal
path, never beginning or ending. Sanatan Dharma places spiritual experiences above
religious issues and cultural practices. The term Hindu is thought to have derived from the
name of the river or river complex in northwest India, the Sindhu. Sindhu is a Sanskrit word
used by the inhabitants of the region. Other groups who arrived in the land used the name
in their own languages for the land and its peoples.

Although defining Hinduism is a challenge, it is correct to state that Hinduism has its
roots in India. Most Hindus have a principal body of sacred scriptures known as the Vedas
and share a common system of values known as dharma. Because of the antiquity of
Hinduism, as well as its inclusiveness and acceptance of diverse expressions and beliefs, an
extensive array of philosophical doctrines and dogmas has evolved. This has resulted in the
appearance of additional scriptural texts, such as the Upanishads, Puranas, Ramayana, and
Bhagavad Gita, among others.

Hinduism exhibits deep respect for human life and promotes the virtues of
compassion, patience, and forbearance. The Bhagavad Gita urges self-control and the
overcoming of anger that leads to violence. The Upanishads and Vedas
promote ahimsa

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Cebu Normal University
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

(non harm). Jainism, originally a reform movement within Hinduism, requires the taking of
a vow against the use of violence. Some interpreters of Hinduism emphasize the nonviolent
character of its worldview. It was Gandhi who invoked ahimsa as the principal means of
overcoming injustice in all spheres of life. He refused to support the British in World War II
on the grounds that colonialism was inherently unjust and violent.

The notion of good in Hinduism is complex and multifaceted, with a rich

philosophical and spiritual tradition that has evolved over thousands of years. At the heart
of this tradition is the idea of dharma, a concept that is often translated as "duty,"
"righteousness," or "virtue," and which provides the framework for understanding what is
considered good and ethical behavior in Hinduism. In human life, dharma is seen as the
guiding principle for moral and ethical behavior, and it encompasses a wide range of
obligations and responsibilities, including those that arise from social status, gender, age,
and occupation.

In Hinduism, there is no single, universal definition of what constitutes good

behavior or actions. Rather, what is considered good or ethical depends on a number of
factors, including the individual's stage of life, social status, and personal temperament. For
example, a student is expected to focus on learning and study, while a householder is
expected to fulfill their family and social responsibilities. A person in old age is expected to
focus on spiritual pursuits and the search for enlightenment.
 One of the most important aspects of dharma is the idea of karma, which refers to
the law of cause and effect. In Hinduism, every action, thought, and word is believed to have
a consequence, either in this life or in future lives. This means that
individuals are

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responsible for their own destiny, and that their actions will ultimately determine their fate.
The notion of good in Hinduism is also closely linked to the concept of moksha, which is the
ultimate goal of spiritual life. Moksha refers to liberation from the cycle of birth and death,
and it is achieved through the attainment of spiritual knowledge and the realization of the
true nature of the self. In Hinduism, the pursuit of moksha is seen as the highest and noblest
goal of human life, and it requires a deep understanding of the nature of reality and the self.

Ultimately, the notion of good in Hinduism is shaped by a wide range of

philosophical, spiritual, and cultural factors. At its core is the idea of dharma, which
provides the framework for understanding what is considered good and ethical behavior.
This framework is not fixed, but rather is flexible and adaptable to the needs and
circumstances of individuals and society. Through the pursuit of dharma, karma, and
moksha, individuals can strive to live a good and ethical life in accordance with the cosmic
order and the principles of Hinduism.

The three basic teachings of Hinduism are Dharma, Karma and Moksha. Hinduism is
prevalent in India and is based on the Vedas, which are four sacred texts.

Dharma is the religious duty of people to follow the principles of the cosmic order,
including the rules that guide the morality of all human beings. Adherence to dharma
 means following laws and virtues for a good way of living.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Cebu Normal University
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City,
6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

Karma, on the other hand, is the set of individual rules for a specific person’s life
based on their status and deeds in both their current and past lives. Any future existence
depends upon a person’s good and evil actions.

Moksha is the state of escaping the sufferings of the physical world in death. It is the
end goal in a person’s life and marks the end of the cycle of rebirth.

Artha meaning "affluence," involves Hindus striving for money. Hinduism holds that
only a select few people may be content with material wealth. Hindus must therefore gather
wealth as part of their quest for Moksha. But they shouldn't fall head over heels for their
money. According to Hinduism's values, artha, which can be loosely translated as wealth
and influence, is acceptable as a goal. Due to the fact that a person requires them to raise a
family and maintain a home.

The main teachings of the Hinduism are as follows:

1. Believe in Truth, and realize that truth alone would win in the world.
2. Realize that all the material things around you would perish in some day or other,
and concentrate your attention on god.
3. Vedas are the divine texts given by the god to attain goodness in your life.
4. Follow the path of righteousness.
5. By doing good deeds in your life, you would be suitably rewarded by the
god. 6. Your main aim must be to attain SALVATION.
 7. The world is covered with full of illusions, come out from the worldly pleasures,
control your senses, and do meditation on the god.
8. Live and let live
must be followed
in your life.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Cebu Normal University
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND
SCIENCES
Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City, 6000 Philippines
Contact Nos.: 254-1452 local 140 / 253-0347

9. Be honest, sincere, and straightforward in your life.

10. Feel the presence of god everywhere in this world.
11. Realize that God has given you a very important task of preaching the goodness
of Hinduism and explaining the holy scriptures to others, and do it properly.
12. Follow the spiritual path, and do only good karma and don’t cheat others. Let us
follow the above holy principles of Hinduism and let us lead a peaceful and a sin free life.